To claim that a team is “tanking” is a serious accusation.
To tank, I believe, is one of the worst things a team can do – it removes the competitive nature and entertainment factor from every game the team participates in. Now that the Pacers hold a dismal 1-6 record to start the season, many have begun to accuse the team of tanking, which simply isn't true.
The narrative of a “gap year” began to be thrown around immediately after Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, but the team’s brass has continually pushed back on that sentiment (h/t Forbes' Tony East).