OT: Popovich rests 4 starters tonight against Miami. Stern vows sanctions.

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November 29th, 2012 at 11:04 PM
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Bosch
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OT: Popovich rests 4 starters tonight against Miami. Stern vows sanctions.

Spurs are playing their 6th game in 9 nights.  They won the first five.  Game tonight is against Miami.  Popovich opted to send Duncan, Parker, and Ginobli home.  Figured the old men needed rest.  He also sent Danny Green home, as he felt he has been playing too many minutes.

Stern is pissed off, as it affects the fan experience....  and promises punishment.

Link here

I think I'm siding with Popovich here....  Yeah, it would suck to have tickets to the game expecting to see two of the best teams play, only to learn that 4 of the starters from one team are going to sit it out.... but ultimately Popovich should be able to make decisions that he feels are best for the team.  Hell, if his team trips up as some point, it's his ass on the line and Stern won't run to his rescue.

FYI, the second string for SA is leading the Heat 76-73 at the end of the third.  Probably won't hold up but if it does.... Wow.  It would be a humiliating loss for Miami.

Edit:  Damn.... so close. It's still embarassing for Miami though.  They had to play their core the majority of the game to squeak by a depleted Spurs team in Miami none the less.....

All right Lemmings. Bring the heat.

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November 29th, 2012 at 11:10 PM | I mean, I see Stern's point, (Score:5 Normal)
BlockM
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I mean, I see Stern's point, but how could he possibly justify sanctions in this situation? The coach's job is to win as many games as possible. If he thinks this will help him win more games, he's making the right decision.

@pnbloem | Ultra-MGoBoard

November 29th, 2012 at 11:14 PM | bad precedent (Score:5 Normal)
HipsterCat
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if hes does impose sanctions that could set a terrible precedent in the NBA, coaches rest players during the year, give guys nights off or an extra day to recover and stuff like that. if this was baseball it would be outrageous for the comissioner to complain about giving players a rest. coaches always rest players its a long season

November 30th, 2012 at 10:48 AM | I doubt (Score:1)
ijohnb
Joined: 09/21/2009
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Stern has the authority to sanction for this.  What would the basis be?  The Spurs bench got better last night, that is viable and even wise coaching strategy.  Go away Stern, faster than scheduled please.

November 29th, 2012 at 11:30 PM | I'm just cracking up... (Score:2 Normal)
oldcityblue
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I remember when Insectosaurus didn't have the Block M on his chest and it just made so much sense to include it, seeing your user name and all.The image is so much better with the Block M on his chest, even if we take if for granted over time. It really is hilarious, just thought you should know that the work was appreciated!

 

"He stood there like the house by the side of the road, and watched that one go by"

November 30th, 2012 at 1:35 AM | Disagree.  A coach's job is (Score:0 Overrated)
November 30th, 2012 at 1:43 AM | Disagreed. A coach knows he's (Score:3 Normal)
ChopBlock
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Disagreed.

A coach knows he's not going to win them all. Sometimes you have to leave the starter in to get pounded for two more innings to save your bullpen for tomorrow night.

"The straightest line from A to B is straight: From A to B"

"When you have Denard Robinson, you can have everything"

~George Walden

November 30th, 2012 at 2:01 AM | True, and that is why (Score:1)
bluecanuck
Joined: 10/04/2011
MGoPoints: 28

True, and that is why starters come out during blowouts.  Completely giving up on the game before it's even started is a whole different story.  You have to enter every game with what you believe is your best chance of winning that game.  If you're down big after the first inning/period/quarter, then you adjust your strategy once it's clear the outcome is all but official.

November 30th, 2012 at 2:03 AM | The badminton decision was a (Score:2 Normal)
South Bend Wolverine
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The badminton decision was a horrible one, though.  I believe the players were absolutely right to tank the games, and I would've done the same thing - if the IOC didn't like it, they should have structured the competition differently.  The goal of an athlete or team is to win the championship in their sport.  Other wins are subordinate ends.  If sacrificing one win will help you to achieve more wins in the long run, that is what should be done.

Now with 100% less South Bend, 100% more Washington DC.

November 30th, 2012 at 2:02 PM | I agree... (Score:1)
justingoblue
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that the IOC deserves a lot of blame for that whole fiasco, but I don't think these situations are really analogous. If San Antonio had followed the badminton model, they'd be doing things like chucking free throws into the stands and nicely handing the ball to Miami. The badminton players weren't trying to win as many games as possible, they were attempting to get an easier draw by way of losing an extra game.

If the Spurs were doing things like that, Stern should definitely step in and stop it. As it were, it sounds like San Antonio decided that their best shot at winning the most games (and not finding an easier opponent the next week) was to play a rested bench and simultaniously rest the starters for the next series of games.

Go Blue!

November 30th, 2012 at 9:19 AM | Happens all the time in Pro sports..... (Score:3 Normal)
Bosch
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.....at the end of the season.  Teams out of the running for the post season or teams with their position locked up will sit players and tanks games.  It can affect the post season position of another team or screw up draft orders.  Tough!

If a coach thinks it is in his best interest to rest his starters or get the younger players valueable game experience, that should be completely up to him.  Ultimately, he is judged by his team's performance over the course of the complete season.  Stern's decision is ridiculous.

 

All right Lemmings. Bring the heat.

November 29th, 2012 at 11:10 PM | My guess is there is more to (Score:1)
IPFW_Wolverines
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My guess is there is more to the story. I wouldn' t be surprised if the Spurs were told not to do this beforehand and they did it anyway.

"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." - Winston Churchill

November 29th, 2012 at 11:31 PM | They've done it before, (Score:2 Normal)
ghost
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They've done it before, though not to this degree and the NBA wasn't happy about it before.  To do it for a nationally televised game is just asking for it.  4 NFL teams have been fined this year for not reporting injuries.  Vegas has a huge influence over professional and college sports and stuff like this creates problems for them.

November 29th, 2012 at 11:11 PM | I'm not sure who I'm siding (Score:3 Normal)
a2_electricboogaloo
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I'm not sure who I'm siding with, all I know is if I spent a lot of money on getting tickets to that game, this would really piss me off.

USING GRATUITOUS AMOUNTS OF CAPS LOCK SINCE APRIL 2011

November 29th, 2012 at 11:14 PM | slippery slope, whats next (Score:5 Normal)
natesezgoblue
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slippery slope, whats next sanctioning for not playing a player enough minutes or not getting enough shots?

 

 

November 29th, 2012 at 11:14 PM | Like Miami fans can tell the (Score:5 Normal)
Hokemania
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Like Miami fans can tell the difference.

Whatcha gonna do, little brother?

November 29th, 2012 at 11:20 PM | When Jordan made his final comeback.... (Score:2)
Bosch
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with the Wizards, I got preseason tickets to see him play the Pistons at the Palace.  He played but I remember that it was very few minutes and not past the first quarter...... I was slightly annoyed, but I also accepted that I wasn't watching the Harlem Globetrotters.  The players weren't there to maximize my experience as a fan. 

All right Lemmings. Bring the heat.

November 29th, 2012 at 11:25 PM | I only saw Jordan play live (Score:4 Normal)
Indy Wolverine
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I only saw Jordan play live once. He scored 6 points. Give me my money back Stern!

November 29th, 2012 at 11:31 PM | I guess I disagree there.  I (Score:5 Normal)
a2_electricboogaloo
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I guess I disagree there.  I think it is the job a of professional athlete (less so with college) to provide the best experience for the fans.  They're not given these huge multi-million dollar contracts because they're good at the sport—there are a lot of people who are just as good at a lot of other things, but without the amazing financial benefits—rather they are paid that much because fans enjoy watching there sport and are willing to spend lots of money on tickets/merchandise/everything.  If they're taking the fan's money (and a lot of it for that matter), then they are at least somewhat obligued to provide them with a good experience.

USING GRATUITOUS AMOUNTS OF CAPS LOCK SINCE APRIL 2011

November 29th, 2012 at 11:41 PM | We are sheep to them man. (Score:2)
Indy Wolverine
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We are sheep to them man. Just sheep. Bahhh.

November 29th, 2012 at 11:43 PM | I see your point, and I agree (Score:5 Normal)
MgoBadFish
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I see your point, and I agree with you in theory, but what is the goal of every NBA team at the beginning of the season? To win a championship. If you ask anything less of your team, you arent a good coach. Pop knows his team is old and won't stay healthy through 82 games and have enough in the tank to win a championship. And the way this game played, I cant imagine more people watching if the Spurs played all their old stars. The goal is to win when it matters and Pop does that as well as anyone. I really hope Stern doesn't get away with this. If he does, why can't he set the starting lineup for every team in the league?

November 29th, 2012 at 11:55 PM | Pro teams... (Score:3 Normal)
Hardware Sushi
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Should win championships, agreed. I had no problem with my all-time favorite player Lidstrom sat out if it helped the Wings get closer to the Cup.



Entertainment is a goal of an organization, but not part of the competitive staffs' duties, meaning coaches, players and equipment staff. They are paid to win.



Team doctors have a priority to manage the players safety. It's Operations job to sell tickets and plan stupid intermission gimmicks. Coaches and players should try to win. If it were different withy favorite team, I'd be pissed.

Intensity is a lot of guys that run fast.

November 30th, 2012 at 12:14 AM | I don't think it's a simple issue. (Score:4 Normal)
Mr Miggle
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If San Antonio needed to rest some players, fine. But choosing well in advance to rest them all in the same game is a problem, both in their uneven competitive effort and in the product for the fans. Popovic would have done better not to admit this was all planned.

Eating is murder.

November 30th, 2012 at 12:21 AM | Doesnt it make sense to keep (Score:1)
MgoBadFish
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Doesnt it make sense to keep them all out one game instead of one player out every few games? Also, why not do it against a team you probably won't beat on the road, especially this early in the season. This is their 6th game in 9 days. Near 40 year olds need more time to recover and they have a lot of those.

November 30th, 2012 at 8:24 AM | Yes, it does make some sense for San Antonio, (Score:3 Insightful)
Mr Miggle
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but it's not in the league's interest to have teams choosing opponents they aren't really trying to beat. It was not the only reasonable way to get their players some rest. There are limits on what teams are allowed to do even if it's in their own interest. Would the NFL tolerate teams admitting they were intentionally losing games to move up in the draft?

Eating is murder.

November 30th, 2012 at 1:51 PM | The league's interest? (Score:3 Normal)
Bosch
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That's the problem..... Pop doesn't work for the league.  He works for the Spurs' organization and has to answer to them if his team fails, not Stern.  As stated in the OP, SA was playing it's 6th game in 9 days?  Did you also realize that Miami's previous game before yesterday was Saturday?  Why should Pop bend over for Stern when it appears that this "marqee" mid season match up was set up in Miami's favor from the beginning?  

Hell, Popovich could take this to a mediator and plead a case that he felt playing his well rested reserves gave his team the best chance to win.... and it would be a case worth listening to since SA almost pulled it off last night.

All right Lemmings. Bring the heat.

November 29th, 2012 at 11:11 PM | Kind of rediculous. If fans (Score:1 Normal)
aiglick
Joined: 11/27/2010
MGoPoints: 1442

Kind of rediculous. If fans want to voice their displeasure then sure but this is not a matter for the commisioner to handle.

Here's hoping for a bright future. This team does try hard and I will continue to support them.

November 29th, 2012 at 11:13 PM | It messes up the betting (Score:5 Normal)
Center Ice
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The oddsmakers who pay Stern and his guys to throw games must be upset that the Spurs are throwing the game.

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November 29th, 2012 at 11:14 PM | What right does the (Score:5 Normal)
Moleskyn
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What right does the commissioner have to punish a coach for making coaching decisions? Sounds like a totally douche move by Stern. Even if there is more to this than meets the eye, the league should not be able to interfere with roster decisions. If it's really a problem, let the Spurs organization deal with it.

Also, is there a precedent for this in any major US sport? I've never heard of a league commissioner punishing a team because of a coach's roster decisions.

November 29th, 2012 at 11:35 PM | The Spurs did not have to sit (Score:1 Normal)
ghost
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The Spurs did not have to sit all those guys in the same game.  They get lots of tv money from the league and doing stuff like this is hurting the league.

November 29th, 2012 at 11:39 PM | Maybe they didn't have to... (Score:4 Normal)
Moleskyn
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Maybe they didn't have to... but that's their prerogative, no? The commissioner is way over-stepping his bounds by getting into this.

November 30th, 2012 at 12:24 AM | The league would also be hurt.... (Score:2)
Bosch
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....if SA tanked mid season because of fatigue. 

All right Lemmings. Bring the heat.

November 29th, 2012 at 11:14 PM | this should stop teams from (Score:2 Normal)
cbs650
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this should stop teams from inflating ticket prices for marquee games as well.

November 29th, 2012 at 11:14 PM | I can't stand Stern. He has (Score:5 Normal)
MgoBadFish
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I can't stand Stern. He has no right to punish the spurs or Popovich. If the game wasn't against the Heat and on TV, there would be no sanctions. Pop and the Spurs management has the right to do anything and everything to reach their goals this season. I would guess that their goals include some playoff wins, not a win against any specific team on any specific night. 

November 29th, 2012 at 11:15 PM | btw its tied late in the (Score:2 Normal)
natesezgoblue
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btw its tied late in the 4th..

November 29th, 2012 at 11:16 PM | my favorite part is that they (Score:2 Normal)
orobs
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my favorite part is that they are tied late in the 4th

November 29th, 2012 at 11:17 PM | Let me put this out first- I (Score:5 Normal)
DGDestroys
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Let me put this out first- I don't really follow the NBA.

That said, how in the world can Stern justify this? Popovich acts in the interest of his team and sanctions are threatened? Is this just Stern talking out of his ass? 

This is ridiculous, I must be missing something. Surely the NBA can't be that transparently indifferent about the actual strategy, just ticket sales. 

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November 29th, 2012 at 11:17 PM | spurs up 4.  lol.  good luck (Score:2 Normal)
natesezgoblue
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spurs up 4.  lol.  good luck with that Stern.

November 29th, 2012 at 11:20 PM | To hell with Stern's opinion (Score:0 Overrated)
November 29th, 2012 at 11:36 PM | College athlete's "salary" - (Score:3 Normal)
jhender85
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College athlete's "salary" - Free room/board, meals and tuition.

Pro athletes salary - Millions.

Believe it or not, these guys are paid insane amounts to entertain, and by the average man's standards, the stud players make enough money to be easily set for (a very comfortable) life a couple months into a single season. Michael Jordan even understood that and played every game like it was his last, even if his body tried its damnedest to stop him. College athletes on the other hand have yet to earn a dime towards their name and have their whole lives ahead of them. While I can't stand Stern and will never say I openly agree with a single thing he says or does, those Spurs have a damn job to do, and that's to give fans their money's worth.

November 29th, 2012 at 11:43 PM | Ok, but then how do you (Score:3 Normal)
Moleskyn
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Ok, but then how do you determine whether or not the fans are getting their money's worth? Do you measure that by looking at one game, or by looking at the bigger picture and realizing that some sacrifice may be necessary along the way to best position your team for the championship?

November 29th, 2012 at 11:44 PM | I don't care about any of (Score:3 Normal)
swan flu
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I don't care about any of that. Greg Popovich's job is to win championships. If he feels that it is in his teams best interest to rest the starters then he should do that. Doing anything else is absurd.

Say whatever you want about ts being entertainment, that's not Popovich's job.

Tenim un nom el sap tothom. Barca, Barca, BAAARCA!

November 29th, 2012 at 11:48 PM | What the hell are you talking about? (Score:-1 Flamebait)
November 30th, 2012 at 12:05 AM | I agree with your point.... (Score:5 Normal)
Bosch
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but not your delivery... don't turn us into the RCMB.  We should be able to disagree here without getting in eachother's grill.

All right Lemmings. Bring the heat.

November 30th, 2012 at 12:51 AM | Who the hell are you and why are you so angry? (Score:5 Normal)
jhender85
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Fine, you don't agree with my opinion and you have some decent points to consider of your own, that's cool.  However, my opinion is not uncommon in the least, and thusly is not so outrageous of a thought that you need to pop a blood vessel getting so worked up about it while you attempt to belittle and cuss out a guy you don't know through a computer screen.  Learn to state your opinion like an adult and not a little brat that never learned to acceptably filter his thoughts before speaking.

By the way, Jordan averaged 38.25 minutes per game in his career.  With how damn good his teams were for a long time, sure as hell seems mathematically impossible for him not to have played a full (or close to) 40 mins in a majority of those blowouts.  Also, unless your team is perenially on the cusp of the playoffs, you don't buy tickets for week 17 of the NFL expecting to see starters.  That's a given.  While I'm sure the fans of this Spurs/Heat game got their money's worth by seeing the Heat in action, I don't think many of them were under the impression that almost half of the starters wouldn't even be dressing up.  Lastly, I don't ever recall saying I agreed with fines of any sort.  Pretty much said I disagree with anything Stern does.  I was just stating my humble opinion that I think because pro athletes are paid millions to put on show, they should be out there whenever they're able to.

November 30th, 2012 at 12:26 AM | Just because it's pro sports (Score:1)
UMxWolverines
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Just because it's pro sports doesn't mean its only purpose is entertainment. The jets are entertainment too. Their job is to win. If you can win without your stars since they've played 4 games in 5 night or whatever, why wouldn't you rest them when they've been run ragged? It will help in the long run.

"Ohio is like a giant turd that Michigan just can't pinch off"

November 29th, 2012 at 11:24 PM | The Spurs have done this (Score:3 Normal)
Appleseed
Joined: 12/27/2010
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The Spurs have done this several times over the last couple years. The only reason Stern is saying anything now is because they're playing Miami and it's a national TV game. If the Spurs were playing the Bobcats and it was on Fox Sports Southwest or whatever no one would care.

November 29th, 2012 at 11:27 PM | If someone (Score:1)
IncrediblyBLUE
Joined: 03/26/2011
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is able to take advantage of the system, do you punish those who took advantage, or do you change the system so that it can not be taken advantage of?

/end politics

Coach Hoke once told me that a moral victory is still a (expletive deleted) loss.

November 29th, 2012 at 11:30 PM | Sometimes I imagine David (Score:5 Normal)
evenyoubrutus
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Sometimes I imagine David Stern and Gary Bettman are like the Duke brothers from Trading Places. They bet each other a dollar and see who can be the dumbest league commissioner ever.

Not that I loved Rich Rod less, but that I loved Michigan more.

November 29th, 2012 at 11:30 PM | Come on now. (Score:3 Normal)
TTUwolverine
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This is ridiculous.  Do all commissioners grow up asipiring to be this guy?

November 29th, 2012 at 11:31 PM | Oh David $tern gotta love his (Score:1 Normal)
gutnedawg
Joined: 12/18/2010
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Oh David $tern gotta love his antics

/°>

 

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