Getty
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 06: Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury owner Mat Ishbia, attends the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on November 06, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Clippers 115-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns have been much better this year than NBA pundits thought they would be. After trading Kevin Durant, they are a better team. Right now, the Suns sit seventh in the Western Conference standings. They seem to have better chemistry.
Tanking has been the talk of the NBA since the All-Star break started. That was because the Pacers and the Jazz were both fined for perceived tanking behavior with their lineups before and during games. That started off a larger discussion of tanking in the league and how to fix it.
Suns owner Mat Ishbia has some strong thoughts on tanking in the NBA. He took to social media to criticize other teams and Adam Silver over the issue of tanking.
GettyPhoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia talks with Mark Davis. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Suns Owner Mat Ishbia Rips Tanking Teams and Adam Silver
Ishbia didn’t hold back about other teams engaging in tanking, implying his team would never do that.
“This is ridiculous! Tanking is losing behavior done by losers. Purposely losing is something nobody should want to be associated with. Embarrassing for the league and for the organizations. And the talk about this as a “strategy” is ridiculous,” Ishbia wrote.
He didn’t stop there, either.
“If you are a bad team, you get a good pick. That makes sense. But purposely shutting down players and purposely losing games is a disgrace and impacts the integrity of whole league.”
Ishbia then went on to say that this is worse than the gambling scandals that the NBA has had to deal with.
“This is much worse than any prop bet scandal. This is throwing games strategically. Horrible for fans that pay to watch and cheer on their team. And horrible for all the real teams that are competing for playoff spots.”
Finally, Ishbia demanded that the NBA and Silver make changes to the current system.
“Awful behavior that Adam Silver and the NBA will need to stop with massive changes, and I have complete confidence that with his leadership, he will fix it. Those of us in a position of influence need to speak out… the only “strategy” is doing right by fans, players, and the NBA community.”
The Suns Have Refused to Tank This Season
Had the Suns decided to tank this season, no one would have blamed them. They traded Durant, bought out Bradley Beal, and have barely had Jalen Green play any games. Instead, the Suns own the 10th-best defense in the league, flipping their identity from last season.
The Suns are in a position to make the playoffs without their best player from last season. Perhaps that’s why Ishbia is so against tanking. Tanking is certainly an issue that Silver will look into during the offseason, and he has promised as much during the All-Star break.
Phoenix has benefitted from other teams tanking this season. Ishbia still wants to see that part of the NBA taken away.
Ryan Stano Ryan Stano covers the NBA for Heavy.com. He has been covering sports since 2017, covering the NFL, College Football, College Basketball, and the NBA. His work has been featured on Yahoo, Bleacher Report, FanSided, and Sports Illustrated. More about Ryan Stano
More Heavy on Suns
Loading more stories