Michael Finley is Nothing, If Not a Jerk

by Tom Ziller on Dec 18, 2005 8:26 AM PST in News

While their sharpshooters are winning games for them, what the hell is our sharpshooter doing?

Let's start backwards from Saturday: 13 points on 5-14 shooting, 10 points on 4-9 shooting, 14 points on 4-12 shooting. It's not pretty that it's getting to the point where a bad night for Peja is less surprising than a good one.

I think I've said it before, but hell, let's say it again: When all you do as a player is shoot well, and you stop shooting well, you bring nothing to the table. He's not even a decoy at this point, is he?

All this trade stuff is bothering him, according to coaches and Geoff Petrie. Then TRADE HIM. It won't bother him once that happens - he can go make some other town happy, because it's obviously not going to happen here.

I've just got cabin fever with this team - I need to see something new. I'd accept increased minutes for Kevin Martin during Peja's shooting slump, but that's not going to happen. So get us a new player, preferably one whom can rebound.

(By the way, I predicted Nick Van Exel making the game-winner, not Fin. Seemed more likely.)

(P.S. II: Mike Bibby is now 0-3 on game-winners this season. Bonzi is 2-2. I don't know what point I'm trying to prove, though.)

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Get Use To It

It isn't going to get better any time soon. Petrie prides himself on not being bulldozed into any move and will probably display this stubborness sticking with Peja. That doesn't mean that Adelman has to keep him in the game but he will. Once a player is designated a "starter" he gets played no matter how bad he is. That is what made the recent Bee Columnist article claiming Adelman doesn't play his starters enough ridiculous. Adelman is notorious for working his starters until they get hurt, which is the usual outcome with an overworked player.

by Jubilado1 on Dec 18, 2005 8:56 AM PST reply actions

Good points.

That said, I think that Petrie is honest enough with himself to know when it's time to make a move, enough if his beloved Peja is involved. Now would be a good time, in my estimation.

by Tom Ziller on Dec 19, 2005 7:57 AM PST up reply actions