Paul Millsap insulted by Gregg Popovich’s decision of resting Duncan, Parker and Ginobili – NBA News
Utah Jazz forward Paul Millsap apparently feels insulted that the San Antonio Spurs played without the “Big Three” in their Monday night loss to the Utah Jazz at Salt Lake City.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich decided to rest Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, not even taking them on the away trip to Utah. The Spurs stars rested back home in San Antonio as their team faced Utah in what was a very crucial
match for the Jazz, one which they eventually won 91-84.
However, the Jazz forward was not impressed by the tactics of the Spurs and told the Salt Lake Tribune that Gregg Popovich’s decision was like a “slap in the face” of the Utah team. He went on to say that the decision gave the
Jazz motivation to play well and steal a victory over the much higher ranked Spurs.
“I think that was a little motivation that … got us through, just thinking about that” said Millsap.
Perhaps Millsap was looking to defeat the Spurs with their full line-up. Or perhaps, he is not happy because the Jazz are not being given due credit due to the fact that the Spurs top players did not play. There can also be a possibility
that Millsap feels Popovich felt his team could topple the Jazz without needing their star players.
Popovich however later revealed that he rested the three players only because he thought the upcoming schedule was too grueling and wanted to give some rest to his veteran cast so they are fresh and ready before the playoffs. Popovich
even went on to say that he had made the decision way back in December, when the NBA schedule was announced.
“However you want to look at it, 13 games in 18 days or 16 games in 23 days or ending the season four in five nights, it’s just crazy. So I’ve got to do something about it. It just doesn’t make sense to have those guys playing
four in five nights, anything like that” said Gregg Popovich.
The Spurs will play 7 games in 10 nights, starting Wednesday night against the L.A Lakers. The stretch includes 3 back-to-back away games on the 16th, 17th and 18th of April.
The lockout resulted in a shortened NBA season which has led to a tough schedule throughout, and it has started to take a definitive toll as the playoffs draw closer.
Spurs, being one of the oldest teams in the league, need to find a balance between winning and rest. Given that they came into the game on the back of an 11 game winning streak, Popovich could have afforded the luxury of resting
his triple ripple.
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