David Stern handed down a $250,000 fine on the San Antonio Spurs when coach Gregg Popovich decided to rest four healthy players. Popovich sent Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, Tony Parker and Danny Green home rather than making them play against the Miami Heat in a nationally televised game. Since then Stern has given his explanation as to why he did it but everyone has been waiting for the reaction of the ever candid but prompt coach Popovich. Read more after the jump.
Speaking publicly for the first time since NBA commissioner David Stern handed down the stiff penalty Friday, the Spurs coach and team president said he was “disappointed” in the decision.
“What I do from my perspective is from a coaching perspective,” said Popovich before the Spurs defeated the Grizzlies 99-95 in overtime on Saturday night. “And I think the league operates from a business perspective. And I think that’s reflective in the action that they took.”
Popovich bristled when asked before Saturday night’s game against Memphis whether he might nonetheless do the same thing, as the NBA’s reigning coach of the year often does when posed with hypothetical questions. But he didn’t rule it out, either.
“I don’t have a crystal ball,” Popovich said.
I think Popovich will continue to do what he thinks is right for his team. The Spurs had a ridiculous road schedule and resting his players is what he thought was in their best interest. Besides how do you argue with one of the winningest coach’s in sports history?
