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Great to see Finley stepping up.
With one ring and two big shots, Finley's back
Buck Harvey
Manu Ginobili won't be trying to block Dirk Nowitzki at the rim this time, and Avery Johnson won't be frowning on the sidelines.
Tim Duncan's plantar fasciitis has been replaced by sore knees that, going by overtime Wednesday, didn't look sore. And, since 2006, the Mavericks have added Jason Kidd and the Spurs another set of rings.
“A lot has changed,” Michael Finley said.
But for those Spurs who played against the Mavericks then, the memories haven't changed. That playoff loss stung as last year's to the Lakers didn't. It was too close and too personal, with far too much Mark Cuban.
No one felt that more than Finley, and now he gets another chance.
Because of what he did this past week.
That Finley is still doing such things might surprise some billionaires. The Mavericks waived him in the summer of 2005 partly because they sought luxury-tax savings, and partly because they thought his career was winding down.
Besides, they had another veteran shooter, Jerry Stackhouse.
But Stackhouse is the one who has gotten creaky. Finley won a le in 2007 while still on Cuban's payroll (in fact, according to the contract details, Cuban is still paying him). And Finley lost considerable weight, coming back this season looking as fit as he ever had.
He's not close to being the scorer he once was in Dallas, but on a given night he's provided the Spurs with some punch. After going scoreless against Golden State in the previous game, for example, he followed with 17 points against the Hornets.
He averaged more minutes this season than any in San Antonio, and here's an oddity for a franchise with its share of injuries: This past-his-prime player has averaged over 80 games in his four years here, and he led the Spurs in starts this past season.
He missed only one game this season, when Gregg Popovich held out his core against Denver. He's been a model of professionalism throughout, a reason he has been one of Popovich's favorites, and lately he's been something else.
First, against Sacramento, with the refs missing an expiring shotclock, Finley threw in a last-second 3-pointer for the win.
Then, Wednesday against New Orleans, with the Spurs down by three points, Finley sent the game to overtime with another last-second 3-pointer.
“Everything fell into place,” Finley said of the play. “We got the screen we needed, the pass worked.”
Had he missed, the Spurs would have been on the road this weekend. Instead, for Game 3, he's going back to the place that went from love to hate in the time it took for Cuban to excite the mob.
Maybe someday, when they have time, Finley says he may ask Cuban what happened. He was treated as if he were a villain — as if he had betrayed Cuban and the Mavericks — when they were the ones who hadn't wanted him.
When he wasn't being booed in that series, Jason Terry was punching him where no man should be punched. When the Spurs lost Game 7, insiders say Popovich felt worse for Finley than anyone.
Now he's back, still useful, still making shots, still lining up against his old team.
A lot has changed, all right. Just not with Finley.
Great to see Finley stepping up.
Now we have 2 guys going into this postseason who specialize in last minute daggers: Finley AND Mason.
Finley makes that 3 to tie the game and Posey gets on SportsCenter for his meaningless layup....
Ftm
Winning wall.
Sweet winning wall. It's about time Finley got one.
Finley is obviously not the player he was but he's still a solid role player. I know it would mean a lot to him if he played well and the Spurs beat the Mavs this time around.
Manu is cracking me up in that picture
Haha @ Manu on the Winning wall. Awesome look on his face lol.
But I thought he was worthless and washed up?
God bless that Spurstalk is neither the coach nor the front office.
Amen. People rag on him (deservedly or undeservedly), but I love me some Findog. Consummate professional who just shuts up and plays. Respected him as a mav, LOVE him as a Spur. Here's hoping he gets a chance to stick it to his old team!
BEAT THE OUTTA dallas!
LOL AT POPS face on that pic, never smiles just says okay we tied it time to go on.... He is a real dude, Pop is that dude twice!
i dont care if we lose in the 2nd round, as long we beat these s
Michael Finley with a chip on his shoulder could be a bonus for us this weekend.
I feel the same way. I'd love to see the Spurs get revenge on the Mavs for2006. It would be icing if Finley could play well against them again.
After tony parker sliced his way into the lane for a beautiful layup in overtime I love the response form the bench, in particular from George Hill. He was the first out on the floor to chest bump tony at half court.
Good to see the rookie getting excited for the playoffs even if he wont be a major contributor.
Back on topic: love finley. We need him to play well to have a shot in the playoffs.
He looks like he's at a memorial service.
Seeing Manu in the photo is like the cherry on top of a spurs game winning sundae!
This more than makes up for the Boston game. Good way to head into the playoffs with momentum and in high spirits. Some people should realize by now why Pop keeps Finley around, that's twice in a row he's delivered when it counted most. Same with Udoka coming thru just when he's needed most. The guys could easily have given up and ceded the win to the Hornets but the compe ive spark pushed them on to the win. They're going to need the same spirit in the playoffs but it showed they had the heart and the guts to rise to the occasion. So now the real test begins. Win or lose guys, make us proud.
Well, you can say the Spurs did......by winning their 4th championship the next year.....and the team with the best record in the league a la Dallas Mavericks didn't even make it to the second round. Watching Michael Finley hug his teammates with joy & tears in his eyes after winning this championship was sweet!
Dude Pop's face... it seems the Hornies celebrated early.... god I have to confess that i was following the boxscore on a friend's blackberry on a bar and witht he 7.5 seconds left i told him to keep it as we'd lose the game... if Fin gets some of his old self back... I like our chances... a whole lot...
It's a good thing Finley doesn't have a bloated ego. That's the reason he fitted so well in the Spurs.
Thanks, Findog...
If he's gonna suddenly get hot, it's great he chose this time of year to get hot. Can't ask for anything more.
Finley got his ring in 07 but it's payback time for 06
FTM
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