The NBA spent the better part of the last year trying to get ahead of a growing perception problem, one that strikes at the core of competitive integrity. Tanking, long an open secret around the league, became more blatant, more widespread, and harder to ignore. Commissioner Adam Silver has publicly vowed to put a “full stop” to it, with the league exploring draft lottery reforms, financial penalties, and structural changes aimed at discouraging teams from losing on purpose. But just as those