The new lottery odds have made tanking irrelevant but nobody told the Knicks

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates with Jordan Clarkson #8 after scoring during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Quicken Loans Arena on November 13, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Hornets 113-89. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

It appears that NBA teams out of the playoff race aren’t as focused on losing as many games as possible to improve their draft stock this season. It is still early but the rule change that flattened the lottery odds seems to have had the desired effect. After a 2017-18 campaign that saw as many as nine teams angling in a race to the bottom, this year only five teams have under a .400 winning percentage. And of those five worst teams, the Cavaliers, Suns, Bulls and Hawks have combined for a very respectable 22-25 record since the All-Star Break. While it isn’t possible to know the motivations of each franchise, does this mean the these new rules to deter tanking are actually working?

To help answer that question, Ben Golliver joins the latest episode of Fastbreak Breakfast. Ben co-hosts the Open Floor podcast and is a national NBA writer for the Washington Post. In addition to addressing the pleasant elimination of [most] tanking, the following issues are discussed:

Which team (besides the Lakers, duh) jumping in the lottery would cause the most consternation and perhaps an outcry for the odds to be re-adjusted once again?
Does the NBA’s 3-point contest need a major overhaul to reflect the new creativity and ability of modern shooters?
Hide your ears Bucks fans: a scorching hot take on Mike Budenholzer maybe just being in the right place at the right time
What are the best quick breakfasts in the regular NBA circuit of cities?

Fastbreak Breakfast is a podcast for serious NBA fans that is incredibly not serious. All episodes are available on Apple Podcasts and Soundcloud or any other major podcast service.

Music provided courtesy of New Man and Codaphonic.

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