Greg Popovich says "suck it" to the NBA.

[Mantis]

I'm not a fan of any of those teams and didn't buy a ticket. And you probably shouldn't care even if I did.

The NBA, however, should absolutely care if fans are spending ridiculous amounts of money and then only receiving a partial product.

Should the NBA do more (i.e something more than the Darft Lottery) to stop teams tanking, then - since tanking is also deliberately putting out a sub-standard product? Especially when some teams start tanking on Opening Night (see: last season's Bobcats)? Shouldn't they do more to protect season-ticket holders from being served 41 games of garbage?

In this case, all Heat fans paid a premium to see a "top-tier" team and didn't get what they paid for, so I agree with you that the fans got stiffed, but the fact there are "top-tier" and "lower-tier" teams in the first place is the bigger issue. Of course, if there was a CBA in place that allowed teams to build and/or retain competitive rosters regardless of which home market they played in, and which reduced the gap between the "have multiple All-Star" and "have no All-Stars" teams, there might not be this issue, but Stern has already whiffed on fixing that. Instead we have the same disparity between franchises that we had before the lockout.

[CitizenofCapua]

Pops is just exploiting gaps of the playoff system, his team is good and old enough to make a desicion like that. And that's why he is getting paid right, to make desicions on behalf and favor of his team.

[Stoked]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/86...-vs-miami-heat

Stern is not happy. Even made an apology before the game.

[mellow]

Pops has now reached Phil Jackson level in my book. Respect their accomplishments, but their behavior becomes shameful. They think they are above the system, and treat reporters and fans with disdain. I’m going to go ahead and list him right next to Phil, and Orrin Hatch.

With success comes power, and with power comes the opportunity to become brain-dead. Very few can wield power for long without succumbing to its taints.

[jazzman12]

I can't believe that anybody would side with San Antonio/Pop on this one. It must be horrible for the millionaires on his team to have a 6 and 10 day road trip in 1 month. Nevermind the millions of Americans who work 40+ hour work weeks for far less money. If his team is too old to give NBA ticket payers their money's worth, maybe they need to make some changes to their roster.

I'm not fan of Stern, but I hope he puts the screws to them.

[franklin]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/86...-vs-miami-heat

Stern is not happy. Even made an apology before the game.

I'm really starting to loath David Stern and his NBA visions in an unhealthy way. The only thing this guy cares about is short and medium term bottom line. He manages the rules based on point totals & doesn't give a rip about talent disparity. Look at the success of the NFL because they actually care about player health, adjust rules according to common sense instead of outcome, and foster a competitive environment. There are good reasons why the NFL leads US sports in revenue, growth, and profit.

Stern and the NBA need to take a hint before time runs out on their short sited visions. The NBA may be growing now but they will face the effects of alienating fans sooner or later. I am no longer an NBA fan, only a fan of the Jazz. I know plenty of people who are Jazz fans but refuse to set themselves up for disappointment yet again so they seldom watch Jazz games anymore. It's sad how Stern has taken a good thing and ruined it.

And David Stern, you are a loathsome piece of **** for disregarding player health.

[Stoked]

I can't believe that anybody would side with San Antonio/Pop on this one. It must be horrible for the millionaires on his team to have a 6 and 10 day road trip in 1 month. Nevermind the millions of Americans who work 40+ hour work weeks for far less money. If his team is too old to give NBA ticket payers their money's worth, maybe they need to make some changes to their roster.

I'm not fan of Stern, but I hope he puts the screws to them.

That seems a little bit drastic don't you think?

Pop is there for one reason. To win championships. I think he knows what will benefit his team more than we do. Also why was there no outrage when he did this 3 times last year?

[The Thriller]

I totally understand Pop's reasoning here. And Pop coming to coach here would be like us landing Lebron James or drafting a 20 year old Malone clone.

However, I don't think it's good for the league, good for TV watchers, and especially a raw deal for those who actually paid to attend.

I just don't like it.

If athletes think it's too hard or that they're being used "too much" or aren't being "fairly compensated" for being our "gladiators" then they could always try their hand at a real job.

BTW it's hilarious to read/hear some people compare modern day sports to gladiators (heard it on the radio a few days ago and now i'm reading it here). I'm pretty sure people who draw those comparisons have never ever EVER actually studied Roman history. Does anyone even know who the gladiators were and how they were employed or compensated?

[fatchipper]

I really don't care. The Spurs aren't winning anything this year anyway.

[JazzSpazz]

I really don't care. The Spurs aren't winning anything this year anyway.

They might beat us in round 1.

[The Thriller]

I really don't care. The Spurs aren't winning anything this year anyway.

And yet they'd still sweep us.

The Spurs are our daddy.

[HipHopAnonymous]

The Spurs just decided to tank a game.

Spurs led the game late into the 4th quarter.

I can't believe that anybody would side with San Antonio/Pop on this one.

How do you side with the NBA scheduling 6 road games in 8 nights? They expect teams to be at peak performance with a grind like that?

[bordelais7]

I get upset every time a coach brings a sub into a game: all of a sudden the "best product" is no longer on the court. If these players think its too hard to play 48 minutes per game, perhaps they ought to try their hand at a real job.

[Hack]

Why are the complainers, complaining?

Last night's game was really entertaining. Spurs damn near beat the Heat. The Heat needed a big 3 from Ray Allen just to win.

Would anyone here be mad if Ty sat 3-4 of our starters, and we got to see the guys at the end of the bench get more minutes, namely our young guys? It would probably help our bench get some much needed experience and reps. Well, San Antonio has a bench too. Maybe Pop thought about this as having many different layers. He gets to rest his big guns because they are old AND teach his bench guys a few things.

Pop should be able to go about it his way. Its his team. He shouldnt have to stick to the script.

Someone coaches treat winning as a science, others dont have a clue what the hell they are doing.

[HipHopAnonymous]

I totally understand Pop's reasoning here. And Pop coming to coach here would be like us landing Lebron James or drafting a 20 year old Malone clone.

However, I don't think it's good for the league, good for TV watchers, and especially a raw deal for those who actually paid to attend.

I just don't like it.

If athletes think it's too hard or that they're being used "too much" or aren't being "fairly compensated" for being our "gladiators" then they could always try their hand at a real job.
BTW it's hilarious to read/hear some people compare modern day sports to gladiators (heard it on the radio a few days ago and now i'm reading it here). I'm pretty sure people who draw those comparisons have never ever EVER actually studied Roman history. Does anyone even know who the gladiators were and how they were employed or compensated?

So if your boss told you "you've been working you overtime lately and doing an excellent job take a day off" you wouldn't do it?