Rate the Newbies - Nate and Finley

[fairweatherfan]

So I haven't seen much talk of our new additions here on the board, so I figured I'd poll everyone to see what you think of their performance so far. 

Basically, how well would you say they're fulfilling their roles, and why?

I gave Nate a B and Finley a C.  Nate has provided some much-needed energy and ball-handling off the bench, but has been pretty inconsistent.  The Rondo-Nate backcourt Doc's been trying hasn't paid many dividends either.  But overall I'd say Nate's been an improvement over what Eddie was giving us this year.

I like Finley a lot, but after some excellent early games he seems to have gone cold.  He can get his jumpshot off regularly in the flow of the offense, which is good, but he hasn't been hitting them regularly and can get burned on defense as well.  He gives us a dimension we sorely need, but it's up in the air whether he'll fill his role efficiently enough to matter in the playoffs.

[Mike-Dub]

I gave Nate a B and Finley a B.  Nate has been alright but like you said fairweatherfan better than Eddie and Finley I thought was playing great when we first started but like you said again fairweatherfan has cooled off.

Had Michael been playing like he was when he first got him I would have given him an A, but since he has tailed off a bit I went with the B.

TP for this post!

[PosImpos]

Nate's been kind of a disappointment for me so far.  Haven't seen him do a whole lot more for us than Eddie.

Finley started out shooting very hot for us, which was a very pleasant surprise.  He's been colder lately, but he's still been a nice surprise.

[Roy Hobbs]

I'd give them both a B, relative to what my expectations were.  I might give Nate a B- (or even a C+), if only because I was hoping for a bit more explosive scoring on a consistent basis.  Regarding Finley, I was expecting nothing, so everything he's added has been a plus.

[RAcker]

I'd give them both a B, relative to what my expectations were.  I might give Nate a B- (or even a C+), if only because I was hoping for a bit more explosive scoring on a consistent basis.  Regarding Finley, I was expecting nothing, so everything he's added has been a plus.

Your exact reasoning is why I'd give Nate something in the C range and Finley a low A.  Due to expectations, Finley has been a pleasant surprise and Nate has been a bit of a disappointment since he really is only bringing exactly what Eddie did and maybe a little less at times.

[Mr October]

I give them both a B - better than I expected. Finley has a lot left, and Nate has really helped the second unit with maintaing a House-like threat from range, but by also supplying pesky energy on defense, and providing the team with another solid ball handler.

Nice pickups!

[Who]

In terms of expectations, Finley has been an "A". In terms of filling the role being asked of him (second wing off the bench), he has been a "C" so far but I also expect Finley's form to continue to decline over the next few weeks (so a "D").

In terms of both expectations and filling the role required of him (primary backup guard), I think Nate Robinson has been a "B" but will continue to improve as the season progresses.

Very happy with Nate and moderately happy with Finley.

[Drucci]

If we grade them on their production compared to the expectations :

I give a C+ to Nate. I'm still excited to see him play and he had some great games (especially during his first games in green) but I'm very disappointed by the fact that he can't finish to the rim (and rarely attempts to), and that he plays Eddie's role for the most part, as a 3 pointer jumpshooter. Plus, he hasn't knocked a lot of them lately.

I am glad however to see that he fits perfectly with this team and really enjoys his time here, I had big concerns about chemistry with Nate but he is great from that standpoint and he always brins 100% energy every night.

As for Finley, I was glad to learn that we signed him but didn't expect much. Thus, I will give him a A- because he has impressed me with his shooting, the fact that he can still create his own shot by himself (off the drible) and that he usually makes good to great decisions with the ball. His D is suspect to say the least but he is old and he gives a lot of effort so...

Both players were great signings but let's hope they keep up their level of play (Finley) or step it up (Nate) in the playoffs. Definitely the greatest "midseason" additions made by Danny so far in the Big Three era!

[2short]

For actual play I gave them both C's (both would be C+).
For Nate, he is an improvement in ball handling and has shown in brief glimpses that he can heat up but he's been inconsistant.  This could be as simple as playing time and a new system?  He is an upgrade over eddie and is the sort of guy who could win a game all on his own come playoff time ala pierce or ray in past years.
Finley if you take into account how little we gave for him and he's older than me  or at least seems to be then I'd say B+ but again on play he has been inconsistant.  From a standpoint of who knew how he'd do I'm really happy.  He has the outside game and has shown good defense & rebounding insticts.  I'd be happy to have him near the end of our bench for next year.

[Mr October]

I give a C+ to Nate. I'm still excited to see him play and he had some great games (especially during his first games in green) but I'm very disappointed by the fact that he can't finish to the rim (and rarely attempts to), and that he plays Eddie's role for the most part, as a 3 pointer jumpshooter. Plus, he hasn't knocked a lot of them lately.

I just want to raise a point here. Nate Robinson is 5-9. The only time a guy that small should be able to finish any where near the rim is when he is out in front on the fast break.

Think of him as a Mugsy Bogues / Spud Webb type of player. The majority of his offense is not going to be near the basket, despite the leaping ability. He/they are just too small.

He is still an upgrade over House, because he can get himself open almost all the time with his ball handling. This makes him a greater offensive threat.

[Atzar]

Relative to what I expected, I'm giving Nate a C and Finley a B.  

Nate is who we thought he was - a cannon off the bench who will occasionally shoot you into a game and will occasionally shoot you out of a game.  He hasn't done any of the latter with this team, but I attribute that mostly to the short leash that Doc has kept him on.

Finley has surpassed my expectations by a considerable amount.  I expected to see an old, washed-up wing who could come in for mostly spot minutes and maybe hit a shot or two.  He really has a sweet shot, though.  The thing that keeps him from an A in my book is that he's taken minutes from (in my opinion) our most productive backup wing this year, TA.

[housecall]

I agree with RH in the Nate assessment,was expecting more explosiveness from him,but then again could some of Nate's not exploding at times be because of Doc's system that has held him back a bit?Finley is what it is,an aging player that can give you some good nights here/there.

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

It took a few games for Nate to adjust, and while he's still getting comfortable with his role in this system he's providing exactly what we wanted; energy + scoring off the bench. His scoring has been a bit inconsistent but his energy at both ends of the floor has been very consistent.

Michael Finley has and will continue to give us WAY MORE than we had hoped for/expected. They guy is a true professional and reminds me of Ray in that sense. He's always ready, never looks uncomfortable, is always in control, lets the game come to him, always makes the right play and is a true marksman from the field and beyond the arc.

[Cman]

I'd give them both a B, relative to what my expectations were.  I might give Nate a B- (or even a C+), if only because I was hoping for a bit more explosive scoring on a consistent basis.  Regarding Finley, I was expecting nothing, so everything he's added has been a plus.

Roy said it better than I could have: I gave Nate a C and Finley a B for the above reasons.

[2short]

It took a few games for Nate to adjust, and while he's still getting comfortable with his role in this system he's providing exactly what we wanted; energy + scoring off the bench. His scoring has been a bit inconsistent but his energy at both ends of the floor has been very consistent.

Michael Finley has and will continue to give us WAY MORE than we had hoped for/expected. They guy is a true professional and reminds me of Ray in that sense. He's always ready, never looks uncomfortable, is always in control, lets the game come to him, always makes the right play and is a true marksman from the field and beyond the arc.

good point/comparison on finley & ray
a few games ago finley had a wide open 3 but passed it to ray who had the even better shot...this I like