Resting players.

[therealtruth]

For everyone that either praises Pop or derides him for decisions like this, analysts and fans alike, I would like to remind everyone that Pop coaches and works with a level of autonomy that virtually no other coach has. As President of Basketball Operations, he reports to the owner. He also has 4 rings in his back pocket also affords him another level of autonomy that other coaches simply do not have. Therefore, I don't think it's as gutsy or brilliant as some have indicated. Just something to remember.

Kerr called it back in '10 when the Suns swept the Spurs. He said Pop's been playing with house money.

[TJastal]

I didn't have a problem with last nights decision by Pop...actually I think they would have lost anyway...they were due for a loss..and Portland always beats the Spurs at home...or so it seems lately.

I actually think Pop should rest TP & TD again in Denver....because they will also lose that game with or without TP & TD...so might as well get them another day of rest...

Might as well just make it the rest of the month and add the Chicago game too to make it a perfect trifecta of turning the other cheek.

[LongtimeSpursFan]

After watching what I think was a basketball game, I began to wonder if resting players is a double edged sword. On one hand, you can keep your stars fresh. On the other, you can seriously destroy any confidence your bench players have built in this crazy season.

I want to know what SpursTalk.com posters think about this subject and whether or not resting your players is a good idea. I mean last year Pop rested Manu, but it didn't stop him from getting hurt. I think just happens and that "resting" players is not a good enough reason to throw a game.

Thoughts?

Question answered! 8-1 Rodeo Road Trip. Without Manu and some without Tiago. This team is stacked.

[xellos88330]

Question answered! 8-1 Rodeo Road Trip. Without Manu and some without Tiago. This team is stacked.

Agreed. I still think that Parker and Duncan should have sat out this game, and not the prior one. The bench matches up better against the Nuggets.

[Bruno]

Pop has open the Pandora's box.

Tanking a game in the middle of the season is an ugly and unnatural move fro a coach. Pop, the most respected coach in the league, has done it with success. Beating a tired and injured Nuggets team isn't a big deal but the start of the game showed that there is no kind of psychological impact of tanking a game for a team.

During the all star break, a lot of coaches will look at their respective schedule and see what games they could/should possibly tank.

[therealtruth]

Pop has open the Pandora's box.

Tanking a game in the middle of the season is an ugly and unnatural move fro a coach. Pop, the most respected coach in the league, has done it with success. Beating a tired and injured Nuggets team isn't a big deal but the start of the game showed that there is no kind of psychological impact of tanking a game for a team.

During the all star break, a lot of coaches will look at their respective schedule and see what games they could/should possibly tank.

Yeah, it's really a Pandora's box and you have to wonder what happens when teams start doing it consistently. Let's say every time a good team was about to face the Spurs they decided to tank the game. That would negatively affect the Spurs since they wouldn't know how they matchup with good teams.

[DisAsTerBot]

you have to wonder what happens when teams start doing it consistently. Let's say every time a good team was about to face the Spurs they decided to tank the game. That would negatively affect the Spurs since they wouldn't know how they matchup with good teams.

ok, and what coach would do that and why? You're saying a good team would tank 4 games against a team just so said team wouldnt get a look at them??????

[spurs10]

Any interesting juxtaposition is McMillan doing the opposite. Playing his starters in a blowout win of 40 points. How's Matthews' ankle? Who's the smarter coach?

[jjktkk]

Yeah, it's really a Pandora's box and you have to wonder what happens when teams start doing it consistently. Let's say every time a good team was about to face the Spurs they decided to tank the game. That would negatively affect the Spurs since they wouldn't know how they matchup with good teams.

What is your definition of "consistantly"? Imo, your overeacting on resting players.

[manufan10]

Yeah, it's really a Pandora's box and you have to wonder what happens when teams start doing it consistently. Let's say every time a good team was about to face the Spurs they decided to tank the game. That would negatively affect the Spurs since they wouldn't know how they matchup with good teams.

ok, and what coach would do that and why? You're saying a good team would tank 4 games against a team just so said team wouldnt get a look at them??????

It's not like it gives another team an advantage either. They wouldn't know how they match up with the Spurs.