How do feel about Pop's decision not to PLAY the 3 top Guns?

[pickupkid]

????????

[Rakhir]

Quite honestly I'm not sure I understand this story. But it interesting how the bench damn near beat Miami without them.

[pickupkid]

The four top players were sent home to rest...Stern says Pop can't do that,...he may face penelty

[Mokoa]

Don't recall seeing such a rule in the NBA rulebook.

Stern is just pissed because he fears the ratings may not be as good as what he expected.

Rakhir has a very good point. The Spurs bench opened a lot of eyes tonight.

[pickupkid]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/S...ishment-112912

[Jed Clampett]

I see Pops point.....he's trying to conserve the energy of some of the top players on the team who are aging, and try to win the next big game. But, Stern is taking the fans into consideration. Some of the fans paid big bucks for good seats, and were hoping to see the Spurs play the big three, and play a competitive game. I would hate to pay big bucks to see a particular team play the Spurs, only to have the opposing coach send his top players home, and then I would be forced to watch a teams bench players play the whole game. But, IMO opinion, Pop is still the best coach in the league, and he sees the big picture with his team on the way to becoming the 2013 NBA champs!

[Guest100314]

Pop is trying to keep his old team fresh for the playoffs. You can't rest your best players a month into the season. The Miami fans paid good money to see Duncan, Parker & Manu. The Spurs won't be back until next year. That is not good for business. Bench them against Houston, Dallas, a team that sees you more than once a year. Also give them rest at different times not at the same time.

[rooster120]

Originally Posted by playIVkeeps

The Miami fans paid good money to see Duncan, Parker & Manu.

True. Because Miami's team ain't worth shit.

All joking aside, I side with Popovich. It's his team to coach (not Stern's), he's not breaking any rules by using this lineup, and he's looking out for the best interest of his (injury-prone, over-played) players, the team, the season, and the championship.

It would have sweet had the Spurs' bench won that game (it would have put more egg on Stern's face, IMO). Nonetheless, it gave our bench some great experience, and some cred.

[grunt816]

That was POP shooting the finger at the NBA for their stup scheduling. 4 games in 5 nights and then Memphis on Saturday. POP just sent a very loud F.U David Stern for allowing such awful scheduling. We are back to 82 games, not 56 in less time. POP could care less about penalties the NBA decides or Suspensions. Take away a 2nd round draft Pick, that is okay, POP rarely keeps 2nd round draft picks anyway. You cant hurt the SPURS David, What a dumbass...Retire already.

[othg292g]

Pop's the coach and he did what he felt was in the best interest of his team. I was surprised when I first heard about it (thanks dennisrn) and thought the Heat would win in a blowout. I was sooo wrong! The future of the Spurs looks good and I love what Chris Bosh had to say...



"We survived," Chris Bosh said. "And we won. They have a bunch of talented guys over there. I know that nobody's going to really give them credit, but they are a tough bunch."

[Guest083013]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/spurs-p...5051--nba.html

[Likinikki]

It's Pop's responsibility, as a coach, to make the best decision for the SA Spurs. If that decision is on who plays...and who stays home to rest...that's his job to make that decision.

Fans pay to watch their team win...there's never a guarantee that any major star or starters will play all of the games. Some get hurt during the year and can't play...it's just the way it goes.

Stern is concerned about ratings and money...do not get twisted, and think he cares one iota about FANS! If he cared about FANS...how about SA Spurs fans? If we could compete with a larger market, and get a bench full of super stars...maybe we wouldn't have to rest the three we do have!

And, our bench kicked butt last night...way to go Spurs!!!

[tim_29m]

I support Pop's decision as well....to do two big road trips like that in a short period of time is ridiculous! I too thought the Spurs were going to get hammered but I like what the bench did up until steady Ray Allen hit his three pointer with 26 seconds to go in the game!

Hitting the Spurs/Bucks game next week....Bucks have been a surprise so far this year too so hopefully will be a good game!

[cowboy84]

Wow, he really fined the Spurs 250K, that goes to show you he needs to retire sooner than later...GO SPURS GO!!!

[othg292g]

Wow... I can't believe it! $250,000... Whatever, the Spurs will get the last laugh when they win the championship this season. And when Stern presents the Larry O'Brien trophy to the Spurs, on court at the AT&T Center, I hope Pop bends him over and sticks that trophy up his ass, sideways!