OT NBA oversteps its bounds by giving Spurs $250,000 fine.

Yeah, Stern is out of line here.  He needs to reconsider how games are scheduled, and he should also recognize that a coach like Popovich is a winner - he's not going to purposely throw games to hurt his team.  Pop is trying to rest his aging stars for the stretch run.

NBA is a joke, but at least they have a season for this type of hi jinx to happen. *glares at NHL*

Terrible decision by the NBA. I think what Popovich is doing with his aging/tired stars is understandable. I hope this is thrown out.

Super fucking lame if you ask me.  Now the comissioner can tell coaches who they can and cannot rest?  What if all of those guys got sick, then what? 

Another example of his megalomania.  Teams rest players all the time after a playoff spot is secured - it's hard to see how this is much different.  Pop is simply managing his roster.

I'm curious to see if this sticks.  My sense is that Pop's well-regarded around the league, but I'm not in the know on that point.

Is there a rule that states that a team must dress its superstars for every game?

If I were the Spurs owner I would simply refuse to pay the fine, and insist they put it to league vote amongst all the other owners. This would be consistent with making up rules as they go along.

What bullshit.  If I were the Spurs owner, I'd tell Stern to go fuck himself.

David Stern is giving Bettmen (sp) a run for his money.

I hope someone starts a petition on this. this is complete bs.

More of the same.  David Stern has been doing whatever he wants for at least twenty years.  The only reason it's obvious now is because of the internet.  

Snakes222
Next time Popovich should just start them, call a timeout after 5 seconds of play and then sit them the rest of the game.

He should have gotten a lot more heat for the stupid ass Chris Paul trade veto last year. Screw David stern!!!

*If* Popovich was trying to send an implicitly insubordinate message to the NBA about the horrendous road trip they were on (which, like, whatever, the Pistons had it worse to start the season)-6 games in 9 days-then I can understand Stern fining them.

But then I remember that he's never ONCE addressed teams that tank the end of the season for more ping pong balls, and am so glad that smarmy little man is stepping down soon.

We demand to be taken seriously

The alliance of magicians

Please set up to the mic and tell David Stern what he can do with his bs fine!

I hate Stern with a passion. The NBA ceased to exist for me a couple years ago because it no longer seems like a real sport. Stern learned the wrong message from the Magic-Bird era, and has marketed it around personalities instead of the team sport it should be. Bird and Magic were so successful precisely because they elevated the team. Stern is now desperately trying to salvage a league on the decline because he's lessened the value of his product, and he's lashing out at anyone he can blame for his problem.

Sometimes when I hear Dave Brandon's thoughts on marketing M football I'm fearful he is going down a similar path.

I wonder whats going to happen if players start getting "sick"???  Are they going to have league doctors checking everyone out to see if they are sick?  or if they are having back spasms?  or any other generic excuse players make to sit out of games.

I've read that Stern doesn't want the Spurs to set a precedent that makes resting players commonplace. But what kind of precedent does this set? Will the league start combing boxscores for suspicious DNP-CD's? Will players have to get approval from an independent doctor to sit out with an injury? All this does is make David Stern look like an ass.

Plus, fan reaction is overwhelmingly on the Spurs' side. My guess is Stern thought fans would be applauding him for this. Just a huge miscalculation. Can't wait for him to retire.

What would Stern do if the Spurs orginization refused to pay the fine? Apparently Stern is not only acting as the a general manager by not authorizing certain trades... he's now dictating how teams set up their rosters and play their games. His retirement can't come soon enough! He has effectively watered down the NBA product by over exanding the leagues footprint, and by selling his soul to bad basketball. His decisions are based upon what he personally wants, not what is better for the league. While Popovich shouldn't have sent his star players home, it's ultimately his and the orginization's decision. If he's so concerned about fans who pay to watch his NBA product then he should shut down the Bobcats.... they're a crime against humanity.

F**k David Stern.  I'm not an NBA guy anymore and really don't watch.  I've been paying attention to this non-story story the past 24 hours though; I tuned in to the game only because what Popovich was doing (well, and they were actually winning and should have won).  Just like most things in life this is a bunch of hypocritical bullsh*t.  Sorry to the "fans" that went to watch their team but missed out on their "stars" not playing; but honestly, boo hoo, sorry for ya.  The TEAM they went to watch almost won anyway.  When the Spurs are winning in May and June it'll partially be because of the great coach they have and then to some extent the decisions he makes throughout the course of a season.

But let's fine the sh*t out of the organization/coach for making a decision based on the health of his team and the overall bigger picture which is the NBA season.

Also...I went and saw the Braves twice this season (on the road) and both times Chipper Jones had the day off.  I wasn't mad or upset; it's life.  It's what happens.  I went to the games to see the team.  I understand basketball is a more "star" oriented sport and that it's not as much of  team game as baseball and football...but too bad.

I'd be happy if Stern and Bettman both disappeared. They are ruining their respective sports. Talk about complete idiots...

This is just absolutely epic douchebaggery. Imagine if the Spurs had won. And it was close, too.

So if Stern can fine teams for not putting what he considers an acceptable product on the floor, why hasn't he done anything to the Pistons lately? That's just a crappy show.  

As an mgoattorney, i feel as though i am in a unique position to comment on the legality of this matter. In my expert analysis, this is kaka horseshit. Glad i could contribute.

But in reality, save for some contractual agreement between the teams and the nba stating that a coach must play high earning players etc, this seems to be utter crap. More than anything stern is trying to be a "fans" commissioner by showing he wants to give people entertaining basketball. Seems to have exponentially backfired.