The name "Michael Finley" consists of two words that can be spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ˈmaɪkəl/ and /ˈfɪnli/. The first part, "Michael," has a stressed syllable on the first vowel sound, represented by /aɪ/, the second syllable is unstressed and is represented by the schwa sound, /əl/. The second part, "Finley," is pronounced with two syllables, the stressed vowel is a short "i" sound /ɪ/ and the second syllable is unstressed, represented by the /i/ sound.
Michael Finley is the name of an American former professional basketball player who was born on March 6, 1973. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 15 seasons, primarily known for his time with the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs.
As a shooting guard and small forward, Finley established himself as a versatile scorer and reliable three-point shooter. He stood out for his athleticism, basketball IQ, and ability to contribute on both ends of the court. Standing at 6 feet 7 inches (2 meters), Finley was adept at driving to the basket, shooting mid-range jumpers, and knocking down shots from beyond the arc.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Finley played college basketball at the University of Wisconsin, where he earned multiple honors and was named an All-American. He then entered the NBA in 1995, being selected as the 21st overall pick by the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Draft.
Throughout his career, Finley garnered numerous achievements, including being named an NBA All-Star twice (in 2000 and 2001). He also won an NBA championship as a member of the San Antonio Spurs in 2007. Known for his work ethic on and off the court, Finley retired in 2010 and transitioned into a front office role with the Dallas Mavericks, where he currently serves as a Vice President of Basketball Operations.