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Top of the list, must have insider access to see details.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/featu...tures%2frumors
This is all it says. No real news.
Quote:
Finley to the Spurs?
Aug 15 - Add the Spurs to the list of teams that are ready to pounce on Michael Finley, if and when the Mavericks waive the shooting guard via the amnesty clause, reports the San Antonio Express News. However, the Heat are reportedly still the front-runners in landing the potential free agent.
Figures, that insider access is a rip off!
Thanks Kori, sorry for the false alarm.
Now it's time for me to go lie in the middle of a busy street. It's been nice knowing you all.
And... off go Kiki, Bryan, R.C. and Pat, punching numbers on their cell phones as fast as they can...
Aw come-on, it'll be okay. Look on the bright side...the Cowboys still have Emmitt Smith, right? Oh wait....
Nevermind.
so RACE has begun.............
:elephant
C'mon, adrienne, third place in the Southwest Division isn't that bad. Y'all still probably will get the fifth seed and a rematch with the Rockets.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2135039
Quote:
Among the teams expected to try to sign Finley are the Suns, Spurs, Heat, Pistons and Nuggets, according to Stein.
The San Antonio Spurs have just over half of their $5 million mid-level exception remaining to woo Finley, and the top two teams in the East are offering more. The Miami Heat and the Detroit Pistons will be offering Finley a contract starting at the full mid-level exception, as will the on-the-rise Denver Nuggets.
Bite me, ES. :angel
Money wise, yes, this was great for the team. Finley is just such a part of this team, he's been here since 1996...it just won't feel like my team without him.
we understand how you feel:cry he's like the Malik Rose to the Spurs...Quote:
Originally Posted by adrienne
well, let's just hope R.C. land him so he will stay in Texas....... :lol
Damn that was a huge insult to Mike Finley...
The Finley fascination is over now in Dallas. FINALLY!!!!
Michael Finley is dancing in the streets. Another $10 million or so in the pocket to soothe the insult.
Daniels is underrated. He is better than Finley in everything except 3 point shooting. Finley wasn't that good last year anyway. I am excited to see Daniels get more time.
i still take your captain over Daniels despite the bone chips...just too bad he had signed such a big contract.Quote:
Originally Posted by mavsfan1000
let's see.
I'm sure the ~$15 mil a year will help to cushion the blow.Quote:
Originally Posted by PM5K
:spin
It's like $5M/year for 10 years. Obscene, just like Cuban.
That's the way it's paid out, but I just meant the value of the contract. Either way, I'm sure Finley isn't crying into his Cristal.Quote:
Originally Posted by boutons
Seven dollars a month to state the obvious. Yeesh.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kori Ellis
BTW, thanks for posting it Kori.
Everyone is saying he is going to the Heat, which makes their roster just awesome and yes it scares the hell out of me. Why can the Spurs not get him, it is only a few mil more the heat can give him and he is already getting his original deal in full so it can not be just about the money. If he goes to heat, spurs are in trouble if they do not make some moves big time.
You do know the Heat aren't in our division right?Quote:
Originally Posted by dbreiden83080
SOMETIMES too many stars in a team doesn't guaranty a championship e.g. 2003-04 Lakers.....Quote:
Originally Posted by dbreiden83080
as of this time the run for Finley's services is still on... it's still not a lock for Miami.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/column...arc&id=2135306
Five teams in mix to sign FinleyBy Marc Stein
ESPN.com
The NBA's Final Four teams are reuniting Tuesday for a different sort of elimination tournament.
It's the Michael Finley Sweepstakes.
League front-office sources tell ESPN.com that Miami, Detroit, San Antonio and Phoenix are the suitors with the best shot at landing Finley, who was waived late Monday by the Dallas Mavericks after Dallas' summer-long efforts to trade Finley to a less-threatening team proved unsuccessful.
Intensely private throughout his eight-plus seasons in Dallas, Finley has been typically tight-lipped about his future, telling reporters at Steve Nash's recent charity game that he wasn't ready to discuss the prospect of free agency. Yet it's widely believed that the 32-year-old, after clearing waivers in 48 hours, will ultimately join one of the above four powerhouses to give himself a real shot at a championship ring … with the Denver Nuggets tops among the list of outsiders.
As Finley prepares to grade the field and commence serious negotiations, this is our breakdown of the two-time All-Star's options as the prize (some would say only) catch on the amnesty market:
Miami
The Heat will be tough to resist, with Shaquille O'Neal as lead recruiter and a $5 million mid-level exception waiting … and the bonus of a scouting report from Dwyane Wade, who shares Finley's agent (Henry Thomas). Miami's interest, meanwhile, is a no-brainer. Finley played for Stan Van Gundy at Wisconsin, ranks as a quality chemistry guy and would instantly become the Heat's most dependable long-ball threat (given Damon Jones' likely departure). Yet it remains to be seen whether Finley wants to join a club that just added Antoine Walker and James Posey, with the room to start only one of the three. Finley and Walker are Chicago pals, but he also saw first-hand in Dallas that meshing can be tough with 'Toine as a third or fourth fiddle. It wouldn't be surprising at all to see Finley wind up here, but it's not the slam dunk some league insiders are suggesting.
Detroit
Pistons president Joe Dumars, eager to do some free-agent shopping after the interminable Larry Brown saga, has been quietly waiting for his swing at Finley. It doesn't hurt Dumars' chances that the Pistons have their entire $5 million mid-level exception to offer Finley for next season -- nearly twice as rich as what the Spurs can pitch -- as well as the promise of healthy minutes with a proven championship crew. Detroit, remember, generally relied on only seven guys when it mattered: Antonio McDyess, Lindsay Hunter and its trusty starting five. Finley would fortify the bench for new coach Flip Saunders and serve as an offensive-minded complement to the defense-first Tayshaun Prince. The fit seems even more feasible now that Finley, in trademark Pistons style, can even claim that he has something to prove as the discarded face of the Mavs.
San Antonio
The Spurs can't match the money Miami and Detroit can offer, but the champs will make a strong presentation beyond the close proximity to Finley's adopted home in Big D. San Antonio has lacked a consistent scorer off the bench since Manu Ginobili became a starter and is always looking for more perimeter shooting. Finley could fill both of those voids and presumably make a smooth transition to the Spurs' all-for-one locker room, given his first-class reputation. Although Finley's scoring average has indeed dipped for six successive seasons, that overlooks his 41 percent accuracy from 3-point range over the past two seasons … without the benefit of the open looks Tim Duncan and Ginobili generate. The Mavs were trying so hard to deal Finley in part to keep him away from the Spurs, knowing the champs are a real threat to make a switch to South Texas happen.
Phoenix
The Suns are sunk if money is the tiebreaker, with only a veteran minimum of $1.1 million to offer Finley for next season. And money could be a key factor, since Finley will be forced to collect the remaining $51-plus million on his Mavs contract in annual installments of less than $5 million because of a considerable "spread" provision in that contract. Phoenix, though, has an even better recruiter than Shaq; Nash and Finley remain so close that Finley traveled to Toronto for his buddy's charity game even though June ankle surgery prevented him from actually playing. Don't forget, furthermore, that Phoenix drafted Finley in 1995, and he remains quite popular. A return to the desert, then, holds appeal on several levels, which should explain why this is the other West rival Dallas had hoped to neutralize with a trade. The Mavs know Finley would relish the challenge of filling the Joe Johnson void.
Denver
The list of interested teams stretches well beyond five, but it's believed Finley won't consider anyone farther away from title contention than the Nuggets. Although his hometown Bulls will try to defy that belief -- as will Minnesota, which flirted with a three-team Finley trade last week -- Denver figures to tempt Finley more with its promising talent mix and a roster architect (Kiki Vandeweghe) who once worked in Dallas. Vandeweghe is also pursuing another Mavs alumnus (Nick Van Exel) to give his bench a boost, but Finley is Denver's top priority. The Nuggets, like Detroit and Miami, can offer a full $5 million next season … but also a rare guaranteed starting spot. And Finley, remember, is one of the few players (maybe the only one) who came away with any plaudits from George Karl's ill-fated Team USA at the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis.
Damn I can feel it already guys... he's going to the Heat. And no matter what anyone says that makes them a scary team
I'm not afraid of the Heat.Quote:
Originally Posted by gospursgojas
[Robert Horry]
IMO , finley is a better choice for spurs - only if he is willing to sign for remaining exception we have.
Amnesty rule is no more Allan Houston rule, it's 'finley rule' :lol
If Finley wants money, he'll go for the Heat, where he won't get much playing time and where they'll have trouble finding enough time for ANYONE to touch the ball.
If Finley cares about playing time, he'll go to the Suns, where they need him desperately (but I repeat - it's not clear how helpful he'll be - everyone catch the part about "lowest numbers in his career" and "coming off arthroscopic surgery")
If Finley cares about winning a championship before his career is over, he'll sign with the Spurs. (but it's not clear how helpful he'll be - everyone catch the part about "lowest numbers in his career" and "coming off arthroscopic surgery")
http://www.nba.com/statistics/2004/d...topic=0&stat=9
Finley shot 3Gs, his primary offense, a only a tiny bit better than Bruce in the 04/05 season, but Finley doesn't step it up in the playoffs, his 3G% went down, and 4 Spurs shot 3Gs A LOT BETTER than Finley in the 05 playoffs.
Finley's defense, ball handling, playmakng, rebounding are suspect, while is scoring through his prime at DAL has gone down 5 straight seasons. As 8th or lower man in the season, he wouldn't get enough PT to make a contribution, and then nothing in the playoffs.
Why are the spurs even mention in every stupid lame free agency and trade talks when u know non of the ballers would come n play in san antonio, they are just using us as leverage to increase their stock and value, i hate this shit.
Finley doesn't scare me if he were to go to Miami, Phoenix, or Denver. None of those teams have what the Spurs have. Team first attitude. They don't have a two-time league MVP and a Finals MVP. They don't have a Gold Medal winner from Argentina. They don't have the fast French Fry and they don't have Big Nuts Rob.
We're forgetting one important factor...
If Finley joins the Spurs, he no longer has to face Bruce Bowen.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Finley, 3/6/04
Man there is a lot of black and silver homer vision going on.
The Heat have declared war on the Spurs. Riley is building that team to get to the Finals and beat the Spurs.
Y'all act like we waltzed through the playoffs this year, which couldn't be further from the truth.
Keep talking the myopic "they don't scare me" talk, just don't come whining when we end up in a total dogfight with them come next June. Detroit, Miami, Indiana, and Cleveland are all building teams to come after the Spurs. That should be enough concern for everyone to quit with the "oh no worries" talk.
Shaq's still the alpha dog on that team and Walker has shown he can play a good Robin to Batman (Pierce) in Boston. If anyone can make White Chocolate settle down it's Shaq, and Finley is going to be playing with one hell of a chip on his shoulder.
Except in practice... http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/imag...es/smispin.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by Spurminator
Yeah, but I'm guessing less 'bows are exchanged in practice.
Quote:
Originally Posted by adrienne
I can imagine your pain. And I'm afraid I am actually about to really feel your pain. :depressed
Anyways, sorry! = ( Sucks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aggie Hoopsfan
Miami is not going to get within 1 game of the Finals as they did last season. Both Williams and Walker need a lot a touches to be effective. Also, with them getting heavy minutes in rotation the defense is going to be weaker.
The last thing Miami needed were guys who can chunk up a lot of shots. They needed to retain Damon Jones and make a few more defensive minded acquisitions.
The Heat added guys who take away touches from Wade and Shaq, without opening things up so that either of those two get more high-percentage shots.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant
James Posey is the guy who can make a difference for them if he can become what he was to Memphis in 2003-04.
Jason Williams and Antoine Walker will come back to haunt them. I'll take either of them chucking up threes at a 30-35% clip over Wade penetrating for layups or Shaq dunking any day.
Come next June, both of them will get ridden out of Miami on a rail following a playoff elimination at the hands of Indiana or Detroit; Walker, for taking more shots than either Shaq or Wade in the critical game, going like 4-24, and Williams, for a series of boneheaded turnovers and bad shots (his typical wild three that starts the fast break the other way) that ignite the decisive run for the opponent.
The only way that doesn't happen is if those two ride the bench in the playoffs, or get kicked off the team.
Those two are subtraction by addition, no matter how flashy or high-profile they are. I suspect (as do some others) that their presence is meant to sabotage Stan Van Gundy, so Pat Riley can blame him for the Heat's "slow start," fire SVG and take over himself, then get "tough" on those two by slashing their minutes.
Finley, now, there's a guy who can help them. He can back up both swing positions, and play the two-man game with Shaq all day.
I don't like him.. but if Pop and RC think they need him then go ahead I guess.
I don't think he will work well with the team chemistry. He's not champion caliber. Maybe Pop thinks he can mold him? Then I would support that...
Oops, wrong thread...
And didn't Wade come out publicly and say he was going to shoot more? I remember reading something to that effect. :drunkQuote:
Originally Posted by Extra Stout
Don't fear the reaper, Adrienne....Quote:
Originally Posted by adrienne
Come over to the black and silver...
darn good anaylsis. However, he is known for getting streaky hot in the playoffs where he becomes virtually unstoppable. Not a bad weapon to have off the bench. Plus the guy plays decent defense.Quote:
Originally Posted by boutons
People act like Miami is oblivious to the mindset of Walker and JWill prior to making those moves. You don't think they've talked to them and have those guys on board?Quote:
The Heat added guys who take away touches from Wade and Shaq, without opening things up so that either of those two get more high-percentage shots.
Williams, despite all his hot dogging, has one of the best assist to TO ratios in the whole league. And I've already seen Walker say he's excited about playing with the Diesel.
You don't think he likes the idea of wide open threes off of Ds collapsing on Shaq or when Wade breaks down the defense?
Sorry, but I think Miami is threat #1 (yes, better than Detroit) to the Spurs. If they get Finley they get a starting SF with a chip on his shoulder out of that deal, and get even deeper.
Walker shooting 3's is a big problem. He is a 6'9" power forward who should use his size and agility to get easy buckets down low. Isn't it better to have Daimon Jones shooting 3s than Walker?Quote:
Originally Posted by Aggie Hoopsfan
Any Team that has Antoine Walker and Jason Williams as an integral parts of the offense and defense can't get to the finals. D Wade isn't Jordan, he can't carry them there on both sides of the court.
That team will blow up.
The problem is, Williams gives up a lot of that great assist to TO ratio with his ill-advised shots. Both he and Walker need a ton of touches to be effective and that, as Dunkel Weizen pointed out, limits the number of times that Shaq will see the rock.
still marcus itll be the heat and pistons in the ecf and the heat just got better
heat got worse, but so have the pistons. Look out for Indiana.Quote:
Originally Posted by mookie2001
The Heat "got better" by adding players who require the rock a lot to be effective? I can think of nothing opponents would like to see more than Walker playing the 4 spot 20 feet from the rim.Quote:
Originally Posted by mookie2001
we'll see
i think walker is a good player who gets a bad rap
maybe earlier in his career he deserved it, but everytime i see him now i think he plays really good
The combination of Eddie Jones and Keyon Dolling is better than Walker and Williams.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant
walker has to take alot of shots to get alot of points...
None of you are mentioning the possibility that Finley might come to Detroit!?!
Detroit has just as much money to offer as Miami, and probably more playing time. It would be a big aquistion for the Pistons if they sign him. We'll have our same starting 5, McDyess and Finley, and then some developing players (Arroyo/Delfino) who should play better under Saunders.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mookie2001
He's got two types of gears, 1) shoot and the ball goes in the hoop 2) A really really bad shot that looks like a pass
if Finley goes to Det, they should just cancel the season and declare Detroit the champs
Please tell me you are kidding. :smokinQuote:
Originally Posted by mookie2001
Mookie,Quote:
Originally Posted by mookie2001
No offense to your take, but Walker is one of the worst players in the league. I am pretty sure he is the worst player in the league that takes 14+ FGA/g.
Huh? With or without Finley, Detroit is not coming out of the East next year.Quote:
Originally Posted by mookie2001
Why are you so certain of that?
even if they get finley, they still don't have larry brown. flip is a good coach, but there is a noticeable dropoff for them
yeah rick i watch espn too
hes not a great player, but he's solid, he went from overrated to underrated
i mean we all know jordan and iverson shot like 55% right?
Didn't you forget someone? :smokinQuote:
Originally Posted by ABDENOUR POWER
Jordan was around 51% for his career.Quote:
Originally Posted by mookie2001
Walker absolutely kills his teams with his shot selection.
Just my opinion. The LB/Flip change is a negative I believe. Miami and Indiana look better on paper than last year. I just think it will be someone else.Quote:
Originally Posted by ABDENOUR POWER
Flip is no where close to Larry Brown's level. However, Detroit has the man power to get it done. Hope detroit does it though. would love to see a rematch of this year's finals.Quote:
Originally Posted by ABDENOUR POWER
If Finley was that good he would of stayed with Avery... He's a "average" nba player.. boring... average.... and boring again. Did I mention he's BOOOORING... just because there are so few people in play right now... we just Won the trophy.. we don't need to rebuild... We don't need Finley to win again.. if anything it's risky to open up the chemistry for a lackluster player. Look in his eye's? It's like he's waiting in line at the drive thru.. I don't see the hunger or the fear.. just like "uh... huh huh".. cold nothingness.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vashner
The one thing that Pop has shown is that he is not afraid to bench anyone.
ESPN Radio had a Sports Illustrated writer Ian (Thompson, I think) who said he believed Detroit will be the team that gets Finley. He based that on Dumars will be very convincing. Again, that was the writer's opinion and not inside information.
Haha. You're thinking of Darko, right? While I haven't given up hope he will have a good career, I don't think he will be much of an impact player by next year.Quote:
Originally Posted by grjr
there's some rumors Spree is joining Flip. are you saying Detroit is interested to sign Finley as well? both of them?Quote:
Originally Posted by ABDENOUR POWER
makes no sense to me :rolleyes
I say forget Finley. No point getting in a stupid tug of war for Finley. Let Miami, Detroit and Phoenix go fight over him or whats left of him. I prefer the Spurs to go for Aaron Mckie. That guy is solid and underrated. We dont need a superstar. We just need a solid backup player. If not we should get a defensive 3 and develop him.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dalamar_the_Dark
Finley would be a nice addition, but the Spurs would have to adjust their offense somewhat for him and I think he is looking for a larger role and contract. McKie makes a lot of sense for the Spurs. He's not the sexy amnesty free agent choice, but he's definitely Spurs material and he would fit into the Spurs' offense and defense seemlessly. Kinda reminds me of how the Spurs went after Bruce Bowen hard a few summers ago.
He's not the career primetime scorer like a Michael Finley or a Glenn Robinson, but with the Spurs he would be quite productive in other ways, ways that help to win championships.
Quote:
. I prefer the Spurs to go for Aaron Mckie. That guy is solid and underrated.
I'm not eager on Finley too...Quote:
McKie makes a lot of sense for the Spurs. He's not the sexy amnesty free agent choice, but he's definitely Spurs material and he would fit into the Spurs' offense and defense seemlessly.
i'd prefer Aaron or Big Dog...
but is Aaron going to join the Nets? they've been articles somewhere....
Well the Nets will probably announce that they have come to terms with McKie and then rescinde the deal because they found plastic bottles in his knees. The Spurs will then step in to sign him. :lol :lol :lolQuote:
Originally Posted by milkyway21
:lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Dalamar_the_Dark
You sign one or the other, its not that complicated.Quote:
Originally Posted by milkyway21