So teams should be forcing their best players out on the court every night, even with the risk of injury, faitigue, and/or the long-term success of the team?
Popovich sees that playing his older stars beyond a certain extent may damage their bodies and the team's long-term health. Sacrificing one game may mean saving them for a handful of more important ones down the line.
How is it Stern's job to say otherwise?
There are always complaints about how an 82-game schedule is bordering on too grueling for a player's body, a view shared by Charles Barkley. Popovich obviously is thinking the same way, at least with his older players (Danny Green nonwithstanding).
How is it against league rules to rest your players to combat fatigue and potential injury if you see fit? To me, it sounds like it's simply against league rules because the league set up this marquee game on TNT Thursday Night and Popovich has decided his player's health is more important.
