duncan228
05-22-2008, 11:38 PM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA052308_SpursSider.en.3897cf8.html
NBA: Finley doesn't stress over poor shooting
Tom Orsborn
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Spurs guard Michael Finley met the media Thursday holding a blueberry muffin in one hand and a glass of orange juice in the other.
Between bites and sips, he calmly discussed his dismal shooting performance in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.
Although his touch in Wednesday's stunning 89-85 loss to the Lakers wasn't as sweet as his breakfast, it didn't seem to weigh down Finley.
“It's nothing I am going to dwell on,” he said. “As far as last night goes, today is a new day.”
A short memory served Finley well in the Western Conference semifinals. After missing 5 of 6 shots in both Games 4 and 5 against New Orleans, the 13-year veteran sank 5 of 7, including 2 of 4 from 3-point territory, in Game 6 for 12 points. In Game 7, he connected on 4 of 7, including 3 of 5 from beyond the arc, for 11 points.
His hot hand, though, apparently didn't make it to the West Coast. In 21 minutes against the Lakers, he missed all five of his shots — all from 3-point range — including four in the pivotal final period.
“I just missed the shots,” said Finley, who played well defensively and notched two rebounds and two assists. “Every game I expect to hit my shots. Last night, unfortunately, I wasn't able to, but it's just one game.”
Finley wasn't the only reserve to struggle for the Spurs. Ime Udoka missed 4 of 7 shots, including 1 of 3 from downtown, and Brent Barry missed 2 of 3, including his only 3-point attempt.
The Lakers, meanwhile, got a spark from their subs. Led by Sasha Vujacic's 10 points on 3-of-8 shooting, including a 2-of-5 effort from 3-point land, the Lakers' bench outscored the Spurs' reserves 21-11.
Of course, the Lakers' bench is much younger and didn't arrive in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning after spending seven hours on a tarmac in New Orleans.
“I pretty much stayed up that night,” the 35-year-old Finley said. “I couldn't get comfortable enough to sleep. But I was fine. We were able to get to the hotel in ample time, and I got a good night's sleep and a good meal.”
The Spurs didn't practice Thursday and several players, including Finley, said their plan was to stay at the team hotel and rest.
“The most important thing is to rest physically and mentally and get prepared to play again,” said Finley, who is averaging 6.5 points and 24 minutes in the playoffs after averaging 10.1 points and 26 minutes in the regular season.
Finley's coach and teammates expect him to bounce back in Game 2, set for 8 tonight at the Staples Center.
“Sometimes people don't make shots,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “Michael will be fine. He's like any other player. Some nights you shoot well, some nights you don't. It's not a big deal.”
NBA: Finley doesn't stress over poor shooting
Tom Orsborn
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Spurs guard Michael Finley met the media Thursday holding a blueberry muffin in one hand and a glass of orange juice in the other.
Between bites and sips, he calmly discussed his dismal shooting performance in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.
Although his touch in Wednesday's stunning 89-85 loss to the Lakers wasn't as sweet as his breakfast, it didn't seem to weigh down Finley.
“It's nothing I am going to dwell on,” he said. “As far as last night goes, today is a new day.”
A short memory served Finley well in the Western Conference semifinals. After missing 5 of 6 shots in both Games 4 and 5 against New Orleans, the 13-year veteran sank 5 of 7, including 2 of 4 from 3-point territory, in Game 6 for 12 points. In Game 7, he connected on 4 of 7, including 3 of 5 from beyond the arc, for 11 points.
His hot hand, though, apparently didn't make it to the West Coast. In 21 minutes against the Lakers, he missed all five of his shots — all from 3-point range — including four in the pivotal final period.
“I just missed the shots,” said Finley, who played well defensively and notched two rebounds and two assists. “Every game I expect to hit my shots. Last night, unfortunately, I wasn't able to, but it's just one game.”
Finley wasn't the only reserve to struggle for the Spurs. Ime Udoka missed 4 of 7 shots, including 1 of 3 from downtown, and Brent Barry missed 2 of 3, including his only 3-point attempt.
The Lakers, meanwhile, got a spark from their subs. Led by Sasha Vujacic's 10 points on 3-of-8 shooting, including a 2-of-5 effort from 3-point land, the Lakers' bench outscored the Spurs' reserves 21-11.
Of course, the Lakers' bench is much younger and didn't arrive in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning after spending seven hours on a tarmac in New Orleans.
“I pretty much stayed up that night,” the 35-year-old Finley said. “I couldn't get comfortable enough to sleep. But I was fine. We were able to get to the hotel in ample time, and I got a good night's sleep and a good meal.”
The Spurs didn't practice Thursday and several players, including Finley, said their plan was to stay at the team hotel and rest.
“The most important thing is to rest physically and mentally and get prepared to play again,” said Finley, who is averaging 6.5 points and 24 minutes in the playoffs after averaging 10.1 points and 26 minutes in the regular season.
Finley's coach and teammates expect him to bounce back in Game 2, set for 8 tonight at the Staples Center.
“Sometimes people don't make shots,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “Michael will be fine. He's like any other player. Some nights you shoot well, some nights you don't. It's not a big deal.”