[Freeper]

continued a full court press and fast break offense

One "holiday season" my (new wife) and myself returned to my in-laws home . . . my father-in-law owned a ping pong table. We played over the next 10 days. He lost every game. My wife 'cut me off' one night and said "why don't you let daddy win a game?"

I said because he didn't win a game!

Almost 50 years later I have not understood the concept of "throwing" a game.

"War is Hell."

[jalisco555]

Almost 50 years later I have not understood the concept of "throwing" a game. "War is Hell."

First of all, no one is talking about throwing the game and second of all, it's basketball, not war. The coach exhibited rotten sportsmanship and deserves censure (not sure about firing). Running up the score against an obviously outclassed opponent shows a lack of class and should be criticized, not praised.

[N3WBI3]

where is anyone saying the game should be thrown?

[svcw]

Me either. I remember in elementary school (I was tether ball champ) a school wide competition that I was the best in the school. Tromped a boy. The school did not give me the trophy because ‘boys don't lose to girls’.
If you don't play to win, then don't play. I do think we need to teach to be as gracious winner and loser. I do not think we should teach gloating.
My grandson was on a basketball team that won every game in this season 40-75 points, even using third string players. I was shocked at how they were trashed in the press and by the high school alumni. The coach basically told the young men to ignore everyone and keep on winning.
I am sicken by the attitude that there is some virtue in not playing your best so the other guy doesn't feel bad. There is only virtue in playing the best you can, win or lose. It seems your DIL should have practiced more. ;-) But really he probably would have been angry if you through a game, he would have known.

[Star Traveler]

You said — “Almost 50 years later I have not understood the concept of “throwing” a game.”

It makes sense for family peace with a wife... LOL...

[VRWCmember]

Almost 50 years later I have not understood the concept of "throwing" a game.

Can you understand the difference between "throwing a game" and "not continuing full court defense and shooting three-point shots in the fourth quarter when you were already up 59-0 at halftime"?

Nobody is suggesting throwing the game, but they are suggesting pulling back a little rather than trying to see how much you can humiliate an inferior opponent.