Way to kill the team's streak, Pop

[SA210]

He's a scared asshole

[Kindergarten Cop]

I understand the rest is good for continuing the season. But, why does Pop always do this against good opponents? He does this because he lacks confidence and is a pussy.

Perhaps he is weighing the odds of beating an average team with our starters against the odds of our bench against a quality team. It makes sense, at least to me when you look at it that way. If you were to lose to a quality team with the starters in and follow that up by resting them and losing to an average team with your bench, then your team takes a double-hit. I'm not saying that this is what he does, because very few understand the inner workings of Pop's brain. Sometimes you just have to take the bad with the good.

[bresilhac]

Perhaps he is weighing the odds of beating an average team with our starters against the odds of our bench against a quality team. It makes sense, at least to me when you look at it that way. If you were to lose to a quality team with the starters in and follow that up by resting them and losing to an average team with your bench, then your team takes a double-hit. I'm not saying that this is what he does, because very few understand the inner workings of Pop's brain. Sometimes you just have to take the bad with the good.

And ultimately that is the bottom line. Yes. You must take the good with the bad with Pop. And since I have not won four NBA les as a coach I must defer to Pop on night's like tonight. As much as I may disagree with the decision making.

[Caeman]

Perhaps he is weighing the odds of beating an average team with our starters against the odds of our bench against a quality team. It makes sense, at least to me when you look at it that way. If you were to lose to a quality team with the starters in and follow that up by resting them and losing to an average team with your bench, then your team takes a double-hit. I'm not saying that this is what he does, because very few understand the inner workings of Pop's brain. Sometimes you just have to take the bad with the good.

So then you play this season with the following mindset; go all out against opponents (you'll never see in the playoffs) and cower like a bunch of pussies against quality teams (who you do see in the playoffs). Yeah, I'm sure that's condusive to winning more les.

[Keepin' it real]

For those of you against this move, imagine how different last season could have ended had Pop chosen to do this in game 82 of last season. While I understand that the two aren't exactly the same - it puts some perspective on how much more important games in the Playoffs are compared to a single game in the regular season. Just my two cents.

What it puts in perspective for me (again) is how STUPID a decision it was to play the big 3 in the season finale after trying to minimize their minutes in the first 81 games.

Without a doubt, the worst decision Pop's ever made.

[spurtech09]

don't know why people are so upset about pop sitting out duncan and parker....we all spurs fans should be happy that spurs have been winning on the road/they could be losing but spurs have been playing very well....spurs fans are just spoiled and want the spurs to win every game..lets be realistic guys spurs can't win every game and duncan/parker do need some rest/b2b games

[Caeman]

What it puts in perspective for me (again) is how STUPID a decision it was to play the big 3 in the season finale after trying to minimize their minutes in the first 81 games.

Without a doubt, the worst decision Pop's ever made.

The rationale behind last year's decision, to not play the 81st game but play the final game, is simple.

Pop did not want to watch his team get skull ed by the Lakers before going into the playoffs. Why? Because he's a pussy. He was thinking he'd avoid being exposed by L.A. and build team confidence by defeating the Suns in the final game. Instead, Manu goes down and with him the season.

Pop's habit of trying to save his team from psychological beat downs from quality, playoff opponents is getting annoying. Moreover, it has not been shown to be condusive to winning les.

[baseline bum]

Anyone complaining about this is ing re ed after seeing the way the team completely ran out of gas last season by going balls out. They wouldn't have beaten any team other than New Orleans in the west playoffs last year. So was it worth it to battle for that 1 seed?

[SA210]

The rationale behind last year's decision, to not play the 81st game but play the final game, is simple.

Pop did not want to watch his team get skull ed by the Lakers before going into the playoffs. Why? Because he's a pussy. He was thinking he'd avoid being exposed by L.A. and build team confidence by defeating the Suns in the final game. Instead, Manu goes down and with him the season.

Pop's habit of trying to save his team from psychological beat downs from quality, playoff opponents is getting annoying. Moreover, it has not been shown to be condusive to winning les.

Another winning take

[SA210]

Anyone complaining about this is ing re ed after seeing the way the team completely ran out of gas last season by going balls out. They wouldn't have beaten any team other than New Orleans in the west playoffs last year. So was it worth it to battle for that 1 seed?

Rest is right around the corner, the all star break, so no it's actually re ed the other way around.

[DPG21920]

Anyone complaining about this is ing re ed after seeing the way the team completely ran out of gas last season by going balls out. They wouldn't have beaten any team other than New Orleans in the west playoffs last year. So was it worth it to battle for that 1 seed?

Out of all the big 3's in the playoffs last year, the Spurs big 3 had the lowest mpg avg iirc.

They've tried the strategy of resting guys and it's led to 0 playoff wins in the 2nd round since 2008.

[Notorious H.O.P.]

These are young guys that have been playing fairly well recently. Probably on the upper end if their abilities. The problem with subjecting them to this type of beating is that you destroy their confidence. If I was in there right now, I might be questioning my ability to play at this level. The repercussions of this game could possibly be felt throughout the season for some of these guys.

[spurtech09]

Rest is right around the corner, the all star break, so no it's actually re ed the other way around.

but alot more rest can do wonders for the spurs since they have been playing on the road and playing b2b games... the all star break equals to even more rest....sounds good to me....relax its not the end of the world

[TJastal]

And ultimately that is the bottom line. Yes. You must take the good with the bad with Pop. And since I have not won four NBA les as a coach I must defer to Pop on night's like tonight. As much as I may disagree with the decision making.

lol @ popsucker mentality

[Darkwaters]

It's ty because it's been said and being said in multiple threads tbh.

Cue the pile on.

[Caeman]

Anyone complaining about this is ing re ed after seeing the way the team completely ran out of gas last season by going balls out. They wouldn't have beaten any team other than New Orleans in the west playoffs last year. So was it worth it to battle for that 1 seed?

Sending out your team to get beat down by 40+ is not going to help the team. It may not hurt the team. But it cannot possibly help the team. This is not tape you save to review.

Moreover, no amount of rest was going to save the Spurs from the Grizzles last year. I love the Spurs and sometimes think with a healthy Manu we could have won. However, I believe the Grizzles were on a mission to beat us and they showed it. I think Lionel Hollins sensed a weakness in Pop (not just the team advantage). I really believe Lionel thought he could take it to Pop and he did. Pop is a pussy. If you go Phil Jackson on Pop, you win.

[spurtech09]

These are young guys that have been playing fairly well recently. Probably on the upper end if their abilities. The problem with subjecting them to this type of beating is that you destroy their confidence. If I was in there right now, I might be questioning my ability to play at this level. The repercussions of this game could possibly be felt throughout the season for some of these guys.

I don't think it will shatter the younger guys confidence....these guys are young and hungry....keep playing

[baseline bum]

Rest is right around the corner, the all star break, so no it's actually re ed the other way around.

How stupid are you? Duncan has played 40 minutes a night the last two games and this is a back to back.

[Caeman]

These are young guys that have been playing fairly well recently. Probably on the upper end if their abilities. The problem with subjecting them to this type of beating is that you destroy their confidence. If I was in there right now, I might be questioning my ability to play at this level. The repercussions of this game could possibly be felt throughout the season for some of these guys.

Exactly. However, nevermind the people who have Pop's in thier mouths. Pop could never do any wrong according to them

[baseline bum]

Sending out your team to get beat down by 40+ is not going to help the team. It may not hurt the team. But it cannot possibly help the team. This is not tape you save to review.

Moreover, no amount of rest was going to save the Spurs from the Grizzles last year. I love the Spurs and sometimes think with a healthy Manu we could have won. However, I believe the Grizzles were on a mission to beat us and they showed it. I think Lionel Hollins sensed a weakness in Pop (not just the team advantage). I really believe Lionel thought he could take it to Pop and he did. Pop is a pussy. If you go Phil Jackson on Pop, you win.

The Spurs were done by April last season. LOL @ them beating Memphis with Manu when they were two lucky shots from blowing the series in 5.

[Caeman]

How stupid are you? Duncan has played 40 minutes a night the last two games and this is a back to back.

So you play him 20 and see if he can contribute a quick 12/9 or something. Don't run the risk of ing with your team's confidence. Losing is one thing. Getting raped by 40+ can with your game.

[spurtech09]

Exactly. However, nevermind the people who have Pop's in thier mouths. Pop could never do any wrong according to them

THIS?

[spurtech09]

So you play him 20 and see if he can contribute a quick 12/9 or something. Don't run the risk of ing with your team's confidence. Losing is one thing. Getting raped by 40+ can with your game.

Just a game....

[baseline bum]

So you play him 20 and see if he can contribute a quick 12/9 or something. Don't run the risk of ing with your team's confidence. Losing is one thing. Getting raped by 40+ can with your game.

The team's confidence? LOL, you're acting like the team is filled with a bunch of insecure junior high school es.

[Caeman]

The Blazer starters put in about 20 minutes of good work tonight and sealed the game. The game was over after the first quarter.

Essentially, Pop helped two teams out tonight. The Spurs lost and rested, and the Blazers won and rested.