the finley files

"Michael Finley, a two-time All-Star with a career scoring average of 19.0 points over 10 seasons, on Wednesday opted to sign a free-agent contract with the Spurs. He spurned the Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves, all of whom made extensive pitches over the past week, promising some things the Spurs could not, including more money. The Suns had dispatched All-Star Amare Stoudemire to meet with Finley in Chicago, along with coach Mike D'Antoni. They promised a starting spot on the league's top-scoring team." San Antonio Express-News

"Heat president Pat Riley and coach Stan Van Gundy, who had been Finley's coach at Wisconsin, traveled to Chicago to make their pitch. They promised a salary of $5 million." San Antonio Express-News

"The Timberwolves sent former league MVP Kevin Garnett and GM Jim Stack, offering a chance to help revitalize a former division champ." San Antonio Express-News

"The Spurs sent one man: head coach and executive vice-president Gregg Popovich, who promised nothing but a chance to win. "We didn't send mariachi bands or birthday cards or breakfast in bed," Popovich said. "I talked to him in Chicago and said, 'If you come with us we want it to be for the right reasons and do it the way we do it. If you don't come, you don't come.'" San Antonio Express-News

"Finley's deal with the Spurs is believed to be for slightly more than $2.6 million next season. The length of the contract isn't yet determined." San Antonio Express-News

"The Mavericks still owe Finley the $51.8 million for the final three years of his deal. However, they had a "stretch" provision that allowed them to pay off Finley in annual installments of less than $5 million if he were waived." San Antonio Express-News

"I didn't see this coming. Then again, Gregg Popovich didn't either. I thought Finley would sign with the Heat because of money, and Popovich thought Finley would sign with Phoenix because of relationships there. No one is exactly sure why Finley took less money to play in a city he doesn't know. The signing of a friend, Nick Van Exel, couldn't have meant that much. So what happened?" San Antonio Express-News

"Something I should have seen coming. When Finley called Tim Duncan on his own, without prompting, and these men talked, Finley connected with his low-key, high-character brother. Popovich likely made a difference, too. Put him in a room with these stars, and millionaires who are accustomed to being told what they want to hear often welcome his blunt honesty." San Antonio Express-News