biba
03-08-2010, 02:47 PM
By A. Sherrod Blakely
CSNNE.com
http://www.necn.com/03/08/10/Celtics-notes-Finley-now-playing-for-his/landing_sports.html?blockID=193116&feedID=3352
BOSTON — As a kid, Michael Finley literally grew up looking up to Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who, at the time, was a star basketball player at Proviso East High School just outside Chicago.
Like Rivers, Finley would later star at Proviso East. And like Rivers, Finley went on to a standout college career and from there, the NBA.
"He's always been a mentor to me," said Finley, the newest Celtic who now plays for the man who he grew up idolizing as a youth. "He's a role model for me and it goes way back."
Although Rivers never coached Finley until now, he has kept tabs on him through the years.
"I remember literally the day he was born," Rivers said. "Sandra [Finley's sister] was the captain of our cheerleading team for three years. She had to babysit him all the time. I remember everything about him; watched him in grade school, high school and college at Wisconsin."
Rivers added, "one of the things that I've always admired from afar is how he has carried himself. He was a fantastic student at Proviso East and in college, and he has carried himself in a great way in the NBA. Every coach that coached him, loves him, loves his character. Everyone says how good he is in the locker room. When you can add that, you go ahead and grab it."
And while there were several reasons Finley wanted to play for the Celtics, having a chance to be around Rivers ranked high on his list.
"I've watched his career as a basketball player and as a coach," Finley said. "And it's definitely an honor for me to play for him."
CSNNE.com
http://www.necn.com/03/08/10/Celtics-notes-Finley-now-playing-for-his/landing_sports.html?blockID=193116&feedID=3352
BOSTON — As a kid, Michael Finley literally grew up looking up to Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who, at the time, was a star basketball player at Proviso East High School just outside Chicago.
Like Rivers, Finley would later star at Proviso East. And like Rivers, Finley went on to a standout college career and from there, the NBA.
"He's always been a mentor to me," said Finley, the newest Celtic who now plays for the man who he grew up idolizing as a youth. "He's a role model for me and it goes way back."
Although Rivers never coached Finley until now, he has kept tabs on him through the years.
"I remember literally the day he was born," Rivers said. "Sandra [Finley's sister] was the captain of our cheerleading team for three years. She had to babysit him all the time. I remember everything about him; watched him in grade school, high school and college at Wisconsin."
Rivers added, "one of the things that I've always admired from afar is how he has carried himself. He was a fantastic student at Proviso East and in college, and he has carried himself in a great way in the NBA. Every coach that coached him, loves him, loves his character. Everyone says how good he is in the locker room. When you can add that, you go ahead and grab it."
And while there were several reasons Finley wanted to play for the Celtics, having a chance to be around Rivers ranked high on his list.
"I've watched his career as a basketball player and as a coach," Finley said. "And it's definitely an honor for me to play for him."