Duncan, TP, Manu, Green out

[deibero]

According to Buck Harveys twitter account:

Buck Harvey (@Buck_SA)11/29/12 3:46 p.m TP9 (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=806)network, manuginobili (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=17669), Duncan and Green spotted on flight today to SA? Next to take off will be LeBron over Bonner.

[hooperflash]

Should've ended the thread title with a question mark bro.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Had a feeling Pop was going to go this route, just didn't suspect Green.

[bigfan]

Tom Haberstroh twitter:
Gregg Popovich just Eurostepped around David Stern.
:lmao

[timvp]

:lmao oh well

[dbreiden83080]

Pop with the giant middle finger to the league for the schedule..

[DAF86]

Fuck, I was looking forward to this game.

[Kori Ellis]

They sent them home on Southwest. :lol

[playblair]

https://o.twimg.com/1/proxy.jpg?t=FQQVBBgpaHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0cGljLmNvbS9zaG 93L2xhcmdlL2JobDY3Zy5qcGcUAhYAEgA&s=VBsJ1s5YLn6PFN5TWeIRinU0Vx4V7ytGB2YvDGmA6mc

[Ice009]

What the fuck for????????

[Darius Bieber]

The pressure is all on Miami to win the game. The Spurs have no pressure whatsoever; you'll be surprised how Bonner, Mills, Splitter, Neal will play without any pressure. Maybe the Spurs could edge out.

[024]

Tom Haberstroh twitter:
Gregg Popovich just Eurostepped around David Stern.
:lmao
:lol

[DAF86]

Splitter with 20 and 15.

[jhfenton]

I guess that eliminates any pressure to find a place or online resource to watch the game tonight. :rolleyes I pay for LP Broadband, so I only have issues with the nationally-televised games (and the 2 Cavs games each season).

[gameFACE]

Pop with the giant middle finger to the league for the schedule..

No shit. I was starting to think this would be a trap game for the Heat but, oh well.

[JRHernandez88]

Good shit pop.

[spurraider21]

Well thats what the league gets for putting our 4th game in 5 nights against an elite team getting 4 days rest. I wanted to see the starters play to use this game as a litmus test, but in hindsight its a smart move. I'm sure Pop was going to rest the boys in one of these 4 games regardless, and he chose the one we had the highest probability of losing anyway to maximize our record. Imagine we tanked against Orlando and lost, and then Miami beat us at full strength

[DMC]

Spurs lose by 35

[TampaDude]

Spurs lose by 35

45

[DMC]

They sent them home on Southwest. :lol

Wow, if that's true that had to be one of the worst flights they've endured in quite some time. I wonder if they got Business Select, and if so who was the odd man out in the seating since three of them likely sat together.

I would think the Spurs would charter a Lear 60 and get everyone back that way.

[timvp]

I love that Pop included Danny Green. Pop is always looking for way to increase Green's confidence. Being part of the Big 4 sent home should make him feel pretty good about himself. :lol

[playblair]

Ethan J. Skolnick ‏@EthanJSkolnick (https://twitter.com/EthanJSkolnick) This is the best part: Craig Sager just told us he's not the one interviewing Gregg Popovich tonight. Charles Barkley is.

[dbreiden83080]

Well thats what the league gets for putting our 4th game in 5 nights against an elite team getting 4 days rest. I wanted to see the starters play to use this game as a litmus test, but in hindsight its a smart move. I'm sure Pop was going to rest the boys in one of these 4 games regardless, and he chose the one we had the highest probability of losing anyway to maximize our record. Imagine we tanked against Orlando and lost, and then Miami beat us at full strength

And if the league had not been shit-heads trying to ensure a Heat win Spurs could have had a day off and played them straight up.. 4 days off for the Heat huh NBA.. Really..

[TD 21]

As much as I look forward to this match-up, I don't mind this. They would have had to hit mid-high teens from three to win this game. No point in piling more minutes on the big three's legs in the highly unlikely event that happens, not when a more important game is looming.

I don't understand why Green is out too, though. Sure, he's played a good amount lately, but he's 25, he has no responsibility to create offense and Leonard is due back next game anyway. If anyone besides the big three should have sat, it should have been Diaw, who's 30 and barring a trade, someone who'll be needed for relatively significant minutes all season and especially in the playoffs.

[Andthentherewas21]

Spurs literally have only an 8 man rotation, with no legitimate SF. Quick does anyone know if a game has ever been loss due to players fouling out?

[SpursRock20]

Ethan J. Skolnick ‏@EthanJSkolnick (https://twitter.com/EthanJSkolnick) This is the best part: Craig Sager just told us he's not the one interviewing Gregg Popovich tonight. Charles Barkley is.

Barkley: "I'm not happy that you are keeping GINOBILIIIIII out tonight!"
Pop:"..................was that a question?"

[TMTTRIO]

I can understand maybe sitting Tim and Tony out tonight since they've been playing major minutes but Manu needs more minutes out there to continue to get in rhythm and get his game together like we're starting to see. At least give him a few minutes. Oh well.

[johnpaulwall21]

damn I was looking forward to the game

[Das Texan]

They sent them home on Southwest. :lol

Holt being Holt.

[silverblackfan]

Tom Haberstroh twitter:
Gregg Popovich just Eurostepped around David Stern.
:lmao

I love it! No since chancing an injury or giving the damn Heat any chance of figuring out ways how to play the Spurs. The odds were against winning anyway. We got the 5-1 road record and that is good enough. I would be interested if Pop told the team that if they can win the first 5 games, they get to skip the last road game.

[LongtimeSpursFan]

Cool! I thought about canceling practice tonight. Since this game is gonna be a glorified preseason game I dont mind DVRing for later.

[quentin_compson]

Classic Pop. :lmao

[DMC]

Pop to Charles: "You interested in coming off the bench?"

[rmt]

Feel bad for my brother - he spent $$$$$ for 2 seats right behind the Spurs bench. Me - not as bad, I'm in row 19. **** Pop! Wouldn't be so bad for my brother if he'd just sit them, but no, he had to fly them home.

[ElNono]

Pop with the typical "you're all fkn heroes" national broadcast goods...

[eric365]

I love that Pop included Danny Green. Pop is always looking for way to increase Green's confidence. Being part of the Big 4 sent home should make him feel pretty good about himself. :lol

Before it was the big 3 + Finley
Not sure that replacing the old Finley in any thing could help his confidence

I understand pop for the decision but this would really have been a nice game. At least the message is sent to the NBA for this schedule

[ElNono]

FWIW, this assures the Spurs will get pathetic reffing during the playoffs again. You don't fuck with Stern.

[carina_gino20]

Genius Pop is genius.

[alamo50]

Altough I love Pop's point making (Miami has been of since Saturday while we played last night), this might get ugly on the score sheet. I do feel bad for the real fans who got tickets to see our Spurs playing over there as it's their only chance till June.

[Mugen]

FWIW, this assures the Spurs will get pathetic reffing during the playoffs again. You don't fuck with Stern.

Was gonna happen regardless, tbh. :downspin:

[pad300]

Ethan J. Skolnick ‏@EthanJSkolnick (https://twitter.com/EthanJSkolnick) This is the best part: Craig Sager just told us he's not the one interviewing Gregg Popovich tonight. Charles Barkley is.

That might just be must see TV... make sure to PVR it folks, because this could be an all-time Pop classic.

[playblair]

^:lol

[timvp]

What the fuck for????????

http://www.spurstalk.com/pop-be-trolling.gif

[DPG21920]

Timvp - do you feel for those that saved up money for good tickets for their one chance to see the Spurs in MIA?

[DapDaGenius]

Note to self: Never go a Spurs-Heat game.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

CIA pop tbh giving a big FCK you to stern and his shitty scheduling

[LakerHater]

Is Ime gonna play!?

[rmt]

Altough I love Pop's point making (Miami has been of since Saturday while we played last night), this might get ugly on the score sheet. I do feel bad for the real fans who got tickets to see our Spurs playing over there as it's their only chance till June.

Pop's done it before, but for a pre-season game. That wasn't as bad as the tickets were less expensive. And forget about June - no way can I afford playoff tickets - every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to be seen at Heat games during the playoffs. The regular season games are never sold out, and the Miami fans are so fickle, they always leave early.

[szkorhetz]

Altough I love Pop's point making (Miami has been of since Saturday while we played last night), this might get ugly on the score sheet. I do feel bad for the real fans who got tickets to see our Spurs playing over there as it's their only chance till June.
Love you optimism! :D

[timvp]

Timvp - do you feel for those that saved up money for good tickets for their one chance to see the Spurs in MIA?

Sure but with Pop's history of shenanigans during the regular season, caveat emptor. Pop's job is to get his team ready for the playoffs.

[eric365]

Last year for one of the B2B2B, pop rested one of the big 3 for each of the 3 games and we won the 3 IIRC
Why not rest one of the big 3 for each of our 3 previous games? It was 3 bad teams anyway

It's just to send a message

[wildbill2u]

Long article "Ball don't Lie" on Yahoo sports about it.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/spurs-sit-tim-duncan-tony-parker-manu-ginobili-222016650--nba.html

[TDMVPDPOY]

Last year for one of the B2B2B, pop rested one of the big 3 for each of the 3 games and we won the 3 IIRC
Why not rest one of the big 3 for each of our 3 previous games? It was 3 bad teams anyway

It's just to send a message
ur comparing automatic wins to games u dont have a chancein winning

why field weak teams against fodder teams, when the winning is there for the taking, then looking at a LOSS

[wildbill2u]

Plan is for a big night with friends at Twin Peaks and was really looking forward to it. Now it just seems a waste of time and money. Wish Pop had announced it a couple of days ago.

I guess he shipped them home before the announcement so Stern couldn't order him to play them.

[letmk]

Last year for one of the B2B2B, pop rested one of the big 3 for each of the 3 games and we won the 3 IIRC
Why not rest one of the big 3 for each of our 3 previous games? It was 3 bad teams anyway

It's just to send a message

I remember that stretch. I think the big difference is that Pop needed wins at that time, and at 13-3, he has no such pressure at this time. Plus, with Leonard & Jack out and the scheduling difference between two teams, this game would be a likely loss anyways.

Also, another big plus from this is that, doing this gives the rest of players a chance to show what they are making of. If we play big 3, by default we would have to try to win and the subs can not play much until garbage time. Now they are all free to play meaning minutes.

[SpurPadre]

The pressure is all on Miami to win the game. The Spurs have no pressure whatsoever; you'll be surprised how Bonner, Mills, Splitter, Neal will play without any pressure. Maybe the Spurs could edge out.


Yeah, the last time they played "without any pressure" the Blazers beat them by about 40 in last season's Pop's annual tank job. The real question is, why didn't Pop tank last night's game instead of this one? Does he want to give the Heat false hope?

[GrandeDavid]

They sent them home on Southwest. :lol

Do you think they at least got a beverage credit for the cheap flight home? lol

[cheguevara]

be honest to yourself spursfan. It's not like Spurs were gona win in Miami, even at full strength :lmao

Pop just doing what he does best, avoiding bandwagon spurs fan from jumping the bus until about 2nd or 3rd round of the playoffs :lmao

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

Might be wishful thinking... but it'd be awesome if the spurs could keep the game competitive and possibly pull out a win... talk about a big FU to the league

[TE]

:lmao what the fucccccccccccck

[Juggity]

Yeah, the last time they played "without any pressure" the Blazers beat them by about 40 in last season's Pop's annual tank job. The real question is, why didn't Pop tank last night's game instead of this one? Does he want to give the Heat false hope?

It wouldn't be false hope tbh.

[SpurPadre]

be honest to yourself spursfan. It's not like Spurs were gona win in Miami, even at full strength :lmao

Pop just doing what he does best, avoiding bandwagon spurs fan from jumping the bus until about 2nd or 3rd round of the playoffs :lmao


How could you be a Spurs fan and not think they have a chance to beat Miami at Miami at full strength?

[cheguevara]

oh there's always a chance. But let's face it, it's slim to none. This team cannot even keep up with the Clippers.

[SpurPadre]

It wouldn't be false hope tbh.

Well, I'm sure the Heat will know they didn't beat the REAL Spurs team after tonight but maybe Pop thinks he's affecting them psychologically? I dunno...The Pop works in mysterious ways.

[Juggity]

How could you be a Spurs fan and not think they have a chance to beat Miami at Miami at full strength?

Sure, but why play on the league's terms? Why accept a top team getting 4 days of rest before a nationally televised game while the other team gets 0? This is Pop's moral crusade, and it has the advantage of preventing Miami from developing a consistent plan of attack against the spurs in case a finals matchup were to occur.

[SayTown]

Im sure this will sit well with david stern and the referees come playoff time

[DPG21920]

Sure but with Pop's history of shenanigans during the regular season, caveat emptor. Pop's job is to get his team ready for the playoffs.

Agreed. Just wanted to see what kind of man you were. Proceed.

[hooperflash]

Stephen A. Smith gets it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8y2JG00Wk0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Obstructed_View]

I wonder if Pop will get a warning for flopping.

[SpurPadre]

Sure, but why play on the league's terms? Why accept a top team getting 4 days of rest before a nationally televised game while the other team gets 0? This is Pop's moral crusade, and it has the advantage of preventing Miami from developing a consistent plan of attack against the spurs in case a finals matchup were to occur.

Ok, but again, why not tank last night's game against an inferior opponent instead of tonight? Same point would've been accomplished PLUS the chance to measure your team with BIG 3 intact against the defending champs? Oh, and before looking ahead to the Finals, Pop has to worry about getting past the Thunder, Grizzlies, the last two teams to take us out of the playoffs the past two years.

[SpursRock20]

Ok, but again, why not tank last night's game against an inferior opponent instead of tonight? Same point would've been accomplished PLUS the chance to measure your team with BIG 3 intact against the defending champs? Oh, and before looking ahead to the Finals, Pop has to worry about getting past the Thunder, Grizzlies, the last two teams to take us out of the playoffs the past two years.

I would have liked to see this. The reason it did not happen is because it would have looked much worse if we somehow lost last night. Even with our big3+Green on an extra day of rest, we are still a heavy underdog without a SF. Gotta take the wins when we can get them, ecspecially this early in the season.

[spurraider21]

Stern's gna be pissed. I can imagine the following.

[Stern calls lead Ref before tipoff]

Ref: Hello?

Stern: Sweep the leg

[spurraider21]

I would have liked to see this. The reason it did not happen is because it would have looked much worse if we somehow lost last night. Even with our big3+Green on an extra day of rest, we are still a heavy underdog without a SF. Gotta take the wins when we can get them, ecspecially this early in the season.
Its pop maximizing our win/loss. If we tanked Orlando, there's a solid chance we lose. And even a rested Spurs team minus Kawhi or Jax has a pretty good shot at losing IN miami. Rather than taking a potential 2 losses, we are throwing away the game most likely to lose anyway

[SpursRock20]

Stern's gna be pissed. I can imagine the following.

[Stern calls lead Ref before tipoff]

Ref: Hello?

Stern: Sweep the leg

Hope the ref doesn't try anything on Bonner. Dude is indestructible.

[therealtruth]

And Pop wonders why his team gets punk'd in the playoffs. Not a good idea to mess with the basketball gods.

[TDMVPDPOY]

SAS hates anything that gas got to do with lebron...

so nothing new here from smithers

[therealtruth]

Ok, but again, why not tank last night's game against an inferior opponent instead of tonight? Same point would've been accomplished PLUS the chance to measure your team with BIG 3 intact against the defending champs? Oh, and before looking ahead to the Finals, Pop has to worry about getting past the Thunder, Grizzlies, the last two teams to take us out of the playoffs the past two years.

You're going to have to play through tougher situations in the playoffs like when the refs make bad calls. If you don't develop the mental toughness now they're not going to have it in the playoffs. We've seen the Spurs missing that mental toughness in the playoffs for a while.

[Obstructed_View]

Truthfully, Pop's ducked the big TV games for several years. I'm sure he's grateful to the retards at the NBA for giving him a perfect excuse to do it. 5-1 on a road trip in November is gravy.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

:pop:I'm going CIA Pop

[DPG21920]

Truthfully, Pop's ducked the big TV games for several years. I'm sure he's grateful to the retards at the NBA for giving him a perfect excuse to do it. 5-1* on a road trip in November is gravy.

Fify

[lefty]

@FakeCoachPop

Suck it Stern.

[SpurPadre]

Final Score Prediction: Heat 118 Spurs 70 with Wade and Lebron pumping their chests after each dunk over Bonner like they won another championship.

[z0sa]

:lol lame as fuck but I suppose I should have expected this bullshit

[Mel_13]

Timvp - do you feel for those that saved up money for good tickets for their one chance to see the Spurs in MIA?


Sure but with Pop's history of shenanigans during the regular season, caveat emptor. Pop's job is to get his team ready for the playoffs.

I was going to use caveat emptor. Given recent history, it's risky to buy to tickets to a road game that's on the back end of a b2b. With my daughter in NY now, we decided that we would see the Spurs on the road this season. I checked the schedule first to avoid any games that fit the bill for a tank job.

[TDMVPDPOY]

bitches cryin, yet will still tune into the game

[Libri]

The ultimate troll job would be start Bonner, tbh.

[txstr1986]

@FakeCoachPop

Suck it Stern.

I love this twitter account.

[polandprzem]

it's 2 am and I sacrifice myself to watch the game :cuss

[DPG21920]

I was going to use caveat emptor. Given recent history, it's risky to buy to tickets to a road game that's on the back end of a b2b. With my daughter in NY now, we decided that we would see the Spurs on the road this season. I checked the schedule first to avoid any games that fit the bill for a tank job.

Ya, but you are a diehard and even you thought Pop would play the starters today "and then pull the plug early", so the caveat emptor might not apply

[SpurPadre]

Glad I'm in my office stuck at work but will be quick to take this shit off my DVR when I get home.

[Admidave50]

lol wtf! i guess i can work then...

[Capt Bringdown]

FWIW, this assures the Spurs will get pathetic reffing during the playoffs again. You don't fuck with Stern.

Good point. There will be some kind of league response to this provocation.
Understand Pop's POV, but also a bit of the league's/fan perspective too.

One of my cherished BBall memories is seeing many NBA greats when they played against the Spurs in SA. If every team played Pop's game, how could a fan confidently invest in a ticket?

[Mel_13]

Timvp - do you feel for those that saved up money for good tickets for their one chance to see the Spurs in MIA?


Ya, but you are a diehard and even you thought Pop would play the starters today "and then pull the plug early", so the caveat emptor might not apply

Two different things. I would never have bought a ticket and made arrangements to travel to Miami for tonight's game as it fit all the hallmarks for a tank job.

This mornings guess was based on the relative ease of the previous two games, but I suppose Pop couldn't resist the chance to poke Stern in the eye.

[phxspurfan]

I've lived in SA, Boston and now Phoenix so I go see the Spurs wherever. And as a pure Spur fan I would pay to see whoever dress up in a Spurs uni (ok maybe not anybody), so I'm not all broken up over not seeing TD, TP and Manu dress for what would be their 4th game in 5 nights. Sack up people (this includes kid NBA fans). Our team is old.

[DPG21920]

Well I just thought that if you truly believed what you said, that they would play, there would be no reason not to buy a ticket. Point is, many people don't follow the team as closely as ST's do and might not be so aware of this and the schedule and what is going on.

I agree with the decision, just see how fans could be disappointed.

[Mel_13]

Well I just thought that if you truly believed what you said, that they would play, there would be no reason not to buy a ticket. Point is, many people don't follow the team as closely as ST's do and might not be so aware of this and the schedule and what is going on.

I agree with the decision, just see how fans could be disappointed.

Making a guess on a message board is not the same thing as planning a trip out of state or even just paying for good seats at an NBA game. Fans holding tickets have a right to be pissed, but this was always a risky game to lay out real money to see.

[Budkin]

I love Pop telling Stern to fuck himself.

[snickles]

Spurs literally have only an 8 man rotation, with no legitimate SF. Quick does anyone know if a game has ever been loss due to players fouling out?

i dont think this has been answered yet, but i believe the rule is, when 8 guys have fouled out, they can come back in, but any foul is awarded an additional technical foul free throw.

[TDMVPDPOY]

if the big 3 retire today, ppl or real fans would still continue to go support their ball team....it depends on what type of fan you are, either ur a player fan or a fan of the team...