After troubled past, undrafted guard Neal earns respect of Spurs

[Spurs Brazil]

Great read.

Neal has been a great surprise this season, playing very well

[Samr]

I'll be the first to admit I was HIGHLY skeptical of the three-year deal. I remember first reading it about on here, and all I kept thinking was: there has to be a catch to this, creative contract structuring, impossible incentives to activate 2nd and 3rd year guarantees, team options bi-weekly, SOMETHING.

You just flat don't sign a player to a 3-year deal after a few good seasons in Europe and a decent summer league showing. Darko had a few good seasons in europe; didn't the league learn their lesson?

Assuming he works out -- and from all appearances, he will -- then Pop and Buford have to get some kind of award. If he keeps going even like this, at the end of his contract, his deal is going to look mighty sweet.

[lurker23]

I'll be the first to admit I was HIGHLY skeptical of the three-year deal. I remember first reading it about on here, and all I kept thinking was: there has to be a catch to this, creative contract structuring, impossible incentives to activate 2nd and 3rd year guarantees, team options bi-weekly, SOMETHING.

There is. 2nd and 3rd year fully unguaranteed, minimum money.

http://www.shamsports.com/content/pa...ries/spurs.jsp

[Interrohater]

I assume that he trained a lot in europe... I just hope that he stays on track and doesn't lose steam...

[objective]

I could be wrong, but I think the SI author has it incorrect. My understanding was that Neal was never even charged. So while it ultimately resulted in Neal being a free man, there is a difference between going to a trial and not having charges brought.

[Em-City]

I just hope that he stays on track and doesn't lose steam...

hehe...

i chuckled

[wildbill2u]

Rapists are sexual predators who never stop their assaults and cannot be rehabilitated. As far as we know, Neal has never had any additional scandal attached to his name.

A jury found him innocent--something of a rarity in charges of rape against a black man--and a pretty good indication that the charges weren't believeable.

I think it is in very bad taste and pointless for so-called Spurs 'fans' to continue with this 'choo choo' business against one of our players in the light of the above.

Give it a rest, morons.

[Mel_13]

I could be wrong, but I think the SI author has it incorrect. My understanding was that Neal was never even charged. So while it ultimately resulted in Neal being a free man, there is a difference between going to a trial and not having charges brought.

He was charged, put on trial, and found Not Guilty of four separate charges including rape.

Official Court Record:

http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketS...erID=104219525

[concken]

He was charged, put on trial, and found Not Guilty of four separate charges including rape.

Official Court Record:

http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketS...erID=104219525

daaaammnn, anything can be found on the internet these days.

[objective]

He was charged, put on trial, and found Not Guilty of four separate charges including rape.

Official Court Record:

http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketS...erID=104219525

My mistake, I stand corrected.

[benefactor]

I'm pulling for him...and I'd compare him more to Jack than RMJ. Kid plays hard and is fearless.

[NASpurs]

Rapists are sexual predators who never stop their assaults and cannot be rehabilitated. As far as we know, Neal has never had any additional scandal attached to his name.

A jury found him innocent--something of a rarity in charges of rape against a black man--and a pretty good indication that the charges weren't believeable.

I think it is in very bad taste and pointless for so-called Spurs 'fans' to continue with this 'choo choo' business against one of our players in the light of the above.

Give it a rest, morons.

Except anyone with half a brain knows that he ran train on a girl with a buddy but that doesn't mean he raped someone. So choo choo on.

[Capt Bringdown]

"We look for that kind of guy," Popovich said. "Maybe they tried and failed, or never got a shot, and they are at that time of their life when they really want to prove something. Those players can be very valuable to a locker room."

Love that quote. I hope Neal can maintain the fire and hunger.

[pawe]

Neal with it!

[mingus]

Yeah Neal isn't comparable to RMJ. RMJ didn't have any midrange game. Neal has a floater that is money. He's also a much better defender.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Yes, Neal has been looking pretty good so far in the regular season. Please show up in the playoffs.

[TD 21]

I'll be the first to admit I was HIGHLY skeptical of the three-year deal. I remember first reading it about on here, and all I kept thinking was: there has to be a catch to this, creative contract structuring, impossible incentives to activate 2nd and 3rd year guarantees, team options bi-weekly, SOMETHING.

You just flat don't sign a player to a 3-year deal after a few good seasons in Europe and a decent summer league showing. Darko had a few good seasons in europe; didn't the league learn their lesson?

Assuming he works out -- and from all appearances, he will -- then Pop and Buford have to get some kind of award. If he keeps going even like this, at the end of his contract, his deal is going to look mighty sweet.

Then the Spurs are already two deep at every position going into next season...

PF- Blair/Bonner
SF- Jefferson/Anderson
C- Duncan/Splitter
SG- Ginobili/Neal
PG- Parker/Hill

If they stay at 13, all they'll need to do is get a fifth big, a sixth wing (counting Hill as a wing) and a third point.

The 1st round pick should take care of one of the holes, the 2nd round pick might take care of another, which would leave only 1-2 relatively minor holes to take care of in free agency.

As for Neal, I'm with benefactor on this one. He's playing the same role as the Spurs intended for Mason to play and the comparison isn't terrible, but he's a more rugged, fearless player. He competes harder defensively and has a nice floater that he utilizes when he get's run off the three-point line.

[rmt]

Then the Spurs are already two deep at every position going into next season...

PF- Blair/Bonner
SF- Jefferson/Anderson
C- Duncan/Splitter
SG- Ginobili/Neal
PG- Parker/Hill

If they stay at 13, all they'll need to do is get a fifth big, a sixth wing (counting Hill as a wing) and a third point.

The 1st round pick should take care of one of the holes, the 2nd round pick might take care of another, which would leave only 1-2 relatively minor holes to take care of in free agency.

As for Neal, I'm with benefactor on this one. He's playing the same role as the Spurs intended for Mason to play and the comparison isn't terrible, but he's a more rugged, fearless player. He competes harder defensively and has a nice floater that he utilizes when he get's run off the three-point line.

I'm hoping Anderson will work out well (and show it this year) so that they can draft use the first round pick on an athletic big next year. Dice is going to leave a hole when he leaves. Someone's going to have to guard Dirk.

[DeadlyDynasty]

He RAPEDPeriod.

[TD 21]

I'm hoping Anderson will work out well (and show it this year) so that they can draft use the first round pick on an athletic big next year. Dice is going to leave a hole when he leaves. Someone's going to have to guard Dirk.

I'm confident Anderson will work out well.

What the Spurs need more than anything is a combo forward. A guy who, at the very least should merit consideration, is Clark.

Even if they draft an athletic big, it's probably not very likely that player steps right in and ends up guarding Nowitzki.

[Yorae]

He RAPED me Period.

Betya enjoyed it.

[TE]

Hopefully he keeps his play. In all honesty, I think he will.


Dude is too fundamentally sound not to. Replacing the pathetic crap that Roger Mason displayed on the court with Neal is like hitting the jackpot.

[Roger Freemason Jr.]

Let us not forget that we also have another 6'11 big in Ryan Richards. I have a gut feeling that Richards is another gem that only R.C and Pop could see shine. & don't worry about Anderson, that kid is here to play, and play hard. I guarantee that Anderson/Neal/& Tiago will all step up in the playoffs.

[wildbill2u]

Mason had no hands, couldn't drive, and was prone to lose the ball on the dribble. Neal has those skills.

[ginobilized]

Neal has played with great intensity and swagger for an NBA rookie. He fights through screens well, is not afraid of contact, is vocal on the court and shoots well. Mario Elie mach 2.