Duncan, Ginobili and Parker are not playing tonight

[DrHouse]

Hopefully you were sauced when you wrote that because that makes no sense.


Like I was talking about before the Warriors game, the only way to conquer that pair of games was to beat the Warriors handily and get some rest. At the very worst, you try to get out of that game playing regular minutes.

Didn't happen. I thought it was a very good move to concede the Nuggets game. The chances of winning were small and the chances of injury were elevated.

Even before the season started, that was a back-to-back that stood out as very odd. Conceding 1/82nd of the regular season wasn't that much of a tragedy.

How can you say that when just last season had the Spurs won 1-2 more games they would have had the #1 seed and HCA all the way until the Finals?

They would have played DEN and UTA instead of PHX and NOH.

These games matter because the WC is such a dog fight. You never want to throw away games you could have easily won, which is what the Spurs did tonight. Now they will be 0-2 after losing to BOS on Sunday and wishing they didn't drop this one.

[timvp]

I don't understand that logic at all, this was a very winnable game considering how poorly Denver played defense for stretches of this game and the Billups injury. Playing just Parker may have been enough to pull this game out. This game could easily bite the Spurs in the ass come playoff positioning time. We saw first hand last year how much 1 or 2 regular season games can change the outlook of a playoff series. It's quite plausible that we don't even make it out of the first round without the help of HCA against the Suns, which we earned by 1 or 2 extra regular season wins...

You can't really take anything away from Denver's performance. The crowd was dead after seeing that Pop waved the white flag. Their players seemed bored for most of the game. Whenever the Spurs made a run, it was easy for Denver to turn up the juice a little bit and up the lead.

Again, I don't play Parker in this situation ... especially after we saw his ankle give out the game after he went for 55. He expended a lot of energy against the Warriors and then getting little rest and playing in al ude against a running team is a bad combination.

[DPG21920]

OK, so basically you are thinking the main purpose was the injury factor then, correct timvp?

[timvp]

How can you say that when just last season had the Spurs won 1-2 more games they would have had the #1 seed and HCA all the way until the Finals?

They would have played DEN and UTA instead of PHX and NOH.

These games matter because the WC is such a dog fight. You never want to throw away games you could have easily won, which is what the Spurs did tonight. Now they will be 0-2 after losing to BOS on Sunday and wishing they didn't drop this one.

If you think this is the first time Pop has thrown a regular season game, you haven't been paying attention. Pop cares about the regular season as much as modern day Laker fans care about being loyal to one team.

[mexicanjunior]

How can you say that when just last season had the Spurs won 1-2 more games they would have had the #1 seed and HCA all the way until the Finals?

They would have played DEN and UTA instead of PHX and NOH.

These games matter because the WC is such a dog fight. You never want to throw away games you could have easily won, which is what the Spurs did tonight. Now they will be 0-2 after losing to BOS on Sunday and wishing they didn't drop this one.

Agreed...these are the types of losses you look back on when the seedings are determined. Just makes no sense at all to throw away a game like this without even testing the waters with your healthy players...

[DPG21920]

You can't really take anything away from Denver's performance. The crowd was dead after seeing that Pop waved the white flag. Their players seemed bored for most of the game. Whenever the Spurs made a run, it was easy for Denver to turn up the juice a little bit and up the lead.

Again, I don't play Parker in this situation ... especially after we saw his ankle give out the game after he went for 55. He expended a lot of energy against the Warriors and then getting little rest and playing in al ude against a running team is a bad combination.

That I agree 100% with. It is funny how everyone loves Hairston now and is quick to dismiss the Nuggets. They clearly played down to the Spurs level and Hairston, although he played well, is not able to be accurately gauged based of off tonight's mysterious game.

[HarlemHeat37]

I see what you guys are saying, but I disagree..

the Nuggets certainly aren't bad as they showed tonight..they were also playing without Kenyon Martin, and Billups for the 2nd half, which affected them as well..but I've been wanting the Nuggets in the playoffs well before tonight..we matchup well against them, and I guarantee they wouldn't be able to beat us in a series..

while I understand the logic, you also have to consider our team tonight..going into this game, our best player was Roger Mason..our 2nd best player might have been Kurt Thomas..think about that..it's a huge disparity in talent, despite Denver not playing to their full abilities..

as for Hairston..you have to consider who he was playing with..he got his points from battling for rebounds, getting good position, he drew fouls in 1 on 1 situations..he wasn't playing vs. great compe ion, but it shouldn't matter..it's still an NBA game, and the other team had some starters in the game..

[Man In Black]

The Lakers already beat your team at full strength a few weeks ago quite handily. I'm pretty sure they aren't shaking in their boots.

What's funny is that should they meet in the playoffs...your team will not be. Don't think that integration of an injured player can happen in a 2 week stretch. Don't think that Bynum's injury can heal as fast as Farmar's, it's a completely different injury, and their body types are so different. 285 and lumbering is so different bio-mechanically than 170 and light on your feet.

I seem to recall the Spurs did the same thing the week before.

[NFGIII]

This has been a very interesting and hilarious thread to read. All the sniping back and forth with trolls entering into the fray just to

One side stating that it's terrible because:

1) its sucks - I wanna see the Big 3 and do you realize how that makes the Spurs look on NBA TV?

2) unprofessional - pros play because they're paid to

3) cheats the fans -puts an inferior product on the floor and they pay the salaries dont they?

4) could cost them come seeding time - Didn't you know that Denver was a conference rival Pop?

OR

The other side calling it a brilliant move because it:

1) protects the Big 3's health - resting said players will reduce the tendency for injury since we all know that tired players are more prone to injury than rested ones and if we lose one of the big 3 ..........well you all know what that would mean!

2) gives role players more minutes to get into a groove thereby developing our bench further - and that goes for Mason, too.

3) gives Pop an opportunity to take a look at Hairston for extended minutes while in a real situation rather than garbage time where it is more difficult to evaluate his possible contibutions down the road

4) will ultimately lead to a championship or a better chance at winning one at the very least.

Frankly I wanted to see the Big 3 play also but will defer to Pop when it comes to decisions about the team. This decision obviously has its pros and cons but from my viewpoint I think it has far more upside than downside. I really can't/don't believe that this one game will make the difference in a higher or lower seed. It might or it might not but as of right now we don't know if it will. Time will tell. But it seems that the arguments supporting Pop have a more objective view than those who disagree with it.

This thread needs to get bumped come seeding time in order to see who were right and who were wrong.

[Blackjack]

But where is the proof that this helps you avoid serious injury?

Fatigue leaving the body more susceptible to injury is a pretty standard belief, and given how Tony last sprained his ankle (second game of a back-to-back, after a double-overtime win at Minn.) it's hard to blame Pop for playing it cautious.

Why do it tonight, instead of yesterday?

Cir stance dictated rest, not a predetermined plan. Had the Spurs been able to handle the Warriors with any kind of relative ease, I seriously doubt you see the Big 3 resting. I actually think there was a little psychological aspect to this as well for Pop.

The last time they played the Nuggets, they ran them out of their own gym. The Nuggets were looking to exact some revenge and gain some confidence/momentum with a win against the Spurs, so I think Pop took that into some consideration. I'm sure Pop thought the odds were definitely stacked against them, so instead of giving the Nuggets any kind of shot in the arm with a likely win, he turned a lose/lose into a win/win.

Lose/lose in that, you probably lose the game and risk getting the Nuggets on any kind of roll. (The Spurs do want, and probably need that 2 seed.)

Win/win in that, you get a many break to rest-up and heal some minor bumps and bruises with the next game not coming until Sunday, and you get valuable minutes for role players/rookies who are left with a good taste in their mouth with a solid showing on the road.

[DPG21920]

Well this is why asking is important. If this was premeditated (which I thought it was), then it makes it a little different. If not, then I understand fully.

[m33p0]

I won't argue with that - he needs to more consistent on offense, but I've always thought that his worth to the Spurs was on defense. We face a lot of teams with dominating guards - NO, Utah, Dallas, Phoenix, Denver, etc. To me, his usefulness will be in defending those guards in certiain situations. Other than that, he needs to run the offense and not turn the ball over. If he becomes more consistent on offense (mainly finishing at the rim,) that is a bonus.

he needs to be aggressive on offense coz if the spurs rely on him only for his defense, he's basically jacque vaughn jr. i don't think he was ready for this game. hopefully, this teaches him to be ready coz you never know when you're being called to deliver.

[timvp]

Fatigue leaving the body more susceptible to injury is a pretty standard belief, and given how Tony last sprained his ankle (second game of a back-to-back, after a double-overtime win at Minn.) it's hard to blame Pop for playing it cautious.

To see how a combination of fatigue and travel can make players more susceptible to injury, all you have to do is look at the difference in the regular season and the playoffs. In the playoffs, there are no back-to-backs and far less travel. The result? Less injuries.

[Blackjack]

To see how a combination of fatigue and travel can make players more susceptible to injury, all you have to do is look at the difference in the regular season and the playoffs. In the playoffs, there are no back-to-backs and far less travel. The result? Less injuries.

Losing your starting point-guard to a non-contact ankle injury, a day after dropping 55 in a double-overtime victory, I'm guessing reinforces that belief.

[024]

popovich shouldn't have rested finley, parker, and duncan for the entire game. each of them should have gotten 10-12 minutes to at least demonstrate the spurs are trying. from the nuggets' point of view, it was pretty disrespectful to hold four starters inactive. spurs could have won if parker and duncan played some minutes off the bench. not too many minutes that would wear them out, but at least some to play compe ively.

[LA24]

I really don't understand why all the non Spurs fans are complaining
about. Any time the Spurs lose and for whatever reason or cause, is a good thing. Stop complaining and wish that Pop would do this more often. idiots.

[m33p0]

I really don't understand why all the non Spurs fans are complaining
about. Any time the Spurs lose and for whatever reason or cause, is a good thing. Stop complaining and wish that Pop would do this more often. idiots.

that's actually spot on.

[Tully365]

I can appreciate both sides of this debate, but I still can't help thinking that it might've been wise to tell Duncan & Parker at half time to stay warmed up and well-stretched just in case the team is down by 2 points with under 6 minutes to go, or down 4 points with 2 minutes to go... imagine how a tired and worn out Nene or Carmelo would have felt if suddenly they were faced with having to guard a completely fresh Tim & Tony for just the last 3 or 4 minutes of the game. Oh well-- it's all speculation at this point. I do wonder though, if this scenario had played out not in a Spurs game but in a Laker game and Phil held out Kobe, Pau, and Odom, how many Spur fans would rush to this forum to claim that the move proves his genius as a coach, and how many Laker fans would argue that it proves he is a coward, an idiot, etc...

[LA24]

and how many Laker fans would argue that it proves he is a coward, an idiot, etc...

Don't know if that is referring to me, but I wasn't calling Pop an idiot, rather the non Spurs fans.

[Tully365]

Don't know if that is referring to me, but I wasn't calling Pop an idiot, rather the non Spurs fans.

No, not at all-- it was just a general question.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

I love how this decision maddens non-spurs fans more than the spurs fans, especially the laker trolls and ploto, thoroughly enjoyable!

It was a good decision and a statement as well. The fact it was televised only helped Pop's statement get more recognition. And the more it's being discussed the more ingenious the move will prove to be.

[Yorae]

I just realized that since the scrubs can keep it close with winning teams, how about not playing the big 3 until the 4th qtr in most games?

[wisnub]

Big Three a Big Zero tonight
By Jeff McDonald

No Tim Duncan. No Tony Parker. No Manu Ginobili. That's all that will be missing from the Spurs' lineup tonight at Denver.

A night after the Spurs expended so much energy to get past Golden State in overtime, coach Gregg Popovich just informed the gathered media that he plans to rest each and every member of his Big Three.

The decision on Ginobili comes with a bit of an injury concern. He suffered a left hip contusion taking a fall against the Warriors. With three days off after tonight, Popovich felt it was best to give him the night off.

As for Duncan and Parker, the Spurs' top two scorers? They're just getting the night off "for a variety of reasons," Popovich said.

"Parker makes the All-Star team, becomes hard to deal with, so we're going to sit him and teach him a lesson," Popovich joked. "Duncan says he wants to renegotiate his contract, so I said, 'Sit, I'm not talking to you.' "

Though Popovich wouldn't say so, it's worth wondering if this new and not-so-improved rotation is meant to send a message to the league scheduling wizards, who sent the Spurs to Denver by way of Oakland.

After Monday's overtime win, the Spurs did not lay their heads on their pillows in Denver until close to 4 a.m. Ragged and facing an uphill battle against the Nuggets anyway, Popovich has apparently opted to steal an extra day of rest for his most important players.

I totally understand Manu rest to avoid injury. But Tony And DUncan? I dont mean to disrespect,but are Spurs try to get home court advantage? I mean Lakers loose Bynum and they burn NY anyway... Do you think Celtics will rest their Big 3, maybe one but 3 ??????? I know we need more rest, Duncan probably need more rest, but i still think Tony can handle it...he should be able to play coz everybody except big 3 played. Spurs is the only top team who did this...nobody else did it...nobody with 4 championships on their records ever did it. Dallas and Pistons did rest their starters before playoffs...but LA and Celtics wouldnt just laid down and sleep in hotel, i mean these guys get paid millions as an athletes...mandatory overtime should be on the menu when one try to secure home advantage. If Spurs think they can not get past Lakers in terms of home court then i understand why pop sits Tony coz hes young ( only Manu is excusable). Duncan should play at least in 2nd half with reduced minutes (show some leadership). I got problem when a guys gets paid millions of dollars but still dont want to battle while the record on the line, or perhaps Pop didnt care about regular season. This case I appreciate Lakers for fighting after Bynum go down. I saw many times when Spurs down double digit, Pop rest Big 3 even when it still early 3rd quarter...this at ude really annoy me. Celtics and Lakers played hard even though theyre down double digits...If this saving energy at ude continues in playoffs then im not surprise if Spurs lost,they deserve it...even warriors (Baron Davis era) played until the the very end even when they are losing

[ForeignFan]

I generally like Pop's idea but I have one question: should Pop not have included Tim and TP and/or Fin when the game was close?

And I definitely hope Spurs will have a good game in Boston - if they get trashed, Pop's move will not look so smart I guess...

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

And I definitely hope Spurs will have a good game in Boston - if they get trashed, Pop's move will not look so smart I guess...

Why? Resting them doesn't have anything to do with Boston.