Finley wants to come back to the NBA?

Does everyone know where former San Antonio Spurs guard Michael Finley finished out his NBA career? The answer is the Boston Celtics. If you didn’t know that, I don’t blame you.

After Finley left the Spurs, he kind of faded into obscurity, trying to contribute what he could to a Celtics team that lost in the Finals to the L.A. Lakers. He never really was at 100% and didn’t get much playing time, but now he says he’s ready to come back to basketball. Finley sent a tweet to HoopsHype last week that said:

“U left me off the free agency list #notdoneyet”

I can understand feeling a little left out. Once you retire from the game, people don’t care as much about what you’re doing, so Finley wants a little piece of fame back. Well he can get the rumor mill going all he wants, I can’t see an NBA team taking a chance on him. He hasn’t ruled out playing overseas or in the D-league, which is a much more believable option, but I really doubt he could get himself into NBA shape right now.

“I got offers from the D-League before (Ricky Davis or Greg Ostertag) ever thought about playing in the D-League,” Finley said. “My thing is, I want to play basketball, I would enjoy playing in the D-League, but at the same time I don’t want to take an opportunity away from a young guy to get exposure. I’m still thinking about it. If the right situation comes, where I could be something like a player-coach, maybe I would take that opportunity.”

I guess with all the injuries in the NBA, it wouldn’t be unheard of for Finley to get another chance. I hear Dallas is the new place for over-the-hill players to play, so maybe they’ll invite Finley. He’d fit in perfectly!

All jokes aside, Finley’s time has come and gone. There are lots of other ways to play pro basketball, but the NBA is just a little out of reach.