Exaclty. It's not like Udoka and Mason are playing better defense than Finley and Pop continues to stick with Finley. And they're not even providing better offense than Finley either.
Why can't we blame him? He justified that point for us.
Exaclty. It's not like Udoka and Mason are playing better defense than Finley and Pop continues to stick with Finley. And they're not even providing better offense than Finley either.
Finley's excess minutes would be better used by Bowen, Hill or Mason. Yes, Mason was horrible tonight too but he's a better defender against small forward, better ballhandler, better passer and we at least know there is some unknown with Mason. With Finley, we know he's going to suck on defense, not be able to dribble or pass and most likely have a cold shooting game. Trying to wait out a hot shooting night from Finley isn't worth the crap in between.
The only player I'd rather see Finley on the court over is Udoka. But that's a whole 'nother thread![]()
Finley isn't even playing defense. He's either 15 feet in front of Howard or getting blown by. There's no defense being played.
I'm not saying Finley gets a pass. He's put into a difficult role too. He's given too many minutes and was called on to guard Lebron, Granger, Durant, and so on when we all know he can't.
I don't care what Mason did all season long. That reputation doesn't win you anything in the playoffs. He's playing scared and that's worse than anything Finley has done on the court. Or hasn't done.
Finley accentuates the basketball adage "live by the three, die by the three."
All he is good for is jumpshots. If he can't hit him he's taking away minutes from our more productive players. I don't understand why Pop was so in love with Finley giving him priority over developing other guys like Hill and Mason.
It probably has to do with Pop knowing we aren't the best offensively minded team, so Pop can say "well finley = instant OFFENSEE YEAHHHH" to make his coaching job.
This is exactly what I am trying to get at. Finley should not be our starting guard. He is at best a 15min role player that only shoots the ball off set plays. Why is he playing 30+min each and every night is beyond me and Einstein 's special theory of relativity.
+1...pop's man crush on his is ridiculous. fin and bonner must go...period
I agree with you. Finley would be perfect off the bench for 10-15 minutes. If he uses his player option it's my hope that will be his role. I assume he'd take Udoka's role in fact.
I just don't agree that you give Mason a pass even though Pop puts him in the bad position of backup pg while flaming Finley for Pop having him guard the other teams best player. They're both put in positions where they're not going to succeed.
They both play bad defense and if they're not hitting shots then they're not helping in other areas of the game.
I am just pissed because Pop continued to play Finley EVEN when he suckz0r to the maxz0r. Like tonight, when Mason sucked, Pop turned to Hill. When Finley sucks, he still chooses him over Bowen. , give Marcus Williams a shot over him man and he could probably produce more.
I wouldn't mind this as well. Finely can give production this way. However I can not trust Pop enough to do this when he has Finely on this team. We need get a restraining order on those two!![]()
Josh Howard is not the Mavs best player
The Spurs came into the series showing Howard no respect. Now, because Finley can't stay within three yards of his own shadow, the Spurs suddenly have to throw doubles at him.
Mason's difficult situation was because he's playing out of position and in a different role coming off the bench. Finley's only difficulty is Pop gives him too much of a chance. Since when is being given too much of an opportunity something to complain about?
I don't think Finley would work off the bench. Didn't Pop start finley and use the Manu bench excuse (not enough ball to go around) to coddle Finley because Finley couldn't work off the bench or wasn't comfortable?
Because he's old and needs to get warmed up or something....
or some sort of mental thing with him where he can't adjust??
I think Finley would be the same off the bench. 0-4 games, while giving up points on D... or worse...in fact because he'd not be around Timmy Tony or Manu he would be even more ineffective.
He just needs to not be a high priority in saving next year because he is old and we need better athletic to defensive 2's/3's to get minutes, not stand pat with Finley being on our bench.
Finley is a security blanket for Pop. I think we would have had Malik Hairston on our roster for instance..
I'm going to go out on a limb and say Finley is like a parasite or "tumor" if you will...he inhibits growth of potential emerging roleplayer 2's/3's on this team because they know they aren't going to get minutes with Finley healthy....his presence essentially sucks the life force out of their health and incentive to prove themselves...
you. it's not Finley's fault that he's aged. it happens to everyone. the problem is a coach who refuses to acknowledge the truth.
I'm not saying Finley should be back but with his player option I'd be surprised if he doesn't use it. I just happen to think he takes over Udoka's role. Might get some DNP's, might provide a spark, kill some time for whoever starts.
I happen to think he could work off the bench with the right players. A combination of Oberto, Thomas, Udoka, Mason, Vaughn will not work. He definitely needs someone who can penetrate/dish out. Someone like Ginobli or Hill. Or possibly someone they bring in over the summer.
I assume defense wouldn't be as big a problem because he should be fresh with limited minutes and not be expected to guard the best player.
Finley has been horrible off the bench during his Spurs career. That's part of the reason why Mason had to go to the bench because if you put Finley on the bench, there's no chance he'd have a good game.
We'll have to agree to disagree. I think he can do so in limited minutes and the right players around him.
Mason sucks off the bench too so what do you do?
I think what all is being said in this thread is irrelevant. Fact is our FO has added and stockpiled in unathletic one dimensional spot up shooters. And when one the 3 players you have that can create their own shot is out, and another one is limited this is what happens. Our talent has been exposed and it's not the players fault, it's the FO's fault. They had so many opportunities to improve the overall talent around our big three and have failed to do so.
Finley is a great guy. I'm very happy he won his ring. He was a great player.
But the run is over. It was already over last year but he still got a 2 year deal with a player option.
His defense on Howard is pathetic and his bad shots kill the offensive. Please Finley decline the option and retire
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