Do we start out with Pierce on Bryant and Jesus on Artest or vice versa? I don't know, and, really, I don't care. Try it one way and then the other. See what happens. What I do care about are DKDs (Designated Kobe Defenders) 3, 4 and 5. In 2008, we only needed to go three deep. The third DKD proved to be a difference maker in Game 4, which decided the series. His name? James Posey.
Nails has moved on, and the question is, who do we have to replace him?
It says here that we've still got plenty.
Tony Allen is undersized, but physical. He'll be sure to use his fouls in pushing Kobe around. After TA comes Marquis Daniels. Thinner but longer, Squisy has a chance to prove why we signed him in the first place. Having received a free pass during the regular season because he has "good hair," he will now be counted on to use the full length of his body to frustrate #24.UPDATE: 5/31. Doc says Marquis is out indefinitely. Perhaps the whole series. Boooooooooooooo!
Finally, we have the most intriguing member of the DKDs, Michael Finley. At 6-7, Finley stands the tallest of the three. At 37, Finley may also be the wisest. Perhaps most importantly, Finley can drain the 3 ball. No Kobe playing free safety to offer help defense when he's guarding Mike.
But is Finley too old to play D?
We're not talking about lots of minutes, and we're only asking for short spurts. No one doubts that Finely is still in good shape. All he needs to do his channel his energy and his length for 5 or so minutes every game. I think he'll make a meaningful contribution on D. But he if can't, we've still got four other guys to throw at the Fakers' star.
Showing posts with label Michael Finley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Finley. Show all posts
5.31.2010
3.16.2010
Is Michael Finley Better than Kobe?
| DATE | OPP | RESULT | MIN | FG | PCT | 3P | PCT | FT | PCT | STL | BLK | TO | PF | OFF | DEF | TOT | AST | PTS |
| Begins Playing for BOSTON CELTICS | ||||||||||||||||||
| Was | 0 | -- | -- | -- | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| @Mil | 8 | .667 | 1.000 | -- | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | |||||
| Mem | 14 | .667 | .667 | -- | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | |||||
| Ind | 18 | .800 | -- | .500 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 9 | |||||
| @Cle | 16 | .286 | .000 | -- | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 | |||||
| Det | 14 | .857 | .750 | -- | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 15 | |||||
| Numbers for March | 14.0 | 18-28 | .643 | 6-11 | .545 | 1-2 | .500 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 8.6 | ||
With last night's 6-7 outing, Michael Finley is shooting a blistering64% since joining the Boston Celtics. If you throw out his Cleveland outing as an aberration, Finley's shooting percentage improves to better than 76%. He's shooting 54% from range, or 66% excluding the Cleveland game.
The Celtics don't have a long history of making mid- to late-season acquisitions who adjust quickly. Ray Williams and Artis Gilmore never really adjusted. Ed Pinckney and Joe Kleinie earned Cs. Sam Cassell and Derek Smith probably deserved a B-. Jim Paxson, Tony Delk, and Rodney Rogers probably earned a B+ in their first seasons.
Right now I'm gonna give #40 a B. If he can replicate his hot shooting in a game that matters, I'll revisit his GPA at that time.
3.14.2010
3.08.2010
3.04.2010
Why would Finley Choose Boston?
Michael Finley officially cleared waivers at 6 p.m., and the Celtics immediately got in line as part of a group that also reportedly included the Lakers and Nuggets.
As of game time Danny Ainge hadn’t talked to Henry Thomas – the swingman’s agent – though the Celtics’ president of basketball operations hoped to make contact later in the evening.
Other teams could conceivably offer more than the Celtics, who only have the veteran’s minimum salary to offer Finley.
LINK
I'm not opposed to signing Michael Finley. Nor am I in favor of it. I like what we have on our bench, but another wing wouldn't hurt, given the recent health problems of Mssrs. T.Allen, M.Daniels, and Paul Pierce. But the real question is why would Finley choose Boston over Denver and the Fakers. I know, I know. Everyone loves to play with the Ticket. Fine. But remember how Grant Hill dogged us last summer? One reason Hill returned to Phoenix was PT. In Hill's mind, there was no way he was going to get sufficient playing time with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce on the roster.
Finley would have to compete against an even deeper roster than Hill declined to join. Say what you want about the Lakers (and I know a lot of people are afraid of them), but I don't like their bench, and Finley would likely get some PT if he joined them. The Lakers, moreover, are odds on favorites in the West, and probably league favorites to bring home an NBA championship.
Join the Celtics and fight for a few minutes on a team that might get beat in the first round or join the Fakers and play decent minutes for a team the pundits like to win it all.
Like I said, why would Finley choose Boston?
As of game time Danny Ainge hadn’t talked to Henry Thomas – the swingman’s agent – though the Celtics’ president of basketball operations hoped to make contact later in the evening.
Other teams could conceivably offer more than the Celtics, who only have the veteran’s minimum salary to offer Finley.
LINK
I'm not opposed to signing Michael Finley. Nor am I in favor of it. I like what we have on our bench, but another wing wouldn't hurt, given the recent health problems of Mssrs. T.Allen, M.Daniels, and Paul Pierce. But the real question is why would Finley choose Boston over Denver and the Fakers. I know, I know. Everyone loves to play with the Ticket. Fine. But remember how Grant Hill dogged us last summer? One reason Hill returned to Phoenix was PT. In Hill's mind, there was no way he was going to get sufficient playing time with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce on the roster.
Finley would have to compete against an even deeper roster than Hill declined to join. Say what you want about the Lakers (and I know a lot of people are afraid of them), but I don't like their bench, and Finley would likely get some PT if he joined them. The Lakers, moreover, are odds on favorites in the West, and probably league favorites to bring home an NBA championship.
Join the Celtics and fight for a few minutes on a team that might get beat in the first round or join the Fakers and play decent minutes for a team the pundits like to win it all.
Like I said, why would Finley choose Boston?
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