Scott Van Pelt: NBA tanking is ruining game integrity, the 76ers are primed for a deep playoff run, and the Celtics face immense pressure to reach the Finals | Pardon My Take

Tanking strategies are undermining the NBA's game integrity and dragging down the regular season's excitement.

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Add us on Google by Editorial Team Apr. 13, 2026

Key takeaways

• The NBA’s product quality has been negatively impacted by tanking strategies.
• Tanking in the NBA has led to a decline in the integrity of the games.
• The Philadelphia 76ers are poised for a potentially deep playoff run.
• The Boston Celtics face high expectations to reach the NBA Finals.
• The relegation model is unlikely to be adopted in American sports due to financial risks.
• The NHL playoff format is criticized for pitting strong teams against each other early.
• Wisconsin’s athletic department has been criticized for lack of organization.
• NFL insiders are expected to disclose significant information to the public.
• NFL teams often prioritize player performance over personal controversies.
• The NBA’s regular season has been described as dragging due to tanking.
• The NHL’s playoff setup is seen as flawed in terms of team matchups.
• Wisconsin’s athletic programs have struggled with management issues.
• NFL insiders have a responsibility to report critical information.
• The Celtics face pressure to meet high performance expectations.
• The 76ers have a strong chance for success in the current playoff landscape.

Guest intro

Scott Van Pelt is host of the midnight edition of SportsCenter on ESPN and main host of the network’s golf coverage, including the Masters Tournament. He joined ESPN in 2001 as the network’s lead professional golf reporter after anchoring at the Golf Channel from 1995 to 2000.

The impact of tanking on the NBA

• The NBA has ruined its product this season due to tanking.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• The regular season was described as dragging, impacting fan engagement.
• Tanking strategies have led to a decline in game quality and integrity.

• The current state of the NBA is suffering due to teams actively trying to lose games.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• The practice of tanking raises concerns about the competitive nature of the league.
• The Jazz vs. Grizzlies game exemplified the negative impact of tanking.

• They started six guys, the one guy who shot well they sat immediately.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• Understanding the implications of tanking is crucial for assessing the NBA’s future.

The Philadelphia 76ers’ playoff prospects

• The Philadelphia 76ers have a strong chance to make a deep playoff run this year.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• The current NBA playoff landscape favors the 76ers’ potential success.
• Injuries affecting other teams could benefit the 76ers’ playoff journey.
• Pundits have high expectations for the 76ers this season.
• The team’s performance will be closely watched by analysts and fans.
• The 76ers’ roster depth is a key factor in their playoff potential.

• This is the year that the Sixers should make a run.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• The 76ers’ playoff success could redefine their status in the league.

Expectations for the Boston Celtics

• For the Boston Celtics, anything short of reaching the NBA Finals would be a disappointment.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• The Celtics face significant pressure to perform at a high level.
• Their current position in the league sets high expectations for success.
• The team’s management and coaching staff are under scrutiny.
• Fans and analysts are closely monitoring the Celtics’ playoff journey.
• The Celtics’ performance could impact future team dynamics.

• Anything other than getting to the NBA finals is a disappointment.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• The Celtics’ playoff outcome could influence future roster decisions.

The relegation model in American sports

• The relegation model in sports is unlikely to be adopted in American sports due to financial risks for team owners.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• Financial implications are a major barrier to adopting relegation in the US.
• The model differs significantly from European soccer structures.
• Team owners prioritize financial stability over competitive restructuring.
• The cultural differences between American and European sports are evident.
• Relegation could pose significant financial risks for American teams.

• The people that would own the teams would stand to lose so much money.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• Understanding these dynamics is crucial for discussions on sports reform.

Criticism of the NHL playoff format

• The NHL playoff setup is flawed because it forces strong teams to compete against each other in the first round.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• The current format affects team dynamics and fan expectations.
• Strong teams facing off early can lead to unexpected playoff outcomes.
• The structure may not reflect the true competitive balance of the league.
• Fans and analysts have expressed frustration with the current setup.

• You can have an entire 82 game season and then have the second and third best teams in the western conference have to play in the first round.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• The playoff format is a topic of ongoing debate among NHL stakeholders.

Wisconsin’s athletic department challenges

• Wisconsin’s athletic department lacks organization and responsiveness.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• The department’s handling of NIL opportunities has been criticized.
• There is a perceived disconnect in their approach to management.

• It’s crazy like and I again maybe they don’t respect podcast money.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• The department’s inefficiencies could affect future athletic performance.
• Wisconsin’s recent athletic performance has been underwhelming.

• We haven’t had our shit together in two years.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• Addressing these issues is crucial for improving the department’s reputation.

The role of NFL insiders

• NFL insiders have a responsibility to disclose significant information to the public.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• The media’s role in reporting critical information is essential for public understanding.
• Insiders are expected to maintain transparency in their reporting.

• Isn’t your job as insiders to tell us… it’s crazy how it was kept in house.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• The dynamics of NFL media influence public perception of players.
• Accountability in insider reporting is crucial for maintaining trust.
• The expectations of insiders reflect broader media responsibilities.
• Understanding these dynamics is key for analyzing NFL media coverage.

NFL teams’ evaluation of players

• NFL teams prioritize player performance over personal controversies unless they impact legal eligibility.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• Performance is often prioritized over personal history in player evaluations.
• The league’s approach to player controversies is a topic of discussion.

• If you’re a productive football player they don’t give a fuck about any of the like alleged red flags.

  — Scott Van Pelt

• Legal eligibility is a key factor in player evaluation decisions.
• The prevailing attitude in the NFL emphasizes performance metrics.
• These dynamics affect team decisions and public perceptions of players.
• Understanding these priorities is crucial for analyzing NFL team strategies.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.