...and the Spurs also had old-ass Michael Finley, two years ago.
How time flies?
...and the Spurs also had old-ass Michael Finley, two years ago.
How time flies?
RMJ: So you see, this hand is still hurt, that's why I haven't got my stroke back you see...
Amare: That hand was hurt a year after the 09 playoffs...Do you hear yourself right now?
RMJ: No but I'm saying...
Why are we discussing this scrub?
Since I never climbed on the RMJ bandwagon, I don't mind debunking this one.
1. Any time RMJ had the ball in his hands, he was a liability to cough it up. As soon as he put the ball on the floor, defenders collapsed on him for an opportunity at a take-away. Neal is a MUCH better ball handler, and a lot stronger than RMJ.
2. RMJ never had an in-between game. One-dimensional players are a lot easier for a good defender to cover. With Neal, defenders have to worry about him faking the 3 and then blowing past them. Neal picks up points on mid-range jumpers and floaters that Mason could never dream of.
3. After Neal makes a 3-pointer, he doesn't stand around slapping his ass like an idiot. He heads back to play defense.
4. Neal doesn't pout about coming off the bench. He's ready when his number is called.
5. Confidence is important for a shooter. RMJ was always trying to prove he was good enough. Neal KNOWS he's good enough.
Don't even try to compare Neal to RMJ. On his best night, Mason wasn't as tough as Neal.
Well said.
In short, it just appears that Gary Neal is just more of a mentally tougher player than Mason ever was.
Very good post. Now close this thread. I already thought similar to what you posted so again I don't see the point of this thread. They a different players.
Last edited by Ice009; 12-25-2010 at 08:25 PM.
I would add that Neal puts up a fight on defense. I never liked Mason's defense and even posted so after his first game with the Spurs when everyone was gushing and calling him a good defender.
One thing Neal has done that Mason never did was fight around screens. It's earned him some fouls, and hasn't really helped otherwise. But Mason never fought when he had to go over, and never was in a big hurry when he was going under.
So even though Neal isn't really affecting the game with his defense, and has zero length or size or advantageous speed, he works to try to overcome those things. I never saw that in Mason.
I got on Mason Jr. early in his first season around January about his defense. It was just really bad and I thought he won't help us at all come playoff time if he plays that kind of defense. Neal at least busts his ass on defense and that plays with a lot more effort than Mason Jr. ever put in on that end of the court. Even if Neal isn't a great defender the effort is there.
One could argue that since Neal has traveled a bit before getting to the NBA is what prepared him to be the player he is and can be.
Knicks benchwarmer Mason spreading Christmas jeer
It was not another ChristMase.
Roger Mason's best Christmas ever also coincided with his best season -- two years ago with San Antonio. He came off the bench after sitting the entire fourth quarter and drained a game-winning 3-pointer with 4.4 seconds left against the Suns.
There haven't been any magical moments for Mason with the Knicks after being signed as a free agent in August, and he was a DNP again yesterday.
After playing the first three games, averaging just six minutes, Mason was yanked from the rotation and has only been seen in garbage time since.
Mason, who talked of being a leader during training camp, feels coach Mike D'Antoni hasn't given him a chance. Ironically, team president Donnie Walsh has shopped for another backup point guard.
"Things have been a little different than I imagined, yes," Mason told The Post in his first remarks on the subject. "I'll continue to work and be a good teammate and cheer them on and wait for an opportunity. I haven't really had one yet."
Mason shot poorly in preseason and has appeared in just eight games. With Toney Douglas banged up with a strained back and shoulder sprain, D'Antoni hasn't turned to Mason, who runs the point during practice scrimmages.
"I don't think I was really given an opportunity yet," Mason said. "In preseason, I didn't shoot as well as I wanted to. Most preseasons, it takes me to the regular season to get going.
"I'm just hitting the prime of my career," Mason added. "Ideally, you wouldn't want to be in scenario where you're not playing."
When asked whether he'd play Mason because of his Christmas heroics against his former team, D'Antoni responded: "Who?"
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knick...RreBozHtSg2C4J
Oh my god is that true? Cause I busted out laughing when I read this. Who?![]()
All I know is after watching this Phoenix can eat my ass all day everyday. I'd love to get reactions to that shot up close....also Dallas all those times we owned them in the playoffs.
It's amazing that coaches are still trying to run Mason out there at backup PG - when both his handle and his ability to finish at the rim, are quite suspect.
The game tonight against the Wizards says everything you need to know about this subject. Neal had a terrible game from the 3P line - his shot just wasn't there. But he still had a solid 9 points off the bench, and made solid contributions to the win.
When Mason's 3 ball wasn't falling, the Spurs were playing 4 on 5 on both ends of the floor. He was like a bullfighter on the defensive end, and the ONLY time the other teams had to pay attention to him on the offensive end was when he was hitting 3-pointers.
This shouldn't even be a discussion.
Hmm, although I do agree with a lot of the things about Mason, I'm quite sure when Gary Neal is no longer playing with the Spurs, you guys are gonna talk about him and pick on his weaknesses huh?
Eh, he was actually way better the Wiz than he was with us. Regardless, he is a UVa man and while he'll be out of the league shortly, he will have no issues providing for himself/his family
Since Mason's father was a prominent ophthalmologist, I doubt he would have had any issues anyhow.
Mason have fallen so far,that I don't even feel like making fun of him anymore.
Best finish to a Christmas Day game I've ever seen. Thanks for the memories at least, RMJ![]()
There was actually another one that I forgot to post. This one stung because Kobe had already done the balls dance
No some people must be mad because how Mason was acting on his last year here. But some people just need to NEAL WIT IT and move on.
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