Thanks for the pull. Maybe it can put this discussion of sanctions in perspective. I don't really think fining an owner $25,000 will really achieve anything. It's like fining Lebron $5k for flopping. If that is the "sanctions," fining an owner, then it's merely symbolic and objections in this thread are really being blown out of proportion. no?
Would the Spurs be fined if their starters played 36 minutes and cumulatively shot 0-50 and scored 0 points? Where is the distinction? I fully hope the Spurs not only challenge Stern publicly on the sanctions, but do so on a legal-scale as well.
The vitriol in the GARM's spilling over here. Not referring to you specifically HP. Arguments get easily personal now.
He is doing this for psychological reasons. Spurs have a slight disadvantage with the scheduling and he does not want them to lose badly to Heat, which could have psychological impact were these two teams to match in the Finals. A tactical move but a p***y one. They can fine him or the team but he will gladly take that fine for the psychological edge.
You knew what I meant. Besides, my point is the league drops and adds teams to their national schedules every year, and are completely in their right to do so arbitrarily. Durvasa pulled some precedent of the Lakers' owner getting fined $25k for sitting Magic. Really, $25k. We aren't really having a debate about fining an owner $25k are we? Let's hope not. I'd be embarrassed that I participated in an argument over a stupid, tiny symbolic fine of essentially owners fining owners.
This is the question we should be asking! They're walking a tightrope right now trying to balance out superstar calls between a team of superstars and a team of well...basketball players I guess.
Dude Im sorry but the Popavich is the best coach in the NBA period. How do the Spurs even make a game of this dang!! The only knock on them is their dominant regular season and their post season meltdowns. Although you have to admit , the Grizzles matched up perfect with them.
I'm seeing a hell of a game. These Spurs players are battling. Random question: Could fans also complain about being robbed if their team losses? It isn't promised but they are obviously expecting to see a victory in most cases.
I gotta say... this Spurs lineup is probably better than the crap teams like the Wizards, Kings, Hornets, and Cavs have trotted out nightly.
That is bull shiet, if Pop makes the strategic decision to rest his starters, he should be able to do so.
Nothing personal in my statements at all. heypartner has presented no legal evidence that the Spurs violated any rule. All he has is emotional outrage at the situation and that is no grounds for any type of sanctions. I will admit that I think heypartner is a fool because of his threads/actions in the Hangout, but if he presents ANY evidence at all, then I will concede that Stern has the right to sanction the Spurs. I'd argue that it'd be a ridiculous, arbitrarily enforced rule that could be applied in many more situations, but Stern would still have that right.
1) Stern is a meglomaniac. 2) This gives more credence to idea that Stern will attempt to use his influence to dictate which set of players (team) will be in a certain matchup. He apparantly wants, what he deems to be the best show, to take place, and this is the first public expression of it from him that I've seen, although I've always been suspicious that he has privately had an effect on certain playoff games via officiating (2002 Sacramento vs. Lakers matchup) to get the two teams in that he thinks will get the best ratings. 3) This showing by San Antonio tonight against Miami IMO shows the importance of clever coaching, offensively and defensively.
