<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> SAN ANTONIO (Link) - The best may be yet to come for the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. Swingman Michael Finley became the latest star to join the Spurs, signing a multi-year contract on Friday. "We are extremely pleased to have a player of Michael's caliber joining our franchise," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said at an afternoon news conference. "He brings an All-Star level of talent to the floor and a high degree of character to the locker room." A 10-year veteran and two-time All-Star, Finley was waived by the Dallas Mavericks on August 15 under the league's amnesty clause. He was free to sign with any team other than Dallas and entertained offers from several contending teams. The Miami Heat reportedly offered all of their $5 million mid-level exception. The Phoenix Suns offered a chance to start alongside former Mavericks point guard Steve Nash. However, Finley chose the Spurs, who had just $2.5 million to offer in the first year of the deal. Finley can be used at shooting guard and small forward. But with All-Star Manu Ginobili at shooting guard, Finley may see more time at small forward, where defensive standout Bruce Bowen starts. Despite winning the championship, the Spurs have taken huge steps in improving their depth. In the offseason, they have re-signed postseason hero Robert Horry and signed veteran guard Nick Van Exel and Argentine forward Fabricio Oberto. With Finley and Van Exel, the quartet constitutes a solid core of reserves, one of the team's weaknesses last season. The Mavericks reluctantly released Finley to avoid paying luxury tax on his contract, which was worth nearly $52 million over the next three years. He still receives that money from the Mavericks, plus what the Spurs are paying him. Finley, 32, averaged 19.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 735 career games with Phoenix and Dallas. He is the Mavericks' franchise leader in 3-pointers made and attempted. Last season, the 6-7 Finley averaged 15.7 points and 4.1 rebounds in 64 games. He also shot nearly 41 percent from 3-point range, which makes him a perfect fit for San Antonio's inside-out attack. Finley enjoyed his best season in 1999-2000, averaging 22.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists.</div> Hmm, I definately wasn't expecting this. The only good thing which can come out of it, is that this means less time for Bruce Bowen and Manu Ginobili. Rest assured, Finley won't go win MVP on our asses, but I do believe he will have a 20 point outing against us, trying to prove something. What's worse is, we'll be playing him 4 times a year and a likely playoff matchup -- so he'll have all the time in the world to improve. His game won't actually get any better, but he will get more open shots due to their MVP, what's his name again..ummm, oh yeah, Tim Duncan. <font size="1"><font color="Red">Welcome to JBB, but please quote articles and don't double post. Hope you stick around - VC</font></font>
Hmm, I definately wasn't expecting this. The only good thing which can come out of it, is that this means less time for Bruce Bowen and Manu Ginobili. Rest assured, Finley won't go win MVP on our asses, but I do believe he will have a 20 point outing against us, trying to prove something. What's worse is, we'll be playing him 4 times a year and a likely playoff matchup -- so he'll have all the time in the world to improve. His game won't actually get any better, but he will get more open shots due to their MVP, what's his name again..ummm, oh yeah, Tim Duncan.
Man I thought Miami was straight in his direction, but I guess Finley is just hungry for a ring. SA are the best in the West now if not the league. BTW- Welcome to JBB Maverick, it seems we need more posters around like you in this this forum. Hope your around.
