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James Jones would have been nice, but he exploded out of nowhere...I guess it's the Steve Nash effect.
With the Spurs taking on Devin Brown and the Utah Jazz tonight, it is an appropriate time to discuss whether the Spurs made the right decision regarding the addition of Michael Finley. There were a plethora of swingmen available this summer for cheap and it's interesting to take a look and see how they are doing in their new home.
James Jones
Contract: 4 years, $11M
Age: 25
Jones has played well in his first season with PHX. He's averaging over ten points a game and is one of the biggest three-point threats in the league. He can get hot quick and can get his shot off over anyone. On the Spurs, I think he would have been a nice hired gun off the bench.
Mo Evans
Contract: 3 years, $4.5M
Age: 27
Evans was practically begging for the Spurs to sign him. He said that he could join the Spurs and help. With the way he's played for the Pistons so far this season, I think he was right. He is shooting nearly 50% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc and is very active hustle player. Mo is a tenacious defender and would have been a nice fit in San Antonio -- especially for that price.
Devin Brown
Age: 27
Contract: 2 years, $5M (second year is a team option)
Devin got off to a slow start in the Great White North but has recently turned it around. For the month of January, Mr. San Antonio is averaging 9.5 points on 48.5% shooting in only 20 minutes per game. He's also been able to stay healthy so far this season.
Qyntel Woods
Contract: 1 year, minimum
Age: 24
Woods is starting for the Knicks now and putting up huge numbers. Last game, Woods put up 24 points, eight rebounds and two steals in his second start for the Knicks. For the month of January in 21.4 minutes per game, he is averaging 8.2 points and 4.8 rebounds, while shooting 52.8% from the field and 45.5% from downtown. As a future replacement for Bowen, Woods would have fit the mold perfectly.
It's too early to tell whether The MF was the right decision. If he performs well in the playoffs and helps the Spurs win another championship, then he was worth it. If Finley pulls a Dallas Mavericks and shrivels up come May, these other choices will present a lot of "What If?" questions.
James Jones would have been nice, but he exploded out of nowhere...I guess it's the Steve Nash effect.
Finley was the right choice. Barry is the odd man, I wish Spurs trade him at the deadline for a young swingman. (even if I like the man a lot)
I woudln't overvalue the production of Pheonix players. That system will make everyone look good. I guarntee if Finley was in Pheonix everyone here would be upset they didn't get him and we'd all be ing about whoever we did have and what could have been. Look at how much Richardson has dropped off when removed from that system.
Finley has had his moments, but for the most part he's struggled shooting the damn ball. I don't understand what makes shooters suck in San Antonio, but I'm confident he'll turn it around.
I will say this, I would rather have Evans. I love the way that kid plays.
And Woods will implode sooner than later. I'd be really suprised if he didn't.
You post this because whottt is no longer around. He would be on your ass in a nano-secondQyntel Woods
Contract: 1 year, minimum
Age: 24
Woods is starting for the Knicks now and putting up huge numbers. Last game, Woods put up 24 points, eight rebounds and two steals in his second start for the Knicks. For the month of January in 21.4 minutes per game, he is averaging 8.2 points and 4.8 rebounds, while shooting 52.8% from the field and 45.5% from downtown. As a future replacement for Bowen, Woods would have fit the mold perfectly.
Good post, timvp...and good question. The answer lies in the days following the Spurs' final playoff game.
I don't know if the Spurs could have afforded James Jones (almost $3M per) without eliminating a player or re-doing salary commitments. James would have been a great signing, no doubt.
Finley is still in the top 5 in productivity for Spurs players. Gino, Tim, Tony, Robert and Fin are the top 5 offensively. Bowen and Rasho are defensively productive role-players. The question is, could James Jones have contributed enough defensively to be a better all-around choice?
You can't beat Finley's price.
Another compelling question would be: was Nick Van Exel a good signing? So far, he looks like a worse move than Fin-dog.
I don't really regret signing Finley, I just pray he comes around as a true 6th man type player that we expected. But I do think we miss our youth off the bench that we've had the past couple of years, it's really hurting us bad. Be it that we no longer have Devin, or Beno not really playing, we miss our young legs to keep the tempo that we once had.
Not only do shooters forget how to shoot in San Antone, have you noticed how good free throw shooters began to stink as well? It is mind boggling. I think new players come in trying not to mess up anything and they forget what keeps them in the NBA. For instance, Finley needs to know that we want him to hit his WIDE OPEN shots MORE than we want him playing DEFENSE. PLEASE hit those wide open jumpers.
None of these players would've started here or have significant minutes because of the current core group, I don't think it matters.
The Spurs are tied for the best record in the West.
They still would've been schooled by the Pistons, Hawks, Bulls, Nuggets, Hornets and Wizards.
The Spurs need a rebounder.
No it wasn't the right move. Finley is not a spark off the bench. They could get a better 6th man real easily. Mo Evans, James Jones, and Devin Brown would all fit that role better.
Good post. Is this pseudofan?
Finley's jumper is too pure not to pass up.
The answer comes in the playoffs, but I think Pop and co. made the right decision.
Remember, he's having to learn how to play defense for once in his life, which takes extra effort and energy, which, in turn, affects your game a bit.
It's way too early to give him a grade or ask if he's the right move yet.
It's been 44 games in a new system, I mean, give the guy a chance already.
(One of America's biggest problems, the need for instant gratification)
Don't you have to go see some high school girls volleyball games this afternoon?Good post. Is this pseudofan?
It's a fair question, I just don't think you could pass Finley up under the cir stances. Some nights it looks like a good move, other nights....I still think when the playoffs start, the Spurs will suddenly look a lot "younger" than they do now. You'll see a different Finley, Van Exel, Horry, etc.
"Finley's jumper is too pure not to pass up."
Beautiful jumper, great form, realease, smooth, but as Spur he's shooting way below his career FG%, which itself is above his playoff FG%.
The playoffs will be where Michael dis/proves he was the right choice.
I think I would have preferred Mo Williams, to replace Devin's athleticism and with probably better smarts and scoring.
So far...
Pretty even. The real test will be come playoff time. After the season is over, we will know for sure if it was a good move.
I for one think it was. Finley is going to be HUGE for SA in the playoffs. BOOK IT!
Character issues aside it would be nice to have Woods athleticism and he would have been available for vet minimum.
Mike Finley would be an allstar in the Eastern Conference....
A nice scenario would have been Finley and Woods. Woods would have been perfect in a Melvin Sanders type role. Give him a year to learn and then move him into a bigger role next season.
None of the other available swingmen would have made Nazr coordinated or made Rasho grow testicles.
Athleticism doesn't mean as much once the playoffs start. Things tend to bog down. Alley oops...Denver...drop way down. Fast break points...Pho....go way down...Defense, execution and performance under pressure become paramount. We'll see how Finley reacts when he is the 4th or 5th option. Maybe the pressure will be lessened for him in that role.
I'm sorry we had to let go of Devin, but I like Michael and am glad he is here.
As for L.J.'s question, I actually agree with Dre... for once.
So far...
Pretty even. The real test will be come playoff time. After the season is over, we will know for sure if it was a good move.I hope so.I for one think it was. Finley is going to be HUGE for SA in the playoffs. BOOK IT!
Fact is we won't know the answer until the Spurs have played their last game this season.
Jones would have been NICE, but IIRC, he was a RFA, and was traded to Phoenix. I don't think Indy would have obliged us, and think surely they would have matched had we offered.
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