David Stern Goes Off on Pop, Promises "Substantial Sanctions"

[Mel_13]

Sure, and teams tank too. But that doesn't prevent the commish from doing anything. As somebody pointed out already, there were already previous instances where the commish fined teams from 'resting' players.

If anything, Stern might just want the practice to end, or at least be announced with enough time beforehand so fans are aware of the kind of product they're buying into (at least for that night).

As a fan that has driven 4+ hours in a single day and paid upwards of $500 for two game tickets to see my Spurs, I would be fairly upset of learning about that kind of switcheroo mere hours before the game. Sure, you go see the team, but it's obviously not the same thing if all star Tony Parker isn't playing, tbh.

That was under a long expired CBA.

I get all the stuff about fans being pissed and I get that Stern would want to prevent this in the future, but this happened multiple times under the the new CBA last season. If it was such a priority to prevent such actions, he had all summer to get the necessary parties to agree to new guidelines. Nothing was done to change the rules. I don't see how he has any basis to take any action against the Spurs for tonight's game.

[TampaDude]

That was under a long expired CBA.

I get all the stuff about fans being pissed and I get that Stern would want to prevent this in the future, but this happened multiple times under the the new CBA last season. If it was such a priority to prevent such actions, he had all summer to get the necessary parties to agree to new guidelines. Nothing was done to change the rules. I don't see how he has any basis to take any action against the Spurs for tonight's game.

Mel_13 with the goods.

[ElNono]

That was under a long expired CBA.

I get all the stuff about fans being pissed and I get that Stern would want to prevent this in the future, but this happened multiple times under the the new CBA last season. If it was such a priority to prevent such actions, he had all summer to get the necessary parties to agree to new guidelines. Nothing was done to change the rules. I don't see how he has any basis to take any action against the Spurs for tonight's game.

To be fair, Silver's comment last season was under the context of a compressed 66 game season, which is not the case this year. Not saying the scheduling isn't a , but all teams have tough schedules here or there. Obviously, not all teams have old players as their best players like we do.

And I wouldn't second guess Stern's ability to impart punishment, tbh. He's a shark, he'll find a way.

[TampaDude]

Life is beautiful, tbh. Not what we're discussing here at all. I recall one game I drove to the arena and found out Manu wasn't going to play because of back pains or something while on my way. Obviously, still went and enjoyed the game. But an injury is one thing, a shameless game tank is another.

Of course life is beautiful. My comment was a short way of saying that life, as beautiful as it is overall, is still subject to life's little disappointments, and that folks need to understand that doesn't always go your way.

[TampaDude]

And I wouldn't second guess Stern's ability to impart punishment, tbh. He's a shark, he'll find a way.

Pop will just have Stern "disappeared".

[SpursFan0728]

I don't understand why Stern is so butt hurt. Every NBA fan is subjective as to which players they want to see in a game. I pay to let my son see Matt Bonner doesn't guarantee we;ll see him on the court every game. Shouldn't then he comes and apologize to us as well?

[ElNono]

Of course life is beautiful. My comment was a short way of saying that life, as beautiful as it is overall, is still subject to life's little disappointments, and that folks need to understand that doesn't always go your way.

Pop is about to find that out soon enough, tbh

[Trainwreck2100]

Pop is about to find that out soon enough, tbh

He already knows that after the bull he's put up with before

[Mel_13]

To be fair, Silver's comment last season was under the context of a compressed 66 game season, which is not the case this year. Not saying the scheduling isn't a , but all teams have tough schedules here or there. Obviously, not all teams have old players as their best players like we do.

And I wouldn't second guess Stern's ability to impart punishment, tbh. He's a shark, he'll find a way.

The league hasn't challenged team decisions such as these since the inactive list replaced the injured list. They have no basis for any action.

That being said, he'll doing something to save face, but it will look much more like a slap on the wrist than substantial sanctions. The Spurs will accept the slap on the wrist, but any action that truly harms their operations will be fought.

[$pursDynasty]

Funniest thing I've seen in ages, this was exactly what I was thinking though.

[ElNono]

The league hasn't challenged team decisions such as these since the inactive list replaced the injured list. They have no basis for any action.

That being said, he'll doing something to save face, but it will look much more like a slap on the wrist than substantial sanctions. The Spurs will accept the slap on the wrist, but any action that truly harms their operations will be fought.

I have $20 he makes the Spurs org put out an apology letter "to the fans" + some token fine. The thing is, going forward, what happens? I guess Pop will have them on the bench and not play them?

[TDMVPDPOY]

they already fine the spurs with the last bailout one sided calls in that last 8mins of the game...

fck him, fck his minions...

[TampaDude]

Pop is about to find that out soon enough, tbh

Pop doesn't give a . He really, really, does not.

[TDMVPDPOY]

lol stern cant do when alot of former spurs management workers are in the other teams offices holding key positions...

nba spring es, its coming...

[Mel_13]

And I'll restate something I said earlier.

These Thursday TNT games are supposed to exclusively showcase the NBA to a nationwide audience. It only involves four teams each week. If Stern is so concerned about the quality of the product for these weekly showcases, then direct the schedule makers to ensure that the four teams that play on Thursday are scheduled not to play on Wednesday.

[Darkwaters]

It's not like the Spurs have really done anything good with draft picks lately. It probably wouldn't make a difference.

I agree. Kawhi Leonard is a scrub.

[crc21209]

Stern can go suck a big fat one. And I'm sure Pop is thinking the same way. Pop is probably laughing his ass off sippin' on a glass of wine right now...

[ElNono]

Pop doesn't give a . He really, really, does not.

well, we'll see what happens, but I suspect Pop gonna have to scrap those plans of resting players throughout the season.

[crc21209]

As I'm watching the TNT post game I'm tired of hearing Ernie Johnson say that "Well the fans, but the fans got robbed of seeing the Spurs." Please, when you have James, Wade, and Bosh on ONE team, who cares who they're playing? You get to see 3 of the top 25 players in the league...

[Mel_13]

I have $20 he makes the Spurs org put out an apology letter "to the fans" + some token fine. The thing is, going forward, what happens? I guess Pop will have them on the bench and not play them?

Any apology won't have Pop's signature, that's for sure.

Going forward, I suppose they can insist that healthy players show up in the arena, but the league can't say a damn thing about who plays, or for how many minutes, without changes to the CBA that I doubt will ever be pursued.

[Darkwaters]

Next time we're in this situation, we should trot out the full lineup, do the opening tip and immediately call timeout. Subs ute the whole starting lineup and declare them done for the night.

I can see the post-game interviews. "I just didn't like the way the starters got started last night. So I went to the bench and they played great down the stretch."

[TampaDude]

well, we'll see what happens, but I suspect Pop gonna have to scrap those plans of resting players throughout the season.

Easy enough for a player to have "back spasms" or some vague like that, so Pop's gonna do what he damn well pleases, even if that doesn't please Stern...or you.

[buttsR4rebounding]

Well, that is his job. Just like Pop has his.

Pop's job: Win the Spurs a championship. . . Stern's job: Make sure the finals are the Lakers and Heat.

[TDMVPDPOY]

stern cant do without the other team owners votes

his just commissioner who oversees things, doesnt mean he has 100% control in whatever he wants to do as he like

dude is replaceable just like any ceo of a company...

[ElNono]

I think Kenny nailed it... they're going to go with the broken spirit of the game baloney and drop the hammer...

Whoever thinks Stern will make such statement and there will be no repercussions, hasn't been paying attention. I'm not even sure the CBA matters here as he could drop the hammer on the organization itself, and it would be a matter with ownership, not players.