The decision by the commissioner is as absurd as his abuse of authority!
Well said, NBA cares!
Hypocrites
Trevor - 11 years ago
I understand the decision by the commissioner because he wants the fans to get their money's worth. But to fine a coach because he didn't play the players you wanted him to is absurd. At what point do you draw the line? Do players now have to play a certain number of minutes in order to not have their organizations fined? Will there be a certain number of games players have to play now?? David Stern is stepping over the line here and should rescind that fine.
Jason L - 11 years ago
Spur should appeal this fine and get their money back what a crock
David Stern needs to get off his high horse
I honestly think he should step down after this
one word
FAIL
Albert - 11 years ago
He did the right thing. And they weren't playing Washington... They were playing Miami!
Bill D - 11 years ago
A true fan wants players to stay Healthy in order to compete...
Not exhausted due to bad programming and covering NBA mistakes!
The teams should fine the league for bad scheduling and not the other way around!
This is abuse of authority by the commissioner! Shame on him!
Michael - 11 years ago
Stern did the right thing. As a fan i love to see all the top stars playing. He shouldnt have done that.
Bill D - 11 years ago
Stern puts money over players Health!
Stern doesn’t care about bad game scheduling-programming!
Bad programming by the NBA should be finable!
Only a team who don’t show up in court should be fined.
And giving a day off to veterans means Popovich respects his “old horses”! Something Stern should care about!!! (NBA cares!)
Is there anyone out there to believe these guys don't work hard? Professional Athletes?!
If Spurs had won, that would be the ultimate match worth every penny for the ticket!
For the good of the game you let coaches decide what’s best…
Athletes don't have to Fake injuries to get a days rest on a hard league due to bad programing?
They don't sign their own "death contracts"!!! Thumbs up for Popovich!
NBA Hypocrisy at its best…
Knickerbocker7 - 11 years ago
Comment I saw on B/R:
"Then let's be fair. Let's fine Stern $250,000 for every game for every team that was missed for the lockout. It's only fair to the fans that didnt get to see their stars play."
#OWNED
brain e - 11 years ago
Each team should be able to do what they want for their team to win a championship. I can see why I don't really care for the NBA its all about the money for the commish. I used to be a big fan of the nba but now its all about what team can spend the money and buy championships with all the superstars they can get. I am soo soo
turned off by the NBA when that started happening and now this just topped it all off. Thank goodness the commish is gonna retire. Good ridence maybe ill be a fan again someday.
Boss Spearman - 11 years ago
This is absolutely ridiculous. David Stern is an arrogant little prick with a severe case of penis envy.
Dal - 11 years ago
That is so stupid that the NBA would fine a team playing 4 games in 5 nights. They are tired and should be given the right to do what ever they please. They have been in your league for 40 years! You suck NBA!!!
Vincenzo DiLauro - 11 years ago
I believe the commissioner overstepped his bounds. He should not be making coaching decisions or ruling on coaching decisions. There should not have been a fine or any other kind of punishment. A stern warning would have been sufficient this time with maybe a fine warning for the second time. The coach was doing what was best for his players and his team. The problem is it was not was best for TNT. The game was very competitive. I watched it to see how the second team was doing and stayed to watch the game until the final buzzer. Stern is a smug individual and not the reason why I watch the NBA. I won't miss him at all when he retires. By the way, thanks for the warning. While I'm complaining, I don't think the TNT coverage is so great. The announcers and the play-by-play guys are OK, but the Atlanta crew is shaky. If I wanted comedy I'd watch The Comedy Network.
Joe Roberts - 11 years ago
to robro who pays the Spurs it's not the leauge it is the Spurs who pays them and it is the coach POP's call
Bill D - 11 years ago
For the good of the game you let coaches decide what's best...
Players sign contracts - not their own "death" contracts.
If they have to rest they have to rest.
Only a team who don't show up in court should be fined.
They are giving hard battles all the time.
The fine is an insult to Popovich and Spurs.
Commissioner should be fined for putting money over players Health.
Spencer - 11 years ago
Horrible decision by the commissioner. I think he needs to go, sick of him.
Bad move. Why fine them.. they can do w.e they want with the team.
Robro - 11 years ago
A message had to be sent. Team officials should not publicly endorse playing hooky. It is the coach's decision to play who he wants in a game, however it is not his choice to give the players a vacation during the regular seas0n. It's one thing to allow his starters to ride the bench during a game, but it's something totally different to allow them to bypass coming to the game all together. In case everyone has forgotten, players get paid for every game they play. We are not talking about hundreds of dollars, we are talking about thousands of dollars. And the coach doesn't have the authority to dismiss them from even showing up at the game, and still expect the NBA to pay them. That's insane. I realize Pop's decision was a basketball decision, but it did not include the business of NBA basketball which pays them their salary. These athletes are given million dollar contracts to play basketball. If they are too old to play a full season, then they should retire. Nothing personal, only business. If this was high school, AAU, or even college this would not be allowed and these athletes get paid nothing. A prime example of ENTITLEMENT in the NBA.
Brent - 11 years ago
What are you all talking about. I'm sorry but if they sign a contract for millions of dollars they should play every game. If they are to old to play every game get out of the league. I hope this lose effects their playoff positioning. As a fan I would be disgusted to go see my favorite team only to realize they just didn't bring their old guys
Vito - 11 years ago
Стерн грёбаный пидарас. Ебанутая блядь, котороя думает только о своих прибылях. Гори в аду, гандон.
Feroz - 11 years ago
For all of you who turned away from the NBA because of Papa's move are a bunch of morons and not a true fan of the sport.
Danny - 11 years ago
Use to be a big fan of the NBA but over the years Stern has destroyed the league. This last piece of shit move from him on the spurs has turned me away for good!! Way to go jackass. Hope you get the clap!!
Brooks - 11 years ago
Given the Spurs injury problems in the past, it is wise for Pop to make sure his second team gets experience together and against a good team so that is not a shock if they have to do it for real at the end of the season. Stern is WAY out of line. The team owners need to remind Stern that he really works for them, not the other way around. Do they have interventions for this type of self destructive behavior?
Bill D - 11 years ago
A Players Health is Invaluable
Stern should be fined... Putting money over players health...
If Spurs had won that would be the ultimate match, worth every penny for the ticket!
Spurs gave a fight well remembered till the end!
Its not the playoffs yet! Surely Popovich knows best!
Without players and coaches there would be no teams...
Without teams there would be no NBA...
NBA Hypocrisy at its best...
mike - 11 years ago
Since over 60% of fans have voted that Spurs should NOT have been fined i think Stern should apologize for a very bad mistake and void the fine. Since Stern is apologizing to the fans and a big majority of us don't see anything wrong then there is no reason to fine the Spurs. I understand its all about the business and money for Stern but some true fans just watch NBA for the love of the game.
Alan - 11 years ago
Embarrassingly dumb move from Stern and the League. I'm not a Spurs fan, but there is absolutely no way the league should have the ability to punish the Spurs for their good faith strategy (i.e., not trying to tank) for using their own players. What if the Big 3 had only played 20 minutes in the game? Would they be fined then? 10 minutes? 3?
VS - 11 years ago
DAVID STERN IS USING FANS NAME AS SCAPEGOAT TO SERVE THE BUSINESSES LIKE "TNT" AND OTHERS WHO DID NOT LIKE THE MOVE.
DAVID STERN DOES NOT GIVE A SHIT ABOUT FANS, ITS ALL ABOUT MAKING NBA LEAGUE A LUCRATIVE BUSINESS
Jawad - 11 years ago
How does this $250,000 fine reimburse the fans at the game and the ones watching at home? Please tell me!
stuart williams - 11 years ago
I have to say this couldn't have been negative to the NBA.... firstly the Heat just won the game, if remembering rightly from behind as well with several all stars.
Secondly the atmosphere in the arena look almost through the roof, and i can only imagen the NBAtv fan and studio pundits where the same.
Thirdly i think Coach Pop has sent a good message to the league and teams, that despite not having Tim, Tony, Manu and Danny they are a heck of a team..... and when Timmy and Manu possibly retire in a couple of years the Spurs will still be a great team for the League.
I understand if Pop broke a rule by not telling the League in phone call, email, etc that he was going to send his players home; then fine. But if this is just because 4 starters where not playing then that was inner appropriate.
Simple question did Coach Pop put on a good game???
Sumit - 11 years ago
Fine needs to be more. The four players who didn't play that game to "rest" should give their one game salary to the fans who spent their hard earned money to see them. League will go to crap if teams start "resting" players. These are professionals who train daily and this is their living. They know what they signed up for when they signed the multi-mil contract. This is an entetainment business with lead stars that fans want to see....all these people saying its ok, I hope you spend $$$$ for a game and the top players on both teams are resting at home because they need a rest from a long week....boo hoo....Sterns right, shoulda been a higher fine, quarter mil is nothing to these NBA franchises...they make that probably per game.
Bugz - 11 years ago
Pop knows his team and decides when to rest his players but at least let them be in unis or be present at the games in respect to the fans. On th other side, I think the fine was too harsh. Why not issue a warning first? Or better the NBA will have a specific ruling regarding this scenarios.
Israel Garcia - 11 years ago
How old is Tim Duncan? How old is Manu? How old is the Spurs roster compared to other teams? Other competitive teams? Will Duncan even make the All-Star Team this year (he should, but won't)? Manu has been riddled with injuries every season, including missing several games this year. Manu almost never is a starter. The Big 3 have now been converted to a quartet by due to the relatively unknown Danny Green missing this game. Do older players have to play the same number of games as younger players? Or rookies? What about minutes? What are the requirements for injury-prone players, like Manu? Can you fine a team for not running him into the ground or until he's too badly injured to play the reaminder of the season? Would there have been a fine if the Spurs scored 6 more points resulting in a victory? Will the playoffs ever be refereed objectively or will calls influenced by profit margins for large market teams be the deciding factor / MVP? The truth was much easier when it was just a game...
Rossco - 11 years ago
It is my opinion that Pop, Duncan, Parker etc. should have been suspended without pay for the next four games. four players = four games. This way they would have lost to Memphis and would run into some challenges and maybe losses against MIL/HOU/CHA which would have really affected there current standing and made all teams think about sitting players in the future . Just my opinion though
CJ86 - 11 years ago
Stern is the biggest idiot ever to run a major sports league. How the spurs run their team is none of Stern's damn business. He must have way too much time on his hands if he has this much free time. For the record I hate the Spurs but this is not fair at all.
Jason Riddle - 11 years ago
Ask me dis two.say if the starting five for the spurs and lebron his coach got into real bad and his coach decided to bench lebron gor watever the case may be and he start someone else wud u fine him for dat. If a coach doesnt have no say so in wat he is best for his team. Den why u need him. Smh lol crazy
Jason Riddle - 11 years ago
Dis my thing let me ask yall dis why in world david stern tripping. Greg rest his players every year before post season time so wat da difference now. He never say anything bout dat wen nba teams do it right before postseasons.y u fining people now for do it in the early part of the season give me break. He didnt lose money miami almost got beat and if da spurs won last nite david stern wouldnt have said anything.smh i cant wait till he retires.he only think bout his self
jose - 11 years ago
Stern is an idiot, I´m a Fan of Spurs and I'm glad with pop Decision
Go Spurs Go
Air Jesus - 11 years ago
The funny thing is that Stern does this in the name of the best interests of "the league"... but the majority of the fans on the leagues web-site (60% at the time of my comment) are saying that no penalty is necessary. So what is Stern talking about? That begs the question, what is the best interest of the league? and who is this "league" that they're talking about? It seems stern is doing this cause he says it lets the fans down... but the fans are 60% against him in this moment.
Its not like anyone is going to not buy tickets to see the spurs. The TV folks have already paid up. The NBA is already on pace to make record money this year. SO who's interests aren't being served?
Isn't it in the interest of the league that the best veteran players on one of the best teams, aren't too worn out by the brutal back to backs and long road trips to play in the playoffs? I mean for real, whats more exciting that Manu going off in playoff time? To a bball lover, that is true beauty. Pop is widely considered the best coach in the league, let him coach! I'm a big fan of letting people do the job they are qualified for, and Stern is not a coach, so let him keep his hands (and ego) out of coaches decisions.
Jackson - 11 years ago
Marty what seperates them from LA NY or anyone who has Lebron when the spurs always are at the top of their division and consistently make the playoffs? You're coming of as ignorant Mr.Highly Intelligent
marty - 11 years ago
Jess: I'm highly educated and intelligent and believe Stern is and always has been a douche. If this was one of his pet franchises (L.A., N.Y., anyone that has LeBron) nothing would have happened. He is the most overrated human being since Phil Jackson. Pop can rest his players as he sees fit. Mr. Marketing can go lay down, as he should have years ago. No integrity in the league office.
Jess - 11 years ago
The Commisioner has been doing his job for 30 years. He is highly educated and very intelligent. How many of you nay sayers can say that about yourselves. NOT ONE OF YOU! So he's right and the rest of you Pop apologists are so very, very wrong. Don't like it? Tough. Nobody cares if you don't. Pay up losers. That'll be $250,000 please. LMFAO @ you.
Jackson Waddell - 11 years ago
The commissioner cannot let coaches rest all their best players. Less people will pay to see bench players play. Its in the best intrest of the league to have their best players playing in order to make more money. Whether you like the spurs, their coach, the heat, or Stern, it's obviously in the best intrest of the league and if the people who work in the league aren't going to work in its best intrest they should and will be penalized. The more he fines them the better the penatly is because that further discourages a team to do that again.
nastynice - 11 years ago
The champs almost lost playing against the BENCH of the BEST nba team.
Miami and their fans should be happy they got the win.
Even if this wasnt the match up they pay to see, is the match up they everyone wanted to watch!!
I agree, they are getting pay millions to play and to get a day off...mmmhhh.
But still, when the meet up again they will get slap left and rigth
r garza - 11 years ago
Where all these people in Miami that are mad about missing out? Good thing the Spurs bench lost, because Stern would have to start fining teams sitting players, too. Stern is a joke.
Flip Parracci - 11 years ago
Here is my question. Why are you resting players in the first place. It is a good fine but if they do it again, they should be fined double and double again. They dont rest the price of the tickets. Foul move and I hope they keep getting fined if they keep that crap up!
Nothin But Nets - 11 years ago
A quarter of a million is excessive. Stern probably did this because without 4 of their main players, the game was less than how interesting it should've been. So, they, in a sense, lost money from the fans who came to watch that game... But, still. It shouldn't have been more than like 50k, which is enough to send a message...
ed - 11 years ago
november and you're resting players making millions of dollars! gimme a break.
San Antonian - 11 years ago
Stern is a freakin idiot. Spurs will just rest their players more now.
cp4 - 11 years ago
They are just torturing coaches nowadays.
JRADER - 11 years ago
@CANDIDO - THEY GOT HARD? WHOA...
cire - 11 years ago
This is a crime. What is stern gonna be forced to do when other teams have to rest players. He opened up a can of worms. What an idiot. How can you punish a team for breaking a rule when there is no rule to be broken. Foolish. Foolish and rash.
Tommy - 11 years ago
James go easy on him, we just found out he is poor Laker fan. I feel bad now.
Do like me, don't buy there products and don't go to the games. Until they truley appreciate the fans quit giving them your money.
candido s. agu - 11 years ago
i'm a fun of NBA and for me coach Gregg Popovich did the right thing on the game and that is strategy of pop, because San Antonio Spurs is one the best team in NBA, and they challenge the champ even though the key player did not play, and unfortunately the spurs team without the key player on the floor make the champ get hard during battle...
lodog - 11 years ago
These player killed me with this rest shit, they only play for two hours,its not like they have a 9 to 5 job to go too before they play a game,, if they can't keep up with everybody then retire period.because if i bought tickets i would of been pissed,, they should of got 25,000,000
James - 11 years ago
Justin, you are aware that the Spurs only lost by 5, right? Ray Allen had to hit that 3 pointer in the short corner to put the Heat ahead in the final seconds. The Spurs that played competed and had a legitimate chance to win the game. What if Ray Allen had missed that shot and the Spurs had scored on the following possession to win the game? Would you still consider that "throwing the game?"
Justin - 11 years ago
Stern is a douchebag for sure. The Heat gets to rest up before the game and the Spurs are on the tail-end of a long road series. The Spurs were set up to lose this game. Stern should have waited to see how it played out before he rushing to judgment. Popovich and crew just proved that Stern is a tool. Another huge tool move after the Paul deal got nixed. That being said--GO LAKERS...........
jeffery alan - 11 years ago
I don't care about the fine and it amounts to nothing as far as the spurs or any other owner is concerned. my question is why didn't spurs rest these guys on other game nights and then have them ready for a game vs the champs on tnt. This was a the spurs sending a message to the nba to protest their schedule and nothing more.
Tommy - 11 years ago
hey Justin, it was SA at Miami, who cares anyway?
Real men were watching football! It's about dictatoship, you dipshit.
Justin - 11 years ago
You guys are clueless! The fine should of been more harsh, this isn't about resting guys, teams do that all the time, 1 at a time!!! Pop was throwing that game! He devalued it and could of caused a big uproar from betters on basketball for how he handled it. You shame the game if you ever throw a game on purpose, it was away against the heat when his team was tired and the heat were rested! It was gonna be an uphill win already for them so he took the easy way out and threw the game so his veterans could rest! I'm not saying it's not smart of pop too do I am saying he should be punished for it, you disgraced your fans who wanted a victory, you disgraced the league who wanted a good game too watch (even though they got one anyway) you disgraced the NBA fans!
Jimbo - 11 years ago
Evidently Stern thinks he is coach of the Spurs now. What a knucklehead. Hope the Spurs fight this. I wish someone would fine Stern a quarter mil for once.
Tommy - 11 years ago
Definition of Commissioner:
Do what is best for the owners, PERIOD! Fans money, is all they care about. Bettam is in the process of ruining hockey, AGAIN. Rodger fines players for playing FOOTBALL. and o'l Bud, let players do drugs until the Feds got involed.
They should only be allowed to serve 8 year terms, so they don't become irrational tyrants.
Dirk West - 11 years ago
Maasterbater Williams,
There will ALWAYS be fan support for the NBA, regardless of what Popovich or Stern does. Refunded? Give me a break. REAL fans go to see their team... win/lose, good opponent/not-so good opponent, whatever. If a player makes a team's roster (meaning good enough to compete in the NBA), then the coach should have the leeway to play anyone he wants during any given game in the season. Go ahead, sue the NBA for your $15 nosebleed ticket, you colossal MORON!
big poppa doc - 11 years ago
TO SAD FOR ALL YALL THEN; But what is really sad is that the heat almost got beat by the spurs second unit. what a jooooke
SMH - 11 years ago
i would rather have Michael335 or Master P run the nba #davidsternsucks
Fernando - 11 years ago
THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!! HOW CAN STERN DO THAT TO THE SECOND BEST COACH IN NBA HISTORY??!!!! IT'S LIKE NOT ALLOWING CHRIS PAUL GOING TO THE LAKERS.... THIS IS ALL ABOUT PLAYING YOUR CARD'S , NOT A WISE CHOICE , THIS IS SERIOUS.... THAT'S S SENDING A MESSAGE.... DO THAT TO DOC? STERN SUPER BAD CHOICE... #CELTICSFAN, BUT ANALYTICAL
Richmond - 11 years ago
i would rather have Ken Lay: Enron or Eckhard Pfeiffer: Compaq run the nba #davidsternsucks
Michael335 - 11 years ago
250 000$ fine ??????!!!!!! for real David Stern ?!! i honestly don't know how this jew has not been fired after the 2002 WCF scandal (Kings vs Lakers) and til this day no one has punished this rat, he's fining the San Antonio Spurs organization 250k for resting 3 old players passed their prime ????!!! what kinda bs is that ? it's none of his business anyways. i'm a miami fan and i can assure you that the entire state of miami enjoyed beating SA especially that Miami were losing big time at the end of the game, what if Duncan, manu and parker played ?
Laugh Out Loud - 11 years ago
David Stern trying to get a little extra money for the holidays to pay for his family gifts so it wont have to come out his pockets.....very smart david
Hosko - 11 years ago
OMG... Stern is a bullshit just... Stern should fine himself self because he has made mistakes on making schedule... How he can see competitive match in that situation?
Dirk West - 11 years ago
Whine Rodriguez... UP YOURS, PENDEJO! "with a bench players [sic]". You should have finished school in ol' "Mehico" before crossing the Grande!
Tim - 11 years ago
I paid to see Allen Iverson and Gilbert Arenas but yet David Stern Blacklisted them....talking about they couldnt play anymore...David Stern encourgaed that crap!!!!
Joe - 11 years ago
Pop did what was right for his team and his players. The game was still close. This was a very bad decision by David Stern. Poorly done.
Kathleen Kaderka - 11 years ago
Of course there should have been no fine; the uproar was great publicity and made Pop seem classier than ever. As a Spurs fan I'm always disappointed when Tony, Timmy, and Manu aren't playing, but I also see how great the other players area. Those in attendance and the TV viewers saw an amazing game; what a putdown for those Spurs players who made it so. Who has the power to fine Stern?
tINA - 11 years ago
David Stern suspends players for anything yet fine teams for resting players whats the difference for real
Oniball - 11 years ago
David Stern should also fine himself $250,000 for making that ridiculous schedule. How is it fair that the Spurs had to play 4/5 games in 6 nights and the Heat hadn't played since Sunday. How fair is that to the fans? Stern is just a bully with power. I hope he retires soon.
Dirk West - 11 years ago
See Piss, those "little remedials" were flogging the "champs" and almost won the game. Yeah, Spurs lost but it was a calculated risk Pop took in order to rest the players who need it most... something Spoelstra doesn't have the luxury of talent on his team, the brains, or the guts to do!
MIKE - 11 years ago
David stern should quit right now......I would rather Mitt Romney or George Bush run the NBA.
MAASTERWILLIAMS - 11 years ago
right on the money.....players cannot survive without fan support....we pay to see superstars play an should be given our money's worth.......money should have been refunded to dis gruntled customers!
Richard Cearley - 11 years ago
I'm a Spurs fan to the end! Pop did what a coach should do, whats right for the team, in the moment and long term. Fine was too harsh (if any should be opposed) and I would be glad to contribute to a fund to pay this fine. I do believe that Spurs made a statement about the game schedules , not only theirs but in general. I think there should be a better way to organize these games. I have a hard time catching all four games in five days. We have lives to take care of. I do agree thou that they should have attended the game for support and not sent back to San Antonio. David Stern in my opinion is on another power trip! GOSPURSGO!!!!!!!!
va - 11 years ago
Truthfully Duncan, Manu, Parker, and Green arent really superstars at this point in there career. Although Duncan is one of the best power forwards ever. The spurs have a good team all the way to the end of there bench. A superstar can be created in a day just look at lin and harden. Give other players a chance to be a superstar David Stern. NBA only really supports like 10 players and most of them on the same team.
ClippersFan - 11 years ago
Now the league is forcing teams to lie instead of telling honestly that they need rest..
The teams will start saying that the players were injured.. How will the league respond then?
Juan - 11 years ago
Crazy, ask Rondo your refund!!!
Oregonian - 11 years ago
Another example of David Stern and his ridiculousness.
boss - 11 years ago
This is BS! I am a Thunder fan but this is just stupid! That asshole Stern should just fire all the coaches in the league and coach the teams by himself! The Spurs should do something! They have to stand up to this man who thinks he is God! If i was Pop, I would bench them against the Grizzlies just to spike him!
Firlian - 11 years ago
Popovich is the coach and he knows his players. That was a team decision and if he did that then it was because his key players needed it. They know each other for such a long time, a long time! So they know what they're doing.
This fine might be justified under the commissioner eyes and his board of directors but not under a common sense perspective.
The NBA is getting way too boring, the referees are not doing a good job overall, the game is changing for worse!! Can someone please do something to make this game more enjoyable? or more interesting? It's a physical game, what do they expect?
We, the fans, don't want to see blood or fights. We want to see BASKETBALL!! A fast, entertaining, technical, fun, and physical game.
Thank you.
John - 11 years ago
Dictator David Stern wants you to play checker not chess.....I guess you cant have a strategy to win a championship....one game is more important then a championship run
Domination - 11 years ago
This is irrational plain and simple.. Charles Barkley said it last night as he does every other night "Everyone in the NBA can play." So my question to the Comissioner is why fine a team for simply showcasing OTHER PLAYERS? If that's the case you might as well fine the Phoenix Suns, they too don't play any star players on any night!!!! This is a mistake by David Stern and hopefully he regresses the fine.
Juan Rodríguez - 11 years ago
You have to think as a fan. They pay for a premier game with premier players, instead they got a regular game with a bench players. The fine was just fine!!! The fans pay their salaries!!!!
Janis - 11 years ago
to Sea Pea:
you're paying to see Spurs, not Tim Duncan, and actually Stern fining Spurs has nothing to do with hurt fans, etc. how many fans like you said were at the game? Probably zero!
Real reason is - it's bad for milking more money from tv contracts, that's what Stern cares about. If he would care about fans there would be less games and more rest during the season to make sure players are rested and playing to their max.
the truth - 11 years ago
Dictator Stern
Gorilla - 11 years ago
That fine is uncalled for. Last i know,
It is the coach job to decide what players to play or not.
Homecourt - 11 years ago
I think the key thing here is that there is a league policy that allows for what Pop did, but requires proper and timely notification. For me, the main issue, based on what I am reading in this article is the part that states that the Spurs didn't give notice well enough in advance to inform the fans of the roster they would be paying to see or allow the Heat to price their tickets accordingly. I read somewhere else that Popovich had this rest planned when they first got the schedule. If all this is accurate, Popovich did to a disservice to the league and especially the paying fans. He is the coach and should be able to make those types of decisions, but if they failed to report in a timely manner when they easily should have been able to do so, he was wrong. If, however, this deadline to report doesn't exist, I think the fine is unwarranted.
Crazy - 11 years ago
Since the league suspended Rondo, and I paid to see Rondo, can I get a refund for the next 2 Celtic Games?!?
walker - 11 years ago
I don't care if you buy a ticket to see Splitter or to see Duncan, because the Spurs is a team and they have 12 professional players. It's crazy that there is a dictator -comissioner who commands your team. Next time Miami is winning by 20 points and Spolestra sits dawn Lebron, Will Stern fine him because someboy has bought a ticket to see Lebron?.
Dictatorship. What about Splitter's duty?.
Donald - 11 years ago
This is crazy. Now the NBA can tell a team they have to play a player. Wow. Big brother is in control. If I were the Spurs, I would do the following: First Play my stars for 5 Mins then sit them. 2. I would start to fake injuries so I can rest the players. 3. I would throw a few big games. 4. I would make sure certain players play more as a way to validate their abilities & skills! This is sickening.
lee taylor - 11 years ago
should have been a whole lot worse
Stinky - 11 years ago
I am not a Spurs fan, but, POPS IS A BOSS!!!
Where is that "one little kid" in Miami who was wearing a Duncan jersey anyway?
As a fan, I must report that Stern is a turn-off and though I won't expect anything too different
from his successor, I will enjoy not seeing his toad face in an official capacity.
I wish that those bench Spurs could have held on for the win just to provide a more humorous backdrop for this debate.
The Truth - 11 years ago
Fuck Stern! He a dictator
Sea Pea - 11 years ago
I know I would be mad if I bought a ticket to see the Big Fundamentals and I got the little remedials. What if that was the only ticket you bought for the season. What if you saved every penny for that ticket? What if you paid a scalper a ridiculous amount for those tickets. That fine should be a standard one million dollars. Its almost as bad a throwing games.
The decision by the commissioner is as absurd as his abuse of authority!
Well said, NBA cares!
Hypocrites
I understand the decision by the commissioner because he wants the fans to get their money's worth. But to fine a coach because he didn't play the players you wanted him to is absurd. At what point do you draw the line? Do players now have to play a certain number of minutes in order to not have their organizations fined? Will there be a certain number of games players have to play now?? David Stern is stepping over the line here and should rescind that fine.
Spur should appeal this fine and get their money back what a crock
David Stern needs to get off his high horse
I honestly think he should step down after this
one word
FAIL
He did the right thing. And they weren't playing Washington... They were playing Miami!
A true fan wants players to stay Healthy in order to compete...
Not exhausted due to bad programming and covering NBA mistakes!
The teams should fine the league for bad scheduling and not the other way around!
This is abuse of authority by the commissioner! Shame on him!
Stern did the right thing. As a fan i love to see all the top stars playing. He shouldnt have done that.
Stern puts money over players Health!
Stern doesn’t care about bad game scheduling-programming!
Bad programming by the NBA should be finable!
Only a team who don’t show up in court should be fined.
And giving a day off to veterans means Popovich respects his “old horses”! Something Stern should care about!!! (NBA cares!)
Is there anyone out there to believe these guys don't work hard? Professional Athletes?!
If Spurs had won, that would be the ultimate match worth every penny for the ticket!
For the good of the game you let coaches decide what’s best…
Athletes don't have to Fake injuries to get a days rest on a hard league due to bad programing?
They don't sign their own "death contracts"!!! Thumbs up for Popovich!
NBA Hypocrisy at its best…
Comment I saw on B/R:
"Then let's be fair. Let's fine Stern $250,000 for every game for every team that was missed for the lockout. It's only fair to the fans that didnt get to see their stars play."
#OWNED
Each team should be able to do what they want for their team to win a championship. I can see why I don't really care for the NBA its all about the money for the commish. I used to be a big fan of the nba but now its all about what team can spend the money and buy championships with all the superstars they can get. I am soo soo
turned off by the NBA when that started happening and now this just topped it all off. Thank goodness the commish is gonna retire. Good ridence maybe ill be a fan again someday.
This is absolutely ridiculous. David Stern is an arrogant little prick with a severe case of penis envy.
That is so stupid that the NBA would fine a team playing 4 games in 5 nights. They are tired and should be given the right to do what ever they please. They have been in your league for 40 years! You suck NBA!!!
I believe the commissioner overstepped his bounds. He should not be making coaching decisions or ruling on coaching decisions. There should not have been a fine or any other kind of punishment. A stern warning would have been sufficient this time with maybe a fine warning for the second time. The coach was doing what was best for his players and his team. The problem is it was not was best for TNT. The game was very competitive. I watched it to see how the second team was doing and stayed to watch the game until the final buzzer. Stern is a smug individual and not the reason why I watch the NBA. I won't miss him at all when he retires. By the way, thanks for the warning. While I'm complaining, I don't think the TNT coverage is so great. The announcers and the play-by-play guys are OK, but the Atlanta crew is shaky. If I wanted comedy I'd watch The Comedy Network.
to robro who pays the Spurs it's not the leauge it is the Spurs who pays them and it is the coach POP's call
For the good of the game you let coaches decide what's best...
Players sign contracts - not their own "death" contracts.
If they have to rest they have to rest.
Only a team who don't show up in court should be fined.
They are giving hard battles all the time.
The fine is an insult to Popovich and Spurs.
Commissioner should be fined for putting money over players Health.
Horrible decision by the commissioner. I think he needs to go, sick of him.
Bad move. Why fine them.. they can do w.e they want with the team.
A message had to be sent. Team officials should not publicly endorse playing hooky. It is the coach's decision to play who he wants in a game, however it is not his choice to give the players a vacation during the regular seas0n. It's one thing to allow his starters to ride the bench during a game, but it's something totally different to allow them to bypass coming to the game all together. In case everyone has forgotten, players get paid for every game they play. We are not talking about hundreds of dollars, we are talking about thousands of dollars. And the coach doesn't have the authority to dismiss them from even showing up at the game, and still expect the NBA to pay them. That's insane. I realize Pop's decision was a basketball decision, but it did not include the business of NBA basketball which pays them their salary. These athletes are given million dollar contracts to play basketball. If they are too old to play a full season, then they should retire. Nothing personal, only business. If this was high school, AAU, or even college this would not be allowed and these athletes get paid nothing. A prime example of ENTITLEMENT in the NBA.
What are you all talking about. I'm sorry but if they sign a contract for millions of dollars they should play every game. If they are to old to play every game get out of the league. I hope this lose effects their playoff positioning. As a fan I would be disgusted to go see my favorite team only to realize they just didn't bring their old guys
Стерн грёбаный пидарас. Ебанутая блядь, котороя думает только о своих прибылях. Гори в аду, гандон.
For all of you who turned away from the NBA because of Papa's move are a bunch of morons and not a true fan of the sport.
Use to be a big fan of the NBA but over the years Stern has destroyed the league. This last piece of shit move from him on the spurs has turned me away for good!! Way to go jackass. Hope you get the clap!!
Given the Spurs injury problems in the past, it is wise for Pop to make sure his second team gets experience together and against a good team so that is not a shock if they have to do it for real at the end of the season. Stern is WAY out of line. The team owners need to remind Stern that he really works for them, not the other way around. Do they have interventions for this type of self destructive behavior?
A Players Health is Invaluable
Stern should be fined... Putting money over players health...
If Spurs had won that would be the ultimate match, worth every penny for the ticket!
Spurs gave a fight well remembered till the end!
Its not the playoffs yet! Surely Popovich knows best!
Without players and coaches there would be no teams...
Without teams there would be no NBA...
NBA Hypocrisy at its best...
Since over 60% of fans have voted that Spurs should NOT have been fined i think Stern should apologize for a very bad mistake and void the fine. Since Stern is apologizing to the fans and a big majority of us don't see anything wrong then there is no reason to fine the Spurs. I understand its all about the business and money for Stern but some true fans just watch NBA for the love of the game.
Embarrassingly dumb move from Stern and the League. I'm not a Spurs fan, but there is absolutely no way the league should have the ability to punish the Spurs for their good faith strategy (i.e., not trying to tank) for using their own players. What if the Big 3 had only played 20 minutes in the game? Would they be fined then? 10 minutes? 3?
DAVID STERN IS USING FANS NAME AS SCAPEGOAT TO SERVE THE BUSINESSES LIKE "TNT" AND OTHERS WHO DID NOT LIKE THE MOVE.
DAVID STERN DOES NOT GIVE A SHIT ABOUT FANS, ITS ALL ABOUT MAKING NBA LEAGUE A LUCRATIVE BUSINESS
How does this $250,000 fine reimburse the fans at the game and the ones watching at home? Please tell me!
I have to say this couldn't have been negative to the NBA.... firstly the Heat just won the game, if remembering rightly from behind as well with several all stars.
Secondly the atmosphere in the arena look almost through the roof, and i can only imagen the NBAtv fan and studio pundits where the same.
Thirdly i think Coach Pop has sent a good message to the league and teams, that despite not having Tim, Tony, Manu and Danny they are a heck of a team..... and when Timmy and Manu possibly retire in a couple of years the Spurs will still be a great team for the League.
I understand if Pop broke a rule by not telling the League in phone call, email, etc that he was going to send his players home; then fine. But if this is just because 4 starters where not playing then that was inner appropriate.
Simple question did Coach Pop put on a good game???
Fine needs to be more. The four players who didn't play that game to "rest" should give their one game salary to the fans who spent their hard earned money to see them. League will go to crap if teams start "resting" players. These are professionals who train daily and this is their living. They know what they signed up for when they signed the multi-mil contract. This is an entetainment business with lead stars that fans want to see....all these people saying its ok, I hope you spend $$$$ for a game and the top players on both teams are resting at home because they need a rest from a long week....boo hoo....Sterns right, shoulda been a higher fine, quarter mil is nothing to these NBA franchises...they make that probably per game.
Pop knows his team and decides when to rest his players but at least let them be in unis or be present at the games in respect to the fans. On th other side, I think the fine was too harsh. Why not issue a warning first? Or better the NBA will have a specific ruling regarding this scenarios.
How old is Tim Duncan? How old is Manu? How old is the Spurs roster compared to other teams? Other competitive teams? Will Duncan even make the All-Star Team this year (he should, but won't)? Manu has been riddled with injuries every season, including missing several games this year. Manu almost never is a starter. The Big 3 have now been converted to a quartet by due to the relatively unknown Danny Green missing this game. Do older players have to play the same number of games as younger players? Or rookies? What about minutes? What are the requirements for injury-prone players, like Manu? Can you fine a team for not running him into the ground or until he's too badly injured to play the reaminder of the season? Would there have been a fine if the Spurs scored 6 more points resulting in a victory? Will the playoffs ever be refereed objectively or will calls influenced by profit margins for large market teams be the deciding factor / MVP? The truth was much easier when it was just a game...
It is my opinion that Pop, Duncan, Parker etc. should have been suspended without pay for the next four games. four players = four games. This way they would have lost to Memphis and would run into some challenges and maybe losses against MIL/HOU/CHA which would have really affected there current standing and made all teams think about sitting players in the future . Just my opinion though
Stern is the biggest idiot ever to run a major sports league. How the spurs run their team is none of Stern's damn business. He must have way too much time on his hands if he has this much free time. For the record I hate the Spurs but this is not fair at all.
Ask me dis two.say if the starting five for the spurs and lebron his coach got into real bad and his coach decided to bench lebron gor watever the case may be and he start someone else wud u fine him for dat. If a coach doesnt have no say so in wat he is best for his team. Den why u need him. Smh lol crazy
Dis my thing let me ask yall dis why in world david stern tripping. Greg rest his players every year before post season time so wat da difference now. He never say anything bout dat wen nba teams do it right before postseasons.y u fining people now for do it in the early part of the season give me break. He didnt lose money miami almost got beat and if da spurs won last nite david stern wouldnt have said anything.smh i cant wait till he retires.he only think bout his self
Stern is an idiot, I´m a Fan of Spurs and I'm glad with pop Decision
Go Spurs Go
The funny thing is that Stern does this in the name of the best interests of "the league"... but the majority of the fans on the leagues web-site (60% at the time of my comment) are saying that no penalty is necessary. So what is Stern talking about? That begs the question, what is the best interest of the league? and who is this "league" that they're talking about? It seems stern is doing this cause he says it lets the fans down... but the fans are 60% against him in this moment.
Its not like anyone is going to not buy tickets to see the spurs. The TV folks have already paid up. The NBA is already on pace to make record money this year. SO who's interests aren't being served?
Isn't it in the interest of the league that the best veteran players on one of the best teams, aren't too worn out by the brutal back to backs and long road trips to play in the playoffs? I mean for real, whats more exciting that Manu going off in playoff time? To a bball lover, that is true beauty. Pop is widely considered the best coach in the league, let him coach! I'm a big fan of letting people do the job they are qualified for, and Stern is not a coach, so let him keep his hands (and ego) out of coaches decisions.
Marty what seperates them from LA NY or anyone who has Lebron when the spurs always are at the top of their division and consistently make the playoffs? You're coming of as ignorant Mr.Highly Intelligent
Jess: I'm highly educated and intelligent and believe Stern is and always has been a douche. If this was one of his pet franchises (L.A., N.Y., anyone that has LeBron) nothing would have happened. He is the most overrated human being since Phil Jackson. Pop can rest his players as he sees fit. Mr. Marketing can go lay down, as he should have years ago. No integrity in the league office.
The Commisioner has been doing his job for 30 years. He is highly educated and very intelligent. How many of you nay sayers can say that about yourselves. NOT ONE OF YOU! So he's right and the rest of you Pop apologists are so very, very wrong. Don't like it? Tough. Nobody cares if you don't. Pay up losers. That'll be $250,000 please. LMFAO @ you.
The commissioner cannot let coaches rest all their best players. Less people will pay to see bench players play. Its in the best intrest of the league to have their best players playing in order to make more money. Whether you like the spurs, their coach, the heat, or Stern, it's obviously in the best intrest of the league and if the people who work in the league aren't going to work in its best intrest they should and will be penalized. The more he fines them the better the penatly is because that further discourages a team to do that again.
The champs almost lost playing against the BENCH of the BEST nba team.
Miami and their fans should be happy they got the win.
Even if this wasnt the match up they pay to see, is the match up they everyone wanted to watch!!
I agree, they are getting pay millions to play and to get a day off...mmmhhh.
But still, when the meet up again they will get slap left and rigth
Where all these people in Miami that are mad about missing out? Good thing the Spurs bench lost, because Stern would have to start fining teams sitting players, too. Stern is a joke.
Here is my question. Why are you resting players in the first place. It is a good fine but if they do it again, they should be fined double and double again. They dont rest the price of the tickets. Foul move and I hope they keep getting fined if they keep that crap up!
A quarter of a million is excessive. Stern probably did this because without 4 of their main players, the game was less than how interesting it should've been. So, they, in a sense, lost money from the fans who came to watch that game... But, still. It shouldn't have been more than like 50k, which is enough to send a message...
november and you're resting players making millions of dollars! gimme a break.
Stern is a freakin idiot. Spurs will just rest their players more now.
They are just torturing coaches nowadays.
@CANDIDO - THEY GOT HARD? WHOA...
This is a crime. What is stern gonna be forced to do when other teams have to rest players. He opened up a can of worms. What an idiot. How can you punish a team for breaking a rule when there is no rule to be broken. Foolish. Foolish and rash.
James go easy on him, we just found out he is poor Laker fan. I feel bad now.
Do like me, don't buy there products and don't go to the games. Until they truley appreciate the fans quit giving them your money.
i'm a fun of NBA and for me coach Gregg Popovich did the right thing on the game and that is strategy of pop, because San Antonio Spurs is one the best team in NBA, and they challenge the champ even though the key player did not play, and unfortunately the spurs team without the key player on the floor make the champ get hard during battle...
These player killed me with this rest shit, they only play for two hours,its not like they have a 9 to 5 job to go too before they play a game,, if they can't keep up with everybody then retire period.because if i bought tickets i would of been pissed,, they should of got 25,000,000
Justin, you are aware that the Spurs only lost by 5, right? Ray Allen had to hit that 3 pointer in the short corner to put the Heat ahead in the final seconds. The Spurs that played competed and had a legitimate chance to win the game. What if Ray Allen had missed that shot and the Spurs had scored on the following possession to win the game? Would you still consider that "throwing the game?"
Stern is a douchebag for sure. The Heat gets to rest up before the game and the Spurs are on the tail-end of a long road series. The Spurs were set up to lose this game. Stern should have waited to see how it played out before he rushing to judgment. Popovich and crew just proved that Stern is a tool. Another huge tool move after the Paul deal got nixed. That being said--GO LAKERS...........
I don't care about the fine and it amounts to nothing as far as the spurs or any other owner is concerned. my question is why didn't spurs rest these guys on other game nights and then have them ready for a game vs the champs on tnt. This was a the spurs sending a message to the nba to protest their schedule and nothing more.
hey Justin, it was SA at Miami, who cares anyway?
Real men were watching football! It's about dictatoship, you dipshit.
You guys are clueless! The fine should of been more harsh, this isn't about resting guys, teams do that all the time, 1 at a time!!! Pop was throwing that game! He devalued it and could of caused a big uproar from betters on basketball for how he handled it. You shame the game if you ever throw a game on purpose, it was away against the heat when his team was tired and the heat were rested! It was gonna be an uphill win already for them so he took the easy way out and threw the game so his veterans could rest! I'm not saying it's not smart of pop too do I am saying he should be punished for it, you disgraced your fans who wanted a victory, you disgraced the league who wanted a good game too watch (even though they got one anyway) you disgraced the NBA fans!
Evidently Stern thinks he is coach of the Spurs now. What a knucklehead. Hope the Spurs fight this. I wish someone would fine Stern a quarter mil for once.
Definition of Commissioner:
Do what is best for the owners, PERIOD! Fans money, is all they care about. Bettam is in the process of ruining hockey, AGAIN. Rodger fines players for playing FOOTBALL. and o'l Bud, let players do drugs until the Feds got involed.
They should only be allowed to serve 8 year terms, so they don't become irrational tyrants.
Maasterbater Williams,
There will ALWAYS be fan support for the NBA, regardless of what Popovich or Stern does. Refunded? Give me a break. REAL fans go to see their team... win/lose, good opponent/not-so good opponent, whatever. If a player makes a team's roster (meaning good enough to compete in the NBA), then the coach should have the leeway to play anyone he wants during any given game in the season. Go ahead, sue the NBA for your $15 nosebleed ticket, you colossal MORON!
TO SAD FOR ALL YALL THEN; But what is really sad is that the heat almost got beat by the spurs second unit. what a jooooke
i would rather have Michael335 or Master P run the nba #davidsternsucks
THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!! HOW CAN STERN DO THAT TO THE SECOND BEST COACH IN NBA HISTORY??!!!! IT'S LIKE NOT ALLOWING CHRIS PAUL GOING TO THE LAKERS.... THIS IS ALL ABOUT PLAYING YOUR CARD'S , NOT A WISE CHOICE , THIS IS SERIOUS.... THAT'S S SENDING A MESSAGE.... DO THAT TO DOC? STERN SUPER BAD CHOICE... #CELTICSFAN, BUT ANALYTICAL
i would rather have Ken Lay: Enron or Eckhard Pfeiffer: Compaq run the nba #davidsternsucks
250 000$ fine ??????!!!!!! for real David Stern ?!! i honestly don't know how this jew has not been fired after the 2002 WCF scandal (Kings vs Lakers) and til this day no one has punished this rat, he's fining the San Antonio Spurs organization 250k for resting 3 old players passed their prime ????!!! what kinda bs is that ? it's none of his business anyways. i'm a miami fan and i can assure you that the entire state of miami enjoyed beating SA especially that Miami were losing big time at the end of the game, what if Duncan, manu and parker played ?
David Stern trying to get a little extra money for the holidays to pay for his family gifts so it wont have to come out his pockets.....very smart david
OMG... Stern is a bullshit just... Stern should fine himself self because he has made mistakes on making schedule... How he can see competitive match in that situation?
Whine Rodriguez... UP YOURS, PENDEJO! "with a bench players [sic]". You should have finished school in ol' "Mehico" before crossing the Grande!
I paid to see Allen Iverson and Gilbert Arenas but yet David Stern Blacklisted them....talking about they couldnt play anymore...David Stern encourgaed that crap!!!!
Pop did what was right for his team and his players. The game was still close. This was a very bad decision by David Stern. Poorly done.
Of course there should have been no fine; the uproar was great publicity and made Pop seem classier than ever. As a Spurs fan I'm always disappointed when Tony, Timmy, and Manu aren't playing, but I also see how great the other players area. Those in attendance and the TV viewers saw an amazing game; what a putdown for those Spurs players who made it so. Who has the power to fine Stern?
David Stern suspends players for anything yet fine teams for resting players whats the difference for real
David Stern should also fine himself $250,000 for making that ridiculous schedule. How is it fair that the Spurs had to play 4/5 games in 6 nights and the Heat hadn't played since Sunday. How fair is that to the fans? Stern is just a bully with power. I hope he retires soon.
See Piss, those "little remedials" were flogging the "champs" and almost won the game. Yeah, Spurs lost but it was a calculated risk Pop took in order to rest the players who need it most... something Spoelstra doesn't have the luxury of talent on his team, the brains, or the guts to do!
David stern should quit right now......I would rather Mitt Romney or George Bush run the NBA.
right on the money.....players cannot survive without fan support....we pay to see superstars play an should be given our money's worth.......money should have been refunded to dis gruntled customers!
I'm a Spurs fan to the end! Pop did what a coach should do, whats right for the team, in the moment and long term. Fine was too harsh (if any should be opposed) and I would be glad to contribute to a fund to pay this fine. I do believe that Spurs made a statement about the game schedules , not only theirs but in general. I think there should be a better way to organize these games. I have a hard time catching all four games in five days. We have lives to take care of. I do agree thou that they should have attended the game for support and not sent back to San Antonio. David Stern in my opinion is on another power trip! GOSPURSGO!!!!!!!!
Truthfully Duncan, Manu, Parker, and Green arent really superstars at this point in there career. Although Duncan is one of the best power forwards ever. The spurs have a good team all the way to the end of there bench. A superstar can be created in a day just look at lin and harden. Give other players a chance to be a superstar David Stern. NBA only really supports like 10 players and most of them on the same team.
Now the league is forcing teams to lie instead of telling honestly that they need rest..
The teams will start saying that the players were injured.. How will the league respond then?
Crazy, ask Rondo your refund!!!
Another example of David Stern and his ridiculousness.
This is BS! I am a Thunder fan but this is just stupid! That asshole Stern should just fire all the coaches in the league and coach the teams by himself! The Spurs should do something! They have to stand up to this man who thinks he is God! If i was Pop, I would bench them against the Grizzlies just to spike him!
Popovich is the coach and he knows his players. That was a team decision and if he did that then it was because his key players needed it. They know each other for such a long time, a long time! So they know what they're doing.
This fine might be justified under the commissioner eyes and his board of directors but not under a common sense perspective.
The NBA is getting way too boring, the referees are not doing a good job overall, the game is changing for worse!! Can someone please do something to make this game more enjoyable? or more interesting? It's a physical game, what do they expect?
We, the fans, don't want to see blood or fights. We want to see BASKETBALL!! A fast, entertaining, technical, fun, and physical game.
Thank you.
Dictator David Stern wants you to play checker not chess.....I guess you cant have a strategy to win a championship....one game is more important then a championship run
This is irrational plain and simple.. Charles Barkley said it last night as he does every other night "Everyone in the NBA can play." So my question to the Comissioner is why fine a team for simply showcasing OTHER PLAYERS? If that's the case you might as well fine the Phoenix Suns, they too don't play any star players on any night!!!! This is a mistake by David Stern and hopefully he regresses the fine.
You have to think as a fan. They pay for a premier game with premier players, instead they got a regular game with a bench players. The fine was just fine!!! The fans pay their salaries!!!!
to Sea Pea:
you're paying to see Spurs, not Tim Duncan, and actually Stern fining Spurs has nothing to do with hurt fans, etc. how many fans like you said were at the game? Probably zero!
Real reason is - it's bad for milking more money from tv contracts, that's what Stern cares about. If he would care about fans there would be less games and more rest during the season to make sure players are rested and playing to their max.
Dictator Stern
That fine is uncalled for. Last i know,
It is the coach job to decide what players to play or not.
I think the key thing here is that there is a league policy that allows for what Pop did, but requires proper and timely notification. For me, the main issue, based on what I am reading in this article is the part that states that the Spurs didn't give notice well enough in advance to inform the fans of the roster they would be paying to see or allow the Heat to price their tickets accordingly. I read somewhere else that Popovich had this rest planned when they first got the schedule. If all this is accurate, Popovich did to a disservice to the league and especially the paying fans. He is the coach and should be able to make those types of decisions, but if they failed to report in a timely manner when they easily should have been able to do so, he was wrong. If, however, this deadline to report doesn't exist, I think the fine is unwarranted.
Since the league suspended Rondo, and I paid to see Rondo, can I get a refund for the next 2 Celtic Games?!?
I don't care if you buy a ticket to see Splitter or to see Duncan, because the Spurs is a team and they have 12 professional players. It's crazy that there is a dictator -comissioner who commands your team. Next time Miami is winning by 20 points and Spolestra sits dawn Lebron, Will Stern fine him because someboy has bought a ticket to see Lebron?.
Dictatorship. What about Splitter's duty?.
This is crazy. Now the NBA can tell a team they have to play a player. Wow. Big brother is in control. If I were the Spurs, I would do the following: First Play my stars for 5 Mins then sit them. 2. I would start to fake injuries so I can rest the players. 3. I would throw a few big games. 4. I would make sure certain players play more as a way to validate their abilities & skills! This is sickening.
should have been a whole lot worse
I am not a Spurs fan, but, POPS IS A BOSS!!!
Where is that "one little kid" in Miami who was wearing a Duncan jersey anyway?
As a fan, I must report that Stern is a turn-off and though I won't expect anything too different
from his successor, I will enjoy not seeing his toad face in an official capacity.
I wish that those bench Spurs could have held on for the win just to provide a more humorous backdrop for this debate.
Fuck Stern! He a dictator
I know I would be mad if I bought a ticket to see the Big Fundamentals and I got the little remedials. What if that was the only ticket you bought for the season. What if you saved every penny for that ticket? What if you paid a scalper a ridiculous amount for those tickets. That fine should be a standard one million dollars. Its almost as bad a throwing games.