Finally. Finally, someone with actual power is saying what we've all been thinking.
Mat Ishbia, owner of the Phoenix Suns, just went on a social media tirade about tanking, and he didn't pull a single punch. He called teams that purposely lose games a "disgrace" and said it "impacts the integrity of the whole league."
But here's the part that made me stand up and applaud: Ishbia said tanking is "much worse than any prop bet scandal." He said teams are "throwing games strategically."
Let that sink in. An NBA owner is saying tanking is worse than gambling scandals. That's not just criticism - that's a shot across the bow of every team that's shut down healthy players to chase draft picks.
Look, I've been saying this for years on the radio. Tanking is a stain on basketball. It's disrespectful to the fans who pay good money to watch NBA games. It's unfair to the players who actually want to compete. And it makes a mockery of the sport when teams are openly trying to lose.
Ishbia isn't some random commentator like me - he owns a franchise. He has a seat at the table. When he calls for "massive changes" and expresses confidence that Commissioner Adam Silver will fix it, that carries weight.
Here's what Ishbia understands: There's a difference between being bad and tanking. If you're a young team that's rebuilding and you just don't have the talent yet? Fine. That's part of sports. You get a good draft pick, you build through the draft, and hopefully you get better.
But purposely shutting down players who could play? Sitting healthy guys because you don't want to win too many games? That's not rebuilding - that's manipulation. That's gaming the system. And it affects the integrity of the league.

