Kori Ellis
01-06-2006, 08:14 AM
Spurs stay in step with Finley's role
Web Posted: 01/06/2006 12:00 AM CST
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA010606.10D.BKNspurs.finley.1cc1cb63.html
After four consecutive victories, three of them blowouts, and mindful that tonight's game at the SBC Center against Minnesota is the first of two games in two nights in two cities, Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich gave his players a light day of practice Thursday.
By the time reporters were allowed inside the team's practice facility, only two players remained on the court. Tony Parker was working with shooting coach Chip Engelland, polishing the new form Engelland has applied to his jumper.
Michael Finley, whose shooting form needs no doctoring, was working on his long-distance jumpers, too.
Three months shy of his 33rd birthday, and into his 11th NBA season, Finley still believes he needs to work harder than anyone else.
"I feel like I have to do that extra work," said Finley, projected to make his 13th consecutive start when tonight's game tips off. "In the games, or practice, you don't get a lot of time to work on your game. You have to take that individual time on your own, so when the game situations come around you feel prepared. That's all there is to it. I just like to get up a lot of extra shots in practice, just so I won't feel like I've missed a step."
Eventually, Manu Ginobili's conditioning will be entirely back to normal after eight games, and two weeks, on the inactive list with a sprained right foot. At that point, Popovich is going to have to make a decision about returning Ginobili to his shooting guard spot in the starting lineup, with Finley going back to a bench role. But Finley is making it easy for Popovich to ease Ginobili back towards 30-plus minutes per game, and a little harder to decide when it is best to go back to the starting lineup that opened the season, because Finley has been productive in the starting role.
The Spurs are 9-3 in Finley's 12 starts, and he has become more comfortable with his role, as well as the Spurs' systems of offense and defense.
When the time comes to go back to the bench, Finley insists it will be no problem. He arrived in San Antonio in August with only one real goal: To fit in on a team that had just won a championship. He knew when he chose the Spurs from among several good teams that wanted to sign him — the Timberwolves asked former MVP power forward Kevin Garnett to help them make their pitch — that Ginobili was entrenched as the starting shooting guard and his role would be as his backup.
The reputation the Spurs' organization has gained among players was a big factor in Finley's decision to sign in San Antonio. Reality, he said, has exceeded reputation.
"Before I got here everything was word of mouth," he said. "People told me about the organization and the players. But to witness it, hands-on, it has been everything it's been cracked up to be. The coaching staff has been great. They've taken me under their wing and have tried to help me with some of my weaknesses and put me in positions where I can prosper. My teammates have welcomed me with open arms, considering all our battles over the years.
"From all aspects, it has been great."
Finley said he was surprised by only one thing: the Spurs' relative youth.
"Look at the core of this team: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Those guys are all mid-to-late 20s. That's the peak of a guy's career. At this point in their careers, all three of those guys are trying to get better, still trying to find their games. From that standpoint, for me to come in here, and hit them at that point, I'm probably witness to some of the best basketball of their careers."
Finley said he never truly appreciated Duncan's game until he began playing with him. After spending eight seasons in Dallas, most of those under Don Nelson, he has re-discovered what it is like to play on a team with a dominant big man.
"Tim's game is something I find myself admiring when I'm out there with him on the court," Finley said. "This is the first time since my rookie year, when I was with Charles Barkley (in Phoenix), that I've played with a dominant inside force. When he gets the ball inside, he does stuff that makes you just say, 'I'm glad he's on my team.'
"He's just a pleasure to work with and play with, because he commands so much attention. This is the first time in my career I'm getting so many wide-open jump shots. That's a change for me."
Web Posted: 01/06/2006 12:00 AM CST
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA010606.10D.BKNspurs.finley.1cc1cb63.html
After four consecutive victories, three of them blowouts, and mindful that tonight's game at the SBC Center against Minnesota is the first of two games in two nights in two cities, Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich gave his players a light day of practice Thursday.
By the time reporters were allowed inside the team's practice facility, only two players remained on the court. Tony Parker was working with shooting coach Chip Engelland, polishing the new form Engelland has applied to his jumper.
Michael Finley, whose shooting form needs no doctoring, was working on his long-distance jumpers, too.
Three months shy of his 33rd birthday, and into his 11th NBA season, Finley still believes he needs to work harder than anyone else.
"I feel like I have to do that extra work," said Finley, projected to make his 13th consecutive start when tonight's game tips off. "In the games, or practice, you don't get a lot of time to work on your game. You have to take that individual time on your own, so when the game situations come around you feel prepared. That's all there is to it. I just like to get up a lot of extra shots in practice, just so I won't feel like I've missed a step."
Eventually, Manu Ginobili's conditioning will be entirely back to normal after eight games, and two weeks, on the inactive list with a sprained right foot. At that point, Popovich is going to have to make a decision about returning Ginobili to his shooting guard spot in the starting lineup, with Finley going back to a bench role. But Finley is making it easy for Popovich to ease Ginobili back towards 30-plus minutes per game, and a little harder to decide when it is best to go back to the starting lineup that opened the season, because Finley has been productive in the starting role.
The Spurs are 9-3 in Finley's 12 starts, and he has become more comfortable with his role, as well as the Spurs' systems of offense and defense.
When the time comes to go back to the bench, Finley insists it will be no problem. He arrived in San Antonio in August with only one real goal: To fit in on a team that had just won a championship. He knew when he chose the Spurs from among several good teams that wanted to sign him — the Timberwolves asked former MVP power forward Kevin Garnett to help them make their pitch — that Ginobili was entrenched as the starting shooting guard and his role would be as his backup.
The reputation the Spurs' organization has gained among players was a big factor in Finley's decision to sign in San Antonio. Reality, he said, has exceeded reputation.
"Before I got here everything was word of mouth," he said. "People told me about the organization and the players. But to witness it, hands-on, it has been everything it's been cracked up to be. The coaching staff has been great. They've taken me under their wing and have tried to help me with some of my weaknesses and put me in positions where I can prosper. My teammates have welcomed me with open arms, considering all our battles over the years.
"From all aspects, it has been great."
Finley said he was surprised by only one thing: the Spurs' relative youth.
"Look at the core of this team: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Those guys are all mid-to-late 20s. That's the peak of a guy's career. At this point in their careers, all three of those guys are trying to get better, still trying to find their games. From that standpoint, for me to come in here, and hit them at that point, I'm probably witness to some of the best basketball of their careers."
Finley said he never truly appreciated Duncan's game until he began playing with him. After spending eight seasons in Dallas, most of those under Don Nelson, he has re-discovered what it is like to play on a team with a dominant big man.
"Tim's game is something I find myself admiring when I'm out there with him on the court," Finley said. "This is the first time since my rookie year, when I was with Charles Barkley (in Phoenix), that I've played with a dominant inside force. When he gets the ball inside, he does stuff that makes you just say, 'I'm glad he's on my team.'
"He's just a pleasure to work with and play with, because he commands so much attention. This is the first time in my career I'm getting so many wide-open jump shots. That's a change for me."