Stein: Michael Finley released

[timtonymanu]

This reminds me of when Horry retired. He was useless for that last season, and was a source of several WTF moments, but once he left I missed him and his clutchness . . . even though I knew it was gone anyway.

Same with Finley. I guess I'm just realizing how much I already miss the 2005-2007 Finley.

same here. Bruce/Rob/Brent/Fab/Mike were all great for us compared to the role players we have now.

[EricB]

I'm willing to bet Finley is the kind of guy who didn't squander his millions. I'm one of those people who wonders just how much money one really needs.

You make and get as much as you can when you can.

Im just one to wonder why people think its ok to rip a guy for trying to make money and think they know when "too much is too much" Who are you or anyone else to say how much someone makes is too much?

[ace3g]

Popovich surprised by Finley's request to be released



Spurs forward Michael Finley shocked Spurs coach Gregg Popovich when told him he would like to be released by the Spurs in time to be eligible for any other team's playoff roster.

"I was very surprised," Popovich said before the Spurs played the New Orleans Hornets at New Orleans Arena on Monday night, "but we granted his request."

Indeed, the Spurs negotiated a buyout of Finley's contract and waived him on Monday afternoon, hours ahead of a Monday deadline that would have prevented Finley from being eligible for any other team's playoff roster.

Popovich stressed that the Spurs had not "let Finley go," a connotation that would have implied dissatisfaction with a payer who had signed a free agent deal with the Spurs on Sept. 2, 2005.

"We didn't let him go," Popovich said. "He requested a buyout so he could leave and we granted that."

Finley will be free to sign with any team after he clears waivers, but Popovich defelected a question about whether Finley might be able to help another team in its playoff run.

"It's for other teams to decided if he can be useful for them," he said.

Finley, who was out for nearly two months with a grade 2 sprain of the left ankle, started the last game he played for the Spurs, missing all four of his shots in a loss at Houston on Friday.

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblog...ch-surpri.html

[DPG21920]

Decoding Pop: I miss my Findog

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Noooooo...... what are we going to do for a backup PF now? [/pop]

[crc21209]

Popovich surprised by Finley's request to be released



Spurs forward Michael Finley shocked Spurs coach Gregg Popovich when told him he would like to be released by the Spurs in time to be eligible for any other team's playoff roster.

"I was very surprised," Popovich said before the Spurs played the New Orleans Hornets at New Orleans Arena on Monday night, "but we granted his request."

Indeed, the Spurs negotiated a buyout of Finley's contract and waived him on Monday afternoon, hours ahead of a Monday deadline that would have prevented Finley from being eligible for any other team's playoff roster.

Popovich stressed that the Spurs had not "let Finley go," a connotation that would have implied dissatisfaction with a payer who had signed a free agent deal with the Spurs on Sept. 2, 2005.

"We didn't let him go," Popovich said. "He requested a buyout so he could leave and we granted that."

Finley will be free to sign with any team after he clears waivers, but Popovich defelected a question about whether Finley might be able to help another team in its playoff run.

"It's for other teams to decided if he can be useful for them," he said.

Finley, who was out for nearly two months with a grade 2 sprain of the left ankle, started the last game he played for the Spurs, missing all four of his shots in a loss at Houston on Friday.

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblog...ch-surpri.html

Sounds like Pop is crushed...

[Dex]

No worries. Pop has Jefferson for PF now.

Then again, reports were saying earlier that Jefferson was going to be kept at the 3.

Could this be...the death of small ball?

I know, i know. Keep dreaming.

[benefactor]

The Spurs have three days off before the upcoming back to back. I'm guessing Pop will be hitting the bottle pretty hard.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Fin was great for the Spurs in 06 and 07, it's a shame that fans of the "what have you done for me lately" culture kept bashing him for playing to the best of his declining abilities over the past few years. What do you guys expect him to do? Refuse to suit up and tell Pop he should be playing Hairston?

Anyways, best of luck to Finley. He was classy and did his best throughout his stay.

People bashed him because he could have retired last summer, instead of sticking around to play the role of rotting perimeter corpse that Pop loves for corporate knowledge.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I wonder if "letting Finley go to a contender" is just a nice way to tell him his time is done, or if Pop actually loves him enough to let him move on to a better team

Probably more of a strategic move - get some dumbass team in the West to pick him up and give him quality PT

[DesignatedT]

hope we dont meet fin in the playoffs. guy will destroy us

[duncan228]

from Manu Ginobili on Twitter - http://twitter.com/manuginobili

Mike Finley is not gonna be w/us anymore. Wishing good luck to 1 of the best teammates I've ever had. We'll miss him.

[EricB]

People bashed him because he could have retired last summer, instead of sticking around to play the role of rotting perimeter corpse that Pop loves for corporate knowledge.

So people ripped him for thinking they knew what was better for him.

Got it.


Again, more people thinking they should make decisions for others.

[ChumpDumper]

Was anyone else actually waived?

[EricB]

Was anyone else actually waived?

???
Like in the NBA?

Mark Blount and Travis Deiner so far I believe is it.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

So people ripped him for thinking they knew what was better for him.

Got it.


Again, more people thinking they should make decisions for others.

WTF? What kind of logic is that, Tfart?

It was clear last playoffs that he didn't have it anymore. I swear, I think the only person with a bigger mancrush on Finley than you was Pop.

Good riddance to Fin, no longer have to worry about him being trotted out as a smallball PF.

[ChumpDumper]

???
Like in the NBA?

Mark Blount and Travis Deiner so far I believe is it.

and Mike James I guess.

Not super inspiring.

[ElNono]

Again, more people thinking they should make decisions for others.

In hindsight, it would have been the right decision.

[Chieflion]

Portland is going to sign Travis Diener. He is going to be Brandon Roy's favorite player and Nate McMillian's new butt buddy.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Was anyone else actually waived?

Mike James by the Wizards.

[DPG21920]

If the Spurs sign Mikki Moore, I will cry.

[Obstructed_View]

So the Spurs can hope that Finley goes to a playoff contender and completely s them up by missing shots and failing to play defense. That's one fewer playoff opponent for the Spurs.

It's also interesting that Finley seems to know the Spurs aren't going anywhere.

[Spurminator]

WTF? What kind of logic is that, Tfart?

It was clear last playoffs that he didn't have it anymore. I swear, I think the only person with a bigger mancrush on Finley than you was Pop.

Good riddance to Fin, no longer have to worry about him being trotted out as a smallball PF.

Finley should have refused money and playing time from the Spurs? That's silly. Blame falls on the Spurs FO and Pop for wasting minutes on him, but I can't fault Finley for wanting to keep playing while his team is still interested (and while his contract allows him to do so).

[Scola]

WTF! I just saw the headline on ESPN.

So this whole season Pop plays this guy over other better/younger guys and then we decide to wave him!!!!

[EricB]

Finley should have refused money and playing time from the Spurs? That's silly. Blame falls on the Spurs FO and Pop for wasting minutes on him, but I can't fault Finley for wanting to keep playing while his team is still interested (and while his contract allows him to do so).

Exactly and I agreed with that at the time.

I didn't fault Finley at all, I faulted the FO for giving him the ridiculous contract.

Finley was well within his right and I held nothing against him for picking up the option.