The whole season?
He's barely played. He's burn hurt about 80% of the season...
Oh happy day. I had a feeling this season would be garbage once I heard the news that Finley would be returning.
One could say that he was just doing what anyone would do, i.e. taking advantage of what was offered to him, but I disagree.
I recall when Doctor J (among others) retired, he could have gone on a few more years, but there is such a thing as retiring with dignity.
Typical bull post.
Again, who the are you to say the guy should retire. He should go out on his terms.
ing assholes.
Wow, didn't see that one coming at all.
Apparently, neither did Pop.
Echoing most of what has been said, Fin's always been class, and one of my favorite Spr memories was that photo of him dunking against the Mavs with Cuban watching him, mouth agape.
The Finley Years have come to an end. Perhaps sanity will return.
He was rarely good for us but he seemed to be a cohesive force behind the scenes and the vets all seemed to love him. He carried himself with dignity. Also, he made a ridiculous amount of money from Dallas so I think he can take any lumps he receives from fans on the internet.
Leaving like this can't leave a good taste in his mouth, but hey, that was his choice.
Rewatch his first two years in SA.
Without Finley they dont get past Denver.
I'll miss Fin
I'm actually kind of sad to see him go. He's always been such a great spur, it was Pop's actions that made most on here despise Finley.
Wish him the best.
bull
the big three would have got it down
we are talking abut denver
Good luck, Fin. You served the Spurs well for awhile, but your time has passed, for us anyway. Maybe you can get more playing time somewhere else.
awesome thanks finley u rock for doing this we will all remember u
thanks for the ring
good luck
with everything u do
Thanks Michael. Glad you got a ring.
According to FSN Southwest report, Portland and Boston (surprise surprise) are interested in Finley.
via twitter
ChrisMannixSI
The Spurs gracious treatment of Finley is further proof why Pop is the top coach/exec in the league. Could have kept Fin as insurance...
...but allowed him to finish his career as a contributor on a contending team. Classy.
The only thing I'll miss from this Fin is the standup citizen. As far as basketball is concerned, they can have him.
Ric "Racoon Head" Renner just said Portland and Boston were interested in Finley.
I should read a little before I post.
Spurs, veteran Finley part ways
Mike Monroe
NEW ORLEANS — Michael Finley’s decision to ask the Spurs to release him in time to be eligible for another team’s playoff roster was no spur-of-the-moment reaction to recent disappointment.
The 16-year veteran forward, waived by the Spurs on Monday afternoon, had discussed the request with teammates closest to him weeks before going to Spurs head coach and president of basketball operations Gregg Popovich before the team left Monday night’s game at New Orleans.
“He started talking about it about two weeks ago,” point guard Tony Parker said. “We had back-and-forth conversations about it after he told me. He wasn’t playing, and he wished he could be playing.”
When Finley finally presented his request to Popovich, the coach was caught unaware.
“I was very surprised,” Popovich said, “but we granted his request.”
Popovich stressed that the Spurs did not “cut” Finley. Rather, they reluctantly granted the request of a player Popovich often described as a consummate professional.
“We didn’t let him go,” Popovich said. “He requested a buyout so he could leave, and we granted that. That’s different from saying we let him go, or it could be to people that read the paper. I want to make sure that distinction is made.”
The Spurs have two weeks to add a player to the roster to reach the NBA’s mandated minimum of 13. General manager R.C. Buford said the team would see what other players might be released before Monday’s 11 p.m. deadline for players to remain eligible for playoff rosters.
Finley’s departure means only four players remain from the Spurs’ 2007 championship team: Parker, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Matt Bonner.
“Losing Fin is hard,” Ginobili said. “He was such an unbelievable teammate. The bad thing is it hard to finish like that. It wasn’t like it was the summer and he got a better option and went somewhere else. But halfway through (the season), and getting close to the playoffs, it’s not what we all expected.
“We know how this works. He wasn’t playing, and a player wants to play. He still thinks he can contribute, and we all understand that, so no problems.”
Duncan, the Spurs’ captain, called Finley one of his all-time favorite teammates.
“He’ll be missed, but trying to be a player and be on the court and get out there, he just wasn’t getting the time here. I wish him well, and I hope that he finds what he wants and everything works out great for him, because he’s the best. He’s awesome.”
Suffering a Grade 2 sprain of the left ankle on Dec. 3, Finley played only 25 games this season, his fifth with the Spurs. He totaled only 395 minutes, averaging 3.7 points.
Ironically, he started his final game in silver and black, but played only nine minutes and 41 seconds and missed his only two shots in a Friday loss at Houston.
The 6-foot-7 swingman, who will turn 37 on Saturday, appeared in 347 games over his five seasons with the Spurs. He averaged 9.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 41.7 percent — 38.2 from 3-point range.
In 55 postseason games with the Spurs, he averaged 9.4 points and 2.8 rebounds.
Ginobili recalled the joy the Spurs who had been part of the 2003 and 2005 le teams felt for Finley after he helped them secure the 2007 championship.
“That 2007 run was more for him than for us,” he said. “Of course, I will remember the kind of teammate he was, always under control and always having a good word to say.
“Great memories.”
That next to last sentence by Mannix is indicative as to how far the Spurs have fallen.
There is still time to release Bogans before midnite....
A contributor on a contending team, as opposed to being buried on the bench of one. Ye of little faith!
So Spurs chose to save some money instead of making some trade with his expiring contract, which is consistent with the Ratliff trade.
I think Spurs FO has lost the faith in winnning the championship.
?? the spurs were planning on keeping finley... until he requested a buyout..
this was not a plan by the FO
This is why I'm glad he's gone. Pop and his man-love for Finley was flat out depressing.
And Finley thinks he's going to get minutes on a contender? Talk about being completely out of touch.
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