John Tortorella, the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, has recently responded to Flyers fans’ mail regarding tanking and labeled it as asinine. This response comes after the Flyers’ recent struggles and rumors of tanking to secure a better draft pick.
Tanking, in the world of sports, refers to intentionally losing games in order to secure a higher draft pick or better chance at winning in the future. This practice has become increasingly common in recent years, with teams like the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA and the Houston Astros in MLB openly admitting to tanking in order to rebuild their teams.
However, Tortorella is not a fan of this practice and believes it goes against the competitive nature of sports. In his response to Flyers fans’ mail, he stated, “I don’t know how you can look at your players and tell them to lose. I don’t know how you can look at your fan base and tell them to come watch a team that’s trying to lose.”
Tortorella’s stance on tanking is not unique. Many coaches, players, and fans believe that tanking goes against the spirit of competition and can have negative long-term effects on a team’s culture and fan base.
In addition to his criticism of tanking, Tortorella also expressed his frustration with fans who call for a team to tank without understanding the complexities of building a successful team. He stated, “It’s easy to say ‘tank for a draft pick,’ but it’s not that simple. You have to build a culture, you have to develop players, you have to create a winning environment. Tanking doesn’t guarantee any of that.”
While tanking may seem like a quick fix for struggling teams, it is important to consider the long-term effects on a team’s culture and fan base. As Tortorella stated, building a successful team requires more than just securing a high draft pick. It requires a commitment to developing players, creating a winning culture, and fostering a strong fan base.
In conclusion, John Tortorella’s response to Flyers fans’ mail regarding tanking highlights the negative effects of this practice on the competitive nature of sports and the long-term success of a team. While tanking may seem like a quick fix, it is important to consider the complexities of building a successful team and the impact on a team’s culture and fan base.
