<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Looks like the Michael Finley clock will tick through at least one more weekend. Some published reports Friday said Finley, a free-agent guard/forward from Dallas whom the Pistons covet, was a certainty to sign with Miami. But several league officials contacted Friday said that's not accurate and that the Pistons are still thick in the Finley waiting game. It seems clear that Finley, 32, who cleared waivers Thursday, isn't rushing into a decision. His top two choices appear to be the Heat -- home of Shaquille O'Neal, a revamped roster and high expectations for 2005-06 -- and the Pistons, who can offer the same money ($5 million) for a job backing up Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton. Minnesota, Denver and San Antonio also reportedly have talked to Finley's representatives. Finley became a free agent after the Mavericks bought him out under the NBA's new amnesty clause. Pistons officials and a close relative of Finley's said they weren't sure what his decision hinged on -- money, playing time, location, championship potential or a mixture of all those factors. His agent, Henry Thomas, did not return calls for comments. And so the wait goes on. "It would be frustrating if we had a team much more incomplete than ours," said John Hammond, the Pistons' vice president of basketball operations. "But our roster is fairly complete. We're just looking for something to help us." Some other free agents on the market appear to be waiting for Finley's move. Minnesota small forward Latrell Sprewell reportedly will pick between Houston and the Pistons, if Finley picks Miami. Sprewell's agent, Robert Gist, didn't return calls seeking comment. Finley's decision also might be holding up Pacers free agent Dale Davis from signing. Pacers chief executive officer Donnie Walsh said he is still interested in signing the veteran forward, but a report said Davis would choose between the Pistons and Seattle on Friday. No decision from Davis came, and league officials said they didn't expect one before Finley makes his call.</div> Source: Detroit Free Press August 20 2005
If Finley was smart, he would sign with us. The Heat roster is too stacked now, he'll be sharing too many minutes. At Detroit I assume he'll play backup to Rip, he'll get more minutes at SG & probally even SF behind Prince. I really hope to god that if we cant get Finley, we sign Sprewell, I got nothing against Dale Davis personally, its just that we dont need another PF/C, we already have enough, and its just going to hold Darko back even more. I'd much prefer them to focus on building Darko up to be at least a decent player while he's still young, rather than keep signing these old depleted PF's like Davis, Coleman, McGaskill etc. We need more scoring options off the bench (McDyess is decent, but we need more than one player, he wasnt putting up great scoring numbers last season anyway), thats what really f'd us over last season, we had no decent scorers off the bench, Finley & Sprewell would definatley fill the void. Our defense is fine, we dont need anymore defensive options, we need to start focusing on our offense now that the defense is up to scratch.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">If Finley was smart, he would sign with us.</div>Yeah that's classic. If a player is smart he'll sign with my team instead of a rival team. Here's something you didn't consider: why would Finley go to Detroit backing up the SG-SF position when he can do the same thing in San Antonio or Miami and have a better shot at a title? Both are more appealing options. And I won't even mention that the Heat will likely offer him the starting SF job, more money than any other contender can offer him, and a opportunity to play in one of the biggest markets for NBA basketball in Miami.
Check out the new update here: http://www.justbball.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42196 It looks like he is going to take his time. There are five teams in the hunt for him, four of which are title contenders. Phoneix, Heat, Spurs, Pistons, Timberwolves. I think he will end up with the Spurs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Heat4Life:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah that's classic. If a player is smart he'll sign with my team instead of a rival team. Here's something you didn't consider: why would Finley go to Detroit backing up the SG-SF position when he can do the same thing in San Antonio or Miami and have a better shot at a title? Both are more appealing options. And I won't even mention that the Heat will likely offer him the starting SF job, more money than any other contender can offer him, and a opportunity to play in one of the biggest markets for NBA basketball in Miami.</div> Yeah, he has a better shot at the title going to San Antonio & Miami when Detroit has been in the last 2 final series in a row Miami simply are adding too much depth, unless they give him the starting SF role like you mentioned, they're going to be struggling to find time to play everyone. Looks like we stupidly signed Dale Davis anyway, so Finley is probally off to Miami.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, he has a better shot at the title going to San Antonio & Miami when Detroit has been in the last 2 final series in a row Miami simply are adding too much depth, unless they give him the starting SF role like you mentioned, they're going to be struggling to find time to play everyone. </div> Yea and who just beat Detroit for a title? The Spurs. He'll go to Miami because he has a chance at a ring, to play with Shaq, and because he would most likely start. In Detroit and SA he will backup Bowen and Prince. No they are adding soli dplayers that will give them a chance to win. Finley will bring veteran leadership and will be a team player. PLaying time issues? Riley is fixing the problem of last year which was an inconsistent second unit. This gives us a strong second unit who will keep us in games and help out well when players are injured.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker14:</div><div class="quote_post">Yea and who just beat Detroit for a title? The Spurs. </div> Yeah, and where was Miamis name in the Finals? No where to be seen, they were a "contender" last season, and we finished them off. Plus we won the Finals the year before, San Antonio wernt around then either.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, and where was Miamis name in the Finals? No where to be seen, they were a "contender" last season, and we finished them off. Plus we won the Finals the year before, San Antonio wernt around then either.</div> Yeah and we know why Detroit won as much as u deny it. Don't matter cuz u guys got Dale Davis so scratch it off the list pal.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, and where was Miamis name in the Finals? No where to be seen, they were a "contender" last season, and we finished them off. Plus we won the Finals the year before, San Antonio wernt around then either.</div> lol let the hating begin!!!!! Ntc187...any nba fan thats not bias knows why the Heat lost last season. We had our whole team injured and we still took the game to the last second of the series. Do you understand that? its only logic that if we would have had been healthy we would have won, think man.
Dont hand me that crap, what Shaq got injured after 2 games, who cares? We wrecked the Lakers 4-1 (would've been 4-0 if Kobe hadnt of hit his lucky shot, or if we fouled him) with a deadlier healty combo of Kobe & Shaq, and with the best coach to ever coach the game in Phil Jackson. I'm not bias, its the truth, face it, Miami lost, Detroit proved they were the better team, stop making up excuses. You know if you wanna make excuses, I can easily say the same about Sheed plus most of our starting 5, we wernt performing to anywhere near our best standards (like we did in 2003-2004), but we still pulled through. To tell you the truth, on many other forums through out the year I was saying it would be a Miami vs. Phoenix final, I honestly thought Detroit wouldnt make it through, but hey, we did.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, he has a better shot at the title going to San Antonio & Miami when Detroit has been in the last 2 final series in a row</div>Maybe you didn't realize it but Miami had an injured starting 5 and was still 2 minutes from the Finals. Ofcourse if you neglect those tiny details your argument is valid. But it's not. Did you also forget you lost your HOF coach that took you to the Finals and lead you to a championship? Do you think that Flip Saunders can replace LB? Flip couldn't even hold Larry Brown's jock strap. Also now that Larry Brown is gone the refs are gonna stop doing jobs on the teams the Pistons play. That means no more wins for you guys since even Larry Brown admits they can't play "their style of defense" (fouling) unless they the officiating goes their way. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Miami simply are adding too much depth, unless they give him the starting SF role like you mentioned, they're going to be struggling to find time to play everyone.</div>Well you'd have to assume Pat Riley and Van Gundy know what they're doing. I mean, they do know a lot more than the people who criticize them. And they've proven it. Obviously since we're stacked, Van Gundy has the luxury of doing what the Spurs do in the regular season; keep the starters fresh, healthy, limit their minutes, and distribute it to the bench. We didn't have that luxury last year and it showed. I'm guessing our playoff roster is gonna be: PG-Jason Williams SG-Dwyane Wade SF-James Posey PF-Udonis Haslem C-Shaquille O'Neal G-Michael Finley F-Antoine Walker C-Alonzo Mourning
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe you didn't realize it but Miami had an injured starting 5 and was still 2 minutes from the Finals. Ofcourse if you neglect those tiny details your argument is valid. But it's not.</div> Please, stop with the excuses, you lost, end of story. Like I said, Detroit played no where near what they are capable of, but I'm not using it as an excuse as to why we went to 7 games, we played poorly, but we were still able to get there in the end. Also I can say Detroit were 2 minutes away from winning the Finals, we only lost that game in last 3 or so minutes, we led the whole game, the bottom line is, we lost, theres no ifs or buts about it. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Did you also forget you lost your HOF coach that took you to the Finals and lead you to a championship? Do you think that Flip Saunders can replace LB? Flip couldn't even hold Brown's jock strap.</div> Did you forget Flip Saunders took the T-Wolves to the Conference finals in 2003-2004? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Also now that Larry Brown is gone the refs are gonna stop doing jobs on the teams the Pistons play. That means no more wins for you guys since even Larry Brown admits they can't play "their style of defense" (fouling) unless they the officiating goes their way.</div> So we should expect to see the Knicks in the finals next season then?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">Please, stop with the excuses, you lost, end of story.</div>Excuses? LOL. Ok. All I said was that "even with an injured starting 5 we were 2 minutes from the Finals". And obviously if we were healthy our chances of winning increase dramatically. Please explain how that is an excuse. And as a fan of the Pistons, you're one to talk about excuses. You're team and fans were b****ing and crying in that series about the officiating. Even Waaah-sheed Wallace called out the officiating and got fined cuz he couldn't handle being beat. Tayshaun Prince looked like a Whiny Pterodactyl on every play. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Like I said, Detroit played no where near what they are capable of, but I'm not using it as an excuse as to why we went to 7 games, we played poorly, but we were still able to get there in the end.</div>Detroit played nowhere near they're capable of? What a joke. I've watched enough Pistons basketball and that's the way the play. Just because you watch re-runs of the Lakers Finals and it's burned in your head that doesn't mean that's how they normally play. Did you forget that the Pistons got tooken to 7 games and were down 3-2 with an injured Jason Kidd that same year? And that Nets team was nowhere near the top 3 best teams that year. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Also I can say Detroit were 2 minutes away from winning the Finals, we only lost that game in last 3 or so minutes, we led the whole game, the bottom line is, we lost, theres no ifs or buts about it.</div>Yeah but was you're starting 5 was injured? Face it, the Pistons MVP are injured opponents. Anytime they won a series their opponents had injuries to key players. In this case our whole starting 5 was injured. And what happens when they face a healthy opponent? They lose which is what happened when they faced San Antonio. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Did you forget Flip Saunders took the T-Wolves to the Conference finals in 2003-2004?</div>LOL. Wow I'll save you the embarassment and make it short & sweet. Flip Saunders couldn't make it out of the first round for over 7 years with Kevin Garnett. Then after making the WCF what happens the next season? They MISS the playoffs. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">So we should expect to see the Knicks in the finals next season then?</div>I'd expect them to make the playoffs cuz LB is that good. But now you're just being a homer if you think they'll make the Finals.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Excuses? LOL. Ok. All I said was that "even with an injured starting 5 we were 2 minutes from the Finals". And obviously if we were healthy our chances of winning increase dramatically. Please explain how that is an excuse.</div> I'm not just talking about you, this was said by another playmaker14: "Yeah and we know why Detroit won as much as u deny it", "our starting 5 was injured" was implied, thats an excuse, it doesnt matter if your starting 5 was injured or not, you still lost, end of story. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Detroit played nowhere near they're capable of? What a joke. I've watched enough Pistons basketball and that's the way the play. Just because you watch re-runs of the Lakers Finals and it's burned in your head that doesn't mean that's how they normally play. Did you forget that the Pistons got tooken to 7 games and were down 3-2 with an injured Jason Kidd that same year? And that Nets team was nowhere near the top 3 best teams that year.</div> lol, the playoffs last year was the Pistons at their best, everyone was playing well, the Pistons in the playoffs this season, wasnt the Pistons at their best, no one was playing good basketball. So what if the Nets wernt one of the top 3 best teams in the league that year? Neither were the Pistons, I can remember everyone doubting us, and what did we do? We kicked the s**t out of the number 1 team in the league in 5 games. The top 3 teams that year were all out of the West (Lakers, San Antonio & Minnesota). Also Jason Kidd wasnt that injured, he still played, and dont forget they had Kenyon Martin & a healthy RJ too. Where were the Heat that year? Oh thats right, beaten second round by the Pacers, who we later beat. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah but was you're starting 5 was injured? Face it, the Pistons MVP are injured opponents. Anytime they won a series their opponents had injuries to key players. In this case our whole starting 5 was injured. And what happens when they face a healthy opponent? They lose which is what happened when they faced San Antonio.</div> lol, 2004, Indiana was healthy, beat them, Lakers were healthy, beat them, Milwaukee were healthy, beat them, 2005, Indiana, beat them again, Phily were healthy, beat them, Miami, beat them. San Antonio was fully fit, and as you would say, we only lost to them in Game 7 in the last 2 minutes. Not to add that we came back from 2 games down that series. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LOL. Wow I'll save you the embarassment and make it short & sweet. Flip Saunders couldn't make it out of the first round for over 7 years with Kevin Garnett. Then after making the WCF what happens the next season? They MISS the playoffs.</div> Basketball isnt a one man sport, its a team game, Minnesota was basically always **** up until they got Cassell, Sprewell + Olowokandi (not that he ever does much) & Garnett. Ever think its the players faults for not making the playoffs? They are the actual ones playing the game you know. Also Spree & Cassell were injured though out the year, which seems to be such a major factor for you. This season Flip is working with a decent team for once. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I'd expect them to make the playoffs cuz LB is that good. But now you're just being a homer if you think they'll make the Finals.</div> Well you're the one who was saying how the Pistons only got anywhere because of the officiating and Larry Brown, now hes at the Knicks, your theory should work for them too. Lets just agree to disagree, we've gone way off topic on this anyway, lol. Feel free to reply by all means, but im not going to comment on the Pistons finals runs over the last 2 seasons in a Michael Finley topic any more, didnt think it would get this out of hand.
Nobody can say that Miami are better then Detroit. On paper, Miami has the better roster, but Detroit always manage to win. Finley will choose one of the four teams that have a chance of winning it all. Each team has an equal chance. I can't say that one team will win because it depends on the circumstances such as the form that the players are in, the injuries in the team, who has home court advantage etc.. etc.. He will most likely end up with the Spurs as they are the defending champions or the Heat, because they can offer the most amount of money.
Away for a week and there is a debate disussing the Heat and the Pistons still? Yes Heat had guys who were hurting but is that the Pistons fault? Is it the Pistons fault Miami's two best players are more prone to injury? the Pistons had guys who have been hurt over the years and overcame all that. You play through injures in the playoffs, which is exactly what Miami did. They were just beaten by a more experienced and tougher team. The Heat needed heartbreak before success. I stated that before last season even started. Wether they can win the title this year is another matter.
