Notebook: Finley giving Spurs needed jolt
Web Posted: 04/26/2007 11:32 PM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
While the Spurs have labored for scoring in the first half in each game against Denver, Michael Finley has done his part.
Finley is averaging 14.5 points in two games, with the bulk of his scoring coming in the opening half. On Wednesday, he hit a 3-pointer less than a minute into the game, countering a 24-foot shot by Nuggets point guard Steve Blake.
Ten of the 15 points Finley scored in Game 1 came in the first half. He had eight points and five rebounds in the first half of Game 2.
“I got some good looks early that seemed to get the team revved up,” Finley said, “and our Big Three took it from there.”
After Wednesday’s game, he was asked if the Big Three should expand to the Big Four.
“No,” Finley said, laughing. “I’m just a passenger on this luxury liner.”
Finley has averaged 13.3 points in the past 16 games, the last nine of which he’s started.
We’re talking practice: After taking Thursday off, the Spurs will practice today before flying to Denver.
“What we people do to each other at this point in the year isn’t really going to be different from what any of us have seen,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "They pretty much know how we’re going to play and we know how they’re going to play.
“It’s just a matter of trying to execute and be the team that does all the little things the best, whether it’s the boards or taking care of the basketball, making shots. Those things determine the winners. It’s not going to be our new defense or their new offense or vice versa.”
Vaughn doesn’t back down: Any NFL team in need of a safety might want to consider taking Jacque Vaughn in this weekend’s draft.
Vaughn delivered bonejarring hits on Allen Iverson and Steve Blake while diving for the ball in Game 1. On Wednesday, he flew out of bounds after the ball before tumbling into a fan.
“That’s what (the postseason) is about,” Vaughn said. “This time of the year I’m going to lay myself out on the line to make a play.”
Touchy, touchy: Nuggets coach George Karl got a tad testy when asked about the team’s lack of production from bench players. Denver reserves have scored only seven points in the first two games.
“I’ll ask A.I. to come off the bench, and he’ll get 30 off the bench and then everything will be fine,” Karl said, his voice rising a bit. “Understand, it’s just how you rotate the game. If you want to count the guys who are really bench players, count the points. Just because (Robert) Horry and (Manu) Ginobili come off the bench doesn’t mean they’re not two of their top five players.”
What can Karl do to get the three reserves he has used — Linas Kleiza, Eduardo Najera and J.R. Smith — untracked?
“Send them to church,” he said. “Pray a little bit. Pray that Pop will let them wide-open for a couple of threes that might go in.”
Pacemakers: Karl was asked if the Nuggets needed to pick up the pace, considering they have scored only seven fastbreak points in the series, according to the official box scores.
“That would be an interesting question to ask Pop; if he likes the pace of the game,” Karl said.
“I like the pace right now. The transition points they write at the bottom of the stat sheet are not the same as the transition points I have us for. I had us for 32 transition points last game. We had what we call pace opportunities, 32 shots in the first 10 seconds of the shot clock.”