Hoops

NBA Fines San Antonio Spurs $250k

The spurs showed how deep there bench is by pushing the heat to the wire and would have the fined the spurs if they had won that game

While a big hit for a small market team I doubt it will deter Pop from doing it again.

Next time some 'tendinitis' or 'general soreness' may come into play!

Perhaps Sir Charles should've quizzed him about it in the 1/4 time interview.

Did I mention they play division rivals, Memphis, in their next game?

NBA franchises have to be able to manage the insane amount of risk that comes with professional sports and athletes.

Pops made this decision when the schedule was first released because of the wear it would likely have on his players, and the disparity between the Spurs and HEAT in terms of "freshness" - Spurs were about to play their 5th game in 6 nights (6 in 8), had played 11 road games this season to Miami's 14 total games etc.

If Parker, Ginobili, Duncan and Green were injured and rested then this would be a non-issue. If these players weren't 100% and rested it would be a non-issue. Pops has done this in the past and everyone with half a brain understands why. After a schedule like the Spurs have had, they should be allowed to manage the risk of injury to their key players.

I understand the NBA's reasoning too, but the league policy on this issue is so ambiguous and subjective it has to be taken to court.

The league interfering with individual franchise decision-making is clearly not in the best interests of the NBA... though as much as this disgusts me, it is entertaining!

The Heat rested the Big 3 in the last few games before last year's playoffs began.

He rested his Big 3 against Boston and Washington (their last two regular seasons games)

I remember one of them memorably because the Wizards won 104-70.


Stern didn't take any action then.

I understand this was early in the season, but the Spurs schedule was so nasty.

They have just done a road trip with 6 games in 8 days. The Heat was the last game on the road trip.

A coach can play who they want, when they want.

What I don't get...This is being happening for ages now. So why open this can of worms now?

What if the Spurs won, would they still fine them?

The Sweeney Sports Report, the nation's most authoritative sports and sponsorship survey, is out.

1. Cricket captures 'most interest' cap
2. Swimming slips to second place
3. Tennis rebounds
4. AFL continues to fend soccer

Basketball ranks 18th with 26% of adults holding any interest in it. Above it, cricket, swimming, Australian Rules, tennis, soccer, league, union, motor racing, cycling, gym workout, running, golf, bushwalking, fishing, athletics, surfing and snooker/pool/billiards. Don't worry, we beat netball by 3%...

Participation is at 8%, attendance at 9% and television viewing 20% (compared to 45-55% for cricket, Aussie Rules, tennis, soccer). 1% follow it via radio, 5% via print and 4% via the Internet (cricket and Aussie Rules were at 9% for net interest).

Here's the PDF for those interested

Personally, I don't understand the interest in swimming as a spectator sport, but it ranks well. Cricket gets a lot out of a powerhouse national team and a bit of the "it's our national sport" theme. I think Aussie Rules is a legitimate achiever - no international competition, well marketed and followed.

IMO, basketball needs to try getting away from just the Yank angle (which likely deters some) and play it up as the international game it is - European leagues, South American leagues, etc. Or college kids over in the US? How many sporting leagues can claim that to the same extent?