| | DALLAS -- Michael Finley is an All-Star and Scottie Pippen
isn't. The Dallas Mavericks' swingman would like to thank his
Portland counterpart for helping him make it.
After getting the good news Tuesday, Finley said he believes
Pippen unintentionally spurred his bid by saying he wasn't worthy
of playing in the showcase event because he's on a lousy team.
A few nights after the comments were made, Finley proved he
deserved consideration by leading Dallas to a 113-105 victory over
Pippen's Trail Blazers.
"Being the type of player he is and the recognition he has been
given, the media and the coaches paid attention to that and the
game," said Finley, who had 32 points, eight assists and six
rebounds in that game.
"Fortunately for us, we won that game and fortunately enough
for me, I played really well. He brought a lot of attention to the
situation and I just expanded on it."
Going into Tuesday night's game against Philadelphia, Finley was
15th in the league in scoring with a 22.4 average and his six
assists per game were 18th. He also averages 7.1 rebounds.
He's one of only three players averaging 20 points, five assists
and five rebounds. The others are perennial All-Stars Gary Payton
and Grant Hill.
Finley's all-around numbers are reminiscent of what Pippen used
to do -- but no longer does. Pippen averages less than Finley in all
three categories. Finley also leads in humility as he chose not to
use his new status to take shots at Pippen.
"He's an All-Star not having an All-Star season," Finley said.
"He'll always have next year."
Finley is the first Dallas All-Star since Chris Gatling was
picked as a reserve in 1997. He's only the sixth player chosen in
the team's 20-year history.
His selection could've been based on grit alone as Finley has
played all season with a painful heel injury -- and still leads the
league at 42.1 minutes played per game.
"It wasn't a popularity contest or how many commercials you
have or anything like that," said Finley, who goes through
extensive pregame and postgame treatment for his foot problem. "It
was just about picking a player who deserves it."
The Mavs have been trying to hype him as an All-Star candidate
for months, but there was little steam to it until Pippen spoke.
The most tense moment of the campaign might have come Tuesday
morning when his phone wouldn't stop ringing.
"The last time my phone rang like that I got traded," said
Finley, acquired from Phoenix in December 1996 as part of the Jason
Kidd trade.
This actually will be the third time Finley has been part of
All-Star weekend. He took part in the slam dunk contest in '97 and
'96 and he played in the rookie game in '96.
Now, he's looking forward to finally playing in the main
event, Feb. 13 in Oakland, Calif.
"I'm blessed and very thankful," said Finley, who scored a
career-high 39 in his first game after learning he didn't make the
All-Star team in 1998.
"It's an honor to go out there and be a part of this festive
weekend. I am just going to enjoy it to the fullest. If I get a
chance to show my stuff a little bit, I will definitely do that." | |
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