Sanctions are coming!

I don't follow NBA Basketball, hell I don't follow any basketball.  When you have more than 30 games I don't care or follow.  In the NFL the Saints lost their first 4 games and even though they've won since they probably won't make the playoffs because of those first games.  In basketball, baseball and whatnot losing 4 games is a road trip.  So why do I know about these things?  I love sports talk radio/podcasts that is how!

Anyway back to the NBA and what happened yesterday.  The Spurs are an old team and are on a long road trip.  Thinking about the long term they sent their "stars" home to rest.  They have a big in conference game later this week.  The coach, Gregg Popovich decided the best thing for the team was to do this.  Before the game started the NBA Commissioner put out a press release.  I tried to find the press release but couldn't but here is a quote I found on several sites including here:

"I apologize to all NBA fans," Stern said. "This was an unacceptable decision by the San Antonio Spurs and substantial sanctions will be forthcoming."

Here is my thoughts on the situation....both sides are right.  

Popovich was right because he has to look ahead to the 80+ games and the playoffs.  They are "old" men in NBA terms.  They will be playing 4 games in 5 nights.  He has to answer to the Spurs ownership, the players and himself.  His job is to win games and championships and he is going to do what he has to do.  This decision made sense.  He does NOT answer to fans.  

David Stern is correct because it IS his job to put grow the NBA brand.  NBA fans are more likely to watch a game with all the stars then basically playing the Spurs bench against the Champion Heat.  He worries about NBA TV ratings and things like that.  I understand where he is coming from.  

However you don't do it publicly.  You bring in Gregg to the NBA offices, I assume they have offices, and you tear him apart.  You yell and scream and call him everything you can without getting sued.  You tell him how he embarrassed the NBA and himself because they got blown out and made for horrible TV.  

Wait...what?  They almost won?  Really?  You mean any team can beat any team on any given day?  That if they are in the NBA they are probably talented and could win?  Yes they almost won the game.

Again Stern calls Popvich into the offices and talks to him about it.  Popvich then tells Stern to kiss his ass he runs the team not him and that is it.  That is how it should have gone.  Now we have sanctions heading toward the Spurs but what I have no clue.  

What about the fans though!  WHO WILL THINK ABOUT THE FANS?!  I don't think the fans cared in Miami.  There might have been a few but so what?  There is no promise that these players will play.  What if they all had food poisoning?  You buy a ticket to see two teams playing not players and if you pay for players you're idiots.  

To take this to wrestling for a second, because that is what I really know, if John Cena isn't on a show and was advertised they give you through the first match or second match to leave and get a refund.  May be the NBA can do that.  "Ladies and Gentlemen, Charles Barkley will not be playing today, if you would like to receive a refund please head to the ticket office within the first five minutes of the game.  Thank you."

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