Suns owner offers partial refund because Spurs rested their stars
The Suns owner wasn’t too happy with the Spurs resting some of their star players and announced during the game that those who attended will get a “gift.”
USA TODAY Sports
Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver wasn't too thrilled with Gregg Popovich's decision to sit some of his best players during a preseason game between the Suns and San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night, and late in the fourth quarter of a Suns blowout victory, Sarver took the PA microphone during a timeout and apologized to the fans who showed up.
“This is not the game you paid your hard-earned money to watch,” Sarver said. “I apologize for it, and I want you to send me your tickets if you came tonight with a return envelope. I got a gift for you on behalf of the Suns for showing up tonight.”
Here’s what that gift will be:
Sarver's gift for #Suns fans who attended game vs. depleted Spurs: $25 or $50 credit toward tix, merchandise & food. http://t.co/nsLG5HP6kA
— Paul Coro (@paulcoro) October 17, 2014 The game against the Suns was the Spurs' first game back stateside after a two-game trip in Europe. Some of the Spurs' stars played big minutes overseas, so Popovich decided to give Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili the night off. Kawhi Leonard and Tiago Splitter also sat out due to nagging injuries. Tony Parker played 22 minutes.
Popovich is renowned for giving his stars rest whenever he feels like it and he was even punished by the league for doing so for a nationally televised game against the Miami Heat several years ago.
This also isn’t the first time Sarver has made it a point to address the Spurs not playing their stars against Phoenix. Dave King of Bright Side Of The Sun notes that in 2005, Sarver walked down the sideline flapping his arms like a chicken in response to Popovich resting his stars in what the Suns owner thought was a big game against San Antonio.
Sarver’s gift is a nice gesture and all, but a better gift to the fans probably would have been spending a bit more money on the team in the 2000s.
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