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Spurs to be punished for resting players

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  • Re: Spurs to be punished for resting players

    Originally posted by BillS View Post
    I just don't buy that the league owes anyone an apology for who does or does not play. The thought that fans ARE owed an apology if certain players aren't on the floor is EXACTLY what threatens to turn the league into even more of a WWE entertainment-over-competition debacle.
    I don't get your point at all here. How does resting your players against the Miami Heat improve competitive balance?

    Comment


    • Re: Spurs to be punished for resting players

      Yes but 4 games in 5 nights is excessive. Maybe the NBA should consider this when scheduling.

      Maybe it'd also be an excuse to feature other teams than those that get all the TV exposure (LA, Miami, Boston, etc.)... there's a team in blue and yellow that I like...

      Comment


      • Re: Spurs to be punished for resting players

        Originally posted by naptownmenace View Post
        I think the punishment should be a 1-game suspension for Pop, Duncan, Parker, Ginobilli, and Green for this Saturday's game against Memphis.

        Since they've had such a busy schedule, they could probably use another game off to rest.

        hahaha. That's exactly what the league should do. Stern should release a sarcastic (but 100% serious) press release saying they are suspended a game so that they can rest.

        Comment


        • Re: Spurs to be punished for resting players

          @dalridgetnt
          If the public cared so much about these stars, how come it never watched them in any of San Antonio's Finals appearances?
          Just because you're offended, doesn't mean you're right.” ― Ricky Gervais.

          Comment


          • Re: Spurs to be punished for resting players

            David Stern stumbles again in his failed culture war against the Spurs

            By Adrian Wojnarowski

            Before the emperor of the NBA leaves his Olympic Tower office, this is the holy war that those within the San Antonio Spurs' extended family expected David Stern to eventually wage on Gregg Popovich and his program's culture. The commissioner burped that terse, threatening statement promising "substantial sanctions" to the rogue state of his totalitarian nation on Thursday night. This has been a long time coming out of the commissioner's office.

            And yet, once more, Stern's tossed a temper tantrum that left everyone around him embarrassed, humiliated and wondering why he insisted on staying until February of 2014. All these years, Stern and his underlings privately complained and moaned that no one wanted to watch the Spurs, that they destroyed his TV ratings, that they were uninteresting, unappealing and impossible to market to the masses.
            And now, this act of condemnation for Popovich would be bathed in the ultimate of twisted irony: Without the Spurs' stars, Stern was selling that the NBA logo had been desecrated, that a public trust had been betrayed.

            Suddenly, Stern had to issue an apology to NBA fans because Popovich sent his stars home to San Antonio at the end of a long road trip. No one in Miami bought a ticket to watch Tim Duncan and Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, because those players are relevant to no one in Miami. Mostly, they come to watch LeBron and D-Wade, or they don't come at all. Few people watch the Spurs on national television – unless they're playing the Heat or the Los Angeles Lakers – and that's because the Spurs never deliver the dysfunction and self-destructive bents that fuel the sport's storylines.

            Stern once declared that his fantasy NBA Finals would be the Lakers vs. the Lakers, and no one laughed in San Antonio because they understood Stern was stone-cold serious. And well, if there was a little "Bleep You" out of Popovich toward Stern after shipping his players back to San Antonio after five games in seven nights, it was beyond understandable.

            Back in the Spurs' glory days, it was one disrespectful act after another out of Stern.

            The Spurs don't forget how the NBA's vice president of operations, Stu Jackson, directly called Bruce Bowen to warn him about how he was playing defense and threaten him with future punishments. Jackson didn't show the respect of reaching out to Spurs officials before communicating with Bowen, but bypassed them and got into the heads of one of their most important players. Phil Jackson himself couldn't have orchestrated it better on behalf of the Lakers' Western Conference championship chances.

            They don't forget how one of Stern's top public-relations officials went out of her way to try to dissuade an NBA team owner from hiring a well-regarded Spurs executive as general manager. And they don't forget that once that executive got the job, she went out of her way to try to undermine his operation.

            They don't forget how Stern wanted to infiltrate the inner sanctum of the Spurs with TV cameras and microphones, with the kind of phony, superficial behind-the-scenes access that went against how the franchise conducted its basketball business and kept its edge. The Spurs have been a model of efficiency and innovation that has been an immense resource for the operations of small- and big-market franchises, but the commissioner can't leverage that on TNT with Ernie, Kenny and Charles.

            They don't forget how Stern stood by as USA Basketball director Jerry Colangelo publicly embarrassed Popovich. Colangelo went out of his way to insist his close friend Mike Krzyzewski was chosen as Olympic coach because, in part: "I think [Popovich] had a bad taste in his mouth regarding his most recent experiences with USA Basketball, some bitterness, and that came out in my conversation with him. He seemed burned out by it. … He just wasn't as enthusiastic as Mike."

            There's a double-standard to how this league operates under Stern, and it won't change until Adam Silver takes over and makes it a priority to do so. When Yahoo! Sports uncovered a pattern of deliberate predraft rules violations that benefited the New York Knicks and penalized the rest of the teams, Stern did little. Brandon Rush blew out his knee in an illegal workout, Wilson Chandler was stashed for weeks in Atlanta so no one else could get access to him before the draft, and Stern fined that Cablevision empire essentially lunch money for a weekend shindig in the Hamptons with the Dolans.

            Teams had talked about these violations for years and complained to Jackson's office. Brandon Rush said the NBA had never once contacted him before the Y! Sports' investigation. For two years, the charges went uninvestigated. Had the Spurs been caught doing this, there likely would've been a loss of draft picks, suspensions and millions in fines. And rightly so for the Knicks, Spurs, or anyone who tried to get away with those things. That's the double-standard that Stern runs in the NBA.


            In that instance, here's a possible reason for the way the NBA never acted dutifully on its flagship franchise. The scout responsible for running those workouts? Rodney Heard. How did Heard get into the NBA? Jackson, as general manager of the Vancouver Grizzlies, hired him. Rival teams were always suspicious Heard conducted those illicit workouts on the Grizzlies payroll, too. If Rush told me about blowing out his knee as a Kansas undergraduate with the Knicks conducting an illegal workout – and then hiding it – wouldn't he have also told league investigators the same had they pulled him into their Manhattan offices and demanded the truth?

            Stern never apologized to the paying public about allowing his franchise with the most resources to get away for years with this behavior. He fined them $200,000, fined Heard $25,000, but never made an example out of them. The Knicks affected competitive balance, and it didn't matter that New York remained horrible. No one gets a lighter sentence for robbing a bank and dropping the money on the way to the getaway car.

            Stern doesn't care about the realities of his league, just the appearances. To him, the appearance on Thursday night was that Popovich had tried to embarrass him on national television and that's why the commissioner tossed that tantrum. Apologize to the fans? In a league where the mere appearance of players on the floor doesn't guarantee preparation and effort, the Spurs never cheat the public. They're honest, in a way so few are honest. When too many others wear the uniform and yet still take the night off, the Spurs come to play – or they don't come at all.

            In every way, Popovich let his players be the stars. He never self-promoted. He's never done endorsements. Stern wanted a players' league, and Popovich gave him the ultimate players' program. It was team, team, team. Only, Stern couldn't market it. He hated it. Four times they reached the NBA Finals, and Stern didn't like the TV ratings of those series.

            For all of his so-called marketing genius, Stern could never sell the global appeal of Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. They brought the NBA to the corners of the world, glamorized basketball over soccer, and somehow it was Popovich's failure that Stern couldn't market this to people. The NBA failed the Spurs, far more than the Spurs ever failed the NBA. After his fourth championship, I asked Popovich why he never cashed in on all the trappings that come to the immortal coaches.

            "Listen," Popovich told me, "it's a player's league. I think it's very important for a coach to make sure that his players believe 100 percent – and not with lip service – that it's about them. Coaches are going to do everything they can to create that environment for them. It's not about creating an environment for us. It's a privilege to be able to coach these guys. We make enough money."


            When Pat Riley scored the greatest free-agent coup in NBA history, no one called to congratulate him – except Popovich. This was the kind of power play that should've served to put him out of the championship business in San Antonio, but, still, Popovich admired it. He respected that Riles played to his strengths, Popovich played to his own, and together they would compete for the title. Popovich never tells people that his way would work for them, but it works for him and the Spurs.

            Against LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, against Chris Bosh and Ray Allen, what the Spurs did in a 105-100 wasn't an embarrassment to the NBA, but a celebration of it. This is how a franchise ought to be run, how winning is foremost importance. Popovich empowered his bench to hang with the defending champion Heat, and gave his group even greater confidence and belief for when they're called upon again. What happened was one of the most compelling Spurs' regular-season games, and easily the most mesmerizing game of this season.
            This was a testament to the Spurs' great scouting and player development, the great coaching and discipline. This was the ultimate testament to the Spurs' way, and it didn't repulse the paying public – it inspired them.

            When David Stern issued that belligerent, foreboding statement before tipoff, it was clear he believed the Spurs would get blown out and make his case for him. He never imagined San Antonio would hold the lead into the final minute.

            Stern could've waited until Friday, delivered his substantial sanctions – a naval blockade on the Riverwalk, a ban on Napa Valley imports for Popovich, whatever – but he couldn't help himself. He wanted to embarrass Popovich throughout that national TV game, and wouldn't you know it: Popovich embarrassed Stern because the Spurs coach has a complete understanding of his realm, his team, his players, in a way that Stern has lost touch with that with which he lords over.

            The emperor of the NBA wasn't standing up for the fan on Thursday night, but settling an old score on his way out of office, on his way to a February 1, 2014, retirement date that suddenly seems so far away. Even within a league that would've never imagined the core of the Spurs dynasty could stay on top longer than the commissioner who wished them away, the expiration date on the emperor still feels so far away. Nevertheless, make no mistake: David Stern wanted these players gone all the way until Thursday night, all the way until they became convenient devices for his failed culture war on the San Antonio Spurs.
            http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--da...194828970.html
            Just because you're offended, doesn't mean you're right.” ― Ricky Gervais.

            Comment


            • Re: Spurs to be punished for resting players

              Originally posted by naptownmenace View Post
              I don't get your point at all here. How does resting your players against the Miami Heat improve competitive balance?
              How does second-guessing a coach's decision in favor of the fans getting to see certain stars on the floor improve anything other than ratings?

              Maybe resting your players helps your team later in the season - it is about more than just the few games you play against the marquee teams still, isn't it?

              Bottom line is that it is the coach's decision. If he screwed up a winnable game by sitting stars and it hurts him down the road, that's his mistake to pay for. Whether the fans deserve to see certain stars play has nothing to do with it.
              BillS

              A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
              Or throw in a first-round pick and flip it for a max-level point guard...

              Comment


              • Re: Spurs to be punished for resting players

                It's a problem with the NBA's system. Be it too many regular season games, or overbearing schedule. There is a reason Poppavich sat them. Maybe David Stern should consider that...
                "We've got to be very clear about this. We don't want our players hanging around with murderers," said Larry Bird, Pacers president.

                Comment


                • Re: Spurs to be punished for resting players

                  I'd thank this a bazillion times and thank Wojnarowski a million for writing it in the first place.
                  BillS

                  A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
                  Or throw in a first-round pick and flip it for a max-level point guard...

                  Comment


                  • Re: Spurs to be punished for resting players

                    Originally posted by BillS View Post
                    I'd thank this a bazillion times and thank Wojnarowski a million for writing it in the first place.
                    Yeah, it's nice to have someone out there who writes honestly and journalistically.
                    "We've got to be very clear about this. We don't want our players hanging around with murderers," said Larry Bird, Pacers president.

                    Comment


                    • Re: Spurs to be punished for resting players

                      Originally posted by BillS View Post
                      I just don't buy that the league owes anyone an apology for who does or does not play. The thought that fans ARE owed an apology if certain players aren't on the floor is EXACTLY what threatens to turn the league into even more of a WWE entertainment-over-competition debacle.
                      I understand why Stern is concerned and believe its in the best interest of the league to discourage it. I just believe Stern choose a very poor way to handle - as he often does IMO. I would much prefer the league apologize, admit its not what it wants, that it can't and shouldn't be in the business of dictating playing time, and say it would try to address it through scheduling (as the NFL is doing). I think you are right, that they don't have to apologize, but IMO the league has a perception problem partly because it often tries to hide and lie about situations instead of being up front and honest that sometime things just aren't perfect. And that they are willing to try to make it better. IMO the NFL is way ahead of the NBA in that regard - although not always perfect. If I have to hear Stern tell me there is no star system in the NBA again........

                      Comment


                      • Re: Spurs to be punished for resting players

                        Originally posted by BillS View Post
                        How does second-guessing a coach's decision in favor of the fans getting to see certain stars on the floor improve anything other than ratings?

                        Maybe resting your players helps your team later in the season - it is about more than just the few games you play against the marquee teams still, isn't it?

                        Bottom line is that it is the coach's decision. If he screwed up a winnable game by sitting stars and it hurts him down the road, that's his mistake to pay for. Whether the fans deserve to see certain stars play has nothing to do with it.
                        Sitting out your players to work the schedule into your favor disrupts competitive balance. My argument has nothing to do with the fans or ratings. It's about what's right in my opinion. If Pop hadn't sent his players home during a road trip before the road trip ended, I wouldn't have cared. If he sat them for the game against the Magic in Orlando I wouldn't have cared. That would've actually helped competitive balance.

                        When the league creates a schedule, they take a look at the team's record the previous year. Teams that were really strong last year usually have more 4-games-in-5-nights scheduled. Teams like the Bobcats and Warriors have had a really favorable schedule to start the season. Sure the Spurs schedule has been rough and they've played a lot of games this month but every team in the league is going to have a stretch of games that is tough.

                        Another problem I have, although it didn't garauntee a win for the Heat, is that it gives a good team like the Heat an extra chance to win a game against lesser talent. That's not fair to the Pacers or the rest of the league. It's like if the Pacers had the opportunity to play the Wizards 5 times and the rest of the league only gets to play them 4 times.

                        Comment


                        • Re: Spurs to be punished for resting players

                          Originally posted by diamonddave00 View Post
                          The entire game I kept thinking of Pacers post brawl and was cheering for the undermanned Spurs. I kept waiting for Marcus Haislip, Britton Johnson and Tremaine Fowlkes to check in.
                          One of Rick Carlisle's finest hours. They actually did pretty well.
                          "Look, it's up to me to put a team around ... Lance right now." —Kevin Pritchard press conference

                          Comment


                          • Re: Spurs to be punished for resting players

                            I see in these posts that the overwhelming majority of people on this board are in favor of Pop's authority to sit these players. If this was a game on a wednesday night, on two regional cable stations, I would have an easier time agreeing. But this was 'THE' game of the week. Until ABC starts showing games on Sundays, the early TNT game is the most watched NBA game.

                            Ask yourself this question, What is David Stern's job? Not his title, we all know that. What is his responsibility? He works for the owners. His number one duty is to keep the NBA a sellable product, which makes it a profitable organization. This includes disciplining players to protect the image, and also making sure the product that is the NBA is desirable to advertisers and ticket buyers. When a person involved in the NBA spits on the product, by removing the most marketable thing in the NBA, its stars, in the most important showcase of the week, it is Stern's responsibility to inform that person that this is not acceptable. The NBA is not an amateur sport. It is a business. David Stern is trying to make that business as profitable as possible.

                            Comment


                            • Re: Spurs to be punished for resting players

                              I like the article an all but the Spurs should give a big thanks to Stern for suspending Amare and the rest of the Suns players on that famous series, if Sterns doesn't do that Phoenix wins that series and goes to the finals.
                              @WhatTheFFacts: Studies show that sarcasm enhances the ability of the human mind to solve complex problems!

                              Comment


                              • Re: Spurs to be punished for resting players

                                Originally posted by naptownmenace View Post
                                Sitting out your players to work the schedule into your favor disrupts competitive balance. My argument has nothing to do with the fans or ratings. It's about what's right in my opinion. If Pop hadn't sent his players home during a road trip before the road trip ended, I wouldn't have cared. If he sat them for the game against the Magic in Orlando I wouldn't have cared.

                                When the league creates a schedule, they take a look at the team's record the previous year. Teams that were really strong last year usually have more 4-games-in-5-nights scheduled. Teams like the Bobcats and Warriors have had a really favorable schedule to start the season. Sure the Spurs schedule has been rough and they've played a lot of games this month but every team in the league is going to have a stretch of games that is tough.

                                Another problem I have, although it didn't garauntee a win for the Heat, is that it gives a good team like the Heat an extra chance to win a game against lesser talent. That's not fair to the Pacers or the rest of the league. It's like if the Pacers had the opportunity to play the Wizards 5 times and the rest of the league only gets to play them 4 times.
                                I really couldn't disagree more.

                                First, the number of long road trips or X-games-in-y-nights has nothing whatsoever to do with the previous record of the team. During our stretch of missing the playoffs we had at least one season where we were in the top 5 of teams with bad back-to-back situations and longest road trips. In at least one of the last 2 seasons Miami had one of the most FAVORABLE treatments as such.

                                Second, how the coach decides to deal with resting players in order to handle such situations is his choice. That is (and always has been) PART of how you compete. I have no problem with coaches sitting players for meaningless (to them) games at the end of the season, even when it can affect how other teams end up in the standings - the solution is to play well enough to have your destiny in your own hands, not to count on good teams beating your opponents.

                                Essentially, "fair" or "not fair" regarding how other teams play other teams should have nothing to do with your own decisions as a coach. You have to keep focused on your own plate, your own schedule, and your own situation. Same with players. Worrying about what other teams choose to do against their opponents leads to excuses. You want to be in the playoffs? Beat the teams you play.

                                Now, if a coach has a PATTERN of doing it throughout a season, it should be investigated to see if there are non-sports reasons for such decisions, but a single game?

                                Let the coach do his job. If there is anyone who should complain it should be the team members (for not being allowed to compete) or the ownership (if they think the coach isn't doing what he needs to do to maximize wins overall in the season). That's it.
                                BillS

                                A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
                                Or throw in a first-round pick and flip it for a max-level point guard...

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