One Class Act

by raynorschiene on Mar 4, 2009 11:25 AM CST Comment 34 comments

I wanted to get off the acquistion of Gooden track and talk about a guy who's taken a lot heat from most of us here at PTR over the past couple of years. He was one of the main men on his previous team and was offered more money and a starting spot to play elsewhere when he was looking for a new one. He left his ego at the door, accepted being bench/role player, all the while becoming a team leader and showing the utmost professionalism. You already know who I'm referring to, Findog, and we're lucky to have him. He's been en fuego as of late and I'm glad to see that. I've always liked him, even when he was sucking gas, so I tried not to bash him (I might have said something once or twice in reference to his lack of solid D). Either way, a stand up guy and a class act.

What do you guys/girls think?

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A class act indeed. That’s not the reason he’s been critiziced here. His lack of D and inconsistent offense have been the main punchlines. But I agree, the man is a class act.

"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."

by Chilai on Mar 4, 2009 11:58 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

+1

by Big50 on Mar 4, 2009 11:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lucky to have him?

What a crock. All Finley can do is shoot. He’s a sieve on defense, can’t create his own shot and can’t create shots for others. All. He. Can. Do. Is. Shoot.

And he’s not a good shooter. Yeah. I said it.

His TS% is 54.7% You know where that puts him in terms of NBA SGs? 33rd. SFs? 22nd. For a guy that NEVER creates his own shot, that is fucking awful.

Screw professional. I’d rather have a guy that can, you know, actually play.

As for turning down more money? When he initially signed with the Spurs he was still getting paid $18 million by Cuban. And did anybody else even want him after last year?

by sungo on Mar 4, 2009 12:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

He’s always been a scorer. To be an effective one, minutes and shots are required to establish any kind of rythym. It was probably a bad call on his part to accept a diminished role and there by sacrifice his stats and eventually his performance. But a class act regardless. Yes he was still on Cubans payroll at the time of his signing, but he was sought after by few different teams, including Shaq’s pre championship Heat (who won the next year BTW…ironic) that offered more money than we did to try for his first championship. And did I mention, he’s been EL FUEGO lately. Anyway, I like him, always have. He’s the kind of guy that helps gives Spurs the whole team first aura.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - Confucius

by raynorschiene on Mar 4, 2009 12:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Stephen Jackson

Stephen Jackson. Also, Stephen Jackson.

Drew Gooden isn’t a Spur! He’s weird! He’s got a limited set of tools, and can be a defensive let-down at times! We can’t use him in a targeted role to boost ourselves to a championship – he has a spotty track-record with other teams! And sometimes his shot selection is atrocious! Buford doesn’t know what he’s doing, and Pop can’t possibly be expected to incorporate this kind of unconventional element into San Antonio’s game plan.

Bad signing.

Furthermore, Stephen Jackson.

by Rand on Mar 4, 2009 12:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Don’t like Gooden either, for the most part. But what do think of Findogs performance lately?

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - Confucius

by raynorschiene on Mar 4, 2009 12:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I’d rather have Stephen Jackson over Fin as well, but what are you gonna do when a guy takes less money to put up better stats on a bad team. The Spurs have won 2 championships since he left. And Pop will be able to deal with Gooden, if he comes in here bullshitting, his ass will be adhered to the pine. I don’t think it was a bad gamble, it’s not as if there were multiple bigs available. Time will tell, and I’m inclined to believe he’ll come in here and try to play some good basketball. Because if he comes in here and screws up, he’ll end his career playing on alsoran after alsoran. I think he(Gooden) knows what is at stake.

"There's a thin line between to laugh with and to laugh at." - Richard Pryor

by DennardC on Mar 4, 2009 1:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Who are you, his agent?

Findog is a net positive. He’s also somewhat problematic in that he’s good enough to keep his job, but not good enough to take the team to the proverbial ‘next level’. I see him becoming the New Horry as soon as Santa brings me that long, athletic wing with good range for which I’ve asked him – a ‘savvy veteran’ who can come off the bench, keep the other guys on their toes, and then sit down again before his defense murders us.

by Rand on Mar 4, 2009 1:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Oops. This is a reply to raynorschiene.

by Rand on Mar 4, 2009 1:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not his agent, just like the cat. Taking less money and accepting a diminished role from what he was accustomed was admirable. Me thinks

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - Confucius

by raynorschiene on Mar 4, 2009 1:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s admirable unless you suck and don’t deserve the playing time you’re getting.

by sungo on Mar 4, 2009 6:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That wasn’t the case initially. He was one of main cats on that Mavs team when he left and probably had a couple of good years left in him as a 2nd or 3rd option but came to a team that didn’t need that, just a role player instead. He’s not what he once was and his lack of D at times is VERY bad but he’s earned a spot on this team, probably not a starting spot, but 20-25 mins a game.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - Confucius

by raynorschiene on Mar 5, 2009 1:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You guys are crazy – I’m with raynor here. Finley is a class act, it’s not really his fault that he sucks and starts. What’s that have to do with raynor’s comment about Finley being a stand-up guy?

I’m not so sure we’re lucky to have him, but hey.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
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by LatinD on Mar 4, 2009 6:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wait, what?

Where did I say Finley’s isn’t a class guy? I do not doubt he’s a lovely human being. My comment was in response to the “lucky to have him” part.

by sungo on Mar 4, 2009 10:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, wasn’t just for you, but I meant that “it’s admirable unless you suck” comment, too. It’s great that he has a firm grip on his ego and that he’s willing to accept his role and work hard within it, regardless of how much he sucks in it.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Mar 4, 2009 10:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Admirable to accept his role when he clearly doesn’t deserve a bigger one? That’s not admirable. How little do we expect from people?

by sungo on Mar 4, 2009 10:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t want to turn into raynor’s translator, but his point was that he was one of the main bananas in Dallas when he signed, and he immediately saw his role reduced upon arriving at SA. While it’s clear to us now that it’s deserved, he could’ve felt entitled to more. In a league where egos ran rampant, I’m afraid that people like Finley aren’t the norm. He seamlessly fit into the “Spurs philosophy”, and I’m sure that that’s one of the reasons Pop loves him so.

BTW, you said that taking less money and accepting a diminished role from what he was accustomed was admirable – I was just talking about the “unless you suck” clause. IMO you can’t hold against a player his performance if he gives it his all every night, and I honestly think Finley has done that. I’ll be the first one to say he hurts us sometimes, like last night, but he goes out to play every night. And shock, no, that’s not the norm, either.

Anyway. I think we’re wasting too much time analyzing what basically was a “feel good” post for Finley.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Mar 4, 2009 11:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

As always LatinD is the voice of reason around here…

by speedostuffer on Mar 5, 2009 1:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

speedo, you’re so right. LD is a real class act. You could even say he’s, like, the Finley of PtR. He gives his all every night, and even if he hurts us, he deserves to be recognized.

Here’s to you LD, go on with your bad self!

You’re better off trying to intimidate the sea.
- LatinD

by jollyrogerwilco on Mar 5, 2009 8:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

…So that’s why I was trying so hard to defend Finley? I was subconsciously recognizing my Spurs counterpart? What a depressing twist.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Mar 5, 2009 8:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

"you said that taking less money and accepting a diminished role from what he was accustomed was admirable"

I said nothing of the sort. I said “It’s admirable unless you suck and don’t deserve the playing time you’re getting.”

by sungo on Mar 5, 2009 9:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Okay, I might be interpreting your words incorrectly, and if I am, I can only blame having English as a second-language. Mainly because then I can be automatically excused for any faux pas I make. Yeah.

I read “It’s admirable unless…” as “it would be admirable if he didn’t suck.” It seemed to imply to me that if Finley accepted limited minutes, responsibility and a pay cut, and he played like Manu, then you’d consider it admirable. Or, in other words, that you think acting like that’s admirable, just not in this case. Makes sense?

If I misread it, I apologize. (In the interest of full disclosure, I thought Rand had agreed with you, so I was answering to both of you. But he wasn’t. Oops.) Didn’t mean to call you out or anything.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Mar 5, 2009 10:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No need to apologize...

It’s just a blog. =).

by sungo on Mar 6, 2009 12:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The nicest blog I post in. I’d like to contribute to that. :)

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Mar 6, 2009 1:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You hit the nail on the head. I knew I was going out on a limb but a feel good post was called for at the time with Fin being en fuego at the time of it being posted.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - Confucius

by raynorschiene on Mar 5, 2009 10:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you and the lucky to have him comment was meant more toward what he’s done for the Spurs up to this point with game winning shots, the occasional kick ass game, and unselfish, teamfirst attitude which trickles down the line from top to bottom. Findog, like TD and Manu, is what makes the Spurs organization who they are. Any possible FA’s understand what’s expected of them if they sign up. Check your ego at the door and know your role.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - Confucius

by raynorschiene on Mar 5, 2009 1:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Going w/ raynorschiene on this one.....

Finley really is a class act, and he’s been a huge positive as far as professionalism in the locker room and both on and off the court. Of course coming off the bench has hurt his numbers and his rhythm, but not only did he know that coming in, but you haven’t heard him so much as make one peep of complaint about it. This coming from a guy who was part of his own “Big 3” on a team that had legitimate title aspirations.

All I’m saying is, Pop may have loyalty issues and tend to play personnel a little longer than they’re useful, but I’d make exception for Findog—he’s earned his spot on this team, and on the floor, in my mind.

"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton

by spursfan4ever on Mar 4, 2009 6:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah… but….. 30/35 mins a game? Really? id like him as a veteran shooter for short stints, he could excel that way. But he plays the same or more than Manu (even when gino is healthy)

"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."

by Chilai on Mar 4, 2009 7:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The biggest knock is that he’s hot/cold coming off the bench. The main reason is because he doesn’t get consistent minutes. I think if you play him a consistent 25/30 mins a game, he has the potential to go off just like we’ve seen him do so many times in the past.

by spursfan4ever on Mar 4, 2009 7:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Then I dont like him. 30 mins or more are too much for him. And if he cant produce in limited minutes…

"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."

by Chilai on Mar 4, 2009 10:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree…. and I can’t help it… I like Fin.

I’ll never forget when he got his ring… he was so honored to be a part of that team.

Without him, we don’t get to overtime against Phoenix in the playoffs last year.

I am happy. I am proud. - Manu Ginobili

by bellasa on Mar 4, 2009 11:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

word. I like me some findog

by speedostuffer on Mar 5, 2009 1:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yup

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - Confucius

by raynorschiene on Mar 5, 2009 10:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed and like my earlier response to Powell:

"He’s always been a scorer. To be an effective one, minutes and shots are required to establish any kind of rythym. It was probably a bad call on his part to accept a diminished role and there by sacrifice his stats and eventually his performance. "

Once consistent minutes stopped being the case his rythym and performance flew south for the most part. Keep in mind every now and then he gets hot and he has won some games for us.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - Confucius

by raynorschiene on Mar 5, 2009 10:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs