Finley is no Nash

Most people predicted a Dallas decline this year because we lost another one of the so-called “Big Three.” Nash tore up the league once he left, and with Finley leaving, there was much national hubbub over the difficulty in replacing “another superstar” who was certain to do the same.

Man, do I hate national hubbub -- and not just for its general hubbubery, but for all the ways in which the lazy strip-club boozehounds who call themselves NBA columnists base their current opinions on what they remember from when they actually paid attention to the game.

"Look at me! I make boatloads of cash writing about the NBA, which I view through my patent-pending combo of rose-colored glasses and drunk goggles."

1) Michael Finley isn't in his prime anymore. Did you see him kill us during games 3-6 of the WC semis last year? He hasn't taken the ball to the hoop since '02, and that was only because he got confused and thought they'd moved in the 3-point line. Turns out it was just the new charge circle under the hoop.

2) Finley was quoted several times last year about his apprehension over moving to a bench role with the Mavs. Unlike Reggie Miller, he was resistant to winding down his career gracefully in a reserve role for his team. He admitted he probably would do it, but he openly said he wasn't going to be happy about it. Now, once he got released, he hopped on the Spurs' gravy train as a sub, but this was not going to go smoothly in Dallas.

3) Finley is not a clutch player, nor one who responds well to pressure. Nash absolutely killed the Mavs every time he saw them last year, and even in our OT win this season. He thrives on the same type of pressure you face when gunning for a title. He may not be able to play championship D, but he can take the heat.

And Finley? Well, examine this quote from the SA Express-News after the Mavs beat the Spurs all about the face and head while Finely shot 1-6: "It was just an overall weird feeling," Finley said. "I was trying to put extra pressure on myself to make every shot and try to play a perfect game to win. As a result, I didn't play one of my better games."

There are a lot of good intangibles left in Michael Finley, and he may well be a part of a championship team this year. But for every time he helps shoot them to victory, there will be 2-3 nights like this one, where he fails to show up at all.

If he can't take the heat of a return to Dallas, how on Earth do Spurs fans think he'll handle a big shot in the playoffs? Let this Mavs fan assure you: with a flat-footed fadeaway clang that'll leave you longing for Steve Kerr.