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Uh he's still barely Mario Elie.
But he does look better than i thought.
I don't think I was ever one of these so called "naysayers", but I still say let's see what happens when the season starts and the games start to count.
Neal had a rough start to this preseason and looked like he couldn't throw a rock in the ocean when things started. That's not a good thing for a shooter who doesn't really shine anywhere else.
His shot definitely seemed to get more confident after his game winner in Mexico and he looks to have calmed down a bit, but he hasn't really accomplished anything yet. Let's give the guy time to see what he can really do. Personally, I'd be glad to see him succeed, if only because it would spell good things for the Spurs.
Uh he's still barely Mario Elie.
But he does look better than i thought.
Yes dude, he definitely appears to have made the team.
Remember a few of you were comparing Gist ,Gee and Simons with Neal. Although it's still early it safe to say the Neal will be part of the rotation. While Gist and Gee probably won't make the team Simons if he does will hardly get to play. For a guy earning just $ 500k , being part of the 10 man rotation is pretty good investment ( i think he will get more minutes than Temple)
Neal is playing with a lot more confidencre lately. Sure he hasn't been shooting a high percentage, but it is clear that over timr he's going to not only make the top 12 but he'll be in the regular rotation.
Oh. if the last 2 preseason games are any indication I think he definetly will be part of the rotation. Playing behind gaurds Parker , Manu, and Hill. And ahead of Temple. ( Anderson will be playing behind RJ at SF).
BTW RJ looked good in the Houston game , if he plays anything like that. he will be finishing games instead of Hill and a 3 guard line-up
i seem to remember a 6'3" SG who had a one dimensional aspect to his game. In fact he was a of a lot less mobile and athletic than Neal.
Guy by the name of Kerr who used to comeoff the bench when we needed some 3s in a hurry.
People have to realize that for you to be a prolific scorer in europe, such as Neal, you must have enough game in you , especially as a specialist ( shooting ) to contibute in the NBA in limited action. Chances are a scorer in the european league is more advanced offensively than a top scorer in the US NCAA, Don't be surprise if in the immediate short term , Neal turns out to be a better scorer than Anderson. Not saying Anderson won't eventually be a better player. But you have to realize that the expereince Neal has in hitting big shots in europe makes him more prepared to produce immediately
BYW just read the Spurs just waived Cousins and Palmer
Agree. Players who can score in the euroleague are likely to score more that NCAA scorers. That is obvious. Surprisingly so many don't get it. That's why they couldn't see the Neal signing even if it were right in front of their face.
Oh...btw... you may also have missed that Gist was waived.
We'll see. Bogans looked great last year early in the season and then proceeded to fall off a cliff. It's a long season.
Steve Kerr was the backup point guard for an entire season when Speedy Claxton was hurt, and he was a tenacious smart defender. Funny how many people forget that.
He definitely hustled. Knee-straps and all.
He would leave everything on the court every time. I loved giving him the ball to send him to the free throw line when teams were fouling at the end of games.
Also, he'd hit a championship-winning shot and won a couple of NBA les before becoming a Spur.
^ I thought he did a heckuva job harrying Nash during that famous 4th quarter.
Biggest play he made during that run against the Mavs was on the defensive end.
Gary Neal can get the Spurs going with his shooting...like tonight against NOH in the 4th.
Wow, you must be desperate if you're trying to give Neal credit for that. Must not have noticed who was scoring for the other team, BTW.
What say you now, Neal detractors?
Pretty impressive shooting performance against the bobcats don't you think?
As one of the original Neal detractors, I can say that we knew Neal could shoot in spurts. What's impressive is his basketball IQ and his defensive effort. If he'd turned out to be a six foot Michael Finley, nobody would be happy about his shooting right now.
Cant say that I was a detractor or supporter but who cares at this point..The guy is not only shooting lights out but his hustle on defense is very encouraging.
Neal is the man. And Anderson is almost as good...
I think having tons of really good shooters rather than 1 or 2 (Manu and just Finley or Manu and just Hill) really loosens players up to get into rhythm... Anderson, Manu, Jefferson, Neal, Hill, and sometimes Bonner can all feed off of each others shooting. Since 3 pt shots are such a streaky thing, having less pressure on any one individual player frees the others to let them fly.
The fact that Anderson and Neal seem committed to defense is just icing on the cake, and allows the Spurs the freedom give them minutes.
Elie had been a solid contributer on a championship team. He was like a bulldog, and his contribution to the Spurs had as much to do with toughness as 3P shooting. Neal lacks a lot of (successful) miles before he could be what Elie was when he came here.
BUT... what he can be is what Roger Mason was supposed to be. I'd take that. I know Pop would.
Garry Neal interview!
http://www.nba.com/spurs/video/2010/...164/index.html
Nice 22 point contribution from a "one-dimensional" player.
He's 16 point game against the Clippers was of course his best performance to date.
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