Michael Finley

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Lore & Background

Finley's NBA journey began when he was drafted 21st overall by the Phoenix Suns in 1995. He was named to the 1995–96 NBA All-Rookie First Team and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting. In December 1996, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, where he flourished alongside Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki as part of the team's 'run and gun' offense. He was selected to the 2000 All-Star Game, scoring eleven points, and again in 2001. On January 23, 2001, Finley tied an NBA record by recording eight steals in one half of a game. He played for the US national team in the 2002 FIBA World Championship, which lost three games and failed to win a championship for the first time since FIBA opened international competitions to NBA players. In 2005, he was waived by Dallas and signed with the San Antonio Spurs, where he won his only NBA championship in 2007. He later played for the Boston Celtics, reaching the 2010 NBA Finals, and retired after that season.

In Their Own Story

In the fifth and final game of San Antonio's first-round series against Denver in 2007, Finley set the Spurs' record for three-point field goals in a playoff game, making eight of nine attempts. He eclipsed the previous record of seven set by teammate Bruce Bowen in 2003. Earlier, in Game 5 of the 2006 playoffs against his former team the Mavericks, Finley was punched by former teammate Jason Terry, earning Terry a suspension for the next game. The Spurs forced a seventh game after facing a 3–1 deficit but ultimately fell to the Mavericks in overtime. Finley also tied an NBA record on January 23, 2001, by recording eight steals in one half of a game.

Reader's Guide

Michael Finley is a 6'7" shooting guard/small forward who played 15 NBA seasons. He was a two-time All-Star and won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2007. Finley's career highlights include being named to the 1995–96 NBA All-Rookie First Team, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting, and tying an NBA record with eight steals in one half. He held the all-time scoring record at the University of Wisconsin–Madison for eleven years. After retiring as a player, Finley moved into front office work, becoming Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Dallas Mavericks and later interim general manager and vice president of player personnel. He also produced the films Lee Daniels' The Butler and The Birth of a Nation.

Did You Know?

• Finley tied an NBA record on January 23, 2001, by recording eight steals in one half of a game.
• He set the Spurs' playoff record for three-point field goals in a game, making eight of nine attempts against Denver in 2007.
• Finley held the all-time scoring record at the University of Wisconsin–Madison for eleven years before being passed by Alando Tucker in 2007.
• He was one of the producers of the films Lee Daniels' The Butler and The Birth of a Nation.
• Finley attended the same high school as Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers.