Michael Finley Breakdown

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The NBA's Final Four teams are reuniting Tuesday for a different sort of elimination tournament.

It's the Michael Finley Sweepstakes.

League front-office sources tell ESPN.com that Miami, Detroit, San Antonio and Phoenix are the suitors with the best shot at landing Finley, who was waived late Monday by the Dallas Mavericks after Dallas' summer-long efforts to trade Finley to a less-threatening team proved unsuccessful.

Intensely private throughout his eight-plus seasons in Dallas, Finley has been typically tight-lipped about his future, telling reporters at Steve Nash's recent charity game that he wasn't ready to discuss the prospect of free agency. Yet it's widely believed that the 32-year-old, after clearing waivers in 48 hours, will ultimately join one of the above four powerhouses to give himself a real shot at a championship ring ? with the Denver Nuggets tops among the list of outsiders.

As Finley prepares to grade the field and commence serious negotiations, this is our breakdown of the two-time All-Star's options as the prize (some would say only) catch on the amnesty market:


Miami


The Heat will be tough to resist, with Shaquille O'Neal as lead recruiter and a $5 million mid-level exception waiting ? and the bonus of a scouting report from Dwyane Wade, who shares Finley's agent (Henry Thomas). Miami's interest, meanwhile, is a no-brainer. Finley played for Stan Van Gundy at Wisconsin, ranks as a quality chemistry guy and would instantly become the Heat's most dependable long-ball threat (given Damon Jones' likely departure). Yet it remains to be seen whether Finley wants to join a club that just added Antoine Walker and James Posey, with the room to start only one of the three. Finley and Walker are Chicago pals, but he also saw first-hand in Dallas that meshing can be tough for a team with 'Toine as a third or fourth fiddle. It wouldn't be surprising at all to see Finley wind up here, but it's not the slam dunk some league insiders are suggesting.


Detroit


Pistons president Joe Dumars, eager to do some free-agent shopping after the interminable Larry Brown saga, has been quietly waiting for his swing at Finley. It doesn't hurt Dumars' chances that the Pistons have their entire $5 million mid-level exception to offer Finley for next season -- nearly twice as rich as what the Spurs can pitch -- as well as the promise of healthy minutes with a proven championship crew. Detroit, remember, generally relied on only seven guys when it mattered: Antonio McDyess, Lindsey Hunter and its trusty starting five. Finley would fortify the bench for new coach Flip Saunders and serve as an offensive-minded complement to the defense-first Tayshaun Prince. The fit seems even more feasible now that Finley, in trademark Pistons style, can even claim that he has something to prove as a former face of the Mavs who has since been discarded.


San Antonio


The Spurs can't match the money Miami and Detroit can offer, but the champs will make a strong presentation beyond the close proximity to Finley's adopted home in Big D. San Antonio has lacked a consistent scorer off the bench since Manu Ginobili became a starter and is always looking for more perimeter shooting. Finley could fill both of those voids and presumably make a smooth transition to the Spurs' all-for-one locker room, given his first-class reputation. Although Finley's scoring average has indeed dipped for six successive seasons, that overlooks his 41 percent accuracy from 3-point range over the past two seasons ? without the benefit of the open looks Tim Duncan and Ginobili generate. The Mavs were trying so hard to deal Finley in part to keep him away from the Spurs, knowing the champs are a real threat to make a switch to South Texas happen.


Phoenix


The Suns are sunk if money is the tiebreaker, with only a veteran minimum of $1.1 million to offer Finley for next season. And money could be a factor, since Finley will collect the remaining $51-plus million on his Mavs contract in annual installments of less than $5 million because of a considerable "spread" provision in that contract. Phoenix, though, has an even better recruiter than Shaq; Nash and Finley remain so close that Finley went to Toronto for his buddy's charity game even though June ankle surgery prevented him from actually playing. Don't forget, furthermore, that Phoenix drafted Finley in 1995, and he remains quite popular there. A return to the desert, then, holds appeal on several levels, which should explain (after losing Nash to the Suns) why this is the other West rival Dallas had hoped to foil with a trade. The Mavs know Finley would relish the challenge of filling the Joe Johnson void.


Denver


The list of interested teams stretches well beyond five, but it's believed Finley won't consider anyone farther away from title contention than the Nuggets. Although his hometown Bulls will try to defy that belief -- as will Minnesota, which flirted with a three-team Finley trade last week -- Denver can claim a more promising talent mix and a roster architect (Kiki Vandeweghe) who once worked in Dallas. Vandeweghe is also pursuing another Mavs alumnus (Nick Van Exel) to give his bench a boost, but Finley is Denver's top priority. The Nuggets, like Detroit and Miami, can offer a full $5 million next season ? but also a rare guaranteed starting spot. It's a definite long shot, but who knows? Last time he worked with George Karl, Finley was perhaps the only player to come away with any plaudits from the ill-fated Team USA at the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis.</div>

Source: ESPN August 16th 2005

 

we that sucks, no mention of the Rockets.

 

With his guaranteed Mavericks contract, I can't imagine money is an issue. Detroit and Denver are out of the picture. That said, can anyone explain to me why Finley would sign with either Miami or San Antonio?

Miami- Unless the league decides to let Miami run its offense with two balls in play there is not a chance in hell that Finley gets his hands on the ball more than 2 times a game. I mean, come on....Shaq, Wade, Walker, Williams, Posey???

San Antonio- I am sorry, but Ginobli is going to get the bulk of minutes and touches at the guard position. Does Finley really want to play behind Manu and Bowen? Even if Barry gets traded the touches here are limited as Brent found out last year. Duncan, Parker and Ginobli get the ball in a traditionally slow and methodical, well executed offense. There were enough shots to go around in Dallas because they never stop running. That is not the Spurs game.

Phoenix should be a slam dunk. It is a fast, high powered offense where two of their best shooters have left in JJ and Q. There will be lots of touches because there are lots of possessions, and because Nash is the master at getting the ball to the open man anywhere on the floor, especially on the run. He gets the minutes, the touches and gets the chance to play with his former backcourt mate.

Am I missing something?

 

I agree, Phoenix will most definitely benefit the most out of finley. Miami seems like they already have too much talented players and if Finley goes to Miami, at least one of the newly acquired players will be unhappy with the limited touches.

Bottom line is, if Finley wants the most touches/shots/playing time, he should go to Phoenix. If he wants to join a team with probably the best chance at winning a ring but not get as much shots, go with the Heat.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TooEasy:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree, Phoenix will most definitely benefit the most out of finley. Miami seems like they already have too much talented players and if Finley goes to Miami, at least one of the newly acquired players will be unhappy with the limited touches.

Bottom line is, if Finley wants the most touches/shots/playing time, he should go to Phoenix. If he wants to join a team with probably the best chance at winning a ring but not get as much shots, go with the Heat.</div>

I still do not see how the Heat are the favorite in the NBA? The Spurs are the defending champions. While the Heat have obtained many quality players it remains to be seen how they will gel as a team. Look at the Lakers with Malone and Payton! Walker and Williams are not the easiest people to play with. Also Shaq is one year older and while he is still dominant and productive it remains to be seen if his health can hold up. The one positive is that Wade (like my guy Amare) will do nothing but improve, the sky is the limit for him. I still like the Pistons in the East.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting emannen:</div><div class="quote_post">I still do not see how the Heat are the favorite in the NBA? The Spurs are the defending champions. While the Heat have obtained many quality players it remains to be seen how they will gel as a team. Look at the Lakers with Malone and Payton! Walker and Williams are not the easiest people to play with. Also Shaq is one year older and while he is still dominant and productive it remains to be seen if his health can hold up. The one positive is that Wade (like my guy Amare) will do nothing but improve, the sky is the limit for him. I still like the Pistons in the East.</div>

I was comparing Finleys two best choices. Out of the Suns and Heat, the Heat has a better chance at winning a Ring than the Suns do. I do not think it matters how Walker and Williams played with previous teams because they have never been on a team with the most dominant big man in the game. With Shaq in the post they will have good shots all game and hopefully they will learn that they do not need to force as much shots.

I think it will be only a matter of time before they all come together as a team. Hopefully sooner than later though.