Even the best coaches sometimes make mistakes.
Gregg Popovich, a sure-fire Hall of Fame sideline chief, may have made one Wednesday night.
Hours after ensuring basketball writers he would not sit any of his starters, he changed his mind.
Just before tipoff.
Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili sat in a 96-89 loss to the Mavericks, the team the Spurs will face in the first round.
With that, Dallas won a competitive season series 3-1.
The dream scenario—a playoff rematch with the Phoenix Suns—was a longshot. The Spurs needed Phoenix to win and Portland to lose for that to become a reality.
Popovich decided playing Duncan and Ginobili was not worth that slim chance, even after he had promised he would not give any player a night of rest.
The Suns hosted the Denver Nuggets Tuesday night. He probably guessed like many that fatigue might factor in to their joust with the Utah Jazz.
The Blazers, fresh off victories against the L.A. Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder sans Brandon Roy, would surely take care of the Warriors at home.
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Article written by Robert Kleeman
Gregg Popovich’s Late Decision in Spurs’ Season Finale Becomes a Mistake
April 14th, 2010 by Robert Kleeman Leave a reply »
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