Big 3 Won't Play (Update: Big 3 and Pop OUT final two games)

[ace3g]

Richard Oliver ‏ @RichardCOliver

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Amen to that. RT @RicRenFSSW: Spurs Fans, Word has it... Pop will not play the Big-3 tonight against Phoenix...

[BlairForceDejuan]

:(

50

[DMC]

Phoenix will probably rest Nash and Gortat as well. They have nothing to gain.

[shyne]

Sit till game one please!!

[loveforthegame]

Good news. I wonder why they traveled with the team then?

Our guys are scrappy. I can see them winning both games.

[timvp]

Well, with the Pacers starting Lance Stephenson, that pretty much ended hope of catching the Bulls. There's now literally nothing at stake.

Tbh, I'm totally fine with Pop deep freezing the Big 3 until the Jazz series starts.

[shyne]

Anyone think Utah will sit their guys tomarrow?

[capek]

Well, with the Pacers starting Lance Stephenson, that pretty much ended hope of catching the Bulls. There's no literally nothing at stake.

Tbh, I'm totally fine with Pop deep freezing the Big 3 until the Jazz series starts.

But if the Pacers actually do win...game time decision? :stirpot:

[Mel_13]

Great news. #1 seed in the West and a healthy Big 3 to start the playoffs.

[Robz4000]

Yeah, Chicago isn't gonna lose. Absolutely nothing to gain but meaningless regular season records. This can only help SJax continue to get his game going, get Diaw more chances to build chemistry, and help Mills get his shit going if Neal is out for the first round. Even without the Big 3 this is a game they can win.

[WeNeedLength]

:tu

This better mean they sit tomorrow as well.

[ffadicted]

Chicago will have locked up the #1 seed before the game starts, so meh

[Dr Cox]

Thank goodness!

I zoned out at work and Manu and Duncan got hurt tonight. Bad stuff.

[Cane]

Thank the basketball gods, tbh

[InTheCrust]

But he will tomorrow :depressed

:pop: - "They need to be in rhythm with Bonner. He spreads the floor."

[lurker23]

Good news. I wonder why they traveled with the team then?


I think there was more to gain from them staying at home for the April 9th trip to Utah, when it was a quick there-and-back trip. For the longer two game trip, right before the playoffs, they can travel with the team, keep team/social unity, and gameplan with the coaching staff during downtime.

[ace3g]

“It’s doesn’t make any sense to play them,” Popovich said. “Our health is more important than the final record.”

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2012/04/25/big-three-will-take-a-seat/

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

Last time we rested the big 3... we came out the next game and had our worst performance of the season :stirpot:

[td4mvp21]

I can see the reasoning behind playing them (chemistry purposes), but with this team, health outweighs chemistry. Good choice :tu

[slick'81]

thanks god didnt want our starters playing against a team with nothing to lose

[Cane]

Thibodeau is a dumbass. Playing all your starters, on the road, after clinching the #1 seed? I hope this bitch move seals his fate as NOT being Coach of the Year.

Thibs has been running his players into the ground

[Mel_13]

I think there was more to gain from them staying at home for the April 9th trip to Utah, when it was a quick there-and-back trip. For the longer two game trip, right before the playoffs, they can travel with the team, keep team/social unity, and gameplan with the coaching staff during downtime.

Makes sense.

McDonald reported that shootaround was uncommonly long today. They could be running these sessions more like practices knowing that the Big 3 won't play and that the minutes of the key role players will be limited.

[DPG21920]

@RicRenFSSW

Devastating news: Ginobili slips getting out of the hotel shower and fractured his qunioblia bone. Playoffs in serious jeopardy. Stay tuned.

[DPG21920]

lol Pop acting like he wouldn't have screwed Jazz

Also worth mentioning: Pop says if tonight's game had bearing on Suns-Jazz playoff race, he likely would have played all his guys.

[Basketball Power]

Thank god, rather play suns in 1st rd

[Koolaid_Man]

lol Pop acting like he wouldn't have screwed Jazz

Also worth mentioning: Pop says if tonight's game had bearing on Suns-Jazz playoff race, he likely would have played all his guys.


The reviews aren't glowing:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/25/hobbit-48-fps-footage-divides-audiences_n_1452391.html

[Obstructed_View]

Pop learning all the lessons of last year. Hallemotherfuckinglujah!

[HarlemHo 37]

Why did you bother to put them on the friggin plane pop?

[T Park]

Pop learning all the lessons of last year. Hallemotherfuckinglujah!

Told ya

kidding.

[angelbelow]

I would have preferred to play the big 3 for the 1st half of tonight's game. Good chance we blow the game open and they can sit the 2nd half anyways.

But it doesnt' sound like Pops wants to actively chase 50. And there's a good chance we don't get HCA through out the playoffs even if we hit 50. So this is probably the right move.

[boutons_deux]

Pacers sitting Granger

Thibodeaux playing everybody, going for Finals HCA "every possible advantage"

[Mugen]

Thank god!

Watch Pop change his mind and play them tomorrow against Warriors :lol

:depressed

[ffadicted]

Thibodeau is a dumbass. Playing all your starters, on the road, after clinching the #1 seed? I hope this bitch move seals his fate as NOT being Coach of the Year.

Just think. Bulls havnt played together all year, thibs knows they cant afford to lose any more games

[Mugen]

Pretty sure Pop was planning to play at least TP/Manu @ PHX tonight until Neal's injury scared him off.

This leads me to believe that Gary's injury is more serious than we think.

[jestersmash]

Pretty sure Pop was planning to play at least TP/Manu @ PHX tonight until Neal's injury scared him off.

This leads me to believe that Gary's injury is more serious than we think.

I doubt that.

I think Pop was just struggling to try and assuage his concerns for keeping good rhythm going into the playoffs. I thought he came to a nice compromise by giving the team (big 3 included) a grueling 90 min. practice this morning.

Neal's injury might be serious, but you can't possibly have learned anything about it just because Pop decided the Big 3 are going to sit tonight.

[Spurs Brazil]

GREAT news

[ElNono]

Great news. #1 seed in the West and a healthy Big 3 to start the playoffs.

Indeed. You got your wish. :toast

[ace3g]

Maximum Sports ‏ @MaxSportsSA

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Spurs announce Tim, Tony, and Manu will not play last 2 games, are headed back to SA. Same for Pop, for personal reasons.

Jeff McDonald ‏ @JMcDonald_SAEN

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Also, Gregg Popovich has returned to San Antonio for what the team has termed "personal reasons." Mike Budenholzer will coach next 2 games.

[Spurs Brazil]

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has made the call. His Big Three will not play in either of the team’s final two regular-season games.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2012/04/25/big-three-will-take-a-seat/


JMcDonald_SAEN Also, Gregg Popovich has returned to San Antonio for what the team has termed "personal reasons." Mike Budenholzer will coach next 2 games.
Not only will Spurs' Big Three not play tonight. Won't even be in the state. Flew back to SA after "practice" this morning in PHX.

[shyne]

Lol pop flew them to Phoenix for practice, we're talking about practice not a game practice!

[DesignatedT]

lol pop going home as well

[shyne]

Pop flew back to start game planning early, CIA pop?

[Manu-20]

Dam wtf is pop doing going all CIA on us again

[Mugen]

Hope it's nothing serious with Pop and that he just didn't feel like getting kicked out of a couple meaningless games.

[Kool Bob Love]

Lol pop flew them to Phoenix for practice, we're talking about practice not a game practice!


:lol

In POP we trust.

[Uriel]

@RicRenFSSW

Devastating news: Ginobili slips getting out of the hotel shower and fractured his qunioblia bone. Playoffs in serious jeopardy. Stay tuned.

Is this for real?! :spless:

I nearly died there.

[timvp]

Hmmm, I'm not sure I like Pop flying home too. He's needed in order to dole out the minutes correctly, tbh. Even in meaningless blowouts, Pop's best qualified to handle everything.

[timtonymanu]

Good move.

TBH, these last two games should just be forfeits. The playoffs are too close for two pointless regular season games.

[Splits]

Bud preparing to take over the head coaching spot after Duncan and Pop retire after 5? Hmmmm....

[DMC]

Good news. I wonder why they traveled with the team then?

Our guys are scrappy. I can see them winning both games.

Team cohesion, camaraderie, free dinner.

[TheSkeptic]

Hmmm, I'm not sure I like Pop flying home too. He's needed in order to dole out the minutes correctly, tbh. Even in meaningless blowouts, Pop's best qualified to handle everything.

No kidding. I'm hoping that he's just taking a mini-vacation before the playoffs.

Does anyone know if Bud is head coaching material?

[ace3g]

Jeff McDonald ‏ @JMcDonald_SAEN

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Spurs' starters, according to Head Coach For The Day Mike Budenholzer: Mills, Green, Leonard, Diaw, Blair.

[T Park]

Hoping everything is ok with Pop. I don't think he's ever taken games off before.

[DesignatedT]

Yeah it's definitely not him just wanting a vacation or whatever. Something must be going on with family or something. I hope he's alright.

[therealtruth]

Thibodeau is a dumbass. Playing all your starters, on the road, after clinching the #1 seed? I hope this bitch move seals his fate as NOT being Coach of the Year.

It's funny coaches used to do that all the time because they felt some sort of obligation to the fans.

[Robz4000]

Hope everything's cool with Pop. Can't recall him ever doing this before.

[Splits]

Yeah it's definitely not him just wanting a vacation or whatever. Something must be going on with family or something. I hope he's alright.

The team's supporting staff, video crew, scouts, playoff preppers, etc do not travel with the team. Him going back to SA to prepare for the 1st round with the background crew which never make the news is the most likely reason for the early Phoenix departure. I wouldn't read too much into this. Pop doesn't show up for summer league games either.

[Arcadian]

Well, with the Pacers starting Lance Stephenson, that pretty much ended hope of catching the Bulls. There's now literally nothing at stake.

Tbh, I'm totally fine with Pop deep freezing the Big 3 until the Jazz series starts.

Stephenson had 22 points on 10/15 shooting, and the Pacers lost a close game by 5 points.

And the Bulls have another game.

So while you do have a point...calling it hopeless is just wrong.

[anjlbitz]

The team's supporting staff, video crew, scouts, playoff preppers, etc do not travel with the team. Him going back to SA to prepare for the 1st round with the background crew which never make the news is the most likely reason for the early Phoenix departure. I wouldn't read too much into this. Pop doesn't show up for summer league games either.

huh? I met Pop several times during Summer League. And he does watch and stay for the games.

[Mel_13]

Stephenson had 22 points on 10/15 shooting, and the Pacers lost a close game by 5 points.

And the Bulls have another game.

So while you do have a point...calling it hopeless is just wrong.


You think Cleveland is going into Chicago tomorrow night and beating the Bulls?

[DPG21920]

Ya, I've sat right next to pop at summer league. In fact it was me who told him to watch Gary Screal

[ducks]

pop is scouting other teams

[Spurtacus]

Hopefully everything is alright with Pop.

With Pop and the big 3 out you can kiss HCA throughout and 50 games goodbye. Hopefully the reserves come out of this back to back healthy.

[50 cent]

CIA Pop strikes again.

[Sense]

I like this... the expectations can't be any lower, I'm going to be thrilled if we manage to get this one.

[freetiago]

Pretty obvious tbh
he thought the bulls would rest and pacers would beat them giving us a chance at #1 overall in the nba
with the bulls win we have no chance at #1 really so he decided the possibility of an injury in that cursed city isnt worth a little rust
hes probably scouting the jazz/nuggets early

[ducks]

pop had to say personal reasons to appease stern
he is scouting teams

[SpursIndonesia]

It's clearly a CIA Pop move. If he decided early that he won't play the big 3, Chicago won't press the issue by playing Rose, since their line up sans him would be enough to beat Indiana which playing without Granger. He forced Thibodeaux hand (who knows if Rose catches another injury, he's been a china porcelain player througout the season) in the poker table, LOL. :lol:

[lurker23]

And here's why the big 3 won't play...

Darnell Mayberry ‏ @DarnellMayberry

Westbrook looks to have hurt his left wrist pretty badly after landing on it following an attempted blocked shot against Corey Brewer.

https://twitter.com/#!/DarnellMayberry/status/195335508623228928

Darnell Mayberry ‏ @DarnellMayberry

Westbrook is staying in the game, but he's grimacing a lot.

https://twitter.com/#!/DarnellMayberry/status/195335873141813248

[shyne]

Pop for president in 2012

[ace3g]

Joe Alexander ‏ @JoeAlexander210

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Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer gets to do the head coach thing tonight with his parents in the stands in Phoenix.

[ace3g]

Denver just won, Spurs vs Jazz 1st round

[Spurtacus]

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2010/0326/pg2_03262010_576.jpg

Timmy's too old to be celebrating his bday on the road. Big 3 and Pop flew back home to celebrate with some fine wine.

[pjjrfan]

Thibs has been running his players into the ground

He's got a young team, and he has a good bench, their question is whether they can maintain their level of excellence once they get into the playoffs, last year they lost steam and momentum I think cause their players just couldn't handle the pressure. They will go as far as Rose takes them.

[D-rob fan]

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2010/0326/pg2_03262010_576.jpg

Timmy's too old to be celebrating his bday on the road. Big 3 and Pop flew back home to celebrate with some fine wine.
:toast I was about to post the same thing!

[SpurinDallas]

Its obvious the Big 3 and Pop wanted to go see Stevie B and Ramon Ayala downtown for Timmy's bday. Duh

[Keepin' it real]

Thank goodness Pop decided to keep it real. :hat

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

What is the purpose of sending them on a plane to cities where they won't be playing? Why not let the Big Three stay home in San Antonio and avoid the travel fatigue?

[Mel_13]

What is the purpose of sending them on a plane to cities where they won't be playing? Why not let the Big Three stay home in San Antonio and avoid the travel fatigue?

They traveled yesterday before the Phoenix-Utah game. Pop indicated that he would have treated the game differently if it had playoff implications.

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

They traveled yesterday before the Phoenix-Utah game. Pop indicated that he would have treated the game differently if it had playoff implications.

I see, but the 1# seed was already locked up at the time.

[capek]

I see, but the 1# seed was already locked up at the time.

If the Bulls would have lost to the Pacers earlier today, and if whatever weirdness sent Pop+3 back to SA didn't occur (assuming they're two separate issues), that would have been the scenario in which the big 3 would have played.

[SA210]

Its obvious the Big 3 and Pop wanted to go see Stevie B and Ramon Ayala downtown for Timmy's bday. Duh

:lmao

[T Park]

I liked the fake Pop's answer of

"Forgot to DVR Pawn Stars"

[will_spurs]

Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer gets to do the head coach thing tonight with his parents in the stands in Phoenix.

Great move. That's how one builds confidence and loyalty. His parents must have been proud.

[Fireball]

They traveled yesterday before the Phoenix-Utah game. Pop indicated that he would have treated the game differently if it had playoff implications.

Thats what I do not understand. He gave Utah one victory by resting the Big Three ... he should have given Phoenix the same opportunity even if the game had playoff implications.

Well ... Spurs won so ...

[HarlemHo 37]

If the Bulls would have lost to the Pacers earlier today, and if whatever weirdness sent Pop+3 back to SA didn't occur (assuming they're two separate issues), that would have been the scenario in which the big 3 would have played.

No, they would have played only if Phoenix knocked off Utah. The Spurs were never interested in home court throughout.

[capek]

No, they would have played only if Phoenix knocked off Utah. The Spurs were never interested in home court throughout.

That makes even less sense. :rolleyes