Ludden: 'Genuine' Spurs welcome Finley

'Genuine' Spurs welcome Finley
Web Posted: 10/06/2005 12:00 AM CDT

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....17bc0235.html

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands — Michael Finley walked onto the court Tuesday afternoon for his first Spurs practice and did a double-take.

Perched in the stands was his longtime coach with the Dallas Mavericks, Don Nelson.

"I thought he was scouting us or something," Finley said. "I guess everybody is trying to get out of Dodge now, huh?"

Unlike Nelson, Finley didn't have much choice.

The face of the Mavericks' franchise for much of the past nine seasons, he found himself out of a job in August after Dallas waived him to take advantage of the NBA's new amnesty rule. By ridding themselves of the luxury-tax penalty Finley's contract incurred, the Mavericks bid farewell to their longtime captain.

Dallas' loss became the Spurs' gain. And while acknowledging it's a little strange to be wearing something other than a blue jersey, Finley, so far, sounds happy with his new team.

"These guys are genuine guys," he said. "They've welcomed me with open arms. I'm very appreciative of this team, and that's one of the reasons I decided to come to San Antonio."

Few NBA observers thought Finley would make the five-hour drive down Interstate 35.

Phoenix offered a starting job plus the chance to play with Steve Nash, his friend and longtime teammate from Dallas. Miami, in addition to having Shaquille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade and a championship-caliber roster, could have given him a starting salary of $5million, almost twice as much as the Spurs had available.

Aware that most considered the Heat the favorite to sign Finley, Spurs officials phoned Finley's agent to make sure they were still in the running. Even after meeting with Finley at his Chicago home, coach Gregg Popovich was skeptical of the team's chances.

"I had a really good dinner afterwards then walked up and down Michigan Avenue," Popovich said. "I figured that was going to be my fun for the trip, pretty honestly.

"I just felt that he was probably going to start in the other situations, and I thought he would have personal relationships that would be tough to turn away from."

In the end, however, Finley saw other reasoning: The Spurs, who unsuccessfully courted him in the summer of 2001, had won three championships in seven years.

Having met Tim Duncan in college when both played for the junior national team, Finley had grown to admire the two-time MVP for his talent and for his selflessness. He also felt comfortable with Popovich from their time together in the 2002 World Championships.

Though the Mavericks included a contract provision that allows them to spread the remaining $51.8 million they owe Finley in payments over the next 10-plus years, money wasn't a significant factor in his decision. A percentage of the three-year, $8.4 million contract (the third season is at his option) he signed with the Spurs is subtracted from what Dallas owes him.

As for speculation he signed with Dallas' division rival to get back at his former team, Finley said he would have joined the Spurs if they were in the Eastern Conference.

"What stood out," he said, "was this team has done it before. They know what it takes. A lot of the other situations, there were a lot of unknowns.

"Here, I knew what I was getting into from a team standpoint, from a coaching standpoint."

Popovich, who told Finley he would have to accept a role off the bench and fewer minutes, was happy to land the former All-Star because he signed for "all the right reasons" — not the least of which was the chance to play with Duncan.

"Timmy's proven through three championships he makes everybody better," Popovich said. "It doesn't matter where they played in college, what country they come from, how big they are, how skilled they are. He has an ability to let people get comfortable in their roles and welcome them in."

Finley also has been well received by his one-time tormentor. In a game against Dallas late in the 2003-04 season, Finley and Bruce Bowen traded a couple of well-placed forearm shoves. Finley was ejected; Bowen received a $2,000 fine.

Afterward, Finley called Bowen a coward. Nelson accused him of being dirty.

Finley said he and Bowen recently dined together. Any feud, he said, is "behind us."

"I'm a competitor, and he's a competitor," Bowen said. "But the competition is only on the court. I respect him a great deal.

"I think I would be doing a disservice to the organization if I held grudges against guys."

Finley now finds himself backing up Bowen and Manu Ginobili. Having led the NBA in minutes played in three seasons, he says his new job will be a "big adjustment." But he also thinks the Spurs will make the transition as smooth as possible.

While Finley's scoring average has dropped six consecutive seasons, he played much of last season with a right-ankle injury that required surgery in the summer. Long regarded as a better shooter than slasher, he apparently hasn't lost his stroke. Last season, he made a career-best 40.7 percent of his 3-pointers — a percentage that could improve given the amount of open shots he should receive playing with Duncan.

"Without me here in San Antonio, they're still a great team," Finley said. "With me, hopefully they'll be a better team."

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A percentage of the three-year, $8.4 million contract (the third season is at his option) he signed with the Spurs is subtracted from what Dallas owes him.

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There you go -- finally the answer to "How long is Finley's contract?"

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

There you go -- finally the answer to "How long is Finley's contract?"

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Too late. Holt Cat has already been declared a bad guy and irrevocable damage has been dealt for a reporter's hearsay or conjecture.

It's a good thing some people don't call themselves Spursfans any more. :fro

Well, then letting Devin go doesn't seem so bad now. I'm glad it isn't a one year deal.

Nice article. Glad Fin is being recieved so well. We won't be having any clash of egos or locker room bickering. :)

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

There you go -- finally the answer to "How long is Finley's contract?"

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Wow. I guess losing Devin wasn't that big of a blow after all.

No doubt, this comment will endear him to the Mavs fans,

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Perched in the stands was his longtime coach with the Dallas Mavericks, Don Nelson.

"I thought he was scouting us or something," Finley said. "I guess everybody is trying to get out of Dodge now, huh?"

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Finley also has been well received by his one-time tormentor. In a game against Dallas late in the 2003-04 season, Finley and Bruce Bowen traded a couple of well-placed forearm shoves. Finley was ejected; Bowen received a $2,000 fine.

Afterward, Finley called Bowen a coward. Nelson accused him of being dirty.

Finley said he and Bowen recently dined together. Any feud, he said, is "behind us."

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he:D he:D

I wish there were some pictures of these two while @ camp.

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

There you go -- finally the answer to "How long is Finley's contract?"

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3 Years, pretty good. :)

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

There you go -- finally the answer to "How long is Finley's contract?"

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Yeah noticed that. It's a li ttle refreshing to see we're gonna have him for at least the next two years

Mb Needs To Tell Holt He Is Sorry

So what the hell was Don NElson doing there?

Catching up with Pop?

Question.

Probably doesn't want or is not allowed to meddle with Mav camp. Hanging out with Pop guarantees you the best meal available.

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Originally Posted by ChumpDumper

Probably doesn't want or is not allowed to meddle with Mav camp. Hanging out with Pop guarantees you the best meal available.

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and the best wine... http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/imag...es/smispin.gif

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A percentage of the three-year, $8.4 million contract (the third season is at his option) he signed with the Spurs is subtracted from what Dallas owes him

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If only Holt Cat wasn't such a cheap fuck, we could have Devin Brown and his bad back for three years. Instead we're stuck with Finley for a one year run for a ring. Thanks for nothing Holt Cat.

When Nesterovic is finally traded for the rotting corpse of Tariq Abdul-Wahad's career and Mohammed is allowed to walk, then we'll see how many fans of Holt Cat's purse there are...

Good to see the Spurs didn't totally fuck up.

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Originally Posted by Ghost Writer

So what the hell was Don NElson doing there?

Catching up with Pop?

Question.

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Probably to piss off Cuban. Perhaps when PJ finally gets a job elsewhere Nellie will take his spot as 'senior adviser', if you will.

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

Probably to piss off Cuban. Perhaps when PJ finally gets a job elsewhere Nellie will take his spot as 'senior adviser', if you will.

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I thought the term was "consigliere"

Sure, if you don't speak American.

Nelson on bench == Title Death

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Originally Posted by Ghost Writer

So what the hell was Don NElson doing there?

Catching up with Pop?

Question.

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Supposedly he was there just to hang out with Pop and check out how the Spurs run camp. There was a report that he's going to Nuggets camp in a couple days to hang out with George Karl too.

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Originally Posted by ShoogarBear

Nelson on bench == Title Death

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Only if Pop actually takes his advice...

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Originally Posted by FromWayDowntown

I thought the term was "consigliere"

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http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Mptv/1388/5746_0088.jpg

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A percentage of the three-year, $8.4 million contract (the third season is at his option) he signed with the Spurs is subtracted from what Dallas owes him.

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Does anyone knowt he percentage?

Three years?!?!?!?

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :elephant :elephant :elephant

I love Finley!!

Wow!!!!! We have Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, Horry, and Finley for the next three years pending Finley excercises his option. This is an excellent chance for the Spurs to do something really special. Possible three-peat. Go Spurs Go.

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Originally Posted by Aggie Hoopsfan

If only Holt Cat wasn't such a cheap fuck, we could have Devin Brown and his bad back for three years. Instead we're stuck with Finley for a one year run for a ring. Thanks for nothing Holt Cat.

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:lol

Why doesn't Bryant just relax cuz the Spurs Office know what they're doing...

Maybe this will teach him a lesson to not second guess the Spurs...

The season hasn't even begun. Everyone and their dog reported that Finley signed a 1 year deal.

Be a lamb if you so desire. Some of us actually like to engage in critical thought.

crit·i·cal ( P ) Pronunciation Key (krt-kl)
adj.
Inclined to judge too severely and find fault.
Characterized by careful, exact evaluation and judgment: a critical reading.
Of, relating to, or characteristic of critics or criticism: critical acclaim; a critical analysis of Melville's writings.
Forming or having the nature of a turning point; crucial or decisive: a critical point in the campaign.

Of or relating to a medical crisis: an illness at the critical stage.
Being or relating to a grave physical condition especially of a patient.
Indispensable; essential: a critical element of the plan; a second income that is critical to the family's well-being.
Being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency: a critical shortage of food.
Fraught with danger or risk; perilous.

Guess we need to guess what definition of critical you are using there Marcus. :lol Honestly, I think we should be happy with this news. But instead we are at each other's throats. While most reports stated this was a 1-year deal, no one really gave the dollar amounts. So I don't think anybody really knew. If Ludden had reported a 1-year deal in this article would you be inclined to believe it Marcus? I think so. I have a hard time believing that Ludden would just completely make up that concract, maybe I'm wrong, but I would have to think he had a good reason for giving those years for that dollar amount. We have Finley for 2 years. We have his early Bird rights. Good times IMO.

coopdogg3