Elliott: Don't Expect Big 3 vs. Lakers

I agree that health & rest do trump all concerns, but even then I think you have to play the odds with 1st seed still in play. You have 2 bunnies sandwiching a very hard road game, so make sure to pick up the 2 relatively easily games while hopefully giving your starters a chance to pick up some in-game rest to boot.

At some level I do wonder if Pop doesn't want to dent the team's confidence this close the POs in the event the Spurs drop 2 games to the Kobe-less Lakers. No need to also give the Lakers added confidence if we see them in the semis. While there is no doubt the Big 3 are mentally tough and hardened, I still have my doubts about most of those remaining come playoff time.

Just have to hope LAC goes 5-1 & LA hits a rough patch. That Mavs game hurt last night.

This is bullshit; they need to try like hell to push LA to that 4 seed and not get stuck in the Lakers' half of the bracket. What a fucking moronic move.

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Originally Posted by Mugen

Oh no you didn't, girlfriend.

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:lol

Seriously though, this is a terrible move. Let's hope this doesn't happen.

Well let's not panic until we see what happens. Just the thought though is annoying.

MAN this is getting really old already........ F POP.

This is the wrong wrong wrong move. You don't play not to lose.

:lmao Pop

He's sending a message to the whole team that he doesn't think they can beat the Lakers. Second round exit here we come!

need dat #1 seed, need LAL to play OKC in round 2

If he's hoping to avoid the Lakers, which would be disappointing, functionally forfeiting a game to them doesn't make much sense. In fact, it goes quite a long way to ensuring that the Spurs will be #2 and the Lakers will be #3.

The thing that really frustrates me about this move is the knowledge that this is compromising our ability to avoid the Lakers in the 2nd round. In all likelihood, the Lakers will end up as the 3 seed, so our best shot at avoiding them will be to get the 1 seed. If the Spurs and Thunder both win out, the Spurs would claim the 1 seed by virtue of the fact that they have the tie breaker.

As such, the goal for the rest of the season (besides staying healthy) should be clear: winning as many games as possible. Given that we're likely to beat the Warriors regardless of who plays, having the full big 3 available tomorrow while sitting them out today gives us the best possible chance of having the highest possible seed while at the same time having adequate rest for the playoffs.

By choosing to do the exact opposite, Pop seems to be ignoring the long term goals of this team.

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Originally Posted by FromWayDowntown

If he's hoping to avoid the Lakers, which would be disappointing, functionally forfeiting a game to them doesn't make much sense. In fact, it goes quite a long way to ensuring that the Spurs will be #2 and the Lakers will be #3.

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Which is why it's stupid. He's terrified (seemingly) of LA to the point he has to play games now because of the fear of what a loss without Kobe again will do.

Because of all the cowardly forfeiting, I hope the Spurs end up having to go through both Memphis and the Lakers. Serves them right.

Why Tiago doesn't get more minutes?
Baffling and troublesome

Tiago again.
Spurs assistant coaches are spineless and dickless.

39 point 1st quarter.

Thought this was the game thread.
Oh well

The Mavs freefalling to the seventh seed. Lakers the 3rd seed. Spurs stuck in the second seed.

Damn, that's the worst possible bracket, tbh.

Lakers are getting 3 seed.Pop resting big 3 vs LA tomorrow will just aid the Lakers.
Pop is helping Lakers for 3 seed and tanking for 2 seed.Nice

I doubt Pop rests all 3. I'm thinking he is going all in tomorrow, rests the Big 3 in Sacramento, and then goes all in again on Friday. Karma has a way of rearing her ugly head come playoff time when you start doing things like this

looks like SJAX is going to jack up a lot of shots tonight

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Originally Posted by timvp

The Mavs freefalling to the seventh seed. Lakers the 3rd seed. Spurs stuck in the second seed.

Damn, that's the worst possible bracket, tbh.

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Good God. We have to aim for the 1st seed.

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Originally Posted by timtonymanu

Good God. We have to aim for the 1st seed.

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How is that going to happen if we're "resting" our best players every other game? :bang

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Originally Posted by TheSkeptic

How is that going to happen if we're "resting" our best players every other game? :bang

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And against the wrong opponents, too. :pctoss

I don't mind the Lakers w/ Kobe, but the seeing them after facing in the Mavs in the first would be quite the challenge. Not sure we'd have much in the tank left for OKC. :/