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Built to Lose: How the NBA's Tanking Era Changed the League Forever
"From front offices to college campuses, Jake Fischer takes you on an engrossing tour of the NBA in its latest golden age, when some of the most captivating teams won by losing." —Lee Jenkins, former Sports Illustrated NBA writer
An insider account of modern NBA team-building, based on hundreds of exclusive interviews
A single transcendent talent?can change the fortunes of an NBA franchise. One only has to recall the frenzy surrounding recent top pick Zion Williamson to recognize teams' willingness to lose games now for the sake of winning championships later. It's a story that weaves its way behind closed doors to reveal intricate machinations normally hidden from public view.
Backed by extensive reporting and hundreds of interviews with top players, coaches, and executives, Jake Fischer chronicles secret pre-draft workouts, feuding between player agents and executives, surprising trade negotiations, interpersonal conflicts, organizational power struggles, and infamous public relations fiascos, making for a fascinating look at the NBA.
The definitive account of the NBA's tanking era, when teams raced to the bottom in the hope of eventually winning a championship.
An insider account of modern NBA team-building, based on hundreds of exclusive interviews
A single transcendent talent?can change the fortunes of an NBA franchise. One only has to recall the frenzy surrounding recent top pick Zion Williamson to recognize teams' willingness to lose games now for the sake of winning championships later. It's a story that weaves its way behind closed doors to reveal intricate machinations normally hidden from public view.
Backed by extensive reporting and hundreds of interviews with top players, coaches, and executives, Jake Fischer chronicles secret pre-draft workouts, feuding between player agents and executives, surprising trade negotiations, interpersonal conflicts, organizational power struggles, and infamous public relations fiascos, making for a fascinating look at the NBA.
The definitive account of the NBA's tanking era, when teams raced to the bottom in the hope of eventually winning a championship.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2021
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372 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 15, 2021
I can appreciate the effort that went into collecting interviews and quotes and information for this. I think I would’ve been better if it stuck to the story of one franchise. It’s almost like it was planned to be about the sixers but then he found something interesting with the kings, and with the Lakers, and with the suns, and kept dipping into other places which is where it started to lose me
March 17, 2022
In basketball, more than any other professional sport, one draft pick can make or break a team’s future success. Therefore, draft picks, or more correctly, draft capital, are considered a very valuable commodity. Because the NBA draft lottery does not guarantee that the worst teams will get the first pick, some teams may want to accumulate draft capital in addition to losing more games, known as “tanking”, in order to improve their draft position. How this was done by some NBA franchises in the five year period between 2013 to 2018 is chronicled in this very good book by Jake Fisher.
Fisher conducted many interviews with players, coaches and team management personnel to collect the information and stories he uses throughout the book and it provides very good insight into the workings of those teams who sought to improve their draft capital. While several teams are discussed in the book, the primary focus was on the Philadelphia 76ers and their “process”, as it was called, in obtaining draft capital at the expense of wins. They came very close to breaking their own record for the worst full season but did get some valuable picks.
Other teams include two that might surprise people – the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. While both of those storied franchises may not come to mind when the subject is tanking, they did fit the profile that Fisher gives to teams who may lose many games, trade veteran players for draft picks or realize that it may be more beneficial to try to gain draft capital instead of chasing a low playoff spot. The results are mixed – the Celtics and Lakers did not take long to go back to their winning ways while others, such as the 76ers (on the rise, but not a champion yet) or the Minnesota Timberwolves (still struggling at the time of the book’s publication) have not seen the fruits of this type of management.
While the book is a good look at this type of management of a basketball franchise, the stories jump around and at times it’s hard to keep up with all the different names and stories being discussed. Because of that, no one team’s experience is described fully. Not even the 76ers’ story could be considered complete here. There is another book on their process that is recommended if the reader wants to know more about them specifically – “Tanking to the Top” by Yaron Weitzman. But if a reader wants to learn more about this type of management in a more general sense, this is good reference.
Fisher conducted many interviews with players, coaches and team management personnel to collect the information and stories he uses throughout the book and it provides very good insight into the workings of those teams who sought to improve their draft capital. While several teams are discussed in the book, the primary focus was on the Philadelphia 76ers and their “process”, as it was called, in obtaining draft capital at the expense of wins. They came very close to breaking their own record for the worst full season but did get some valuable picks.
Other teams include two that might surprise people – the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. While both of those storied franchises may not come to mind when the subject is tanking, they did fit the profile that Fisher gives to teams who may lose many games, trade veteran players for draft picks or realize that it may be more beneficial to try to gain draft capital instead of chasing a low playoff spot. The results are mixed – the Celtics and Lakers did not take long to go back to their winning ways while others, such as the 76ers (on the rise, but not a champion yet) or the Minnesota Timberwolves (still struggling at the time of the book’s publication) have not seen the fruits of this type of management.
While the book is a good look at this type of management of a basketball franchise, the stories jump around and at times it’s hard to keep up with all the different names and stories being discussed. Because of that, no one team’s experience is described fully. Not even the 76ers’ story could be considered complete here. There is another book on their process that is recommended if the reader wants to know more about them specifically – “Tanking to the Top” by Yaron Weitzman. But if a reader wants to learn more about this type of management in a more general sense, this is good reference.
September 20, 2024
This book was a fairly comprehensive look at the NBA's tanking era in the early 2010s. While the main subject is the poster boy of the tanking era Sam Hinkie (the former GM of the Philadelphia 76ers), the book also touches on tanking efforts of varying degrees by the LA Lakers, Boston Celtics,Milwaukee Bucks, and others.
There are some interesting tidbits about that era of basketball and how analytics have determined decisions around the league, but I think that a bigger focus on Hinkie would have made this a more interesting read. By talking about some other teams, there were chunks talking about the twilight of stars in the league like Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash. While these were interesting, they also felt like deviations from the core point about tanking.
Ultimately this is a good look at a revolutionary period in the NBA that changed the way so many teams operated. Just wished it focused more on Hinkie and less on the surrounding characters.
There are some interesting tidbits about that era of basketball and how analytics have determined decisions around the league, but I think that a bigger focus on Hinkie would have made this a more interesting read. By talking about some other teams, there were chunks talking about the twilight of stars in the league like Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash. While these were interesting, they also felt like deviations from the core point about tanking.
Ultimately this is a good look at a revolutionary period in the NBA that changed the way so many teams operated. Just wished it focused more on Hinkie and less on the surrounding characters.
July 12, 2023
This one is another that probably deserves a 3.5 more than a 4. There were times when Fischer's insider accounts of locker room, on court, and front office offered intriguing insights. At other times, I grew bored with the lists of picks traded and draft selections made in a given year. Outside of Sixers, Suns, Kings, and Celtics fans, this book is probably best saved for hardcore NBA fans, though I'm also not sure how much this group would actually learn from reading it.
September 1, 2021
3.5 stars.
A good book about the NBA’s ranking era. He interviewed a ton of people and it shows. Super valuable insights and especially relevant given that a few of the teams he features had (relatively) deep playoff runs.
I do think it would’ve been better served focusing on just one team rather than multiple. I found the Sixers’ aspect of the story most interesting and the Kings and the Magic pieces less so. I appreciated the inclusion of the guys from Rights to Ricky Sanchez and feel as though the book might’ve been even better had there been more inclusion of fans.
Overall a solid book about the NBA’s ranking era and whether it’s “worth” it.
A good book about the NBA’s ranking era. He interviewed a ton of people and it shows. Super valuable insights and especially relevant given that a few of the teams he features had (relatively) deep playoff runs.
I do think it would’ve been better served focusing on just one team rather than multiple. I found the Sixers’ aspect of the story most interesting and the Kings and the Magic pieces less so. I appreciated the inclusion of the guys from Rights to Ricky Sanchez and feel as though the book might’ve been even better had there been more inclusion of fans.
Overall a solid book about the NBA’s ranking era and whether it’s “worth” it.
May 31, 2021
Nba fans that closely follow the league probably won’t learn much new from this book. If you used Tankathon.com at all from 2015-2019 chances are you know this story.
Still, a worthwhile, easy read that retells an interesting period in recent NBA history.
Still, a worthwhile, easy read that retells an interesting period in recent NBA history.
July 22, 2022
doesn’t focus on them but the #tanknote era of the jazz while coming away with nothing at that time was dire. Thankfully being able to find Mitchell and Gobert later in the first round
November 15, 2021
Jake Fischer writes an engaging NBA sports tome, from the inside. Imagine being privy to closed door meetings, private conversations about evaluating high school and college talent, current pro players who might be trade-bait, etc. Now imagine seeing how those decisions turned out, who was a bust, who exceeded expectations. And all at the same time seeing NBA teams tanking on purpose all in the name if getting higher draft picks for upcoming years! Jake paints us a picture like Bob Ross would; a little color here, and there for effect. Before you know it you've got a contender on your hands, worthy of framing! Much of this book does focus on a few teams, more so on the Philadelphia 76ers. It's timely and noteworthy because the 76ers are having a lot of drama recently with one of those potential players, Ben Simmons... who can't seem to stay out of the spotlight for all the wrong reasons no matter how he might try. We learn from Jake that many of these young players taken out of high school and/or college are underdeveloped as adult citizens. Sometimes, but more often than not, these young men don't know how to handle instant millionaire money, and the responsibility it takes to manage the financial side of their careers. Also with the social temptations that being on the road and in the spotlight brings when you are in a big city with nightlife, there is always a party happening. I would definitely recommend this book for an in-depth look at the NBA, tanking teams striving for higher draft picks and the crazy strategy that helps build contenders in a league full of parity.
February 20, 2022
Built to Lose was quite a shift from my normal pattern of reading mysteries and thrillers, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. Being an avid fan of the NBA is a prerequisite for appreciating this account of the tanking period. I am a Nuggets and Sixers fan, and the Sixers are the lead story in this account of Sam Hinkie and the "process". Other teams included in the tanking ranks were the Celtics, Suns, Magic and Kings. My criticism of this book would be the long run-on paragraphs and the sudden digressions from the main storyline of a chapter or sub-chapter. Nonetheless, the anecdotes and inside stories held my attention, and I would recommend this book to all the NBA geeks out there.
November 25, 2023
Behind The Scenes Draft Tanking!!!
This was a great read for me, since I stopped watching the news in 1976 & was pretty much out of the loop on a lot of this information! Reading 2 other books at the same time can make it more difficult to keep up with the timeframes when this book goes back & forth between eras, but I read multiple books at the same time to keep my brain challenged & sharp!! It was Great to hear that the Lakers were one of the most poorly managed teams during this time with "Boy Buss" & Mitch Kupchak in charge, since everything they did was a complete waste of time & Thank Goodness for Jeanie Buss!!!
This was a great read for me, since I stopped watching the news in 1976 & was pretty much out of the loop on a lot of this information! Reading 2 other books at the same time can make it more difficult to keep up with the timeframes when this book goes back & forth between eras, but I read multiple books at the same time to keep my brain challenged & sharp!! It was Great to hear that the Lakers were one of the most poorly managed teams during this time with "Boy Buss" & Mitch Kupchak in charge, since everything they did was a complete waste of time & Thank Goodness for Jeanie Buss!!!
April 10, 2023
Man, I love basketball books. This is some real sicko material, and I was there for it every page and every random name drop. (On the topic, shoutout to Lucas Nogueira. And to Sam Hinkie, obviously. For making us believe that sometimes trying to lose is better than trying to win.)
The tanking era is a very divisive one in basketball history, considering we’re still in it as basketball fans. But just like every other good thing in life, it’s been nerfed severely.
So now we struggle through the load management era. But I really hope no one writes a book about the history of load management.
The tanking era is a very divisive one in basketball history, considering we’re still in it as basketball fans. But just like every other good thing in life, it’s been nerfed severely.
So now we struggle through the load management era. But I really hope no one writes a book about the history of load management.
October 1, 2024
This was on my "must read" and "excited to sit down and engulf." Not well written, very stale and parts are somewhat repetitive and droll. I'm not saying Fischer isn't a great author, he may end up having some really good books down the road. For this one here, it does tell the story about the tanking issue in the NBA, but doesn't really do a deep enough dive for me into the economics and details of how to build an NBA team. If you are a basketball fan, I would recommend for sure, but not one of my favorites this year.
December 20, 2025
I was disappointed there was not more discussion around whether tanking was good or bad and whether or not the author thought the league resolved the problem. What issues does tanking cause? What issues did the league’s attempt at a solution cause? Shouldn’t really bad teams be rewarded with a high draft pick to rebuild their teams?
None of those questions were answered. If all you want is a recounting of what several teams did in the early 2010s, then this is the book for you. I found it boring.
None of those questions were answered. If all you want is a recounting of what several teams did in the early 2010s, then this is the book for you. I found it boring.
January 9, 2022
Well researched and entertaining look at The Process
Very readable and lots of insider info on NBA behind the scenes. It's not about just Hinkie ans his Process, but also the league in general. Great too that the author doesn't put himself in the story unlike other recent sports books. If you're an analytics nut, wannabe GM, or even a casual fan, you'll find a lot of knowledge and juicy bits in this book. Absolutely highly-recommended.
Very readable and lots of insider info on NBA behind the scenes. It's not about just Hinkie ans his Process, but also the league in general. Great too that the author doesn't put himself in the story unlike other recent sports books. If you're an analytics nut, wannabe GM, or even a casual fan, you'll find a lot of knowledge and juicy bits in this book. Absolutely highly-recommended.
October 14, 2022
This book feels more like a notebook dump than a cohesive narrative. Fischer gets lost in the minutiae of the NBA from 2013 to 2015 and doesn’t really relate how “the league was changed forever.” There are interesting insider tidbits. Other than the 76ers ultimate tank job (which I don’t think is particularly commendable), it was business as usual for professional basketball.
August 28, 2021
This examines the 'process' of the idea of losing enough games to get a chance to get into the NBA lottery to draft enough players to get good. Does it work? looks at executives, players, egos, contracts, injuries, and unrealized potential. Insightful, swearing.
June 21, 2022
NBA Tanking Explained
An interesting behind-the-scenes look at the world of NBA tanking during the 2010s primarily focusing on the Philadelphia 76ers. Informative and eminently readable, the book provides background info for NBA junkies.
An interesting behind-the-scenes look at the world of NBA tanking during the 2010s primarily focusing on the Philadelphia 76ers. Informative and eminently readable, the book provides background info for NBA junkies.
May 5, 2023
Some parts are interesting and insightful, but a lot of parts are tedious and boring. Fischer talked to a ton of people and some of the interviews offer great insight. Yet the book lacks focus, covering 6-7 teams, and like a third of the book is just recapping past drafts which bored me.
January 7, 2026
For hardcore hoop-heads who want an inside view of what goes into building and developing a winning NBA team. I’m a draft junkie, so this was right up my alley. My only gripe was the narrative structure was a bit unfocused at times.
3.75 stars.
3.75 stars.
September 5, 2021
Lots of great quotes in here, and I'll never get tired of hearing about how much of a sweetie Brett Brown is/was.
September 16, 2021
I don't think it was focused enough. Telling the story of one franchise would have been more interesting, and it stuck more to anecdotes from teams than broader looks at the effects of tanking.
November 17, 2021
There was a lot of interesting information here about the workings of the NBA, but I wished it had been condensed and more focuses. It rambled along in places.
Read
December 14, 2021kind of lost the plot but still interesting
April 28, 2023
There's some interesting stuff in here but the approach is scattershot and bogged down in minutia too often.
Read
July 11, 2023Skip this one and check out Tanking to the Top by Yaron Weitzman. The only interesting part of this book is the Sixers’ story which is covered much better in Weitzman’s book.
August 21, 2023
A good analysis of how teams Tanked to get the high pick only to be thwarted thereafter
August 18, 2025
A good history of the tanking era. When you read a book like this, you realize what a crapshoot the NBA draft is, including the lottery. Many teams salivated over draft prospects, many of whom flame.
December 5, 2025
Brilliant reporting. A unique magnifying class into a remarkably odd and transformative time period in the history of the League.
September 2, 2021
As someone who hasn't followed the NBA closely in years, this book provided a fascinating and informative deep dive into how the league operates and how the prevalence of tanking took over sports.
September 2, 2023
3.75 stars. There were some good stories about an era of the NBA that was important to me (it basically chronicles the NBA years where I was in college), but there isn’t really a coherent narrative.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews