Why Pop loves Finley

[Baseline]

The only positive to this game tonight is that it makes the case against Finley that much more obvious.

The guy has been killing us for two years now. Why that fact is lost on our coach, I have no idea.

But I will say that that it doesn't surprise me that we're looking at a guy like Vince Carter. My hope is that if Carter becomes a Spur, Michael Finley will not sniff the floor again in the Silver and Black.

[SenorSpur]

Hate to say it, but Finley is a major "achilles heel" as a starter for this team. It kills me that Pop keeps looking at the defensive statistics and wondering why the team has slipped. As players get older, their reactions get slower. That means slower rotations, inability to properly close out on shooters, can't get to loose balls as much and unable to stay in front of your man. We saw it with Horry last year.

I don't want to blame the entire defensive slippage on Finley, but having both him and Bonner as starters, there's going to be slippage. That's 2/5 of your starting 5 that are very poor defenders. Bonners has gotten better and has earned his starting promotion. However, it's hard to justify why Finley gets so many minutes, when he's struggling with his shot. He certainly shouldn't be starting.

I agree with those who mentioned that Pop should split Fin's minutes between Ime and Hairston.

[HarlemHeat37]

I love Vince, but it's not even about that..

I keep hoping that after every bad Finley game, Pop will come to his senses, but he just doesn't..I have no idea what it's going to take for him to see Finley in the same way that we see him..

even without a trade..

play Bowen more, play Hairston more, play George at the 2..there isn't a worse option than Finley right now..

Pop is a genius, but I don't understand how he doesn't see the reason for our D slipping..he's replacing a great perimeter defender with a horrible defender..

[SenorSpur]

The only positive to this game tonight is that it makes the case against Finley that much more obvious.

The guy has been killing us for two years now. Why that fact is lost on our coach, I have no idea.

But I will say that that it doesn't surprise me that we're looking at a guy like Vince Carter. My hope is that if Carter becomes a Spur, Michael Finley will not sniff the floor again in the Silver and Black.

Why add another very poor defender onto a team that continues to struggle defensively? That's part of the problem now. Pop has sold out for more offense (Bonner and Finley). However, Finley keeps betraying that trust.

If the Spurs are gonna go after a perimeter guy - John Salmons.

[loveforthegame]

It's not just inserting Bowen into the starting lineup that would help the team but I think it would benefit Finley coming off the bench too.

[ElNono]

It's not just inserting Bowen into the starting lineup that would help the team but I think it would benefit Finley coming off the bench too.

Finley became a starter and sent Manu to the bench because he was sucking coming off the bench. Now he's sucking as a starter. Maybe we should promote him to GM?

[benefactor]

Before the season started, this is exactly what most of us said would kill us if it happened. Finley has been averaging almost 28 minutes per game. That is just too much.

Hopefully this is only because Pop is overwhelmingly committed to resting Bowen. 28 MPG of Finley in the playoffs is suicide.

[SouthTexasRancher]

Trade this ing Finley!!

Along with Ime Udoka, Jacque Vaughn, Fabricio Oberrto, Ian Mahimi and even Malik Hairston if it'll help get us a decent deal. And trade Bowen if needed to make a trade work as long as that team releases him so he can re-sign with us in 30 days for one more playoff run before he goes to pasture. We have way too many guys who can't shoot straight, defend, block out, rebound, steal, block shots and play NBA ball in general. But, they are good at making lots of mental mistakes.

This losing to weak teams in the East is getting old. Our guys better get their asses in gear!

[loveforthegame]

Finley became a starter and sent Manu to the bench because he was sucking coming off the bench. Now he's sucking as a starter. Maybe we should promote him to GM?

There was a stretch last season that Finley played well off the bench. I think it could work again especially with his minutes down.

[HarlemHeat37]

there are only 4 players that are 35 years old and older that play 20+ MPG..

Jason Kidd, Shaquille O'Neal, Grant Hill, and Michael Finley..

one of these names doesn't fit..

[ElNono]

there are only 4 players that are 35 years old and older that play 20+ MPG..

Jason Kidd, Shaquille O'Neal, Grant Hill, and Michael Finley..

one of these names doesn't fit..

I would say two of those names don't fit...

[HarlemHeat37]

that's what I would have thought earlier, but Grant Hill has been great this season..

Brent Barry is playing 18 MPG, he's the only other "SG" on the list..that's around what Mike should be playing..

[ElNono]

that's what I would have thought earlier, but Grant Hill has been great this season..

Brent Barry is playing 18 MPG, he's the only other "SG" on the list..that's around what Mike should be playing..

I'm actually thinking Kidd as the other odd one out...

[HarlemHeat37]

Kidd is putting up 9 PPG, 8 APG, 6 RPG with a very good 40% from 3 point range..he also plays good D vs. SGs..you can't really ask for more from a 35-year old PG..more importantly, he's an ultimate hustle guy..

I can definitely ask for more from Finley though..he lacks effort and results..

[ElNono]

Kidd is putting up 9 PPG, 8 APG, 6 RPG with a very good 40% from 3 point range..he also plays good D vs. SGs..you can't really ask for more from a 35-year old PG..more importantly, he's an ultimate hustle guy..

I can definitely ask for more from Finley though..he lacks effort and results..

OK, you can leave Kidd in there. As far as Finley, I don't think effort is what it is. We always knew he was not a good defender, and he mostly offset that with offense. He's also playing SF, which basically puts him out of position.
But his offense has been dry for a long time now, and he ain't getting any better on defense. He actually did get some rebounds out there, that shows he still cares. But I think he's just washed up at this point. A lot like Horry last year.

[dastrey]

Bonner's Defense>Finley's Defense
Bonner's Offense>>>>Finley's Offense

Finley is probably the worst starting SF in the league. An old Grant Hill would have probably given the Spurs 3-4 extra wins this year.

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't blame Finley, I blame Pop..

Finley could be a good contributor if he's playing 15 MPG..he wouldn't have so much wear and tear on his body, he'd have more rest, he could come on to be an offensive spark, he wouldn't have as much responsibility..

[Agloco]

Dont worry. He will hit 1 big shot in a big game and we will forgive him for playing bad the next 15 games.

LOL......sad but true.

Not only that, if we're lucky we'll get to see an entire thread started by Sequ about how godlike Finley is.

[Ocotillo]

Finley's spot should be in a suit, behind the bench, on IR.

[scanry]

I think our line up should look like this..

Starting Lineup
C-Duncan
PF-Thomas
SF-Bonner/Bowen (Depending on the matchups)
SG-Mason
PG-Parker

Bench
Manu
Hill
Hairston
Oberto
Finley
Udoka

[HarlemHeat37]

Bonner can't play SF, he would get murdered..

if it was up to me..

C- Duncan..34 MPG..
PF- Thomas..20 MPG..
SF- Bowen..25 MPG..
SG- Mason..30 MPG..
PG- Parker..33 MPG..

Ginobili..25 MPG..
Bonner..20 MPG..
Oberto..10 MPG..
Finley..15 MPG..
Hairston..9 MPG..
Hill..20 MPG..
Udoka..

obviously depending on certain matchups, too..it would also change in the playoffs..

[TDMVPDPOY]

we shouldve shipped his ass out of here when we got him his ring.....

now we are stuck with his contract and consent approval to be traded to anything....LAME

[TDMVPDPOY]

we shouldve shipped his ass out of here when we got him his ring.....

now we are stuck with his contract and consent approval to be traded to anything....LAME

[The Truth #6]

Just wait till Finley starts next year...

[Manufan909]

We heard the first time.