tekdragon
09-01-2005, 02:07 PM
Addition of versatile Finley makes defending champs downright scary
COMMENTARY
By Bob Harkins
NBCSPORTS.com (http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9150925/)
Updated: 1:41 a.m. ET Sept. 1, 2005
I don’t know what it’s like to be a San Antonio Spurs fan, but I would venture a guess that in recent years it’s similar to celebrating Christmas. Every day.
Instead of checking to see what Santa left if their stockings, they simply open the morning newspaper or log onto the Internet to discover the latest gift bestowed upon their beloved franchise.
On occasion, they find out interesting tidbits about how their point guard is dating a Desperate Housewife (and yes, she will be going to games!). Other times — believe it or not — the news is even better.
Such was the case on Wednesday, when it was announced that versatile swingman Michael Finley had come packaged to the Spurs in a nice silk bow, courtesy of the NBA’s new one-time amnesty rule and the generosity of Mark Cuban.
Finley wasn’t waived by the Dallas Mavericks because of declining skills or a Sprewell-esque attitude. He was waived because Cuban was looking to restore financial flexibility to a franchise that had become stuck in the mud on the drive up championship mountain.
On the surface, it seems odd to give up such a gifted player and get nothing in return. But for Cuban's Mavs it makes sense, because even though Cuban must still pay Finley $50-plus million over the next three seasons, it will not count against the team’s salary cap. This will help Cuban not only avoid the luxury tax, but also hasten the move to re-mold the team to coach Avery Johnson's wishes.
Not so good for the Mavericks and the rest of the NBA, however, is that the Spurs just got a whole lot stronger. And this was not a team exactly in need of a Rafael Palmeiro cocktail. It was already hall-of-fame caliber without any unnatural enhancements.
Two-time league MVP Tim Duncan, as good as ever, will be back next season. So will Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Bruce Bowen, Brent Barry, Nazr Mohammed and Robert Horry.
In addition, the team added guard Nick Van Exel, who should provide plenty of scoring and ball-handling off the bench.
This is assuming, of course, that he can keep his volatility meter resting idly below the “attack referee” threshold. But I imagine that coach Gregg Popovich has already made it clear to Van Exel that any such antics will result in a benching that would make even Tony Massenburg get up off his padded, courtside seat and take notice.
Van Exel, for his part, has already made a big effort to please, claiming that he used text messaging to actively recruited Finley, whom he played with in Dallas.
Whether or not Van Exel’s use of modern technology tipped the balance in favor of the Spurs is unclear, but the fact is Finley chose the Spurs and their $2.5 million offer, or about half the money the Heat could offer.
He also spurned the Phoenix Suns — his original NBA team — and the chance to play with former teammate Steve Nash. This might also seem like a surprise, until we find out that the Suns made a huge error in judgment by urging their fans to send Finley e-mails pleading for him to return to Phoenix. I don't know how many messages he received, but when it comes to spam, it doesn't take most people long to get irritated.
For his part, Finley didn't mention money or spam as having anything to do with his decision. He says he selected the Spurs simply because they are the champions, and because he feels he can make them even better. He is absolutely correct.
His versatile skills — we’re talking about a career 19-point scorer who can also rebound (5.0 per game) and is unselfish (3.7 assists) — will make the Spurs better in the obvious sense.
But on a deeper level, his simple presence on the roster has to make Popovich smile.
For instance, no longer will Pop have to worry about who will score once the starters come out of the game. Ginobili can now go into the starting lineup alongside Parker where he belongs, wreaking havoc, drawing fouls and accumulating floor burns from the opening tip.
Finley can slip into Ginobili’s role of instant-offense-off-the-bench, anchoring a suddenly frightening group of reserve guards that includes himself, Barry and Van Exel.
Got foul trouble? Give Finley more minutes. Got an injury? Stick Finley in the starting lineup. Need to match up against a small, fast team? Put Finley on the floor with Parker and Ginobili.
The possibilities are exciting for Spurs fans. With Finley, their team has become more versatile than a Leatherman, and deeper than The Marianas Trench. It’s like taking LaDainian Tomlinson and making him Edgerrin James’ backup, except Finley can play a little defense, too.
After winning three of the last seven NBA championships, there was some talk that the Spurs were on the verge of a dynasty. The doubters said no way. Reserve that honor for the Michael Jordan’s Bulls or Bill Russell’s Celtics.
But what if the Spurs take four of eight? Or five of nine? Then can we include Tim Duncan’s Spurs in the discussion? With Finley entrenched on an already strong roster, it looks like we’ll get a chance to revisit that debate come June.
Bob Harkins is the NBA editor for NBCSports.com. You can E-mail him at [email protected]
© 2005 MSNBC.com
COMMENTARY
By Bob Harkins
NBCSPORTS.com (http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9150925/)
Updated: 1:41 a.m. ET Sept. 1, 2005
I don’t know what it’s like to be a San Antonio Spurs fan, but I would venture a guess that in recent years it’s similar to celebrating Christmas. Every day.
Instead of checking to see what Santa left if their stockings, they simply open the morning newspaper or log onto the Internet to discover the latest gift bestowed upon their beloved franchise.
On occasion, they find out interesting tidbits about how their point guard is dating a Desperate Housewife (and yes, she will be going to games!). Other times — believe it or not — the news is even better.
Such was the case on Wednesday, when it was announced that versatile swingman Michael Finley had come packaged to the Spurs in a nice silk bow, courtesy of the NBA’s new one-time amnesty rule and the generosity of Mark Cuban.
Finley wasn’t waived by the Dallas Mavericks because of declining skills or a Sprewell-esque attitude. He was waived because Cuban was looking to restore financial flexibility to a franchise that had become stuck in the mud on the drive up championship mountain.
On the surface, it seems odd to give up such a gifted player and get nothing in return. But for Cuban's Mavs it makes sense, because even though Cuban must still pay Finley $50-plus million over the next three seasons, it will not count against the team’s salary cap. This will help Cuban not only avoid the luxury tax, but also hasten the move to re-mold the team to coach Avery Johnson's wishes.
Not so good for the Mavericks and the rest of the NBA, however, is that the Spurs just got a whole lot stronger. And this was not a team exactly in need of a Rafael Palmeiro cocktail. It was already hall-of-fame caliber without any unnatural enhancements.
Two-time league MVP Tim Duncan, as good as ever, will be back next season. So will Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Bruce Bowen, Brent Barry, Nazr Mohammed and Robert Horry.
In addition, the team added guard Nick Van Exel, who should provide plenty of scoring and ball-handling off the bench.
This is assuming, of course, that he can keep his volatility meter resting idly below the “attack referee” threshold. But I imagine that coach Gregg Popovich has already made it clear to Van Exel that any such antics will result in a benching that would make even Tony Massenburg get up off his padded, courtside seat and take notice.
Van Exel, for his part, has already made a big effort to please, claiming that he used text messaging to actively recruited Finley, whom he played with in Dallas.
Whether or not Van Exel’s use of modern technology tipped the balance in favor of the Spurs is unclear, but the fact is Finley chose the Spurs and their $2.5 million offer, or about half the money the Heat could offer.
He also spurned the Phoenix Suns — his original NBA team — and the chance to play with former teammate Steve Nash. This might also seem like a surprise, until we find out that the Suns made a huge error in judgment by urging their fans to send Finley e-mails pleading for him to return to Phoenix. I don't know how many messages he received, but when it comes to spam, it doesn't take most people long to get irritated.
For his part, Finley didn't mention money or spam as having anything to do with his decision. He says he selected the Spurs simply because they are the champions, and because he feels he can make them even better. He is absolutely correct.
His versatile skills — we’re talking about a career 19-point scorer who can also rebound (5.0 per game) and is unselfish (3.7 assists) — will make the Spurs better in the obvious sense.
But on a deeper level, his simple presence on the roster has to make Popovich smile.
For instance, no longer will Pop have to worry about who will score once the starters come out of the game. Ginobili can now go into the starting lineup alongside Parker where he belongs, wreaking havoc, drawing fouls and accumulating floor burns from the opening tip.
Finley can slip into Ginobili’s role of instant-offense-off-the-bench, anchoring a suddenly frightening group of reserve guards that includes himself, Barry and Van Exel.
Got foul trouble? Give Finley more minutes. Got an injury? Stick Finley in the starting lineup. Need to match up against a small, fast team? Put Finley on the floor with Parker and Ginobili.
The possibilities are exciting for Spurs fans. With Finley, their team has become more versatile than a Leatherman, and deeper than The Marianas Trench. It’s like taking LaDainian Tomlinson and making him Edgerrin James’ backup, except Finley can play a little defense, too.
After winning three of the last seven NBA championships, there was some talk that the Spurs were on the verge of a dynasty. The doubters said no way. Reserve that honor for the Michael Jordan’s Bulls or Bill Russell’s Celtics.
But what if the Spurs take four of eight? Or five of nine? Then can we include Tim Duncan’s Spurs in the discussion? With Finley entrenched on an already strong roster, it looks like we’ll get a chance to revisit that debate come June.
Bob Harkins is the NBA editor for NBCSports.com. You can E-mail him at [email protected]
© 2005 MSNBC.com