Monroe: Finley now Spurs' reluctant elder

[duncan228]

Finley now Spurs' reluctant elder
Mike Monroe

There is a bond among NBA players selected in each draft class, especially among first-round picks.

Many compete against one another in college games, sometimes in the NCAA tournament. They meet at the league's pre-draft camp in Chicago. They attend rookie orientation classes before their initial seasons. They follow one another's careers.

As the seasons pass, the bonds grow stronger among those who last.

It has gotten easier for Spurs swingman Michael Finley to follow the remaining members of the Class of 1995, in which he was the 21st selection by the Phoenix Suns. Of the 29 players selected in the first round, only seven remain. Of those, two are Finley's teammates, Antonio McDyess (No. 2 overall) and Theo Ratliff (No. 18).

Finley easily ticks off the rest: “There's ‘Dice' and Theo, KG (Kevin Garnett, No. 5) and 'Sheed (Rasheed Wallace, No. 4), Kurt Thomas (No. 11), Joe Smith (No. 1) ... and has anybody picked up ‘Stack?'”

In fact, Jerry Stackhouse, the No. 3 overall pick in 1995, continues to await a free-agent offer.

Technically speaking, Brent Barry (No. 15 overall), remains on the Rockets' roster, but he has not reported to training camp and appears headed for a contract buyout and retirement. The rest of the class is out of the league.

At age 36, and 26 days older than Ratliff, Finley has become the oldest player on a Spurs roster that became so much younger, on average, over the summer that coach Gregg Popovich hasn't once referred to this team as being older than dirt.

Just don't call Finley the Spurs' elder statesman. He rejects the designation, a euphemism for over-the-hill-but-still under contract.

Elder statesmen are more valuable for advice offered to players who were still in grade school in 1995 than for on-court contribution.

“I don't think I'm at that point in my career,” Finley said. “I think I can give that, as well as contribute on the court. So I'm just trying to do whatever I can to make the team better. If it means being a little more vocal to some of the young guys, I'm going to do that.”

He receives no argument from Popovich, who contends Finley's worth to the Spurs hasn't diminished.

“He is just as valuable as ever,” Popovich said. “There's no maybe about it. He's very valuable to us. He's a wonderful player; conscientious at both ends of the court. He shoots the basketball and is a great leader for us, on and off the court.”

Finley showed up for last season's training camp 15 pounds lighter than when he finished the 2007-08 campaign. If anything, he was even leaner when camp opened this year.

“He seems ageless to me,” Popovich said. “He hasn't lost even a half a step. He's the same as he's been the last four or five years, but there's a method to that. He comes early. He stays late. He watches what he eats. He's very, very strict with himself.”

Finley's role this season is one that Popovich is still trying to determine in the final 10 days before the regular-season opener on Oct. 28. With Richard Jefferson likely to take the starting small forward spot that Finley filled in 77 games last season, the veteran figures to be a key reserve, available at both perimeter scoring spots.

“I don't know what role I'll have yet,” Finley said. “I'm just going to continue to do what I've been doing since I've been on this team. But I don't even think the coaching staff knows what the rotations are going to be. That's what the preseason is for — to figure those things out. Hopefully, within the first month, we'll have a better understanding of our roles.”

Jefferson was a 15-year-old high school sop re in Phoenix when Finley joined the Suns as a rookie. Then, he saw Finley's game as one worth emulating.

Now, plugged into Finley's spot in the Spurs' starting lineup, he has tried to learn how to play it by watching Finley, both in practices and in preseason games like Friday's victory over the Cavaliers. Finley started that game opposite Cleveland's LeBron James.

“Being able to watch him and pick up on the things he does, and the way he finds shots and the way he knows the offense, has helped immensely,” Jefferson said. “We play a very similar position, though he's more of a (big guard), and I'm more of a (small forward). Still, to see how he finds things, the reads that he makes, as long as I pay attention to all that, it helps my learning curve.”

[Blackjack]

“He is just as valuable as ever,” Popovich said. “There's no maybe about it. He's very valuable to us. He's a wonderful player; conscientious at both ends of the court. He shoots the basketball and is a great leader for us, on and off the court.”

Finley showed up for last season's training camp 15 pounds lighter than when he finished the 2007-08 campaign. If anything, he was even leaner when camp opened this year.

“He seems ageless to me,” Popovich said. “He hasn't lost even a half a step. He's the same as he's been the last four or five years, but there's a method to that. He comes early. He stays late. He watches what he eats. He's very, very strict with himself.”

Let the baby seal-beating, ledge-jumping and, overall, over-reacting commence.

[urunobili]

Finley FTW!

[MaNu4Tres]

Finley won't get as much time. That only happened due to the pathetic talent our team had once Manu was injured. He will be great in a limited spot up shooting role this year.

[VivaPopovich]

I want a guarantee that Bonner won't be the starting PF/C on a team with Mcdyess, Blair, Ratliff.

[Spurs Brazil]

I'm fine with Finley playing 10-15 minutes. Anything more is too much

[boutons_deux]

Methinks Pop doth defend too much.

He must know there is widespread, serious doubt that Michael contributes anything, and contributes nothing when he's not scoring.

[Samr]

A vet like that is a valuable asset, in small doses. I think everyone here wants to trade finley not because he sucks, but because they're afraid if he's still on the roster Pop is going to use him at the expense of other guys. I don't think that's going to happen unless there's injury issues.

[Steve-O-Matic]

You half to have a half-step to lose a half-step. Finley lost what was left of his steps years ago.

[Manufan909]

Let the baby seal-beating, ledge-jumping and, overall, over-reacting commence.

God, I hope Pop doesn't believe that drivel. Does he actually pay attention when Fin attempts to play D? It is just ing sad, like a re trying his hand at long division.

[wildbill2u]

Pop believes Finley hasn't lost a step because of his work ethic and physical fitness regiment. What happened to Bowen who also had a great work ethic and physical fitness regimen?

[exstatic]

Pop believes Finley hasn't lost a step because of his work ethic and physical fitness regiment. What happened to Bowen who also had a great work ethic and physical fitness regimen?

Two more years, that's what happened. Bowen's 38. You can only play so long, no matter what your ethic. If it were just a matter of hard work, Jordan would still be playing.

[Fabbs]

Two more years, that's what happened. Bowen's 38. You can only play so long, no matter what your ethic. If it were just a matter of hard work, Jordan would still be playing.

Like Finley since 2007?
Unreal how you PopaFinley supporters keep spinning this.

[Fabbs]

boutons_deux
Steve-O-Matic
Manufan909
wildbill2u
nicely done.

[Spursfan 87]

Finley still a valuale player for this team. He's still the best shooter in the team, and plays decent D for his age, but he cant play 30 mpg, 10-15 min is just right.

[portnoy1]

Mason Jr. / Malik Hairston / Marcus williams is what finley has to fight thru to get minutes. If Malik Hairston can hit a open 3's I wanna see him start and have a trade for a 7 footer immediately involving Finley/Mason jr./Bonner.

[HarlemHeat37]

Finley doesn't have to "fight" against those guys, other than Mason..Hairston has to actually make the team, and Finley is simply a better player than Williams, even at this age..

If Hairston continues to improve and makes the team, and Bogans can show some consistency, I would expect Pop to heavily reduce Finley's minutes, even though that seems unlikely given their intimate relationship..

[bigdog]

Mason Jr. / Malik Hairston / Marcus williams is what finley has to fight thru to get minutes. If Malik Hairston can hit a open 3's I wanna see him start and have a trade for a 7 footer immediately involving Finley/Mason jr./Bonner.

I don't see why Finley would have to fight through Williams or even Hairston to get minutes. Finley at 40 would be better than Williams, and Hairston still has to develop a consistent jumper.

[MaNu4Tres]

Pop believes Finley hasn't lost a step because of his work ethic and physical fitness regiment. What happened to Bowen who also had a great work ethic and physical fitness regimen?

Spurs needed offense last year with Manu out. That is why Finley played more than Bowen. If Manu had been healthy all year it would have been different.

[beachwood]

I've always like Finley and never quite understood why he takes so much crap from Spurs fans. He's a smart player who has had some big moments for this team. I think he'll get about 15-20 min a game.

[Fabbs]

I've always like Finley and never quite understood why he takes so much crap from Spurs fans. He's a smart player who has had some big moments for this team. I think he'll get about 15-20 min a game.

Same exact thing said every preseason since Finley has been here.
1-4 on les so far and 25-45 minutes in many a playoff game (mostly losses at that, two series to Dallas).

What don't you understand?

[bless1187]

i actually like M. Finley, but just not in the starting role. I always said that in last years playoff, M. Finley was our 3rd best performer other than Tony and Timmy. I'm probably one of the few that believes that there isn't really that much difference between R. Mason Jr and M. Finley; they are both good outside shooter, they are both not the best defender since both of them don't really have the quickness to keep up with the leagues better SG or SF, but at least M. Finley has got more size and strength than R. Mason Jr.

[loveforthegame]

Finley still has value to this team off the bench. He's a team player and represents what the Spurs look for on and off the court.

I'd be surprised if Finley plays more than 10 minutes a game if everyone is healthy. The only time I see him logging more than that is foul trouble for Jefferson or a b2b night of rest for Ginobli.

Jefferson, Ginobli, and Mason will eat most the 2/3 minutes. The only compe ion for Finley right now is Bogans and it's not like he's proved better yet. Even if Hairston or Williams makes the team they have a ways to go before beating out Finley.

[Kori Ellis]

1-4 on les so far and 25-45 minutes in many a playoff game (mostly losses at that, two series to Dallas).

What don't you understand?

I'm not sure what "1-4 on les so far" means, but Michael Finley has never played 45 minutes in "many a playoff game" for the Spurs.

And who did you want the Spurs to play on the wing last year against Dallas? Manu was hurt and Finley was >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mason in the postseason last year.... both offensively and defensively.

[Fabbs]

I'm not sure what "1-4 on les so far" means, but Michael Finley has never played 45 minutes in "many a playoff game" for the Spurs.

And who did you want the Spurs to play on the wing last year against Dallas? Manu was hurt and Finley was >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mason in the postseason last year.... both offensively and defensively.

1 le in 4 years. All with the idea that Finley was brought in 2006 just to be an off the bench spark and get a le. Props Fin for 2007, now step aside gracefully for better players.

since my quote was 25-45 in "many a playoff game"....Finley has 25-45 many a reg and playoff game, much to the Spurs downfall.

We chronicled last year how well Mason was doing until Popped jacked with him at point guard while removing GHill from point guard (44-22 record with Hill at that). Bowen outdid Finley at the small wing both defensively (duh) and offensively vs Dallas in last years playoffs.