Does this move tonight make Boston more important?

[Yuixafun]

So you are saying this 5 days rest is dramatically better than the 4 days they would have had anyways?

Yes.

5 days rest and not playing the 2nd game of a back to back against physical Denver (which loves to bang on Manu and he's already had a bruising night before) at grueling Denver with the higher al ude, after having gone into OT the previous night.

So its not as trivial as you make it seem, 1 day extra rest because you neglected to take into account that extra day of rest means avoiding a game where playing in a weakened state, might have elevated consequence. When you play hurt and fatigued, you are more prone to injury.

They don't dig deeper into their reserves before replenishing.

Scale this 1-10. The Spurs after the game against GS is at a 6. They play Denver with their starters... Now they are at a 4.... with 4 days To Rest before they play an Even more physical, and focused, hot, not to mention defending NBA champions, at their home. After 4 days rest, the Spurs are only recovered back to a 6.

Scale this 1-10. The Spurs after the game against GS is at a 6. Now since pop Rested his Stars, After 5 days rest.. the Spurs are recovered to a 9. They will play Boston as healthy as they can be at this point in the season.

(added bonus in resting your Core, the back ups get extended minutes and experience individually and playing as a unit.... AND you sorta mind with the Nuggets, trotting out that line up and still making it a close game..)

So yes that 1 day rest makes a dramatic difference. Even if they lose to Boston it was a beneficial decision by Pop. They play Boston closer to full strength then they would have had the big 3 played tonight, with really no consequence because Denver would have more than likely won this game anyway, and the Spurs would be even more gassed with Boston coming up, and you back ups didnt get any playing time.

[phyzik]

This clearly makes the Boston game more important than it would have been otherwise. The Spurs just gave up a game in the standings and are in danger of dropping two in a row. The only defensible reason to rest the Big 3 in that game is to be able to put forth a winning effort against Boston. If they lay an egg they are in serious trouble.

I agree on the point that it makes the Boston game an important one but I disagree that if they lose that they are in "serious" trouble.

Typical Tlong making a big deal out of nothing in an attempt to prop up his pretender team,the Jail Blazers.

Go back to juggling Oden's baggage with your tounge Tlong.

[Kori Ellis]

The decision was a physical, psychological and strategic one.

Physically, it allowed Manu to get off the court and not aggravate his bumps and bruises. They need a healthy Manu. It also allowed to Tony and Tim to get some rest after playing 40 minutes and getting in late. Though players get injured at any time, tired players who are already aching are more apt to get injured.

Psychologically, it backs up the mantra that Pop preaches all season - that the focus is on the big picture, the Championship goal, not on each individual game. It also gives the bench players a psychological boost that the Spurs are willing to go into battle with whoever is healthy, from Timmy down to Vaughn.

Strategically, it does a variety of things. It allows Pop to see the bench players in extended minutes in a real game (practices can only show so much) to see who is going to be able to bring it when they scale back the rotation soon. It also puts players on display that they might want to trade right before the trade deadline.

If the Big 3 played, I thought they'd probably lose by 5-10 points. So really, what's the difference?

From a fan's perspective, it sucks. Especially if you paid to go to the arena and wanted to see Tim/Manu/Tony. But from a coaching and team perspective, it makes sense. A lot of people think that Pop did this as an ego or y thing. I don't think that at all. He's just doing what he thinks is best to keep them healthy and prep them for the stretch run and the playoffs.

[alchemist]

Yes.

5 days rest and not playing the 2nd game of a back to back against physical Denver (which loves to bang on Manu and he's already had a bruising night before) at grueling Denver with the higher al ude, after having gone into OT the previous night.

So its not as trivial as you make it seem, 1 day extra rest because you neglected to take into account that extra day of rest means avoiding a game where playing in a weakened state, might have elevated consequence. When you play hurt and fatigued, you are more prone to injury.

They don't dig deeper into their reserves before replenishing.

Scale this 1-10. The Spurs after the game against GS is at a 6. They play Denver with their starters... Now they are at a 4.... with 4 days To Rest before they play an Even more physical, and focused, hot, not to mention defending NBA champions, at their home. After 4 days rest, the Spurs are only recovered back to a 6.

Scale this 1-10. The Spurs after the game against GS is at a 6. Now since pop Rested his Stars, After 5 days rest.. the Spurs are recovered to a 9. They will play Boston as healthy as they can be at this point in the season.

(added bonus in resting your Core, the back ups get extended minutes and experience individually and playing as a unit.... AND you sorta mind with the Nuggets, trotting out that line up and still making it a close game..)

So yes that 1 day rest makes a dramatic difference. Even if they lose to Boston it was a beneficial decision by Pop. They play Boston closer to full strength then they would have had the big 3 played tonight, with really no consequence because Denver would have more than likely won this game anyway, and the Spurs would be even more gassed with Boston coming up, and you back ups didnt get any playing time.

Boston plays on Thursday and Friday, I find it hard to believe that the Spurs need sooooo much rest just to beat the Celtics.

[Kori Ellis]

“Usually, I would try to argue with him,” Ginobili said. “This time, I didn't. I woke up really sore.”

With that quote from Manu, I don't know why anyone would have wanted him on the floor tonight.

[Yorae]

Boston plays on Thursday and Friday, I find it hard to believe that the Spurs need sooooo much rest just to beat the Celtics.

They didn't rest to beat the boston celtics, but to avoid injuries.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

The decision was a physical, psychological and strategic one.

Physically, it allowed Manu to get off the court and not aggravate his bumps and bruises. They need a healthy Manu. It also allowed to Tony and Tim to get some rest after playing 40 minutes and getting in late. Though players get injured at any time, tired players who are already aching are more apt to get injured.

Psychologically, it backs up the mantra that Pop preaches all season - that the focus is on the big picture, the Championship goal, not on each individual game. It also gives the bench players a psychological boost that the Spurs are willing to go into battle with whoever is healthy, from Timmy down to Vaughn.

Strategically, it does a variety of things. It allows Pop to see the bench players in extended minutes in a real game (practices can only show so much) to see who is going to be able to bring it when they scale back the rotation soon. It also puts players on display that they might want to trade right before the trade deadline.

If the Big 3 played, I thought they'd probably lose by 5-10 points. So really, what's the difference?

From a fan's perspective, it sucks. Especially if you paid to go to the arena and wanted to see Tim/Manu/Tony. But from a coaching and team perspective, it makes sense. A lot of people think that Pop did this as an ego or y thing. I don't think that at all. He's just doing what he thinks is best to keep them healthy and prep them for the stretch run and the playoffs.

Spot ing on. I had thought of the physical and strategic angles and mentioned them in the game thread, but not the psychological. Once again Kori comes through!

Dry that out and nail it to the wall, because that's the best situational read you will get about what happened today.

Oh, and Pop is a genius. He sees the big picture with a rare clarity.

/controversy

[Ghazi]

I concur. Some people are vexed that the game was close despite the big 3 not playing, assuming that if they played it would be a win. Of course basketball doesn't work like that, for all we know the Spurs would've lost by 15-20 had they played... same reason a team can beat the Celtics one night and lose to the Thunder the next... sometimes you just cant control what the ball do.

[DrHouse]

I will laugh my ass off if the Spurs miss the #2 seed by 1 game.

Pop is one of the only coaches that can around like this though and get away with it. If he thinks it'll help the Spurs....more power to them. Let 'em lose all the games he wants.

[team-work]

The decision was a physical, psychological and strategic one.

Physically, it allowed Manu to get off the court and not aggravate his bumps and bruises. They need a healthy Manu. It also allowed to Tony and Tim to get some rest after playing 40 minutes and getting in late. Though players get injured at any time, tired players who are already aching are more apt to get injured.

Psychologically, it backs up the mantra that Pop preaches all season - that the focus is on the big picture, the Championship goal, not on each individual game. It also gives the bench players a psychological boost that the Spurs are willing to go into battle with whoever is healthy, from Timmy down to Vaughn.

Strategically, it does a variety of things. It allows Pop to see the bench players in extended minutes in a real game (practices can only show so much) to see who is going to be able to bring it when they scale back the rotation soon. It also puts players on display that they might want to trade right before the trade deadline.

If the Big 3 played, I thought they'd probably lose by 5-10 points. So really, what's the difference?

From a fan's perspective, it sucks. Especially if you paid to go to the arena and wanted to see Tim/Manu/Tony. But from a coaching and team perspective, it makes sense. A lot of people think that Pop did this as an ego or y thing. I don't think that at all. He's just doing what he thinks is best to keep them healthy and prep them for the stretch run and the playoffs.

Agree.

Pop has taken it to a new level. Previously he did this mainly at the end of the regular seaon when the standings were determined. (I remembered in one game he started James White.) This time he did it so early. But his purposes were largely achieved e.g. the bench guys did fight hard to keep the game close, the Big 3 & Finley got the rest. As a fan, it has to be a happy loss.

Regarding the Boston game, it will be tough anyway. Even if we lose, it doesn't make Pop's move in the Denver game foolish.

[tlongII]

I will laugh my ass off if the Spurs miss the #2 seed by 1 game.

Pop is one of the only coaches that can around like this though and get away with it. If he thinks it'll help the Spurs....more power to them. Let 'em lose all the games he wants.

+1

[HarlemHeat37]

my pre-RRT prediction was that our only 2 losses on this trip would be against Denver and Boston..so it wouldn't surprise me..

[FreeMason]

No I am saying, if you are going to rest players, does it make the next game almost a must win in order to justify it?

Yes.

And Kori nailed the decision.

[mogrovejo]

Nah, Pop is not a Lakers fan to be that obsessed with Boston; I think the decision to rest some players is completely unrelated with the upcoming game.

[TwinTowers]

The decision was a physical, psychological and strategic one.

Physically, it allowed Manu to get off the court and not aggravate his bumps and bruises. They need a healthy Manu. It also allowed to Tony and Tim to get some rest after playing 40 minutes and getting in late. Though players get injured at any time, tired players who are already aching are more apt to get injured.

Psychologically, it backs up the mantra that Pop preaches all season - that the focus is on the big picture, the Championship goal, not on each individual game. It also gives the bench players a psychological boost that the Spurs are willing to go into battle with whoever is healthy, from Timmy down to Vaughn.

Strategically, it does a variety of things. It allows Pop to see the bench players in extended minutes in a real game (practices can only show so much) to see who is going to be able to bring it when they scale back the rotation soon. It also puts players on display that they might want to trade right before the trade deadline.

If the Big 3 played, I thought they'd probably lose by 5-10 points. So really, what's the difference?

From a fan's perspective, it sucks. Especially if you paid to go to the arena and wanted to see Tim/Manu/Tony. But from a coaching and team perspective, it makes sense. A lot of people think that Pop did this as an ego or y thing. I don't think that at all. He's just doing what he thinks is best to keep them healthy and prep them for the stretch run and the playoffs.

You are right on point regarding the strategic factor of Pop's move; the role players got a chance to get some confidence and valuable PT. From a physical perspective, it doesn't make any sense to me; if I'm not mistaken, the Spurs have 4 days off before the Boston game. If the purpose was to lessen the load on the big three, he could have played them reduced minutes w/out giving such advantage to Denver.

I hope that game doesn't come back to hunt y'all.

[Spurminator]

From a physical perspective, it doesn't make any sense to me; if I'm not mistaken, the Spurs have 4 days off before the Boston game.

Again, it doesn't have anything to do with resting them for the Boston game. It had to do with not playing them in high al ude 20 hours after an overtime game. Manu was banged up and wasn't going to play, meaning Parker and Duncan would have had to carry more of a load.

This game was not worth the injury risk.

[DPG21920]

Again, it doesn't have anything to do with resting them for the Boston game. It had to do with not playing them in high al ude 20 hours after an overtime game. Manu was banged up and wasn't going to play, meaning Parker and Duncan would have had to carry more of a load.

This game was not worth the injury risk.

I think people get that. What some are asking is, is their sufficient proof to back this assertion up? Is this the first set of games where they played OT in the first one then had another game the next night? Were the big 3 rested then? If not, why was injury not a concern then?

Manu, everyone gets, but not so much Tim and Tony. It is just an interesting strategy. Including myself, I think everyone is reading too much into this.

[Old School 44]

The decision was a physical, psychological and strategic one.

Physically, it allowed Manu to get off the court and not aggravate his bumps and bruises. They need a healthy Manu. It also allowed to Tony and Tim to get some rest after playing 40 minutes and getting in late. Though players get injured at any time, tired players who are already aching are more apt to get injured.

Psychologically, it backs up the mantra that Pop preaches all season - that the focus is on the big picture, the Championship goal, not on each individual game. It also gives the bench players a psychological boost that the Spurs are willing to go into battle with whoever is healthy, from Timmy down to Vaughn.

Strategically, it does a variety of things. It allows Pop to see the bench players in extended minutes in a real game (practices can only show so much) to see who is going to be able to bring it when they scale back the rotation soon. It also puts players on display that they might want to trade right before the trade deadline.

If the Big 3 played, I thought they'd probably lose by 5-10 points. So really, what's the difference?

From a fan's perspective, it sucks. Especially if you paid to go to the arena and wanted to see Tim/Manu/Tony. But from a coaching and team perspective, it makes sense. A lot of people think that Pop did this as an ego or y thing. I don't think that at all. He's just doing what he thinks is best to keep them healthy and prep them for the stretch run and the playoffs.

I think this was the primary motivation. With all the injuries occurring around the league, maybe we can trade some rarely used bench guys for future considerations. With the potential season ending injury to Nelson, maybe Orlando might be interested in Jacque or Pop can swing a deal with his bud Larry Brown in Charlotte and dump Ime.

[bus driver]

no, unless it is the NBA finals.