BOSTON -- Celtics coach Doc Rivers criticized the NBAs fine against the San Antonio Spurs after they kept four top players out of a game. He said Friday he didnt think the $250,000 fine announced by Commissioner David Stern would stop coaches from sitting players. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich sent Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Danny Green back to San Antonio before Thursday nights 105-100 loss at the Miami Heat. It ended a six-game road trip in which the Spurs played four games in the last five days. Before Thursdays game, Stern said "substantial sanctions will be forthcoming." That "reaction" to the absence of the players "was probably overdone," Rivers said before Bostons game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night, "and then, all of a sudden, you have to have an action" by punishing the Spurs. And he said he didnt like the penalty. "I do get the other side, but its a tough one," he said. "Youve got to coach your team to win in the long run and you have to do whatever you need to do. If thats sitting players, you sit players." The Spurs "did a disservice to the league and our fans," Stern said. "The Spurs decided to make four of their top players unavailable for an early-season game that was the teams only regular-season visit to Miami. The team also did this without informing the Heat, the media, or the league office in a timely way." But Rivers said he didnt think the punishment would influence coaches to use players if they dont want to play them. "Whatever is going to help your team win, a coach is going to do," he said, "because if you dont and it hurts your team then youre the one that wont be around." So he wont avoid sitting players out because the Spurs were fined. "Well do it when we want to do it and we should be able to do it," Rivers said. "It could be early in the season, the end of the season." Rivers was without point guard Rajon Rondo on Friday night because of another NBA decision -- a two-game suspension resulting from a scuffle during Wednesday nights 95-83 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Hell also miss Saturday nights game at the Milwaukee Bucks. Rondo was "not happy," Rivers said. "He expected it. He didnt know (how long) it was going to be. We didnt make a big deal of it." Courtney Lee started in his place on Friday night. wholesale jerseys . For weeks, he has hung around Clevelands offices doing what he could to help new owner Jimmy Haslam. Holmgren attended meetings, practices and games. wholesale nfl jerseys . A-Rod is an October lightning rod. With every swing and miss, memories of his amazing run during the New York Yankees championship season in 2009 fade even further. http://www.cheapjerseyschina.cc/ .Y. -- Theres nothing wrong with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots that a game against their familiar AFC East patsies -- the Buffalo Bills -- cant fix. cheap jerseys from china . The nine-time All-Star guard will not opt out of the final year of his contract, and will play for the Nuggets during the 2008-09 season, the Denver Post reported Saturday. cheap nfl jerseys . Hes trying to make up for lost time. Bruce connected for a three-run, opposite-field homer in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday night that sent the Reds over the New York Mets 3-0.KIEV, Ukraine -- Sweden has two concerns going into its opening European Championship game against Ukraine on Monday -- Johan Elmanders foot and the co-hosts crowd support. Elmander is Swedens only major injury worry, with the Galatasaray forward struggling to recover from a fracture in his right foot. He worked out separately on Thursday while the rest of squad held their first training session in Ukraine on the outskirts of Kyiv. Elmander is coach Erik Hamrens top choice to start up front along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and is expected to begin participating in full training on Friday. "So far its looking good, and hes very positive," Hamren said at a news conference. Hamren sounded more concerned about facing Ukraine in its opening game, saying the host nation is usually among the toughest teams to play in the first match. While Sweden may seem to have a stronger lineup on paper, Hamren also pointed out that the last three games between the teams have finished with a win for each side and a draw. "We know it will be even tougher on Monday because of the home support, so in my eyes theyre the favourites to win," he said. "If you look at the statistics, its not often that the host nation loses its opener." Thats why Elmanders fitness may be key for the Swedes. The former Bolton strikers speed and willingness to run tirelessly throughout a game can open up more space for Ibrahimovic, Swedens best player who is likely to be deployed in a playmaker role behind whoever is at centre forward. "HHis qualities help make it easier for me," Ibrahimovic said after a 2-1 fr