Finley critics quieted Former Mav aids Spurs in Game 6 By Peter May, Globe Staff | May 21, 2006 DALLAS -- Michael Finley knows this much: He no longer has to worry about being booed, jeered, even insulted in the city he called home for eight years. Finley, a convenient target for the American Airlines Center fans, had the last laugh against his former team in Game 6 Friday night. Despite merciless and unending booing, Finley dropped 16 points on the Mavericks to help the San Antonio Spurs take a 91-86 victory and force a Game 7 tomorrow night in San Antonio. In 45 minutes, the kind of time he frequently logged playing for Don Nelson when he led the loop in minutes played, Finley was 6 of 10 from the field, including a huge 3-pointer with 2:45 left that snapped the game's final tie and gave the Spurs a lead they never relinquished. He also found time for 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a big defensive play at the end on Dirk Nowitzki, all of it coming in a hostile environment. ''I think it's unfortunate, especially in a place where I felt I gave my all for eight years, blood and guts on the court, trying to be a model citizen in the community," Finley said. ''It's disheartening. My family can't even come to the games." The booing reached pain threshold levels, mainly because the fans saw Finley as the reason for Jason Terry's suspension. Terry punched Finley in the groin near the end of Game 5 in San Antonio. Finley got hot and had to be restrained by teammates. Terry got suspended the next day and was duly missed in Game 6 when the Mavs needed a big shot. ''The rules state if you throw a punch, you miss a game," Finley said. ''Unfortunately for Jason, it happened. I consider him one of my better teammates from last year, so I was kind of surprised it happened. But in the heat of battle, anything can happen. I don't write the rules. I just play the game." Mostly, he plays it well and with dignity. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich called the fan reaction in Dallas ''abominable" and that was before Game 6. After the game, Popovich said of Finley, ''He's such a class act, no matter what the circumstances, or what's going on. All season long, he's been one of our leaders. He comes here in a tough situation, plays hard, without malice, without showmanship. He just comes in and competes with class. I could not be more proud of him." Finley has been a major factor in this series, getting more time (35.5 minutes a game) than he ever could have imagined. The Spurs have elected to go small in this series, and that means a lot more of Finley, who, in the last three games, has played 47, 44, and 45 minutes while averaging 14 points per on 57 percent shooting. He averaged 26.5 minutes a game this season. During his eight years in Dallas, Finley was Mr. Maverick, one-third of the Big Three along with Nowitzki and Steve Nash. He helped Dallas to the 2003 Western Conference finals. But he turned 33 in March, and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban decided to release Finley last summer to save money. While Dallas still had to pay Finley's exorbitant contract ($51 million for this season and two more), by releasing him, Cuban would see a substantial savings in luxury tax money. In other words, Finley didn't leave Dallas. Dallas left Finley. ''I'm hearing things like 'traitor,' " he said. ''I'm not a traitor. The Mavs got rid of me. I'm hearing things like 'whiner.' I didn't whine. I got hit. I thought I did a lot of things for this team and this community, but I guess it doesn't matter."
you gotta feel bad for him, all those years trying to beat the spurs then your team realeases you and u go to the team that you couldnt beet and you lose. it would really hury if they wiun the title too
Finley had his chances with Dallas as did Nash, but they didn't have Avery Johnson. Finley is a decent guy and missed his chance at a title this year, but they'll be back next year. The Spurs are still great. Dallas is just a little better. But don't think the Suns will go quietly. They have a great coach as well as Nash and a host of hot players. Just not the best defense.
I wonder what it takes to win Dalla people's hearts. Like he said, he gave his all for 8 years and now it doesn't matter now after he got paid to leave town.
Did you hear what mark cuban said, yea he played for us for 8 years but he is just another player. Thats how he thinks about his players. Expendable Assets
There are crap fans among the great fans in every city, and as I said in another thread, Finley deserved better than he got (especially that punch, ouch). Good luck to Fin, and in a perfect world he would have been in a Mavs uniform when this day finally came.
