I disagree. This isn't the Harlem Globetrotters. Teams are supposed to be in competition, not in cooperation. 1. Why should the Spurs' coach care about Miami's marketing? 2. For basketball reasons, which the hypocritical Stern should at least pretend to care, winning is the most important thing for a team. Miami should be pleasantly surprised to find out at game time that they are going to have an easy game.
Quoted again for emphasis. Fact is this wouldn't have even been an issue anyone would have discussed had it not been for Stern's reactionary sound byte. I gotta imagine if the Spurs are willing to fight the fine, it would be something they could defeat with an arbitrator. To apply a fine against a team for breaking a rule is one thing - to selectively enforce the behavior would violate antitrust laws. If they punish the Spurs, then I don't see how they wouldn't fine every other team in the league who does this in some capacity throughout the season but particularly at the end of the season. Stern is an *******.
But most teams do this in some fashion at the end of the season and Vegas is just fine. By the way, implying that Stern does anything for the benefit of gambling operations is implying that he is partaking in true criminal actions. I don't know if that was your intent, but that is a pretty serious accusation.
I think Stern jumped the gun. After his comment, he had no choice but fine them in order to save face. He should have waited AFTER the game to talk. If the game was a lopsided blowout with extreme low quality play from the Spurs, he would have a legit reason to punish the Spurs.
You are funny. I took nothing out of context and included the preface in the post. Duh, obviously last year was an anomaly, but to argue last year vs this year is worth $250,000 is nonsense. Don't be ridiculous. If Napoleon's head was screwed on right, we'd be debating Pop. But his knee-jerk nonsense has blown this whole thing open. Thanks for the sanity. Stern's behavior was infantile. He could not contain himself.
This would make a lot more sense if it was a Christmas game, or one of the big ABC games on Sundays. Those are when the casual fans are watching. That is when the NBA is heavily marketing the superstars (See Kobe Bryant and the Lakers take on whoever). Could have easily sent a memo to all 30 teams if that was the concern.
I'm guessing that there's something going on behind the scenes between Pop and Stern that we don't know about.
Actually the idea that your roster is a proprietary trade secret that you have thr right not to divulge until tipoff is even more anomalous. There's no tradition or rule that says you get to play where's Waldo with your team in the NBA or any other sport; see the NFL injury report eg. in terms of health related absences the rules generally mandate the opposite.
So it was a OK in a lockout shortened season where the value of each regular season game is significantly more. Why? Because teams were playing a heavier schedule and therefore resting players was seen as acceptable. How does that rationale not apply this year as well for the Spurs? They are an older team, and they were playing their 4th game in 5 nights. If resting players was OK last year, why shouldn't resting players be OK this year? Are we supposed to believe that fatigue is not an issue over an 82-game season but it is an issue in a shortened 66-game season? The NBA's position just doesn't make sense to me. I can understand if they feel a certain protocol should be followed, but they should specify clearly what that protocol is beforehand.
Why was it okay for LBJ to sit out the last 4 games in 2009-10? He was the only reason to watch the Cavs, and he sat in a game against Chicago that helped them win the 8th seed by one game. Dan Gilbert needs to send in his $1M. Edit: Obviously not directed at you, but supporting you.
The Duncan/Ginobili/Parker/Green DNP's were announced hours before tipoff. The notification was there when I was setting my fantasy lineup around 3 PM or so.
Maybe all the 30 teams have this weird schedule? And only one complains in this manner? NBA needs a better software to create these schedules. Or if they are using one, maybe it's better to revert to manual.
