Lots of times beat writers are on vacation for much of the offseason because they've accumulated so much comp time during the season. But it doesn't explain the News not assigning someone else to do some offseason writing. I guess the paper didn't feel a pressing need.

According to McCosky the Pistons actually made an offer to Finley in the amount of their mid-level exception; i..e, $5 million a year. Even the ESPN story on Mo Evans said the same thing.

I don't recall the Pistons ever making an offer to Finley. I know that they offered Davis his $3.5 million a year before Finley met with teams in Chicago.

I am curious if the Pistons actually offered Finley a deal or is McCosky just trying to stir the pot with falsehoods? If the Pistons actually offered Finley a deal and anyone has the link I would appreciate it if they could post it.

Thanks

I don't recall the Pistons making an offer either.

I did a search and all it said in every one of the articles was what we "could offer finley..." Nowhere did I see that we actually made an offer. So it sounds made up to me.

I had thought that they made an offer, but I could be wrong. Maybe they were just "in talks" and nothing was made official.

I also got the impression that Finley wasn't terribly interested in playing for the Piston's when there were warmer weathered contenders offering him just as much money and more playing time.

I think Joe D. made a pre-emptive decision by signing Davis, rather than waiting to be officially passed over when Finley eventually signed with someone - he didn't seem to be in any big hurry.

The Pistons were always on the outside looking in on this one. A long shot to land him from the beginning. Joe D. isn't one to just sit back while he's getting the cold shoulder.

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No doubt Merc, it's about damn time the News gave us something, SHEESH!!! No excuse for that long of a time period passing by and not putting out anything. I mean they just totally let the big news of C-note sticking up for young Darko go past them like it was nothing. They really need to get their priorities together over there....

Indeed Joe definitely made attempts for Finley but wasn't getting much of a response therefore wisely moved on. Check out this clip from one mccosky's articles today...

"In Dumars' defense, he made a pitch to the best free-agent shooter on the market -- Michael Finley. The Pistons offered the full mid-level exception (starting at $5 million) and were rebuked. Finley didn't like the idea of coming off the Pistons' bench and signed with the Spurs."

Joe and staff didn't go all the way to chi-town to kiss up to Finley like other suitors did, but he certainly cast his line out there with some nice bait. Making a play for Finley was only common sense folks (especially with the squad we have to offer), Joe has NEVER been a fool therefore I never had a doubt he at least gave it the ole college try....

In spite of what he says.

I reason as follows.

Last spring the Pistons tried to get Dale Davis. As Joe D. has said many times and continues to say the way to NBA finals in the East is through Shaq. So Joe D. wanted another big man last spring who could give him 10 -15 solid minutes so that Brown didn't have to go to "small ball" because of his 2 and 4 foul rules.

Dumars was not successful last spring in getting Davis, but obviously after last year's playoffs Dumars still thought that the Pistons needed more proven experience up front with a solid big man who can rebound and defend. Davis can do this Finley can't.

The only money that the Pistons had to spend on free agents was their mid-level exception of about $5 million. I believe that Davis was Joe D.'s first choice to spend most of that money on. What ever, if anything he had left over he would use to look for a guy that could play some defense and score from the 3 and 4 slots.

I believe that Joe D. would have taken Finley over Mo Evans if Finley had agreed to come for $1.5 million. But of course Finley wouldn't do that so he signed elsewhere; i.e., with San Antonio. Whether Detroit ever offered Finley the $1.5 million we will probably never know. But I am pretty sure that they never offered him the $5 million or anything close to it. They had been after Davis since last March. This was the man Joe D. wanted to spend the bulk of the mid level exception on, not Finley.

Guys, some things aren't placed in print.

I really synthesize my own opinions from what I read so from my point of view, Joe did make an "offer" to Finley. He talked to him albeit over the phone, probably stated his case that this is a championship caliber team and that he'd probably be coming off the bench and would be willing to give the whole 5 mil but was wishing probably that he'd take less.

That is an offer to me. Joe was basically handing him that offer and it was there for a verbal agreement but Finley chose to wait it out and see what was out there.

I don't blame him for going to San Antonio. That team is strong too. It's where old cats go to get their rings. Mad Dog got his there, Barry, but guess we'd have to disappoint him this time.

No question that Evans wouldn't be here if Finley said yes but he didn't. It's not a bad pick-up though and I'd love to see what he brings to the table.

THere's always that midseason Joe D. Trade magic.......

Yeah, I too thought that was the way it went down with Dumars and Finley. Joe makes a 5 million dollar verbal offer and after a bit Dumars could see Finley was highly unlikely to sign with Detroit. So Joe took an alternative route rather than wait for Finley to officially sign elsewhere after it would probably be too late for Joe to get his next best options (Davis and Evans).

Here's a couple articles from today's Oakland Press and a few AS Blakely pieces.

Pistons had to cut cord with Brown
http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/1...05100508.shtml

Hunter must ease into his 13th season
http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/1...05100511.shtml

CHECKING THE PISTONS
http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories...270.xml&coll=1

Pistons adapting to the idea of playing zone
http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories...270.xml&coll=1