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I hope the next article is
"is this bon voyage for bonner?"
Is this fin for Finley?
By Jeff McDonald
About 75 minutes before tipoff Monday night, we were gathered in a hallway outside Gregg Popovich's office at the AT&T Center, convened for the coach's pre-game media session. Not long after the Qs and As started flying, we saw a familiar face approaching from the other end of the hall.
Familiar, but bearded. It was Michael Finley, a player none of us in the Fourth Estate had seen since he limped off the floor at the AT&T Center on Dec. 5. Finley grinned as he passed through the media horde on his way to the training room, covering his face in a futile attempt to scoot by incognito.
Oh yeah. That guy.
Out of sight, out of mind. That has been Finley's fate for the two weeks he's been recovering from a left ankle sprain. He hasn't yet begun to participate in basketball activities, meaning it could be another two weeks before he returns.
Of course, that begs the question -- returns to what? At the time of his injury, Finley was receiving steady minutes off the bench at the 2/3. In the time since, the Spurs have moved on without him. Roger Mason Jr., who briefly lost his own spot in the rotation when he strained his groin in late November, has assumed the bulk of Finley's minutes and is playing well.
Popovich's rotation has begun to take shape, and Finley isn't in it. It's hard to envision how he fits into the mix once he comes back.
Finley has always been a professional and a Popovich favorite, and there's the persistent chance of another injury somewhere else on the wing. Certainly, events could conspire to return Finley to the rotation at some point.
But there's also a chance he finishes the season as Bruce Bowen did last year -- at the end of the bench, devoid of a defined role, more valued for his ability to mentor younger players than to play alongside them.
There is a very real chance that, as far as being a consistent on-court contributor, this could be fin for Fin.
I hope the next article is
"is this bon voyage for bonner?"
He was hitting more thn 40% from the arc before his injury. You can never have enough 3-point shooters the way the Spurs have structured their offense.
Seriously, this seems like a bit of a knee-jerk reaction.
The Spurs have been surprisingly close-lipped about Finley's injury, but it's obvious he wouldn't be playing now one way or the other due to the ankle injury. Frankly, I'll believe Pop relinquishing Finley's minutes when I see it, but let's at least wait until the guy can get on the court before we start judging his role.
Personally, I'll be happy if he can come back and be a situational shooter and veteran leader, good for maybe 5-10 mpg through the season. Unfortunately, Fin has never been great within this role, but giving him the minutes he seems to require means taking them from other promising players like Ginobili, Jefferson, Mason, and (only in Pop's world) Blair.
This thread is on the verge of some serious premature ejaculation..
when your that open, you better make them. why not give those shots to gino, mason, and even hill. antonio can scoot up and knock down those mid rangers instead.
Bonner's presence on the other side of the court is barely relevant. Whats the use of having him hit all those 3's when the guy he is guarding has the same kind of night.
finley will get 15 minutes a game during the playoffs. book it.
I'm not sure Finley will get his role back automatically but to think he's finished is premature. The way some guys have struggled (RJ, RMJ, Ginobli, and even Bogans) or injuries will surely open the door for Finley to get some minutes back.
It's clear that RMJ has finally found his groove. I would hate to see his minutes sacrificed in favor of the FinDog. Yet and still, I really can't see Pop totally banishing Finley or even giving him a few DNP's, the way he did Bowen last year. However, I wouldn't be opposed to it. In fact, I hope it happens because Finley has not been missed.
Mason may have taken his shooting guard minutes, but don't worry, Pop will find some time for Finley at power forward.
You mean center; Tim's a power forward..
Steve Kerr proved this here in SA. That was awesome what he did.
I am not saying that I expect that of Finley, but he is still serviceable if you ask me.
With Bonner out, Finley's value to Pop will likel go through the roof even more.
The comparison to Bowen's situation is actually very accurate. When you look at the decrease in Bowen's role and minutes from 07-08 to 08-09 it is almost identical to the decrease in role and minutes for Finley from 08-09 to 09-10.
While I doubt we see him relegated to a suit behind the bench, it will be difficult for him to even regain the already diminished role he had before the injury.
Look at where Finley previously got his minutes:
Starting SF: lost role to RJ
Starting SG: lost role to Bogans
Small ball 4: lost role to RJ
Backup SF: losing minutes to Manu
Backup SG: losing minutes to Mason and Hill.
His best chance for minutes when he returns will be an injury to one of the players in the current 2/3 rotation or if Mason stops making shots.
Kinda ironic how just not very long ago, most people including myself were wanting to kick Finley and Bonner to the curb (ok mostly Bonner). Now they are both injured. Let's see how this works out.
nicely done.
Does this d-head know that Mason had Hamstring injury and not groin injury. I always wonder how they get paid for reporting such stuff.
Finley coming in as a 3-point specialist when the team needs a little shooting is an asset..Finley in any other role is a liability..if he's used properly, he's a good player for us..hopefully Pop will use him correctly from now on..
I figured it was "fin" when they announced that contest for the dinner with him. What better way to see a player like him out than to help his foundation out with the San Antonio support base?
I still think he can play and can be helpful, but I like what we've got going on now so I don't think he needs to pressure himself into getting back those minutes.
Kinda ironic how just not very long ago, most people including myself were wanting to kick Finley and Bonner to the curb (ok mostly Bonner). Now they are both injured. Let's see how this works out.
I have been thinking about that too! guilty of being a bonner bencher! still am glad hes on the bench. what i noticed is that were alot more solid with out those holes on defense. we instantly became consistent.hopefully its coincidence .
finley is the one that doesnt sit well with me, it seems like (going to sound stupid) hes putting in fake effort on D!!
seriously!! he runs at the shooter with a "well i gotta run at him with my hand up at least " or when hes picked off by a center he acts like hes really trying to get back on defense, but all hes doing is playing catch up the whole game!!!!
you guys notice this pretend defense dont you?im sorry but to me hes allowing too many points with out getting any in return, he doesnt drive he s afraid to take 3s and is very predictable
Last edited by lennyalderette; 12-23-2009 at 05:39 AM.
recently of course im not talking about fin when he first got here
Until Finley is off the Spurs payroll, I won't trust Pop with him. Fin will come off the bench after getting healthy and Pop's eyes will be all misty yet again.
Agree, if Pop put Finley in the Steve Kerr role I'm fine
Why Finley isn't with the team since the injury? We don't see him even behind the bench
This.
Manu while being injured has always been behind the bench with his teammates... I wonder if anything is wrong...
This...
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