The Real Motives Behind the Spurs Fine

This all started Thursday afternoon when San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich announced that the team sent PF Tim Duncan, PG Tony Parker, SG's Danny Green and Manu Ginobili home early. It was just hours before the team was set to face the Miami Heat in a big East vs. West game that would be on TNT. While most respected the decision and understood what Popovich was doing, NBA Commissioner David Stern was irate.

When David Stern learned what Gregg Popovich was doing he immediately issued a statement saying "I apologize to all NBA fans. This was an unacceptable decision by the Spurs. Substantial sanctions will be forthcoming. Many thought Stern was collapsing under the heat of the moment and if the sanctions would be severe at all. We learned today that the Spurs were fined a whopping $250,000 by the NBA. While Stern claims to be caring about the fans, his decision had nothing to do with people in attendance or watching on television. The only thing Stern cares about is making money and it doesn't matter if logic gets in the way, they just run over it for financial gain.

Gregg Popovich made the right move in sending his star veterans home early ahead of this game. The Spurs were playing their 4th road game in 5 days, while the Heat had 4 days off at home before their Thursday night battle. If anyone should be fined it would have to be David Stern for setting up this ridiculous schedule. It puts the Spurs at a complete disadvantage to play 4 road games in 5 nights, while Miami rested at home. That is an unprecedented mismatch that was bound to turn ugly. This is an 82 game season and Popovich had to rest his veterans. San Antonio has the day off on Friday but a crucial game against the Memphis Grizzlies, a game far more important than some non conference game. It is simply absurd to fine a team $250K because a coach made a decision for the health of his players, something it appears the NBA has little interest in.

I understand fans in attendance would be upset over not being able to see Duncan, Parker, and Manu play, but you take that risk when you go to a game. I know that ticket prices are insane, and even going to one game is hard to do for families. The fine has nothing to do with you not being able to see someone play, in fact if this were a Spurs vs. Washington Wizards game we never would never have heard a peep out of David Stern. I also ask David Stern, is any part of the fine going to the fans who bought tickets. This is just another instance of David Stern reaching his hands into basketball and squeezing out every last penny. I know I am not alone when I say, I can't wait until David Stern retires.