The San Antonio Spurs will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in a marquee matchup on Tuesday, but the Spurs might be without the game's top billing. It's not a new situation for seasoned Spurs fans.
The San Antonio Spurs are no longer Gregg Popovich's team. Yes, he might be "El Jefe," President of Basketball Operations, and a larger-than-life figure in SATX, but Mitch Johnson is the one calling the shots.
Johnson was picked as Popovich's heir in large part thanks to their similarities. They share the same ethos and stick to the "Spurs Way," which Pop paved. Before the Spurs host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, Johnson's similarities with the coaching legend have shined through.
After coming off the bench for the last five games as he recovers from a calf injury, Victor Wembanyama is back on the injury report. It's largley seen as a precationary measure, as the Spurs have traveled a lot in recent weeks, although this is far from the first time the Spurs have rested players for a premier, nationally-televised game.
Maybe Adam Silver should be happy that Wemby is the only player listed on the Spurs' report.
In 2012, the Spurs traveled to South Beach to take on LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and the title-favorite Miami Heat. Not on the team plane? Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, and Stephen Jackson.
Instead, against a juggernaut Heat team, Popovich started Nando de Colo, Boris Diaw, Patty Mills, Matt Bonner, and Tiago Splitter. Mills, de Colo, and Bonner only started a combined 12 games that season.
Popovich probably thought it was funny to hold his stars back for a nationally televised game. David Stern was not amused, slapping the organization with a $250,000 fine.
"I apologize to all NBA fans, this was an unacceptable decision by the San Antonio Spurs and substantial sanctions will be forthcoming," Stern said in a release before tipoff.
Adam Silver, then second in command, had a more progressive stance on load-management, but Stern, the head honcho, had already issued his ruling.
The only problem? The Heat barely beat the shorthanded Spurs 105-100. Gary Neal scored 20 bench points, posting more than anyone not dubbed "The King."
The Spurs, even with a shorthanded bench lineup, were a very real threat to the Heat. Of course, Miami would beat them in the Finals that year, although the Spurs would roar back in 2014, toppling the Heat in one of the more dominant Finals beatdowns ever.
Had it not been for Popovich's conservative approach with his stars, their primes wouldn't have been extended, and the Spurs' dynasty would have ended sooner than it needed to.
Victor Wembanyama could eventually be better than Duncan, Parker, or Ginobili, as crazy as that sounds. Even with the added pressures of the game airing on ABC, the Spurs continue to exercise caution. For Wembanyama's long-term health and the marketability of the league, both fans and Silver should agree with Johnson's decision.