Duncan, Ginobili and Parker are not playing tonight

[ducks]

I think it sends a message to the lakers, boston and the rest of the nba
pop does not care about homecourt
he likes their chances against them anyhow

[GSH]

I guess you either love the decision or you hate it. I think it's a great move, on a number of levels. I'm sure he's making a statement. But also playing those guys to the point of exhaustion is a set-up for an injury. And nobody ever won a championship during the regular season.

This isn't the first time Pop has done something like this. A few years ago, the Spurs were banged up going into a game in Phoenix. Rather than let the Suns "prove" themselves against a depleted Spurs squad, he sat a couple of our starters and let them play our bench. If I remember right, Manu scored like 42 or 44 that night and the Spurs nearly pulled out a win.

[Duncan2177]

Damn are we that fragile? You dont see the lakers or celtics doing that, Thats lame.

[ducks]

I think it is almost entirely psychological, and that disappoints me. Providing an excuse for the loss in advance.

I am so sick of these writers acting as if the Spurs are the only team with schedules like this. They all have to do it.

I have a friend who operates for 12 hours and is up at 5:00 AM the next morning to round and operate again, but these guys can not play basketball?

manu should have been benched for sure because tired players get hurt

suns bench shaq on back to back games

[ducks]

Damn are we that fragile? You dont see the lakers or celtics doing that, Thats lame.

suns bench shaq on back to back games

[ploto]

Obviously, Pop knows what's best for his team. I would agree I was surprised by the decision. But, if it helps them in long run...then some short-term pain is sometimes needed.

But it is the fans- whether in person or who watch on TV- who pay the salaries. If you are hurt- then it makes sense. But to rest that many players because they played an OT game last night is ridiculous.

[Duncan2177]

I'm not saying the spurs will win but seriously.. its possible. I believe they could still get a win tonight.

Are you kidding?

[ducks]

But it is the fans- whether in person or who watch on TV- who pay the salaries. If you are hurt- then it makes sense. But to rest that many players because they played an OT game last night is ridiculous.

have you ran in denver, co
have you played basketball in DENVER MILE HIGH CITY< CO
ON LESS THEN 6 hours of sleep

[m33p0]

in ing denver after a sprint fest with the warriors? this game is lost before it started. give it a rest.

[MarHill]

But it is the fans- whether in person or who watch on TV- who pay the salaries. If you are hurt- then it makes sense. But to rest that many players because they played an OT game last night is ridiculous.

One game......

I can understand the fans frustration. But a coach knows his team and if he felt they needed a game off...then they do.

Pop is looking at the big picture and this was the game to do it.

Its not like he's going to rest them every back-to-back!

[ploto]

They did not get less than 6 hours of sleep. They had ALL DAY to sleep.

[MarHill]

But it is the fans- whether in person or who watch on TV- who pay the salaries. If you are hurt- then it makes sense. But to rest that many players because they played an OT game last night is ridiculous.

Also, stop with the fans paying the player's salaries. The TV contracts are a big reason for the players' salaries as well.

[z0sa]

One thing this proves to me is that Pop does not care about the first seed.

[DPG21920]

I can see why people are upset, how can you not? It kind of violates the spirit of the game, but hey, we are the Spurs and you just live with it.

[ploto]

Also, stop with the fans paying the player's salaries. The TV contracts are a big reason for the players' salaries as well.

Do you even read the posts you quote?

[Duncan2177]

suns bench shaq on back to back games

Last i checked Tim and Tony are not 37 years old. LOL And they have 4 days off coming up geez how much rest do they need?

[MarHill]

They did not get less than 6 hours of sleep. They had ALL DAY to sleep.

So what!!

The decision has been made!

There will be decisions in life we don't like. You will live it and move on!!

[braeden0613]

have you ran in denver, co
have you played basketball in DENVER MILE HIGH CITY< CO
ON LESS THEN 6 hours of sleep

Don't the players actually get to sleep late into the afternoon on back to back games?

[ducks]

They did not get less than 6 hours of sleep. They had ALL DAY to sleep.

no they had to play ball and warm up watch film
just ask you

[MarHill]

Do you even read the posts you quote?

Yes I do....

But you're complaining about something that's happened.

It's only one game......

[FreeMason]

Just think of this as the NO ORL back to back that happened a month ago.

[ducks]

Don't the players actually get to sleep late into the afternoon on back to back games?

if they could sleep
not as easy to do during the day as night

[ducks]

I think back to back games causes more injuries then anything

[GSH]

I guess you either love the decision or you hate it. I think it's a great move, on a number of levels. I'm sure he's making a statement. But also playing those guys to the point of exhaustion is a set-up for an injury. And nobody ever won a championship during the regular season.

This isn't the first time Pop has done something like this. A few years ago, the Spurs were banged up going into a game in Phoenix. Rather than let the Suns "prove" themselves against a depleted Spurs squad, he sat a couple of our starters and let them play our bench. If I remember right, Manu scored like 42 or 44 that night and the Spurs nearly pulled out a win.

Wouldn't Karl look like an asshole if Billups or Melo were injured tonight, playing against the Spurs' bench?

BTW - I think this also says that Pop feels confident that the Spurs can hang on to the 2 seed in the West, as long as they stay healthy. If the Spurs come up 1 game short of the Lakers for the #1 seed, then maybe you can look back and say this might not have been such a good idea. But any other outcome, and it would be hard to say this was a bad thing.

[Duncan2177]

One thing this proves to me is that Pop does not care about the first seed.

If thats how Pop feels then hes a idiot you always want to fight to be the first seed gives you home court advantage in the playoffs, It can be your friend you know?