Neal in a Slump?

[Slippy]

Not sure why fans would compare Neal to Mason who was getting good looks, if not wide open ones but kept missing. In the end (play-offs) , defenses and teammates didn't repect junior's shooting ability. Plus Neal's off the dribble and off the ball game is of a lot better.

[Blake]

We've seen about half of one season of Neal. Maybe this isn't a slump. Maybe this is how Neal really is.

[Harry Callahan]

Maybe you should remember Neal got injured in Utah? and is not 100% right now. Give him time to get well and he'll be fine. Having Bonner out doesn't help like another poster said.

Maybe James Anderson can get out there and know down some 3's as well.

[clambake]

maybe he needs to team plow another chick in a coma.

[cheguevara]

i think he's a bit banged up, with problems in his knees and rear.

bingo

[cheguevara]

maybe he needs to team plow another chick in a coma.

are you volunteering yourself?

[anonoftheinternets]

He'll come out of in front of the bright lights of the plastic stars this Thursday night as Charles 'Dumpy Frumpy BIG Mouth' tells the world the Spurs are not good and at least 47 teams will beat them in the playoffs.

fabbs is that you?

[PDXSpursFan]

rookie wall?

[spurtech09]

I think gary is still alittle banged up remember he hurt his knee so I think hes still dealing with that.....

[xmas1997]

There are at least 50 players in Europe that are better than Neal. Maybe even a 100.

If there are, then name at least two tall long SFs.

[pjjrfan]

I like him and I"m glad he's here. Hopefully he will do the same things in the playoffs, I got my fingers crossed, we won't know till we get there, but this kid plays like he has been there and I gotta like that.

[DMC]

And by this point in the season, there probably isn't an unknown contributor anymore...teams pretty much know whom to cover...

This.

A role player at his finest is one who can play the role. Gary plays the role, but when the role is taken from him, he tries to create and many times that fails. He's a catch and shoot guy. That's how we have to use him. When Bonner returns he will get more looks because Matt and J.A. will spread the floor. Right now Manu isn't the threat from outside that either of these guys are, imo.

[DMC]

i think gary is still alittle banged up remember he hurt his knee so i think hes still nealing with that.....

fify

[LakerHater]

Dont really remember him during the fLaker game but for this one play:

[LakerHater]

Still??

[Solid D]

Teams are starting to close out on him more, which hurts the Spurs, because this team doesn't penetrate enough, which limits his overall open looks from 3..once the Spurs start opening things up a little, he'll get his looks again..

Another note: Neal is shooting approx. 34% from the field since Bonner got hurt..with Bonner out, the floor spacing is even worse, which again, limits Neal's open looks from range..while Neal does have ability to put the ball on the floor, it obviously doesn't compare to his long-range shooting..

Last 9 games w/o Bonner: 34% from the field..
10 previous games w/ Bonner: 44% from the field..

Excellent observation. Neal hasn't had much room to work in.

[underdawg]

Excellent observation. Neal hasn't had much room to work in.

but yet Parker has been getting as much if not more scoring opportunities - maybe teams are paying more attention to Neal now?

Please help me understand this one question - why is Bonner open for most of his shots if he's indeed streching the defense?

[HarlemHeat37]

but yet Parker has been getting as much if not more scoring opportunities - maybe teams are paying more attention to Neal now?

Please help me understand this one question - why is Bonner open for most of his shots if he's indeed streching the defense?

The majority of Bonner's 3-pointers are set up by the p&r, where he is originally the screen setter, or set plays that are intended for him..obviously he gets other open 3s from different scenarios, but the majority come from that..

Pop does run plays for Neal, occasionally, but he's not good enough to have the same amount of attention as Bonner(from a playcalling perspective), and you can't run a 1-2 p&r with Neal, he has too many flaws as a player for that to work on a consistent basis IMO..

Players like Bonner are very rare from an offensive standpoint..it's the reason that so many coaches value "stretch bigs", they are able to being versatility in the playcalling..

[underdawg]

The majority of Bonner's 3-pointers are set up by the p&r, where he is originally the screen setter, or set plays that are intended for him..obviously he gets other open 3s from different scenarios, but the majority come from that..

Pop does run plays for Neal, occasionally, but he's not good enough to have the same amount of attention as Bonner(from a playcalling perspective), and you can't run a 1-2 p&r with Neal, he has too many flaws as a player for that to work on a consistent basis IMO..

Players like Bonner are very rare from an offensive standpoint..it's the reason that so many coaches value "stretch bigs", they are able to being versatility in the playcalling..

When you say other coaches value "stretch bigs" - are you referring to bigs that can shoot the 3 or are you mostly referring to bigs that can shoot outside the paint?

I ask this because I don't see any of the top teams having a big that gets significant minutes and is primarily used for shooting the 3. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Cessation]

He's playing better now, his shot selection is better, and he isn't rushing it as much.

[lefty]

Neal with it

[TDMVPDPOY]

sometimes i wish he pulls a playbook out of NVE run down the floor and just pull up....lol

[Solid D]

but yet Parker has been getting as much if not more scoring opportunities - maybe teams are paying more attention to Neal now?

Please help me understand this one question - why is Bonner open for most of his shots if he's indeed streching the defense?

I didn't see that many open shots for Bonner tonight..nor for Neal nor RJ. There were a few but what I saw tonight versus the Rapters was loads of points in the paint (70). Parker, Hill and Manu used their speed and quickness with Duncan and Blair playing catch for lots of opportunities.

[HarlemHeat37]

When you say other coaches value "stretch bigs" - are you referring to bigs that can shoot the 3 or are you mostly referring to bigs that can shoot outside the paint?

I ask this because I don't see any of the top teams having a big that gets significant minutes and is primarily used for shooting the 3. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Either one works, obviously the 3 is more valuable, but having a stretch big helps spacing, obviously..the answer is that Bonner's ability as a pick and pop player allows him to receive open looks, and teams can't overplay him, because he is usually playing the p&r with Parker and Ginobili..teams aren't going to choose Bonner, or any other Spurs role player, over Parker and Ginobili, from a defensive focus perspective..

It's not a necessity for teams, but it's obviously a luxury that most coaches would want nowadays..the Spurs have been winning games without Bonner this year, but the team has been even better when Bonner is on the floor, he's the best 3-point shooter in the NBA(% wise), and he does space things out for everybody..

Having a Bonner isn't essential, but that's not the question here, the question was how Bonner gets open looks..

All the top teams do have "stretch bigs" though, even if they don't necessarily shoot 3s(Garnett, Odom, Bosh)..

[TDMVPDPOY]

with or without open shots or playin against a zone, neal has the ability to penetrate and dish it out...the only problem i see is bonner who can penetrate against scrubs, but cant finish at the rim...he doesnt have the tear drop, but damn i wish he would just rushed into the key and just attempt to dunk it very hard to try and draw a foul...defenders dont usually take him serious out there cause they know his only a spot up shooter, if he can get his head out of his ass and learn just one penetrating move per quarter he be unstoppable...