How many minutes will Michael Finley play tonight?

[baseline bum]

With it being a must-win, I'm going to say Pop gives him 44.

[Borosai]

38

[Morg1411]

50. I don't how, but Pop will figure out a way to do it.

[biziofromdowntown]

30

[timvp]

68.

Pop will keep Finley on the court during halftime, too.

:depressed

[SenorSpur]

Whatever amount of minutes Finley gets tonight, and for the duration of the Spurs playoff life, I trust these will be the last for him in a Spurs uniform.

Fin has been a consummate pro, great guy and solid contributor. He helped us win a title in '07. Hit some big-time shots during the regular season this year.

However, just like we saw the same with Horry last year, it's obvious the time has come. It's time to move on in a different direction.

[timvp]

Whatever amount of minutes Finley gets tonight, and for the duration of the Spurs playoff life, I trust these will be the last for him in a Spurs uniform.

Fin has been a consummate pro, great guy and solid contributor. He helped us win a title in '07. Hit some big-time shots during the regular season this year.

However, just like we saw the same with Horry last year, it's obvious the time has come. It's time to move on in a different direction.

$2.5 million says otherwise. We've only reached the midway point of his contract. :bang

[baseline bum]

Whatever amount of minutes Finley gets tonight, and for the duration of the Spurs playoff life, I trust these will be the last for him in a Spurs uniform.

Fin has been a consummate pro, great guy and solid contributor. He helped us win a title in '07. Hit some big-time shots during the regular season this year.

However, just like we saw the same with Horry last year, it's obvious the time has come. It's time to move on in a different direction.

You trust wrong. Finley has a player option for like $2.5 million next season. :depressed

[DPG21920]

No trade clause.

I still think Finley can be useful, just not in this role. He has actually had a decent year and although he is streaky, he has carried this offense through stretches and hits big shots still.

[baseline bum]

jinx!

[z0sa]

michael finley would be good if pop used him off the bench and in limited time like someone sane would. Instead, we all laugh it off while Pop nutpunches the season ticket holders every night with his incessant Finley love.

[Bruno]

Even if Finley pick his option, Spurs could decide to trade him this summer.

[timvp]

No trade clause.

I still think Finley can be useful, just not in this role. He has actually had a decent year and although he is streaky, he has carried this offense through stretches and hits big shots still.
A year older and slower Finley will not be useful. He had a better than expected regular season this year but this playoffs show why many of us knew it was fool's gold. He just can't do enough on the court to have a big role, much less this massive role Pop has gifted him.

Here's a role Finley would be good at:













http://nbcsportsmedia3.msnbc.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/050930/050930_smith_hmed_5p.hmedium.jpg

[DPG21920]

Even if Finley pick his option, Spurs could decide to trade him this summer.

His no trade option was only for the first year?

[celldweller]

68.

Pop will keep Finley on the court during halftime, too.

:depressed

:lol>>>:)>>>:(>>>:oops>>>:depressed>>>:cry>>> :wtf >>>:bang>>>:smchode:

[baseline bum]

No trade clause.

I still think Finley can be useful, just not in this role. He has actually had a decent year and although he is streaky, he has carried this offense through stretches and hits big shots still.

I agree, but Pop has proven beyond any reasonable doubt that he cannot be trusted with Finley on his roster. I wish I was joking when I made the 44 minute prediction. :depressed

[DPG21920]

A year older and slower Finley will not be useful. He had a better than expected regular season this year but this playoffs show why many of us knew it was fool's gold. He just can't do enough on the court to have a big role, much less this massive role Pop has gifted him.

Here's a role Finley would be good at:













http://nbcsportsmedia3.msnbc.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/050930/050930_smith_hmed_5p.hmedium.jpg



Eh. If the Spurs decide to open up their wallets and take on some contracts then Finley could still provide a useful role, even if it is just in the regular season next year. Fin off the bench is not bad and then you bury him when you shorten the rotations for playoffs.

[Bruno]

His no trade option was only for the first year?

As soon as Finley pick his option, he can be traded.

[timvp]

Fin off the bench is not badYou must not have watched Finley play off the bench.


then you bury him when you shorten the rotations for playoffs.You must not have watched how Pop will never bury Finley.

[Rynospursfan]

Finley is worth every penny the Spurs pay him. Outside of Tim, Tony and Mason nobody has put more points on the board for the Spurs this year. Sure he has his deficiencies but I think he is a bargain as far as NBA terms go. The only game he missed was the one in Denver when Pop sat the starters on the back to back. The guy never misses a game. He has been far more valuable than Manu has this year.

I say he plays 33 mins.

[baseline bum]

Pop is addicted to Finley, and I hope someone checks his ass into rehab this summer.

[baseline bum]

Finley is worth every penny the Spurs pay him. Outside of Tim, Tony and Mason nobody has put more points on the board for the Spurs this year. Sure he has his deficiencies but I think he is a bargain as far as NBA terms go. The only game he missed was the one in Denver when Pop sat the starters on the back to back. The guy never misses a game. He has been far more valuable than Manu has this year.

I say he plays 33 mins.

Manu has been far more valuable than Finley this series.

[DAF86]

I seriously think he would play around 35 minutes. We should have a V-bookie over this.

[timvp]

He has been far more valuable than Manu has this year. :rolleyes Manu gives more value in ten games than Finley gives in an entire season.

[timvp]

http://purgatorio1.com/wp-content/pics/DogPray.jpg

Please let tonight be Finley's once a week good shooting game.

[baseline bum]

http://purgatorio1.com/wp-content/pics/DogPray.jpg

Please let tonight be Finley's once a week good shooting game.

Didn't help out in game 1 when he was still the worst player on the floor despite shooting 70%.

[Libri]

Fin off the bench is not bad and then you bury him when you shorten the rotations for playoffs.

Finley wouldn't complain if that was his role.

[DPG21920]

You must not have watched Finley play off the bench.

You must not have watched how Pop will never bury Finley.

Speaking hypothetically.

[lefty]

68.

Pop will keep Finley on the court during halftime, too.

:depressed
:lol

(Picturing Finley taking fadeaway jumpers and not challenging the ballboys when they shoot the ball)

[ElNono]

http://purgatorio1.com/wp-content/pics/DogPray.jpg

Please let tonight be Finley's once a week good shooting game.

http://www.threadbombing.com/data/media/19/picdump-19.jpg

[ElNono]

This is how Josh Howard looks when guarded by Finley:

8_FfubG3oLg

:wow :depressed

[Spursmania]

http://www.threadbombing.com/data/media/19/picdump-19.jpg

Those are my fav pics. Dig the cat!:lol

[Bruno]

Finley being here next year will also depend on what SF Spurs will be able to get via FA/trade.
If Spurs keep Mason and get a good SF, Spurs will keep either Finley or Bruce. If Pop isn't senile, it will be Bruce.

[Rynospursfan]

Finley being here next year will also depend on what SF Spurs will be able to get via FA/trade.
If Spurs keep Mason and get a good SF, Spurs will keep either Finley or Bruce. If Pop isn't senile, it will be Bruce.


There is no debating it. It is far more likely that Finley is here than Bruce next year. Just because of their contract situations.

[Spursmania]

Too many.

[it's me]

Just the final minutes if we‘re down by 2 or 3… take the three pointer… call time out and back to the bench until we get the ball again.

[Bruno]

There is no debating it. It is far more likely that Finley is here than Bruce next year. Just because of their contract situations.

We will see. I would be extremely surprised and disappointed in Spurs FO if Bruce is playing for another team next year.

[DPG21920]

We will see. I would be extremely surprised and disappointed in Spurs FO if Bruce is playing for another team next year.

You would be surprised. Pop has already shown that he has buried Bruce by not playing him in the regular season and by saying he would not be playing if Manu was healthy.

He also tried to trade him.

[Bruno]

You would be surprised. Pop has already shown that he has buried Bruce by not playing him in the regular season and by saying he would not be playing if Manu was healthy.

Pop said that he wanted to have him fresh for the playoffs. And in the playoffs, Bowen has played a lot of minutes.



He also tried to trade him.

He would have been likely waived and re-signed by Spurs 30 days after the trade (like with Brent last year).

[DPG21920]

Then why did he say he would not play if Manu was healthy?

[Bruno]

Then why did he say he would not play if Manu was healthy?

When did pop say that ?

[DPG21920]

Cannot find the quote, but I think Kori mentioned it somewhere...

[Das Texan]

I like how Finley was our 5th guard option during the summer and is now basically option 1.


Boy I knew better than to believe that load of crap from Pop.


Please dont be a total absolute 100% disaster tonight Fin.....

[DPG21920]

When did pop say that ?


Cannot find the quote, but I think Kori mentioned it somewhere...


Here ya go


Will Spurs Target Wallace?

Rasheed Wallace | Pistons

San Antonio will not have cap space until 2010 (when Manu Ginobili's contract expires), but there will be plenty of talented free agents who may accept the mid-level exception this summer.
Expect the Spurs to make a run at Rasheed Wallace, the longtime starting power forward for the Pistons. -- The New York Times


•Sources say Pistons forward/center Rasheed Wallace asked for a buyout this year, but management declined.
Some observers think the possible buyout would have been to join the Cavs. He's an unrestricted free agent this summer and could be someone the Cavs covet -- at the right price



Will Spurs Keep Bowen?

Bruce Bowen | Spurs

The Spurs have yet to begin discussions on what to do with the roster and, with Bruce Bowen, there are several options.
They could keep him, and that would be easy enough. He's under contract next season.

But his salary is only partially guaranteed. The Spurs can buy him out for half of the $4 million he is due, then pursue someone else with the savings. Or they could trade him this summer, or they could trade him next season.

They already tried to trade him this season, and for a reason. Bowen might not be playing at all against Dallas if Manu Ginobili were healthy.

So the Spurs will evaluate, and they will repeat what they said last summer. They need to get younger, right? -- San Antonio Express-News

There it is, someone just posted it. I do not see where it is directly quoting Pop, but that is what I thought I read the first time I saw that.

[SA210]

I don't know where the quote is, but Pop had mentioned that since Manu was out it would give others an opportunity, Bruce being one of the guys he mentioned. Which is stupid, cuz Bruce should have started even with Manu healthy.

:pop::pctoss

[bigdog]

Finley will get a lot of minutes. Not because he's the most amazing player on Earth, and he's definitely nowhere near the player he used to be, but if you think about it, he's been extremely solid for the Spurs this year, no matter how streaky he may be.

Would you rather have Udoka playing in his place? I think not.

Besides, I want to see Mike play good against the Mavs. He deserves to kick their asses.

[loveforthegame]

I expect around 30-35 minutes unless Mason busts out of his scared shell and starts playing like we know he can.

Bowen can only play so many minutes and just doesn't get enough shots to make a difference on the offensive end.

Fin on his worst night is still better than Udoka's ever been.

It's possible that Hill could get some of his minutes unless Pop chains him to the bench again.

[sportsman1]

WTF happened to Finley's three? I keep waiting for him to break it out.. but it just hasn't happened.

[MaNu4Tres]

I don't get how fans can be so hard on Finley and give Mason a free pass when Mason hasn't really done anything better.

[baseline bum]

Finley will get a lot of minutes. Not because he's the most amazing player on Earth, and he's definitely nowhere near the player he used to be, but if you think about it, he's been extremely solid for the Spurs this year, no matter how streaky he may be.

Would you rather have Udoka playing in his place? I think not.

Besides, I want to see Mike play good against the Mavs. He deserves to kick their asses.

I'd rather have Bowen and Hill playing large minutes.

[ploto]

Too many

[loveforthegame]

I don't get how fans can be so hard on Finley and give Mason a free pass when Mason hasn't really done anything better.

Exactly what I've been saying. But apparently he gets a pass because Pop crushed his confidence by playing him at backup point. And Finley gets trashed for Howard going off but Mason gets a pass on that end while Bowen is expected to guard the two people (Barea, Terry) he would be in charge of.

Finley will at least shoot while Mason is scared to let it launch.