NBA News: San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich Blasts Phoenix Suns Owner Robert Sarver

Robert Sarver, owner of the Phoenix Suns, recently took the microphone and addressed the Phoenix Suns home crowd in the middle of the preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs, which were resting all of their stars in a preseason match-up last Thursday. Sarver apologised to the crowd and even offered compensation to the fans who attended the game and may have been disappointed with the turnout of a depleted Spurs roster.

“I just felt that the fans paid good money for the game and they didn’t see the players that they anticipated seeing,” Sarver told the AZ Central post-game. “It was just a gesture to let them know that we appreciate their support and want to do something to compensate for that.”

While some quarters praised Sarver’s actions and appreciate the effort, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich defended the defending champion’s decision to rest their key players

“As I said, the silliness begins. Most wise individuals would check facts before they made statements. Unless you’re interested in putting on a show. In that case, the facts get in your way, as in this case.” Popovich declared via Spurs Nation, a blog news site dedicated to covering the NBA franchise in San Antonio.

“We had five guys we didn’t send. Patty Mills had a shoulder operation over the summer. Tiago Splitter (calf) has been out the whole preseason. Kawhi Leonard (eye infection) was out and is still out for 10 more days. The other two, Duncan and Ginobili, are two of the oldest guys in the league who just came back from a 13-day European trip.

This is not the first time that Popovich has attempted the controversial move to rest players at any point in the year— preseason or regular season. In 2012, Coach Pop rested Tim Duncan, Manu GInobili, Tony Parker and Danny Green without notifying the league that caused the franchise to be penalised $250,000.

San Antonio has been resting players ever since but have notified in advance the NBA brass to avoid any penalties. The Spurs rested Duncan, Kawhi Leonard, Patty Mills, Tiago Spliiter in Thursday’s match-up against the Suns, which the latter won via blowout, 121-90.

“The only thing that surprises me is that he didn’t say it in a chicken suit. I’ll just leave it at that,” Popovich fired at the Suns owner.

There is no doubt that Popovich decision to rest players helps the team the long run considering they have players who belong with the senior statesmen in the league— Duncan is 38 years old; Ginobili is 37 years old; while Tony Parker and Boris Diaw are both 32 years old. The move wasn’t welcomed by Sarver but maybe because they have not experienced yet going deep into the NBA postseason.