Gregg Popovich Unclear Who He Can Rest
San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich. Image via USA TODAY
San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich is happy with this NBA seasons rule changes, but says that the language regarding the resting of players is unclear.
In September, legislation was passed by NBA owners giving commissioner Adam Silver the power to fine teams a minimum of $100,000 if they rest a player or multiple players who are fit to play. This rule is especially strict when it comes to televised games and away games. This ensures that match-day fans and supporters watching all over the world get the best value for their money.
Changes were also made to the regular NBA schedule. With fewer pre season games and an earlier start to the competitive season, it is hoped that this will reduce fixture pile-up and allow the players more recovery time. This season, the NBA removed four-games-in-five-nights, after these had been gradually decreased over the last two years.
Via Chris Forsberg of ESPN, Popovich described the league’s compromise as a ‘great deal’.
“This schedule is great. The way they’ve reduced back-to-backs and four-in-five-nights and that sort of thing, Adam listened and I think that’s huge. It speaks a lot for how much he cares about the players and the league. The fans are important, too, and we gotta understand that.”
Unclear:
However, Gregg Popovich, who has chosen to rest healthy players in the past, took issue with the wording of the legislation.
“Frankly, it’s a little bit cloudy. It’s all done in good faith to make your fans feel like they’re seeing what they want to see for their money, which I understand.
“Obviously, Kawhi (Leonard) is hurt but, if Kawhi is healthy, we played last night, I need to play him tonight even though it’s a back-to-back, we’re on the road and he only plays in Boston once. So, same thing with a LeBron or whoever it might be, that makes sense. So I can deal with that.
“On the TV games, the only thing I wonder about is how far down does the list go? I forget the words — not your important players or your star players or your marquee players or something like that? There’s a word, I just can’t remember what the adjective was, but how far down the list does it go? How do you tell us? Are you going to tell us which ones are the marquee players and which ones aren’t?
“I guess they will if we don’t play them and the fine comes, then I guess we’ll know this guy is a marquee player.”
Other changes to the rules were implemented to improve the speed and flow of the game. Coaches are now limited to 9 timeouts rather than 7. Halftime is now officially limited to 15 minutes. Now, a penalty is given against the team who delays the start of the second half.
Get all the NBA odds here.
