Gary Neal at Point Guard

[timvp]

Can he pull it off? Gary Neal spent a lot of summer working on his point guard skills after the George Hill trade. Now with TJ Ford probably out for a while, Neal will be the PG behind Tony Parker.

Personally, I'm not sure. He's an okay ballhandler but passing isn't a strength and I've never seen him display good court vision. Defensively, though, he might actually be better defending point guards than shooting guards.

In the small sample size we've witnessed, Neal at point guard has basically led to him dribbling the ball up, getting a screen from a big and then shooting the basketball. He's either done that or passed the ball right after crossing half court.

Prior to the season, I thought Neal could play point guard -- but that was assuming he had Manu Ginobili next to him. Ginobili has enough playmaking ability and court vision to makeup for Neal's shortcomings. Now, with two of the team's three playmakers out injured, the equation has changed.

Can Gary Neal play point guard well enough for the time being? If not, do you think the Spurs need to sign a replacement?

[urunobili]

CJ hasn't been called up yet? Somehow I thought you'd mention that as a possibility.

[timvp]

CJ hasn't been called up yet? Somehow I thought you'd mention that as a possibility.

CJ has been bad in D-League. I don't think he's much of an option right now.

[xmas1997]

Anyone know if Neal has ever played point guard in his entire career? If so, how did he do?

[WeNeedLength]

CJ has been bad in D-League. I don't think he's much of an option right now.

That's depressing. I thought for sure he would get a call back up unless he was performing terribly like you said. :depressed

[DeadlyDynasty]

Such a move could destroy his confidence a la RMJ. Pop is a heartless bastard.

[dylankerouac]

Anyone know if Neal has ever played point guard in his entire career? If so, how did he do?

I think I remember reading that Neal played PG primarily back in his Euro days which wasn't too long ago. I have not seen any highlights from that though.

[z0sa]

Sounds like a recipe for disaster. At least we all know Neal has balls of steel though.

[WeNeedLength]

Sounds like a recipe for disaster. At least we all know Neal has balls of steel though.

We just gotta hope and pray this stent of playing PG won't ruin him like it did RMJ. RMJ had balls of steel for a while too...

[z0sa]

I wouldn't compare the balls factor between Neal and Mason. Neal showed up big in a playoff game and shook it off like he swished a shot in his backyard. The best Mason ever did was hit an iffy and-1 vs the Lakers.

[timvp]

Cory Joseph's D-League stats: 31.8 minutes, 11.3 points, 3.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 turnovers, 27.8% from the field, 28.6% on threes. To put that in perspective, Blake Ahearn is averaging 25.5 points and 6.5 assists.

That said, the more I think about it, I think the Spurs should call up Joseph. At the least, they need him as injury insurance. Plus, there are some matchups where the Spurs could use his ballhandling and maybe his defense.

If not Joseph, might as well use that 15th roster spot on someone like Luther Head. Otherwise, who would be the third point guard? James Anderson?

[Muser]

The RMJ comparison is pretty stupid, Neal is a much better ball handler than Mason.

[blackfire12]

Can he pull it off? Gary Neal spent a lot of summer working on his point guard skills after the George Hill trade. Now with TJ Ford probably out for a while, Neal will be the PG behind Tony Parker.

Personally, I'm not sure. He's an okay ballhandler but passing isn't a strength and I've never seen him display good court vision. Defensively, though, he might actually be better defending point guards than shooting guards.

In the small sample size we've witnessed, Neal at point guard has basically led to him dribbling the ball up, getting a screen from a big and then shooting the basketball. He's either done that or passed the ball right after crossing half court.

Prior to the season, I thought Neal could play point guard -- but that was assuming he had Manu Ginobili next to him. Ginobili has enough playmaking ability and court vision to makeup for Neal's shortcomings. Now, with two of the team's three playmakers out injured, the equation has changed.

Can Gary Neal play point guard well enough for the time being? If not, do you think the Spurs need to sign a replacement?


I mostly agree with these points, he shows like he could play the position with other talent around him but when he's alone it's like he's out of his comfort zone and tries too hard. The best word to describe his performance at PG would be mediocre, not great or terrible.

I think he's fine as a 3rd string backup but definitely wouldn't want him to play it long term, he's much better as a SG. I hope pop doesn't get any wild ideas and tries to make him into something he's not, a la RMJ.

[ChumpDumper]

Might as well call Joseph back up, or call up Dentmon to prove his game doesn't translate and get him out of Joseph's way for awhile.

Other than that, there's not much to look at. Luther Head? Not really a point guard, whatever. Boykins would be fun to cheer for. Ahearn is doing well in the D-League, but he's still slow. Keith McLeod and Walker Russell Jr. would be relatively safe call ups. Haven't seen him play this season but Dominique Coleman's PG stats have taken a significant jump this season. He is on a terrible team, but he was last season too.

[phxspurfan]

Is Nate Robinson still available?

876nDX7T-8Q


edit: I don't think Neal can do it, => replacement PG time...

[SenorSpur]

I don't think he can pull it off, for many of the reasons and concerns already outlined. Besides all that, it's very tough to get a player to change his mindset. Neal has been, and still is a shooter first - and a damn good one. In fact, he's fearless. I love to see him get across half court and take the first open shot available. That works as a shooting guard, but not so much as a point guard. Besides all that, Neal is a terrible, and undersized, defender. I thought it was a bad idea last year and nothing I've seen from Neal, in his short return, has caused me to believe otherwise.

The Spurs may as well call up Joseph. He could hardly be any worse - and he's a much better on-ball defender.

[timvp]

Might as well call Joseph back up, or call up Dentmon to prove his game doesn't translate and get him out of Joseph's way for awhile.

Great idea. Hadn't thought of that. Calling up Dentmon kills two birds with one stone. I don't think he's any good but as a temporary insurance policy, he'd do. Plus, as you said, the Spurs can better to decide whether to keep him around by seeing if he's a legit prospect, while opening up a spot on the Toros for Joseph to sink or swim.

CD with the goods :tu

[Manu-of-steel]

Is Nate Robinson still available?

876nDX7T-8Q


edit: I don't think Neal can do it, => replacement PG time...

Robinson is now with Golden State.

[ElNono]

Neal can score... not sure about setting players up... I just hope Lowry doesn't go for a career high...

[therealtruth]

Neal has the ability to be a good playmaker. I think part of it is he needs to make opponents respect his outside shot. That should open up driving and passing lanes. When teams started focusing on running him off his spots he started driving and scoring or making plays.

[lefty]

Such a move could destroy his confidence a la RMJ. Pop is a heartless bastard.

This :tu

RMJ was playing well before Pop made that retarded move

[callo1]

Playing the point will take his legs away, even if he can do an average job, his shot will suffer.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Can he pull it off? Gary Neal spent a lot of summer working on his point guard skills after the George Hill trade. Now with TJ Ford probably out for a while, Neal will be the PG behind Tony Parker.

Personally, I'm not sure. He's an okay ballhandler but passing isn't a strength and I've never seen him display good court vision. Defensively, though, he might actually be better defending point guards than shooting guards.

In the small sample size we've witnessed, Neal at point guard has basically led to him dribbling the ball up, getting a screen from a big and then shooting the basketball. He's either done that or passed the ball right after crossing half court.

Prior to the season, I thought Neal could play point guard -- but that was assuming he had Manu Ginobili next to him. Ginobili has enough playmaking ability and court vision to makeup for Neal's shortcomings. Now, with two of the team's three playmakers out injured, the equation has changed.

Can Gary Neal play point guard well enough for the time being? If not, do you think the Spurs need to sign a replacement?

That is exactly what I've seen too. Neal is the opposite of TJ - the latter got the second team buzzing, Neal kills its energy.

Kepp Neal for scoring, we need a real backup PG because the bench has proven it's strong when led by a pass-first guy.

[Sean Cagney]

That is exactly what I've seen too. Neal is the opposite of TJ - the latter got the second team buzzing, Neal kills its energy.

Kepp Neal for scoring, we need a real backup PG because the bench has proven it's strong when led by a pass-first guy.

Ford was doing just that, but now he is out for a while too so that sucks. Injuries just mounting up.

[jhuan16]

Asking Neal to play at point guard is just like asking Bonner to play power forward.

[therealtruth]

It might make more sense to play point guard by committee like George Hill and Manu used to do.

[chazley]

Neal has to stop playing PG. The dude has as many shot attempts as he does passes to initiate the offense. He will never be an NBA PG, dunno why Pop pulls this shit. I'd rather see Cory sink or swim, and look for a third PG off the street in the mean time if he sucks.

[MI21]

If I were the Spurs I'd have a look at Patty Mills for backup minutes. Played alright for Portland last season, is aggressive and can shoot a little. Not a world beater, but you can do worse.

Has the Australian connection with Australian head coach Brett Brown being a Spurs senior assistant. Wouldn't be surprised to see that happen.

[dylankerouac]

I don't think people should be so quick to judge Neal and write-off his PG skills. T.J. Ford was doing terrible in his preseason play and into the first few games. It took him a while to figure out the system and find where everyone was supposed to be before he became more effective. And then we all remember the step back he took at OKC (oh wait, that was the whole team), and then the injury unfortunately. Give Neal a few games to get his fingers wet in the role and see what he can produce, he's a baller, he'll figure it out. It's not like he or any other members of this team are getting in any practice on their lone off day.

Same issue with Tony Parker. He deferred to Manu to start the season, Manu goes down and then everyone wants Tony to light up immediately - which also may have lead to his own injury. Instead, Tony paced himself and seems to be pretty hot right now having played his best game of the season yesterday.

Give Neal a few games to figure it out, if he doesn't, nothing wasted. Even if the Spurs picked up another PG all these upcoming games will probably be too close for them to get any playing time in anyway. Some of the next opponents include Portland, Miami, Orlando, Houston again, New Orleans and Atlanta. Heck, even in the mess we just had our second defensive big Tiago isn't averaging 20 mpg for the month. I'll be surprised if our other new player Malcolm Thomas gets 6 minutes of playing time in any of those games unless they are blowouts for the wrong team.

[Old School 44]

It takes a lot of energy to play the point, both physical and mental. While I think he can do it in very short stints, I think it takes away from the best thing Gary Neal provides which is his "catch and shoot" jumper. Like others have mentioned, I'd rather have Joseph or another pickup to run the point while TJ and Manu are out.

[timvp]

In the fourth quarter, Pop actually switched Danny Green to point guard. On one possession when Neal brought it up, Pop yelled at Neal and pointed at Green saying: "He brings it up, not you!" From then on out, Green was the point guard.

It'll be interesting to see if Pop sticks with Neal, switches to Green or uses Joseph.

[Russ]

In the fourth quarter, Pop actually switched Danny Green to point guard. On one possession when Neal brought it up, Pop yelled at Neal and pointed at Green saying: "He brings it up, not you!" From then on out, Green was the point guard.

It'll be interesting to see if Pop sticks with Neal, switches to Green or uses Joseph.


Seems like when Pop tries to make a natural shooter into a point guard, the shooting touch leaves (along with everything else). Pop turned RMJ into a basket case (although Neal is much better shooter than RMJ). Hill suffered as well.

There's so much to like about Neal. Maybe Pop hhas learned his lesson and won't mess him up by trying to make him a point guard.

Green may be a better candidate because he's a more active player than Neal. The less active pure shooters seem to suffer the most in trying to make the transition. They get tired trying to play the point, their confidence ebbs and their shooting touch vanishes.

Cory Joseph may be the best candidate because he can't shoot at all. Nothing to lose there, folks. Plus he can add to the Spurs' emerging defensive prowess.

[pjjrfan]

Watching Neal bring the ball up with pressure is nexium time.

[Bender]

^ I know, I cringe when that is happening...

[weebo]

Neal at the the point won't work.
















Neal with it.

[SenorSpur]

Gary Neal Backup PG Experiment = Failed

He's got terrible handles

[Darkwaters]

Gary Neal Backup PG Experiment = Failed

He's got terrible handles

Bring on Corey Joseph - it's worth a shot

[Spurs Brazil]

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-120113-15/where-dwight-howard-land

All-Showcase Team

After 16 games in four days featuring 160-plus NBA aspirants in Reno, Nev., it's time for ESPN.com's annual All-Showcase Team from the D-League Showcase, selected by yours truly based overwhelmingly on what happened on the floor ... but also with a dash of subjective whim thrown in:

Guard: Justin Dentmon (Austin Toros)
Dentmon probably ranks as the front-runner in the D-League MVP race after leading Austin to a 14-3 start and had two more big scoring games (26 and 27 points) in the presence of all the scouts at the Reno Events Center.

An undersized shooting guard for most of his career, Dentmon is trying to convince NBA folks that he can play point guard at the highest level after going to training camp with the New Orleans Hornets but failing to stick.

Dentmon also played a significant role for the bronze medal-winning squad USA Basketball sent to the Pan American Games over the summer and, based on the rumbles I'm hearing, will eventually break through this season for no less than a 10-day contract. He didn't shoot the ball well with the Hornets but is back to blazing with the Toros.

The challenge, though, for all the top D-League point guards is not letting themselves get discouraged by the fact experience won out when the Chicago Bulls needed an extra point guard this week. Mike James got the NBA recall from the Bulls over Dentmon and Co. after just two games in the D, which is the sort of disappointment D-League youngsters have to grind through ... especially when they're still waiting for their NBA break.

[GSH]

I don't think people should be so quick to judge Neal and write-off his PG skills. T.J. Ford was doing terrible in his preseason play and into the first few games. It took him a while to figure out the system and find where everyone was supposed to be before he became more effective.

Give Neal a few games to figure it out, if he doesn't, nothing wasted. Even if the Spurs picked up another PG all these upcoming games will probably be too close for them to get any playing time in anyway. Some of the next opponents include Portland, Miami, Orlando, Houston again, New Orleans and Atlanta. Heck, even in the mess we just had our second defensive big Tiago isn't averaging 20 mpg for the month. I'll be surprised if our other new player Malcolm Thomas gets 6 minutes of playing time in any of those games unless they are blowouts for the wrong team.

It's not a matter of figuring anything out. It's a matter of ball handling skills.

When they bring a trap, Neal coughs the ball up a lot. And when he's dribbling, it's just far too easy for NBA-level defenders to reach out and take the ball from him. It reminds me of youth basketball, where the kids develop at such different rates, and the poor kids who aren't advanced ball-handlers just get their pockets picked time after time. And that's not an insult to Neal - it's just not his thing. He's damned good at what he does - and that's what he should be doing.

It's setting him up for failure, expecting him to go at the best defenders like that.

[GSH]

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-120113-15/where-dwight-howard-land

All-Showcase Team

After 16 games in four days featuring 160-plus NBA aspirants in Reno, Nev., it's time for ESPN.com's annual All-Showcase Team from the D-League Showcase, selected by yours truly based overwhelmingly on what happened on the floor ... but also with a dash of subjective whim thrown in:

Guard: Justin Dentmon (Austin Toros)
Dentmon probably ranks as the front-runner in the D-League MVP race after leading Austin to a 14-3 start and had two more big scoring games (26 and 27 points) in the presence of all the scouts at the Reno Events Center.

An undersized shooting guard for most of his career, Dentmon is trying to convince NBA folks that he can play point guard at the highest level after going to training camp with the New Orleans Hornets but failing to stick.

Dentmon also played a significant role for the bronze medal-winning squad USA Basketball sent to the Pan American Games over the summer and, based on the rumbles I'm hearing, will eventually break through this season for no less than a 10-day contract. He didn't shoot the ball well with the Hornets but is back to blazing with the Toros.

The challenge, though, for all the top D-League point guards is not letting themselves get discouraged by the fact experience won out when the Chicago Bulls needed an extra point guard this week. Mike James got the NBA recall from the Bulls over Dentmon and Co. after just two games in the D, which is the sort of disappointment D-League youngsters have to grind through ... especially when they're still waiting for their NBA break.


Sorry, but there's a good example in the D-League. Blake Ahearn is absolutely kicking ass at that level. He's a good point guard. Throw him in with the sharks in the NBA, and he's got troubles. Why would anyone expect Neal, who isn't a point guard, to be able to do it? At the top level, if you have to think about what you're doing, even a little bit, they're going to exploit that little bit of hesitation. It takes years to get to that level. Neal doesn't have years. And, besides, he already has a nitche he's good at.

[Darkwaters]

Watching Neal bring the ball up with pressure is nexium time.

Ahhhh....memories of Beno.

[Interrohater]

Sorry, but there's a good example in the D-League. Blake Ahearn is absolutely kicking ass at that level. He's a good point guard. Throw him in with the sharks in the NBA, and he's got troubles. Why would anyone expect Neal, who isn't a point guard, to be able to do it? At the top level, if you have to think about what you're doing, even a little bit, they're going to exploit that little bit of hesitation. It takes years to get to that level. Neal doesn't have years. And, besides, he already has a nitche he's good at.

:tu

[dylankerouac]

It's not a matter of figuring anything out. It's a matter of ball handling skills.

When they bring a trap, Neal coughs the ball up a lot. And when he's dribbling, it's just far too easy for NBA-level defenders to reach out and take the ball from him. It reminds me of youth basketball, where the kids develop at such different rates, and the poor kids who aren't advanced ball-handlers just get their pockets picked time after time. And that's not an insult to Neal - it's just not his thing. He's damned good at what he does - and that's what he should be doing.


I completely agree with this, I saw a lot of this last night against Portland especially. The Spurs did have the first practice of the season today and hopefully Neal can get some tips on how to avoid such situations in gametime.

At the same time, we don't have very many options at point right now and since I don't think Joseph is going to be the 13th man (Thomas or other needed big hopefully will be) it doesn't hurt for Neal to get experience and playing time in right now. Sure give Joseph some playing time for the next month or so until the 13 man roster deadline but since Neal should be here for the remaining portion of the year the experience should help him, especially if he finds playing time at the position after Manu and Ford are back, or if one gets injured again : (. He may not be completely efficient but with a thirteen man roster he's simply filling in when needed.

[DrSteffo]

So, by now it should be evident that he is not a PG, as expected since he is a SG.

[SenorSpur]

Pop needs to "get over himself" and halt this failed experiment.

[dbestpro]

I would go with Mills or Ahearns (already knows the system). Dentmon will not provide better PG skills than Neal. Ahearns showed a PG and pass first mentality when he was her before, plus providing the occasional deep three.

[MI21]

If I were the Spurs I'd have a look at Patty Mills for backup minutes. Played alright for Portland last season, is aggressive and can shoot a little. Not a world beater, but you can do worse.

Has the Australian connection with Australian head coach Brett Brown being a Spurs senior assistant. Wouldn't be surprised to see that happen.

Bit of backpatting of myself, called the Patty Mills signing before it happened. I was wrong about him not being a world beater though - outplaying Dwyane Wade in 2 consecutive NBA Finals games :lol

Patty :tu

[Dex]

Bit of backpatting of myself, called the Patty Mills signing before it happened. I was wrong about him not being a world beater though - outplaying Dwyane Wade in 2 consecutive NBA Finals games :lol

Patty :tu

:tu Good lookin' out :toast

[gambit1990]

he is now a coach & social studies teacher at the high school he went to.

[Trueblood]

he is now a coach & social studies teacher at the high school he went to.

Thanks for the info. Looked it up and here's a story on it that's a good read

https://pressboxonline.com/2021/12/21/former-nba-towson-standout-gary-neal-focused-on-giving-back-at-calvert-hall/

[DMC]

Their mascot is the Choo Choo Train.

[mystargtr34]

Thanks for the info. Looked it up and here's a story on it that's a good read

https://pressboxonline.com/2021/12/21/former-nba-towson-standout-gary-neal-focused-on-giving-back-at-calvert-hall/

That's really cool. Good on him!

[spurraider21]

Neal was the likeable Forbes tbh

[gambit1990]

i was watching highlights from the 2013 finals.

it was kinda ballsy for the spurs to let him go after his play in the finals.

they really nailed it though, that was his peak.

[gambit1990]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-8ihO5y6h0

[Ice009]

Man, I really loved Gary's shooting. You can see it on the last shot of the video. Almost picture perfect shooting motion/technique. Gets good elevation too.