re: Tank or playoffs?

Result isn't the point. You don't try to engineer failure, even if it is for longterm gain.

The culture of tanking has been corrosive to the league. All the wise-guy smirking about how to purposely lose to game the system--even celebrating it--is deeply cynical and saps away all the natural love for sports, where trying your best to win is the foundation of everything.

I think it's time--past time--for the NBA brass to institute a true draft lottery: you miss the playoffs, you've got the same shot as everyone else in the pool at the top pick. No better, no worse. If you really want to juice it, invert the lottery. The more games you win, the more lucky ping pong balls you get. Finish with the worst record? You get one ball. There's your frickin' tank...