McDonald: Fin expected to return

[mattyc]

I don't think Fin coming back is the end of the world. I quite like him as a person and I think he is a valuable locker room guy to have. However, I desperately want to see guys like Hill, Jefferson, Mason and whoever else we sign to see the predominant bunch of minutes in the 2 and 3 spots, with Fin only seeing spot minutes.

[buttsR4rebounding]

All the haters!! I don't want Fin back as a starter--just like Bonner--but he would be an excellent back up at a relatively inexpensive price. It looks like we will already have 2 new starters and 5 or 6 new guys on the team. That is a bunch of turnover. Much better that he stay in a limited role.

[Spurs Brazil]

It's hilarious that this thread is playing out like last year's thread about Finley re-signing. So many Spurs fans were convinced that Finley would be used as a deep reserve and that Pop had learned his lesson in playing him too much. What happened? Finley played more than ever.

If Pop can bench a Spurs legend who had been named to the All-Defensive team for the last eight years or whatever it was to make room for Finley, he'll find a way once again. If you could guarantee that Finley would take a Steve Smith 2003 role, I'd be fine with him coming back. But if he's part of the rotation at all this coming season, I don't think the team wins a championship. Finley is just too horrible at defense, too soft and too much of a volume shooter who gets cold at the absolute wrong times.

I’m one of those who said last offseason that I’d be happy to see Finley in the S.Smith role but after last season I know Pop won’t do that. So I hope the Spurs trade Finley.
My big concern is if they decided to not use the entire MLE because Finley is back. I know Pop already say they want to use but you never know.
Sign a player to the full MLE now will be like a $11.6 million deal for 1 year because of the tax.

[Cloud786]

Question: If Finley does exercise his option, how long do we have to wait to be able to trade him along with, say, a Matt Bonner? Or can we trade him right away?

[holcs50]

Pretty sure once he exercises he can be put in a trade...I don't know of any like clearing period.

[Obstructed_View]

Why everybody hates on Finley? He's a proven vet, who's 24/7 better than Gist, Hairston or the Spurstalk fan favourite Sanikidze. He can give us solid 10-15 mins off the bench + he's clutch. Can be argued, whether 2,5 MIL is too much for his services, but I don't believe we could get someone better for this money, though I'd welcome Anthony Parker for example.

I don't dislike alcohol, but I have an uncle that I'd like to keep alcohol away from so that my uncle doesn't start alcohol and give it extended minutes against the best scorer on the other team and refuse to have any faith in or develop the younger beverages, which is why I'd rather alcohol be in another city or retire.

Okay, my analogy sort of broke down, but you know where I'm going.

[benefactor]

...and here we go again.


"What the are you doing? Get those warmups off and get back in the game."

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Fin played some small ball in 2007 against the Nuggets.

Yeah that worked out horribly.

While I agree Finley playing small forward is bad, again, the ing about it should be directed at the coach, not the player.

There's a big difference between the Denver front line in 2007 and having to go against Bynum/Gasol.

Even a carny should be able to figure that out.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I honestly don't understand it either. I think Finely's done fine in his time here. Its not his fault Pop plays him too much. I don't understand the hate directed at him at all. Direct it at the man who plays him far too much.

Pop is stubborn. We all know this. The only way for Finley not to get minutes at the end of games is for him not to be a part of this squad.

[SenorSpur]

Pop is stubborn. We all know this. The only way for Finley not to get minutes at the end of games is for him not to be a part of this squad.

One roster spot wasted. Any thoughts of a possible Bowen comeback are pretty much dead now. This also signals bad news for either Hairston or Williams - or perhaps even both.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

James Gist.
McClinton

McClinton who RC has already said he's gonna play in the backcourt at times with George Hill.

Therein lies part of the rub.

Fin will get minutes that should be going to guys like Gist. But we all know what will happen - Gist will make a bad pass/miss a rotation, and he'll be on the bench the rest of the year while Finley gets 28 MPG.

We don't need his veteran leadership on the court or the locker room. If we still need any leadership after Tim, Tony, and Manu, this team has bigger issues.

[kobyz]

Mason is most worst than Finley, Finley need to stay just to make that Mason will not get a lot of minutes.

[DPG21920]

One roster spot wasted. Any thoughts of a possible Bowen comeback are pretty much dead now. This also signals bad news for either Hairston or Williams - or perhaps even both.

So did he pick up his option?

[DynastyBuilder]

therein lies part of the rub.

Fin will get minutes that should be going to guys like gist. But we all know what will happen - gist will make a bad pass/miss a rotation, and he'll be on the bench the rest of the year while finley gets 28 mpg.

We don't need his veteran leadership on the court or the locker room. If we still need any leadership after tim, tony, and manu, this team has bigger issues.

+1

[spursbird]

Mason is most worst than Finley, Finley need to stay just to make that Mason will not get a lot of minutes.

Mason has a big heart at clutch time. He can dribble well. What about Finley? What else can he do besides shooting 3 pts?

[SenorSpur]

Mason has a big heart at clutch time. He can dribble well. What about Finley? What else can he do besides shooting 3 pts?

...and he's not always consistent doing that either.

[TimDunkem]

...and he's not always consistent doing that either.

Who else on the Spurs can play 30 minutes a game without registering a single stat?

[Olajuwon]

I don't dislike alcohol, but I have an uncle that I'd like to keep alcohol away from so that my uncle doesn't start alcohol and give it extended minutes against the best scorer on the other team and refuse to have any faith in or develop the younger beverages, which is why I'd rather alcohol be in another city or retire.

Okay, my analogy sort of broke down, but you know where I'm going.

I get your point - fair enough, but Gist, Hairston, Mahinmi are not the fellas who'll be the core of the Spurs in the next 5-10 years either. I have more faith in Blair and Hill and I'd play them over Finley. But atm it's rather obvious that there aren't much sweeter apples on the table...
If Finley can retain his %-s from last year, he'll be a 10-15 min sub.

[urunobili]

If Finley is kept ala S.Smith role in 2003 I'd be happy with him staying.. someone has to be on the younglins ass as it happened in 2003... I think Mason will be the one traded if McClinton proves he can shoot as he does... Otherwise... this means he is cool being trade fodder... I don't see Pop giving him more than spot minutes...

[hater]

man ppl are assholes around here. so he wants to finish his career a Spur. blame pop if he gets too many minutes.

[tp2021]

It seems like he would be fully aware at the possibility of being traded once he picks up the option. Maybe the FO talked to him about it. If he agrees to be traded to help the team get better, ST might owe Fin a bit of an apology.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

man ppl are assholes around here. so he wants to finish his career a Spur. blame pop if he gets too many minutes.

People know it's on Pop, you're missing the point - Pop will screw up if the opportunity presents itself (i.e., Fin is on the roster). So our only hope is for the opportunity to remove itself (Fin to leave).

[rascal]

finley will be possibly traded!

my friends mom does eva longoria's hair and supposedly she told one of her friends that the spurs were going to trade finley if he picks up his option i dont know for who or what and my friend never bull s so maybe give some positive in this

If you are lying it is a good lie.

[BacktoBasics]

Just because he opted in doesn't mean he'll play. As far as I'm concerned this contract is a good bargaining chip if they're trying to put a package together with no long term ramifications. I'd rather have an expiring 2 or so mil contract over nothing. Its a manageable trade asset at best and trusted vet at worst.

[ElNono]

Just because he opted in doesn't mean he'll play. As far as I'm concerned this contract is a good bargaining chip if they're trying to put a package together with no long term ramifications. I'd rather have an expiring 2 or so mil contract over nothing. Its a manageable trade asset at best and trusted vet at worst.

You mean a 30 mpg vet at worst.