Phoenix Suns Owner Apologizes For Lack Of Talent From Spurs

By Cameron La Fontaine | Oct 17, 2014

Apr 6, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Gerald Green (14) against the Oklahoma City Thunder at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Thunder 122-115. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

The San Antonio Spurs were missing their biggest names in Phoenix for a preseason exhibition against the Suns and it angered Phoenix Suns fans, leading owner Robert Saver to apologize.

The Phoenix Suns hosted an exhibition preseason game against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs in a contest that drew a lot of crowd interest to both see the Suns and the world champions. But, the fans didn’t receive the entertainment they were looking for as all of the Spurs biggest names either weren’t there or sat the bench.

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Head coach Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili did not make the trip to Phoenix, resting after the Spurs played exhibition games in Turkey and Germany last week. Assistant coach Ettore Messina coached the Spurs in Phoenix. Other big names like Kawhi Leonard (right eye infection), Tiago Splitter (calf strain) and Patty Mills (shoulder) also did not play for San Antonio in the game.

Goran Dragic scored 20 points to help the Phoenix Suns beat the short-handed San Antonio Spurs 121-90.

Austin Daye led the Spurs with 17 points. Veteran point guard Tony Parker played through only about half the third quarter and scored nine before sitting the rest.

After many fans were seen leaving with 2:31 left in the game after it wasn’t played as advertised with big names, Suns owner Robert Sarver made an apology. Furthermore, Sarver told fans they could send in their ticket stubs and receive a free gift from the team.

Well done, Suns, well done.

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