Aldridge: Neal told to expect some minutes at PG

[DesignatedT]

Not surprised and I like it.

This made too much sense with Hill's departure.

Spurs fans have to ask themselves this- Who do you want getting 15 minutes a game next year- James Anderson or another Chris Quinn?

It's a no brainer. Pop has to find significant minutes for Anderson and Leonard. Neal playing some back-up point guard is the only way that can happen.

Also, Neal has the ability to do just fine defending opposing back-up point guards for 12-15 minutes a game. Will he be able to put on a Bruce Bowen impression on the Russel Westbrooks or Chris Pauls? No way. Not even Parker or any point guard in the league can do that.

Even if you try to nitpick about this issue, does a Chris Quinn minimal type- point guard improve the defensive situation? No it does not. These minimum point guards will be just as good or worse than Neal defensively IMO. Therefore the Neal defensive issue is somewhat irrelevant.


In a nut s : Leonard+ Anderson getting 15-20 minutes each in the rotation>> Being pessimistic about Neal's defensive ability, when his replacement (other solutions) at back-up pg won't be much better.

You make a pretty compelling argument.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Not surprised and I like it.

This made too much sense with Hill's departure.

Spurs fans have to ask themselves this- Who do you want getting 15 minutes a game next year- James Anderson or another Chris Quinn?

It's a no brainer. Pop has to find significant minutes for Anderson and Leonard. Neal playing some back-up point guard is the only way that can happen.

Also, Neal has the ability to do just fine defending opposing back-up point guards for 12-15 minutes a game. Will he be able to put on a Bruce Bowen impression on the Russel Westbrooks or Chris Pauls? No way. Not even Parker or any point guard in the league can do that.

Even if you try to nitpick about this issue, does a Chris Quinn minimal type- point guard improve the defensive situation? No it does not. These minimum point guards will be just as good or worse than Neal defensively IMO. Therefore the Neal defensive issue is somewhat irrelevant.


In a nut s : Leonard+ Anderson getting 15-20 minutes each in the rotation>> Being pessimistic about Neal's defensive ability, when his replacement (other solutions) at back-up pg won't be much better.

That was a nice post

[mountainballer]

Not surprised and I like it.

This made too much sense with Hill's departure.

Spurs fans have to ask themselves this- Who do you want getting 15 minutes a game next year- James Anderson or another Chris Quinn?

It's a no brainer. Pop has to find significant minutes for Anderson and Leonard. Neal playing some back-up point guard is the only way that can happen.

Also, Neal has the ability to do just fine defending opposing back-up point guards for 12-15 minutes a game. Will he be able to put on a Bruce Bowen impression on the Russel Westbrooks or Chris Pauls? No way. Not even Parker or any point guard in the league can do that.

Even if you try to nitpick about this issue, does a Chris Quinn minimal type- point guard improve the defensive situation? No it does not. These minimum point guards will be just as good or worse than Neal defensively IMO. Therefore the Neal defensive issue is somewhat irrelevant.


In a nut s : Leonard+ Anderson getting 15-20 minutes each in the rotation>> Being pessimistic about Neal's defensive ability, when his replacement (other solutions) at back-up pg won't be much better.

very good post. and you point towards the right direction: it's not just about the position (and the positions back up) it's about rotations. Hill wasn't the "back up" of Parker in the first place either. he was a major part of a back court rotation of Tony, Manu, Hill and Neal and sometimes asked to play the point. Neal will just slide into Hill's role and outside Hill's better ability to defend quick players, there is no reason to think Neal can't do whatever Hill was asked to do. in fact he might do significantly better, just because he seems to be smarter. and we did not yet see much of what Neal is able to do with the ball in his hands. in Treviso he was quite good as a creator.
abut defense: agree that Neal is underrated. the fact that a player isn't the quickest in the world doesn't automatically make him a liability, as long as he plays with tenacity and smarts. (see Derek Fisher)

so, when the Spurs play a back court rotation of Tony-Manu-Neal-Anderson (and Anderson developed his game, I'm sure he did), they have a bigger and better rotation than last year. slower, but this should be compensated by other qualities. the fact that Anderson is strong enough to occasionally defend the SF makes this rotation even more versatile.
what we must not oversee either are the financial aspects. no additional investments for the back court raises the chance to somehow get a quality PF, the most relevant need for the roster.

[Bruno]

It's not because you keep repeating something wrong that it will make it right.

Mason didn't suck because Pop played him at PG.

Mason sucked because:
1) He was injured. He tore a ligament in his right hand against Detroit in February 2010. Before that injury he shot 65/172 (37.7%) from 3pt land, after it, 23/90 (25.5%). This injury was serious enough to need a surgery during the off-season.
2) He was a mal-content. In case you forgot, he asked for a trade at the February 2010 deadline.
3) He isn't a very good player. A proof of that is how he was bad with Knicks this year.

But yeah, keep spreading the "Pop broke RMJ" BS.

[Bruno]

I think Neal at backup PG is worth a try providing if Manu is on the court with him. A Neal/Ginobili could work but I highly doubt a Neal/Anderson will. Defensively, I'm not really worried: Neal will be matched up against backup PG and I'm not sold that his lack of quickness against PG will hurt him more than his lack of size against SG. Spurs telling him before the lockout that he would play some minutes at PG will allow him to work on that during the summer.

Spurs will add a vet PG for insurance purpose with a min salary. All their resources should be focused on getting forward(s) via trade or FA.

[joshdaboss]

It's like Popo purposely tries to sabotage players. Udrih, Mason, Blair and now Neal.

[benefactor]

For once...Manu4Tres and I agree. Mark your calendar folks.

[benefactor]

Bruno also makes a very good point on the size issue. Neal was always going to be a bit of a mismatch on the defensive end when playing SG. From what I saw last year he actually plays with a lot of effort and is not near the liability some people are making him out to be. I'd much rather that effort be used guarding smaller players instead of bigger players...as the Spurs lack of size as been one of the biggest problems this team as faced over the past several seasons.

[TJastal]

abut defense: agree that Neal is underrated. the fact that a player isn't the quickest in the world doesn't automatically make him a liability, as long as he plays with tenacity and smarts. (see Derek Fisher)

Fisher also gets by thanks to playing for the lakers and getting all kinds of allowances from officials he would never get playing on other teams. And he still gets torched on a regular basis. Neal not only won't get any favors from the refs he's going to get torched on a regular basis by a slew of point guards.

so, when the Spurs play a back court rotation of Tony-Manu-Neal-Anderson (and Anderson developed his game, I'm sure he did), they have a bigger and better rotation than last year. slower, but this should be compensated by other qualities. the fact that Anderson is strong enough to occasionally defend the SF makes this rotation even more versatile.
what we must not oversee either are the financial aspects. no additional investments for the back court raises the chance to somehow get a quality PF, the most relevant need for the roster.

Neal is mainly a spot up shooter who can occassionally take a dribble or two and throw up a floater. Asking him to more would be hazardous to his game
just as it was with RMJ.

[TJastal]

Bruno also makes a very good point on the size issue. Neal was always going to be a bit of a mismatch on the defensive end when playing SG. From what I saw last year he actually plays with a lot of effort and is not near the liability some people are making him out to be. I'd much rather that effort be used guarding smaller players instead of bigger players...as the Spurs lack of size as been one of the biggest problems this team as faced over the past several seasons.

Matching up to bigger, physical backcourts like the grizzlies wasn't really the crux of the problem, the fact that the spurs have been bereft of any defensive shotblocking presence in the middle was the main problem IMO. Those cutters like Tony Allen who chewed up Hill continously on backdoor cuts had clear paths straight to the basket time and time again were met with little resistance at the rim (or none usually).

[hsxvvd]

is delonte west serviceable? is he even a free agent?

He serviced leBron's mother

[mountainballer]

considering Joseph takes a roster spot and that they likely don't want to cut Butler or Green yet, they might start the season (whenever this happens) without this vet. PG and just see how it works. a vet PG in the Quinn mold can be hired during the season, if necessary. (a better would be to expensive anyhow).
however, we are talking a minor issue here. I agree, the success of the next season depends on acquiring a quality PF in the first place, in the 2nd and in the 3rd.

[benefactor]

TJ...still strong with the butthurt over the loss of Hill.

Move on. Hill has.

[TDMVPDPOY]

spurs still playin small ball? there goes another season down in the toilets....

[lefty]

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck


RMJ 2.0

[hater]

this is ing re ed. Neal is a pure clutch shooting guard. What a ing waste

[Redshadows]

Well, I guess if the Spurs started with TP and Anderson at backup, the starting SF wouldn't be Leonard, for Pop won't start two so young and inexperienced players together.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I'm not sold that his lack of quickness against PG will hurt him more than his lack of size against SG. Spurs telling him before the lockout that he would play some minutes at PG will allow him to work on that during the summer.

Except Neal's difficulties on defense were not based on his size. Remember all those fouls?

Make a quick cut to the basket and Neal was getting grabby. Get a good pick and Neal gets grabby. He wasn't playing post defense and guys were not just shooting over the top of him.

You can drive on Neal.

That lack of quickness was apparent with bench shooting guards. Point guards are going to be quicker.

Then you consider our bench bigs of Bonner and Blair then you had better hope that Leonard is absolute dynamite.

[yavozerb]

Neal will have some ups and downs at the pg position, but I really do not expect a drop off from Hill. Offensively, there is no drop off and actually you could make an arguement that the offense is improved with Neal running the point with his shooting and scoring ability. Neal did see some spot pg duties last season and did pretty well I thought with his decesion making. Do not expect anything less than a scoring pg with him on the floor though since that is his strength. Defensively, Neal is going to be alright I think. He is a very smart player and I think his experience will help from last season as to what you can and cannot get away with in the NBA. He may have problems with really quick pg's, but who doesnt in the NBA? In no way should Joseph see any meaningful PT next season unless injuries call for it.

[wildbill2u]

Let's not make too much over calling plays. Tony Parker had been an elite PG and a Finals MVP before Pop stopped calling all the plays. If coaches don't think their PG is good at calling plays then they do it themselves.

[MaNu4Tres]

For once...Manu4Tres and I agree. Mark your calendar folks.

Pretty sure we've agreed other times too.

[Cane]

Neal's a significantly better overall player than Roger Mason Jr. and has experience running the point overseas. IIRC scouting reports detailed Neal was experienced at running the pick and roll. This past season it seemed like he developed good chemistry and has decent enough PG skills to handle Hill's absence. Hill's playmaking was largely based on exploding to the rim whereas Neal's got a better feel for the game and overall skillset.

[ducks]

I think Neal at backup PG is worth a try providing if Manu is on the court with him. A Neal/Ginobili could work but I highly doubt a Neal/Anderson will. Defensively, I'm not really worried: Neal will be matched up against backup PG and I'm not sold that his lack of quickness against PG will hurt him more than his lack of size against SG. Spurs telling him before the lockout that he would play some minutes at PG will allow him to work on that during the summer.

Spurs will add a vet PG for insurance purpose with a min salary. All their resources should be focused on getting forward(s) via trade or FA.

that is like saying hill can play point if manu is on the court

neal if he trully is a backup point guard should be able to play backup point against the scrubs on the other team without manu holding his ing hand

[ChumpDumper]

That was oddly coherent.

[Bruno]

however, we are talking a minor issue here. I agree, the success of the next season depends on acquiring a quality PF in the first place, in the 2nd and in the 3rd.

Doing something at the SF spot would be also important. I know it will be really hard to move RJ but Spurs aren't in a good shape at the SF spot.