"Tanking" has become a massive buzzword in NBA culture, and an approach to team-building that sparks everything from vitriol to accolades. Detractors say it's antithetical to winning, a reason ratings are down and an indictment of the analytically-driven geeks now running front offices. Defenders say it's the most effective way for franchises, particularly in small markets, to gather generational talent and turn fortunes. Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer has a terrific new book "Built to Lose: How the NBA's Tanking Era Changed the League Forever," which examines all sides of this polarizing topic, including where the Lakers' fallow period between Kobe Bryant's Achilles tear and the 2020 title fits into this story. - - Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky - - SEGMENT 1: How do you define tanking in the first place, why do people care if it happens and does it actually work? Fischer explains the culture of tanking. - - SEGMENT 2: After explaining why a zero-sum view of winning leads to a misunderstanding of tanking, Fischer discusses the several years of losing seasons and lottery picks for the Lakers. Was that tanking or ineptitude? Also, what role did Kobe's controversial $48,500,000 extension play in this struggle? - - SEGMENT 3: More talk about the ripple effect of Kobe's deal, plus the difficulties of combining the Mamba's twilight years, an old-school coach like Byron Scott and a group of lottery pick players. Plus, Andy runs his pet conspiracy theory about the Lakers and the NBA by Fischer. - - Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! - Built Bar - Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. - BetOnline AG - There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. - Rock Auto - Amazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. - Indeed - Get started RIGHT NOW with a FREE SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/locked - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices