So, can teams rest their stars now or not?

[coolm]

HORRIBLE precedent set by Stern.

I agree it's a little annoying that Pop did that. But he's a heckuva coach, his players love him, he has his team playing pretty well, and those guys are up in years NBA-wise. IMO he has every right to rest some starters after a tough road schedule.

Now we have a standard set where any star could cost his team a pretty penny if he's rested by the coach. Same logic applies.

Stern just needs to drop his personal San Antonio baggage and hurry his way out of the league.

 

[ouleaf]

I get why Stern is frustrated with Pop, because this isn't the first time he's done this. Stern is always looking at things from a business perspective and not necessarily what may be best for the actual coach/team/players.

The NBA has always been about promoting their star players. Star players are what draw in fans, sponsors, media, and attention to the NBA product. A coach should have every right to manage his team the way he sees fit, but it does hurt the NBA brand when all the star players for one team are not even in the arena for a nationally televised game.

Also hurts those in attendance because i'm sure it was marked as a premium game so tickets cost more and the fans are left with less bang for their buck when those Stars aren't playing when they otherwise could have.

It's a slippery slope that Stern is on for sure.

 

[bocabull]

It's a business. Stern is making a valid point. If you make extreme personnel decisions that weaken a marquee game you will have to chip a few bucks into the pot.

 

[playmakr]

It wouldn't have been a big deal if they were playing a bad team like the Pistons, Kings, Lakers, etc.