Overall, Finley has been playing well this season

[Bruno]

Did Michael say how many pounds his busy summer removed?

15lbs.

[td4mvp21]

Props to Finley. He frustrates me sometimes but he has played very well this season and I can tell he is trying to help the team as much as possible. Let's just hope Pop remembers he can't play power forward

[Bruno]

Finley has a no trade close for this year.
It's because the contract he re-signed with Spurs is one year long without option years (he has a player option for the 2009-2010 year).

Finley has to give his consent before being traded. Keep that in mind when you play the GM and do some fantasy trades...

[outmap]

There are still two things he can't do though, inbound well and dribble penetrate; But that would be asking too much. Just shoot well, defend and rebound consistently is enough for me.

[m33p0]

how many blocks has he come up with so far?

[superbigtime]

Fin has been playing with such gritty determination. He is playing with emotion and fire that's undeniable. It's good to see. Fin ain't done by a sight.

[Yorae]

I think he ate kangaroo meat....

[lefty]

I think he ate kangaroo meat....

They say ostrich meat has less fat, but you eat more of it

[raspsa]

Finley is out on a mission to prove he can make a difference for the Spurs and win another ring. His regimen during the offseason showed that he intended to improve his overall play, not just his scoring. Being primarily a perimeter player, he is naturally more prone to shooting slumps so he has doubled his efforts on defense and rebounding w/c has not gone unnoticed, specially by Pop. My suggestion for Finley is to try and mix up his offense a bit now that he is leaner and more mobile. Shoot more mid-range jumpers and even drive to the basket on occasion and get to the line if possible.. a dunk now and then would be awesome... I think he'll have a big role to play by season's send.

[Yorae]

They say ostrich meat has less fat, but you eat more of it

Dela Hoya should've eaten that instead then..

[MarHill]

Finley is out on a mission to prove he can make a difference for the Spurs and win another ring. His regimen during the offseason showed that he intended to improve his overall play, not just his scoring. Being primarily a perimeter player, he is naturally more prone to shooting slumps so he has doubled his efforts on defense and rebounding w/c has not gone unnoticed, specially by Pop. My suggestion for Finley is to try and mix up his offense a bit now that he is leaner and more mobile. Shoot more mid-range jumpers and even drive to the basket on occasion and get to the line if possible.. a dunk now and then would be awesome... I think he'll have a big role to play by season's send.

I agree!!

I would like for Fin to go to the basket and put more pressure on the defense.

I'm glad he's playing well and I believe his shooting will win the Spurs a game or two in the playoffs.

[Ditty]

yah the ay finley has been hitting his shots he looks like hes back in dallas

[bigfan]

Finley can get streaky at times but he plays hard, isnt afraid to take a shot and is a of a man in the locker room. I think its pretty clear the rest of the guys respect him. There have been plenty of games where he's saved our ass too.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

He had a so-so start, but lately he's been better than expected, ans has showed some consistency.

I think it has a lot to do with Hill and Mason becoming more comfortable (especially Maze) and providing additional scoring (not to mention that stretch where Bonner was on steroids)

With more offensive options on the team, Findog doesn't feel like he has to be the 4th option on the team, which takes pressure off his shoulders.
He is comfortable right now.

Nice post.

Cant believe Im saying this, but we did a good job picking Fin over Brent.

Me too.

Finley's season will come down to whether he's in one of his hot streaks or cold streaks when the playoffs arrive. Hopefully he's in a hot streak because his cold shooting affects the rest of his game in dramatic negative fashion.

But yeah, overall Finley is having a quality season. Getting in shape has made allowed him to no longer be a defensive liability every game and gives him enough quickness to get a few more easy buckets.

Exactly.

if he continues to improve and his stock goes up,

trade him

Oh Lord, what T Park said.

Yup, Finley has played his role pretty much as well as could be expected since about game 6 in the season.

I thought he was a poor choice for the 5th swingman to start the season but he has proven me wrong. Here's to you Mike. Keep it up!

[loveforthegame]

It's not his offense that I'm happy about though it's nice to see some consistency in that area thus far. He's not just parking in the corners or standing around waiting for the pass. He's mixed in a few drives though I'd like to see some more of that.

It's his dedication to defense and rebounding that has impressed me. Even on nights he's not shooting well his focus is on the other things where it wasn't the last couple years. His weight loss has clearly helped his mobility on both ends and his his detemination appears to be on a new level.

The question is whether he can do this in the playoffs. But no question he deserves some props for his performance so far.

[Yuixafun]

Fin has been playing with such gritty determination. He is playing with emotion and fire that's undeniable. It's good to see. Fin ain't done by a sight.

Yea this team needs that old dog with fight in him. Fin fits.

I had my reservations too about bringing him back this year, but he's been getting it done. Especially with the timely shots.

side note -

Remember last year on the final play of the Spurs season..

Vujacic drained a meaningless three at the buzzer for the Lakers for the of it.. after the game someone posted a picture or a clip.. And Finley was straight glaring at Sasha for a good minute with a look muted anger. I commented on it I'm sure. Maybe that gave him some added motivation for this year.

[Yorae]

I hope manu and findawg beat the crap out of vuja on their upcoming game.

[SequSpur]

Finley is bad ass.

[lefty]

Nice post.

Thanks

[Raoul Duke]

Fin deserves these minutes. He has shown commitment on the defensive end and consistency on the offensive end. This team would be hurting without Finley.

i completely agree. i too was a bit nervous thinking he would slump but he has been really consistent this year. he has had some really good bounce back games.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Thanks

You're welcome!

I decided not to mention the game where he took 4/5 shots in the 4th Q and we lost (who was that to?), but now I have. As long as he's the 3rd or 4th option on any play I'm happy. When he feels he has to create, things go wrong.

But yeah, big improvement in the D and boardwork.

BTW, Raoul, taking HST's moniker in vain is NOT cool. You'd better be one brilliant hombre to pull that handle off... try at least capitalising the start of your sentences - the man was a literary genius, y'know.

[urunobili]

Finley is bad ass.

[Timmy]

[outmap]

Good game by Fin again.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Let's see what he does when it matters.

Last year Fin played reasonably well during the first part of the season, then hit the 'old man winter perimeter player' wall when it mattered most down the stretch of the regular season and was nothing more than a turnstyle on the defensive end during the playoffs.