Hour 1 - NBA Tanking Backlash: Gambling Pressure, Silver Responds, What’s Next? episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 18, 2026 · 45 MIN

Hour 1 - NBA Tanking Backlash: Gambling Pressure, Silver Responds, What’s Next?

from The Chris Russell Show

Hour 1 tackles the growing backlash against NBA tanking, starting with a report that the league punished teams after gambling partners raised concerns about the on-court product. Chris Russell reacts and explains why tanking hurts both the league and individual franchises in the long run. The discussion includes audio from Adam Silver, with Russell agreeing that teams don’t need to intentionally lose games to land superstars and build sustained success. The hour wraps with a proposed fix from Stan Van Gundy, as Russell breaks down whether his idea could realistically curb tanking and restore competitiveness across the NBA.

Hour 1 tackles the growing backlash against NBA tanking, starting with a report that the league punished teams after gambling partners raised concerns about the on-court product. Chris Russell reacts and explains why tanking hurts both the league and individual franchises in the long run. The discussion includes audio from Adam Silver, with Russell agreeing that teams don’t need to intentionally lose games to land superstars and build sustained success. The hour wraps with a proposed fix from Stan Van Gundy, as Russell breaks down whether his idea could realistically curb tanking and restore competitiveness across the NBA.

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Hour 1 - NBA Tanking Backlash: Gambling Pressure, Silver Responds, What’s Next?

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This episode is 45 minutes long.

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This episode was published on February 18, 2026.

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Hour 1 tackles the growing backlash against NBA tanking, starting with a report that the league punished teams after gambling partners raised concerns about the on-court product. Chris Russell reacts and explains why tanking hurts both the league...

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