Kori Ellis
08-25-2005, 12:09 AM
Spurs make run at Finley
Web Posted: 08/25/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Mike Finger
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA082505.1C.BKNspurs.finley.17a42370.html
Prepared to come home empty-handed but willing to at least make the most of an invitation from the NBA's most prized free agent, the Spurs will meet Michael Finley in Chicago today, long on credentials but short on visual aids.
Miami and Phoenix already have made their in-person overtures to Finley this week, with both teams going the multimedia route to illustrate their interest.
The Heat produced digitally enhanced photos of Finley wearing a Miami uniform. Suns owner Robert Sarver — who Spurs fans last saw hanging with The Famous Chicken — stopped short of lugging any fuzzy mascots to Chicago, but did bring stacks of fan e-mail to his meeting with Finley on Tuesday.
As for what zany presentations the Spurs might have in store for Finley today?
"We'll let people draw their own conclusions on that," general manager R.C. Buford said.
Translation: the Spurs' sales pitch — which will be delivered by coach Gregg Popovich — figures to be low on frills and heavy on talk of championships, a low-key locker room, and the chance to play with Tim Duncan.
Miami, with its full $5 million exception and talent-laden roster, still is considered the frontrunner for Finley, the 32-year-old guard who Dallas waived under the amnesty provision earlier this month.
But the Spurs wouldn't be making the trip to Chicago if they weren't assured by Finley's camp that they at least have a legitimate chance. The Spurs only have about $2.5 million available, but that difference isn't thought to be a deal-breaker because Finley is set to receive the $51.8 million the Mavericks owe him. The Suns, led by former Finley teammate Steve Nash, have only a $1.1 million exception to offer.
But unlike Phoenix, which is dangerously thin on the perimeter after the departures of Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson, the Spurs aren't exactly desperate for Finley's services.
His 3-point shooting and backcourt experience obviously would help an offense that bogged down at times during last season's championship run. But just as was the case when they pursued Jason Kidd and Karl Malone in recent years, the Spurs aren't scared of their alternatives.
The pool of options might be drying up, however. Detroit is reportedly prepared to sign Sacramento restricted free agent Maurice Evans, one of the Spurs' potential summer targets, to an offer sheet. Also, the Suns are nearing a deal to acquire Indiana swingman James Jones.
The Spurs' safety net, though, is that they still have the right to match any offer made to their own restricted free agent, Devin Brown. Re-signing Brown would fill the Spurs' only glaring need, which is a backup wing player.
"You look at our roster, and we probably have enough bigs," Buford said. "Any moves we'd make would probably be in other areas."
Web Posted: 08/25/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Mike Finger
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA082505.1C.BKNspurs.finley.17a42370.html
Prepared to come home empty-handed but willing to at least make the most of an invitation from the NBA's most prized free agent, the Spurs will meet Michael Finley in Chicago today, long on credentials but short on visual aids.
Miami and Phoenix already have made their in-person overtures to Finley this week, with both teams going the multimedia route to illustrate their interest.
The Heat produced digitally enhanced photos of Finley wearing a Miami uniform. Suns owner Robert Sarver — who Spurs fans last saw hanging with The Famous Chicken — stopped short of lugging any fuzzy mascots to Chicago, but did bring stacks of fan e-mail to his meeting with Finley on Tuesday.
As for what zany presentations the Spurs might have in store for Finley today?
"We'll let people draw their own conclusions on that," general manager R.C. Buford said.
Translation: the Spurs' sales pitch — which will be delivered by coach Gregg Popovich — figures to be low on frills and heavy on talk of championships, a low-key locker room, and the chance to play with Tim Duncan.
Miami, with its full $5 million exception and talent-laden roster, still is considered the frontrunner for Finley, the 32-year-old guard who Dallas waived under the amnesty provision earlier this month.
But the Spurs wouldn't be making the trip to Chicago if they weren't assured by Finley's camp that they at least have a legitimate chance. The Spurs only have about $2.5 million available, but that difference isn't thought to be a deal-breaker because Finley is set to receive the $51.8 million the Mavericks owe him. The Suns, led by former Finley teammate Steve Nash, have only a $1.1 million exception to offer.
But unlike Phoenix, which is dangerously thin on the perimeter after the departures of Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson, the Spurs aren't exactly desperate for Finley's services.
His 3-point shooting and backcourt experience obviously would help an offense that bogged down at times during last season's championship run. But just as was the case when they pursued Jason Kidd and Karl Malone in recent years, the Spurs aren't scared of their alternatives.
The pool of options might be drying up, however. Detroit is reportedly prepared to sign Sacramento restricted free agent Maurice Evans, one of the Spurs' potential summer targets, to an offer sheet. Also, the Suns are nearing a deal to acquire Indiana swingman James Jones.
The Spurs' safety net, though, is that they still have the right to match any offer made to their own restricted free agent, Devin Brown. Re-signing Brown would fill the Spurs' only glaring need, which is a backup wing player.
"You look at our roster, and we probably have enough bigs," Buford said. "Any moves we'd make would probably be in other areas."