Seriously, Stern has got the whole little man with a lot of power Napoleon thing all figured out... he has completely sold out to merchandise sales and tv revenue. The league is his and he'll do whatever the money tells him to do.
Personally I think the season is too compressed and the playoff season is too long. Those things, like playing 4 games in 6 nights etc., are really the items that should be addressed in the player's union contract... as much if not moreso the revenue splits. There is no way the number of games in a season will be reduced, nor will the playoff format be shortened because of the first point... it would affect the tv revenue.
I understand that... but as a fan, I don't like it when the Cavs are running on fumes like in Dec with I think they have six or seven home/away back-to-backs and in April I think they have six games in nine days... all the teams have the same kind of crap... but that doesn't make it ok. And the playoff season is brutally long.... but there is no way they'd reduce the eligible teams or shorten the series.
Ok... that being said and that I am in support of teams protecting their players.... If Stern really wanted to send a message to Pops and SA... here's what I think he should do. First off, he should not have said anything public. He has opened himself to public outcry in support of Pops. He shoulda kept his comments and the fine behind the scenes. Word will quickly get around to the other teams and players. Then, he should fine the San Antonio organization $1,000,000. Not Popovich... the team owners. Let that trickle down in whatever way it does. To some teams, one million dollars is significant. Again the key is that it is all behind the public eye. You cost us tv ratings, you gonna pay. That or it will cost you draft choices. You hurt our tv product, I'm gonna hurt you. David Napoleon has spoken.