San Antonio – In the Nuggets’ perfect world, Michael Finley would be their starting shooting guard when they start the season Tuesday night against NBA champion San Antonio. In Finley’s perfect world, he is coming off the bench for the Spurs.
Finley could have gone to Denver, Miami, Phoenix, the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago or New York. The two-time all-star could have gotten more money and a starting position elsewhere.
But in his 11th season, with $15 million in hand after being waived by Dallas, no opportunity looked better to him than trying to win a championship with San Antonio.
“It wasn’t nothing overwhelming that swayed me over,” Finley said. “This was the only situation I felt that had little unknowns. All the other situations had unknowns as far as how do players fit in, how the coaching situation would be dictated, how management would be. Here, there were little unknowns.
“I knew what team was going to be here. The coaching staff. The core group. I was just trying to come in and help something that was already established. I believe that made the decision even more comfortable.”
With Phoenix star Amare Stoudemire sidelined with a knee injury, the Nuggets are the West’s second-best team. Had they acquired Finley, Denver had a shot at knocking off the Spurs. Without him, the Nuggets are a star shooting guard away.
Finley has a bond with Denver general manager Kiki Vandeweghe, dating to Vandeweghe’s tenure with Dallas’ coaching staff. Even so, Vandeweghe couldn’t woo Finley. But neither could former Dallas teammate and friend Steve Nash of Phoenix or Miami superstar Shaquille O’Neal. Finley discounted rumors he isn’t fond of Nuggets coach George Karl, his 2002 World Championships USA coach.
So why did Finley turn down Denver? Because the Nuggets aren’t the Spurs.
“On paper, the situation in Denver was a good one,” Finley said. “They have a young team and (are) truly one of the teams to be reckoned with in this league. But at the same time, I just didn’t know if I fit in.”
Finley, 6-feet-7, 225 pounds, played nearly nine seasons for Dallas. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in 3-pointers and fourth in games played and points. He averaged 15.7 points last season and shot a career-best 40.7 percent from 3-point range.
Even so, Dallas waived him Aug. 15 to save about $50 million in future contract obligations.
Finley doesn’t seem to hold a grudge against his old team, nor does he see his return to Dallas on Saturday as a big deal.
“It’s just another game,” he said. “The media will hype it up. Even some of my teammates may hype it up. But my focus is just to get the W, get in there and get out.”
Finley will be a reserve for the first time in his career. But if he gets a coveted ring, his view from the bench will be worth it.
“I asked myself, ‘What is more important, winning or playing time?’ To me, it was winning, hands down,” he said.
Ford ready to drive Bucks
It’s safe to say Milwaukee Bucks guard T.J. Ford isn’t thinking about his career-threatening spinal cord injury. He missed the 2004-05 season with the injury suffered Feb. 24, 2004, against Minnesota. He missed the final 26 games of his rookie season.
But the 6-foot, 165-pounder showed he has moved on by trying to dunk on the Nuggets’ 6-11 shot-blocking center Marcus Camby in a preseason game Wednesday. Ford’s dunk didn’t fall, but his effort and hang time were so sweet, a replay was shown on the Pepsi Center JumboTron.
“Part of my training this summer with (former NBA coach and player John) Lucas was to get my mental stage up,” Ford said. “I had to get (the fall) out of my mind and feel comfortable with contact.”
Footnotes
Word is the Nuggets and the Bucks talked about a trade including Nuggets forward- center Nene for former Milwaukee swingman Desmond Mason. It never approached completion despite significant interest from Milwaukee. Instead, Mason, a first-round pick and cash were sent to New Orleans/ Oklahoma City last week for center Jamaal Magloire. A rule of thumb in the NBA is never trade a big man without getting a big man in return. But the Bucks told the Hornets their key bigs were off limits, and the Hornets didn’t make a counteroffer. … Believe it or not, Lakers center Chris Mihm got a shoe deal with Pony. “The Lakers are the most visible basketball team in the country, and we are excited to partner with such a standout player and individual as Chris,” said Killick Datta, CEO of Pony’s majority owner Global Brand Marketing Inc. Hey, Pony, what were you thinking? The Lakers didn’t make the playoffs last season, and the five-year veteran has never averaged more than 10 points a game. And big men historically don’t help shoe sales. … How good will the Indiana Pacers be? Said the Pacers’ Stephen Jackson: “The biggest thing is keeping our emotions together. We’re emotional. … If we’re healthy, the sky is the limit.”
Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com.
