Spurs fans respond to Adam Silver's cheap shot comment
By Josh Paredes

The San Antonio Spurs are most known for being a winning franchise, but they're also known for being at the forefront of a controversial practice.
Back as early as the 2010s, Coach Gregg Popovich started instituting rest days for some guys on the roster either battling nagging injuries or age. The Big Three of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker became the poster boys of what became known around the league as "load management" across the league. Later, that mantle was passed to Kawhi Leonard.
As often happens, many began to copy the practice that Popovich made popular. Many even sacrificed money, as he often did to preserve his players for long title runs. One could argue that the abundance of back-to-backs and wear and tear of an 82-game season made this strategy justified. Commissioner Adam Silver, however, predictably isn't a fan.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver on load management: “There’s nothing more frustrating also for our fans than having players, frankly, who aren’t injured following some program schedule for rest. I’m looking at [Spurs executive] R.C. [Buford], you started this all.” pic.twitter.com/AJTyHs4PX4
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 12, 2022
Addressing a question on the practice of resting uninjured players, Silver singled out Spurs executive R.C. Buford and the Spurs as being responsible for starting it all. Of course, he said so with a smile and chuckle, so it's not really a huge deal in my mind. But I have to believe there's at least a hint of a grudge Silver has toward San Antonio's front office for making the practice trendy.
Spurs fans defend San Antonio's trend-setting practice
Of course, Spurs fans aren't the type to let things slide, and they had plenty to say to Mr. Silver in response to his comments.
Pop was resting Duncan who had awful knees and was pushing 40 don’t get mad at us cuz the rest of the league saw and started to rest their 25yr old stars how’s that the same
— Spurs 2023 champs (@210RaisedMe) July 12, 2022
Ehy, Adam Silver, your fans hate when their teams' chances of winning a championship are ended by an injury because the season is too damn long.
— Marshall Beach 19th St (@Beach19thSt) July 12, 2022
Yes we should have played 38 years old TD every night. Shut up man
— mohammadali (@mammalii7) July 12, 2022
you made them play 4 seasons in a 23 month span https://t.co/Upw4AbvS3L
— Bobby (@BobbyMlRE) July 12, 2022
Spurs started this practice for their aging players who had been thorough a myriad of injuries, were competing internationally in the offseason, and all while still having us put on competitive games.
— Spurs Legacy 🦦 (@spurs_four) July 12, 2022
Adam Silver can cry about it all he wants, I’ve never been upset as a fan. https://t.co/ozNoPDetDf
Some were quick to point out that Silver's recent addition of the NBA Play-In Tournament and rumors of a mid-season tournament are ironic when you consider the reason for load management in the first place.
Saying this a day after he made the play in tournament permanent is insane https://t.co/mcV56fh58K
— ClipVibes (@clipvibes21) July 12, 2022
Lmfaoooooooo 82 games play in tournament then play offs and talks of trying to implement an in season tournament all while b2bs and 3 games in 4 nights are still a thing. Be for real https://t.co/wyEkL5IhR6
— Coach B (@_bnice11) July 12, 2022
While Silver's quip was mostly in jest, it's true that the Spurs often get blamed for beginning load management, which is a practice every team in the league now uses. He might want to start focusing on how to reduce the toll a season takes on his players before getting too cute with further tournaments and ventures.
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As for the Spurs, considering their strategy played a big part in winning a fifth championship, I don't think the team or its fans would do anything differently if they could.