Categories
Archives
Calendar

January 2009

M T W T F S S

« Dec

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

January 2009
M	T	W	T	F	S	S
« Dec
	1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30	31

Jun

7

2007 NBA FINALS: SHOOTING FROM THE HIPS

MICHAEL FINLEY VERSUS SASHA PAVLOVIC

Finley is nowhere near the player he once was during his great years in Dallas, but he is still a very dangerous option with his jump-shooting ability. Finley can really open up the San Antonio offense, from going down low to Tim Duncan for a one-on-one, back-to-the-basket match up to parting the lane for Tony Parker, when he’s hitting the jumper. Finley seems to be on or off from the outside but does have the guts to hit big shots late in games. When he is on, San Antonio is very hard to beat. Finley is a great fourth scoring option to have behind Duncan, Manu Ginobli and Parker as the veteran can still have efficiently big scoring games. Finley has become somewhat fixated with settling too much for the three ball since joining the Spurs in the 2005 off-season. Finley is still a very tough, cagey and wily defender.

Pavlovic is not a bad player and has really improved in his fourth season. The 6’7’’ guard from Serbia not only has good size but can score from the outside and get to the rim. He has averaged around seven to 10 points in the playoffs and can be a factor when he’s aggressive and playing with confidence. However, he can also be nonexistent at times. Daniel Gibson got a lot of his minutes late in the Pistons’ series. Pavlovic needs to come out in this series and keep the Spurs’ honest. When he’s got open shots, step into them and take with confidence. When he’s got a path to the lane, go to the rim strong.

Pavlovic is alright on the defensive end and has some nice size. He needs to do a good job of keeping an eye on Finley and closing out on the shooter while providing help-side perimeter defense with Parker attacking the lane.

Advantage: Finley and the Spurs

Finley starts the games, and Ginobli finishes them and most importantly gives the Spurs a spark off the bench. Finley is winding down in his career and yet can still be dangerous with his shooting. Don’t be surprised if he has one big scoring game this series and then is around 10-12 points the rest of the series. Pavlovic is talented and a good young piece with the Cavs. But what will you get from him this series? Will he be ready for the big lights and an aggressive Spurs’ defense? Pavlovic is probably a bit too young in his career to expect consistency, but if he can keep at his current scoring average in the playoffs and play some decent defense, the Cavs will be happy.