Dallas-Mavs.com Forums - View Single Post - More than just an Ironman, TRIBUTE TO FINLEY!

TheKid · 04-26-2001, 11:23 AM

Great Article, it's what I've been saying all along. Toss the statistics, it's time to give the man his due! A Win For Fin
Playoffs Are Michael's Stardom Stage

By Gary Adornato – DallasBasketball.com
Throughout the lean years, Michael Finley has been groomed for just this moment. From the day that Don Nelson signed him to his first big contract, to the day that the Mavs clinched their playoff spot, Finley has been the leader of this team, and the soul of the franchise.
Finally, he has a stage equal to his character, a spotlight that he’s waited for, and had to wonder if it would ever come. The barbs of a fading Pippen as Finley struck All-Star gold last year can finally be expelled. Mr. Finley is a winner, and among winners, a star.
In the two games that the Mavericks have played, Finley has averaged 29 points on 44% shooting, and 39% from 3-point range. He has played 94 of a possible 96 minutes, and has been the best Maverick player, often by a considerable margin. While he has had problems against Utah during the season with turnovers, his playoff total of three is an excellent improvement, especially considering the amount of time that he’s spent at the point.
Perhaps most impressively, Finley seems to understand what the playoffs are all about. He has been the media focal point, yet hasn’t slipped once, showing remarkable poise for a post-season rookie.
There is a common refrain when discussing the Mavericks: they lack the superstar necessary to achieve team greatness. In a league where that stardom comes too often from commercial endorsements, Finley is quietly building a rebuttal case to those who declare him unqualified. Currently fourth among all players in post-season scoring, ahead of such monikers as Shaq, Kobe, KG, Vinsanity, C-Webb and Duncan, while facing the same concentrated defenses as the larger names, the only thing that will keep Finley from stepping into that league is if his teammates fail him, and his stay is too brief.
Don Nelson and the Mavericks chose Michael Finley to build their team around. They consulted him on trades, kept him the focus of their attention, and supported him at every turn. With his extraordinary play down the stretch of this season, and his early personal success in the playoffs, Finley is demonstrating once and for all the wisdom of that choice, and a critical reason to believe in this team’s future.

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04-26-2001, 11:23 AM	#37
TheKid Diamond Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 3,109	Great Article, it's what I've been saying all along. Toss the statistics, it's time to give the man his due! A Win For Fin Playoffs Are Michael's Stardom Stage By Gary Adornato – DallasBasketball.com Throughout the lean years, Michael Finley has been groomed for just this moment. From the day that Don Nelson signed him to his first big contract, to the day that the Mavs clinched their playoff spot, Finley has been the leader of this team, and the soul of the franchise. Finally, he has a stage equal to his character, a spotlight that he’s waited for, and had to wonder if it would ever come. The barbs of a fading Pippen as Finley struck All-Star gold last year can finally be expelled. Mr. Finley is a winner, and among winners, a star. In the two games that the Mavericks have played, Finley has averaged 29 points on 44% shooting, and 39% from 3-point range. He has played 94 of a possible 96 minutes, and has been the best Maverick player, often by a considerable margin. While he has had problems against Utah during the season with turnovers, his playoff total of three is an excellent improvement, especially considering the amount of time that he’s spent at the point. Perhaps most impressively, Finley seems to understand what the playoffs are all about. He has been the media focal point, yet hasn’t slipped once, showing remarkable poise for a post-season rookie. There is a common refrain when discussing the Mavericks: they lack the superstar necessary to achieve team greatness. In a league where that stardom comes too often from commercial endorsements, Finley is quietly building a rebuttal case to those who declare him unqualified. Currently fourth among all players in post-season scoring, ahead of such monikers as Shaq, Kobe, KG, Vinsanity, C-Webb and Duncan, while facing the same concentrated defenses as the larger names, the only thing that will keep Finley from stepping into that league is if his teammates fail him, and his stay is too brief. Don Nelson and the Mavericks chose Michael Finley to build their team around. They consulted him on trades, kept him the focus of their attention, and supported him at every turn. With his extraordinary play down the stretch of this season, and his early personal success in the playoffs, Finley is demonstrating once and for all the wisdom of that choice, and a critical reason to believe in this team’s future. Discuss this story at DallasBasketball.com Boards. --BACK-- __________________ Ask not what you can do for your country but ask what you can do for THE KID!