Guys on twitter seem to have pretty strong opinions on this. John Hollinger@johnhollinger
How much "timelier" can you inform everyone than by flying the players home the morning after a game?
Howard Beck@HowardBeckNYT
Quick aside: I'm a bit surprised that Stern, who never shies away from a debate, is suddenly silent on an issue that dominated last 24 hrs.
Paul Flannery@Pflanns
Doc on fine: "I don’t like it. I do get the other side of it, but it's a tough one. You’ve got to coach your team to win in the long run."
Adrian Wojnarowski@WojYahooNBA
Front office executive just texted on Spurs: "Watch, Joey Crawford will do the Memphis game now."
Jeff McDonald@JMcDonald_SAEN
Honest question: Next time a coach wants to rest players, what is the protocol that would satisfy
gunsnewing@ 11/30/2012 7:21 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski@WojYahooNBA Front office executive just texted on Spurs: "Watch, Joey Crawford will do the Memphis game now.
ha I will make sure to check who is officiating that game now!
CrushAlot@ 11/30/2012 7:33 PM
Dime Magazine article suggests Stern and NBA should switch to a 72 game season under the same time frame as the 82 gane season.
gunsnewing@ 11/30/2012 7:37 PM
won't happen 10 less games multiplied by 30 teams a lot of money. Only way is if during the next cba negotiations the players assoc fights like the nfl players did to protect themselves from being o0ver exposed to injuries. Reason why NFL is 16 games not 18
dk7th@ 11/30/2012 9:19 PM
i'm with the coach here all the way. fuck stern. he's an exploitative douche.
coach wants to win a title and the commissioner wants to keep the masses entertained.
fuck stern.
DJMUSIC@ 11/30/2012 9:36 PM
The David Sterns official Plantation business got affected by Coach Greg Popo sitting out his stars which the great fool commish STERNs nor his office never had a rule OR an issue with this before. Keep in mind Spurs coach Popo done this few times several yrs back & last season.
The big deal is NBA plantation state-trooper David Sterns got ticked off for nothing, he's an ass with power & unfortunately lots of it running his herd in NBA to levy these sanctions. The 250$mil fine sends a bad message that entire NBA is owned by sharecropper sterns. Bless the lord this commish is FINISH soon in NBA role!
Cant stand Sterns the 'Anti Knick' Ewing era killa, May David Sterns NEVER ever go to heaven, he's always an issue in any pro sports and besides whom wants a power hungry NBA plantation screwball in heaven anyway !
Vmart@ 11/30/2012 9:40 PM
I'm actually think the spurs did the right thing by sending them home. Strategy is very important and Pop did it right. Besides Spurs were on the road anyway for the past few games. As for Sterns fining the Spurs they shouldn't pay it tell Sterns to F off.
DJMUSIC@ 11/30/2012 9:52 PM
Vmart wrote:I'm actually think the spurs did the right thing by sending them home. Strategy is very important and Pop did it right. Besides Spurs were on the road anyway for the past few games. As for Sterns fining the Spurs they shouldn't pay it tell Sterns to F off.
agreed well said I can see why TNT and many watchers would be ticked the most NBA sterns could done was ask HEAT and SPURs organization to work something out, perhaps give ticket buys a break for some paid free "NBA" Ticket to another game, Let the SPURs get a fine, then set some guidelines later on if Teams are not to sit out stars for National NBA Games.
To fine Spurs 1/4 mil is crazy and I'd not accept it. Hopefully Spurs owner /GM supports Coach popo
Sterns is like telling ballclubs with the ruling you cant do this and that in actions of whom TO PLAY or not that is crazy!
I cant stand Sterns. He needed to make a story and has, I hope this burns his tail in the future for his next endeavors. He's a snake and its all about marketing & power to him. He could care less for reason coach Popo really sat his stars. A coach has pulse of his team & roster, especially older players. Unless there was a rule against this then Sterns look bad here.
3G4G@ 11/30/2012 10:04 PM
CrushAlot wrote:Great Wojo article on Stern and his handling of the situation.
Stern has been an Utter Disgrace to the NBA for such a long time and has fooled so many with his Lawyer Lingo/Big Words/Word Dropping. I caught on to his ways from long ago and knew he'd never turn out with any Integrity or Honor.
Wojo touched on so many of the things I've mentioned in particular the past 5yrs about this Old Bag. Can't wait until he's no longer around can't wait.
3G4G@ 11/30/2012 10:12 PM
Wojo is such as Boss when he writes. This article was pure Ether mixed with WMD...best line in the article
Stern doesn't care about the realities of his league, just the appearances. To him, the appearance on Thursday night was that Popovich had tried to embarrass him on national television and that's why the commissioner tossed that tantrum. Apologize to the fans? In a league where the mere appearance of players on the floor doesn't guarantee preparation and effort, the Spurs never cheat the public. They're honest, in a way so few are honest. When too many others wear the uniform and yet still take the night off, the Spurs come to play – or they don't come at all.
CrushAlot@ 11/30/2012 10:58 PM
Wally pointing out that the Spurs had been on the road for 10 days.
Nalod@ 11/30/2012 11:27 PM
Spurs were fined, not Pop.
Why does stern dislike Spurs so much? Wojo really did lay it out too much. Bruce Bowen? Dirty Bruce?
Maybe Stern pissed of what Spurs did to Suns with sluggo play in the conf finals?
I don't know.
I know the 4 major sports, Selig, Goodall, Stern and Bettman fans just seem to hate all of them. Stern is an ass with a long history. Some of it very good and some very bad. He made mistakes and at the same time was the steward for a great growth of the sport. He has been at it 30 plus years. Things happen.
gunsnewing@ 11/30/2012 11:36 PM
LOL JVG & Breen about to exhange blows discussing this on espn during lakers-nuggets
TeamBall@ 11/30/2012 11:41 PM
gunsnewing wrote:LOL JVG & Breen about to exhange blows discussing this on espn during lakers-nuggets
Thats gotta be the most angry ive heard Breen get when he said "No, youre wrong!"
Nalod@ 11/30/2012 11:45 PM
I heard it too. Van Gundy kind of speaking on both sides and not rally making a stand. He is saying the league is right, and Pop is right. Maybe JVG pissed at league for screwing Stan form the ESPN gig.
gunsnewing@ 11/30/2012 11:52 PM
I don't understand why its so hard to admit both POP and the league made a mistake and just handle things behind close doors. Stern is reacting on emotion and making himself look like an ass around the league. He should be above Pops antics as the commish
gunsnewing@ 11/30/2012 11:56 PM
these 3 games 4 nights is what's killing the league. Teams are gassed the 2nd night of back to backs and you loss star players to injuries. NFL would never compromise the integrity of the league like this. Well except with the replacement refs. As much as I want to see a Knicks championship it would be hilarious seeing Stern handing the Spurs the trophy
CrushAlot@ 12/1/2012 12:14 AM
TeamBall wrote:
gunsnewing wrote:LOL JVG & Breen about to exhange blows discussing this on espn during lakers-nuggets
Thats gotta be the most angry ive heard Breen get when he said "No, youre wrong!"
Yeah but he smoothed it over with his Danny green is a star now comment. Breen needs to work with jvg. He aligns himself with guys ( I. E. dantoni) and can't hide his bias.
skeng@ 12/1/2012 5:27 AM
Why can't it all be fun and games?
Nalod@ 12/1/2012 8:48 AM
In the end two wrongs don't make the right.
The Schedule is wrong but spurs had time to protest and perhaps change it before it even goes public? Do they make a special request because they have the rodeo to deal with?
Why stick it to the COmmish? Pop knows the guy is a dick and will one up him!
Pop did what was best for his team. Stern did what he thought was right for the league. Pop Im sure had his owners blessing. But like I said, SAS rodeo road trip presents problems? Did owner want max games to keep costs down? Whats the back ground of all this?
nykshaknbake@ 12/1/2012 10:08 AM
In case you didn't notice they almost won.
Uptown wrote:Say what you want about Stern, but he has to be credited with doing a masterful job of marketing the NBA. People forget how bad of an image the NBA had before Stern took over. The league was ramsacked by drugs, and all kinds of madness. Have to give Stern some credit for cleaning up the image and league and bringing it back from the dark ages.
As far as Pop is concerened, you really cant defend him. How can you blame Stern fro trying to protct his business? I know everyone loves Pop, but what he did was disgraceful to the game. When is it okay to throw a game?
