Neal's role upon return

[jermaine]

i think a trade is in the works once rjs stock goes up...

NEAL should be playing with the bench...i think his going to take TJ fords minutes....

I pray thats whats happens. If we hurt Jeffersons swagg, he might go into a funk for the rest of the yr. Right now, its too late to bring in a new SF to learn the system. Its already watching KL running into peoplke an I like him. Joseph goes to Austin, TJ ford goes to 3rd string, and Neal plays back pg with the ok to shoot 1st. sounds good to me.

[TDMVPDPOY]

I pray thats whats happens. If we hurt Jeffersons swagg, he might go into a funk for the rest of the yr. Right now, its too late to bring in a new SF to learn the system. Its already watching KL running into peoplke an I like him. Joseph goes to Austin, TJ ford goes to 3rd string, and Neal plays back pg with the ok to shoot 1st. sounds good to me.

there are players on the bench that can bring what RJ offers on the table at a cheaper price by 95%....im talkin about danny green, neal, JA...all they need is the same type of minutes rj is gettin and touches...it be lame if any of the 3 players get traded away...

[smrattler]

With the rigorous schedule, he won't eat into any ONE player's minutes. He just adds another guy we can throw out there to rest guys like Manu and Parker more.

Last night and tonight is an example. If Neal were available, Tony and Manu could have played a lot less against the Clippers (assuming it was still a blow out). Neither probably would have played at all in the 4th. Then tonight in Houston, if we get out to a lead and Neal played well, Manu might not play much at all, or Tony less.

Depth this year more than usual will be key to keep your stars fresh for the playoffs.

[smrattler]

The more options Pop has, the more combination he can try from night to night to see what is clicking and rest his older guys.

[The_Worlds_finest]

Maybe have him start and move Manu to the bench? Our bench is what will be make or break.

[TDMVPDPOY]

isnt the next 13 games all at home?

[Fireball]

isnt the next 13 games all at home?

no, in January there actually will be more road than home games

[z0sa]

Good question. My guess is that JA could be the odd man out. With Pop going out of his way to make a role for Kawhi, it'd be pretty surprising to see the rook get squeezed out of the rotation. Plus I think Pop is going to give TJ more time to sink or swim.

Pretty good problem to have but let's hope Pop handles it well.

Interesting point. I don't see either one being benched quite yet, following Neal's return. Leonard is the superior defender between he and JA IMHO so whichever Pop chooses, I don't think it hurts the spurs chances.

[TDMVPDPOY]

we clearly need rebounding and defense

the odd man out will be bonner, ford...i add blair to that list if he has a succession of games

[TMTTRIO]

I can see Neal taking a lot of Manu's minutes. We don't need to run Manu into the ground before the playoffs. I wouldn't mind seeing Manu play more of the second half of games.

[dbestpro]

Neal will cut into Bonner's minutes.

Here's how. Neal will get more time at SG, Anderson more time at SF and Leonard more time at PF. Leonard's defense will outshine Bonner's worth and cause Pop to use Bonner as the 5th situational big.

[jjktkk]

Neal will cut into Bonner's minutes.

Here's how. Neal will get more time at SG, Anderson more time at SF and Leonard more time at PF. Leonard's defense will outshine Bonner's worth and cause Pop to use Bonner as the 5th situational big.

I could definitely live with this.

[Mel_13]

Neal will cut into Bonner's minutes.

Here's how. Neal will get more time at SG, Anderson more time at SF and Leonard more time at PF. Leonard's defense will outshine Bonner's worth and cause Pop to use Bonner as the 5th situational big.

That's a nice dream.

[urunobili]

So we all agree that the dream case scenario would be Kawhi taking minutes at the 4 and Bonner's so Neal could start getting his 14 a night to re acclimate?

[Obstructed_View]

Neal will cut into Bonner's minutes.

Here's how. Neal will get more time at SG, Anderson more time at SF and Leonard more time at PF. Leonard's defense will outshine Bonner's worth and cause Pop to use Bonner as the 5th situational big.

This would be the ideal way to handle it. I don't think there's anyone that would have too much of a problem with Leonard getting some time at power forward, especially if it means less time at that spot for Bonner.

[urunobili]

This would be the ideal way to handle it. I don't think there's anyone that would have too much of a problem with Leonard getting some time at power forward, especially if it means less time at that spot for Bonner.

And Kawhi can shoot the 3 too... spacing 4 anyone?

[Interrohater]

Neal with it

[Interrohater]

And Kawhi can shoot the 3 too... spacing 4 anyone?

Sigh.... to make Bonner useless...er.

Sadly, I think he'll be here for awhile.

[Obstructed_View]

And Kawhi can shoot the 3 too... spacing 4 anyone?

With actual usable size on the front line, I'd be perfectly happy if Leonard learned to reliably hit a jumper from about 18 feet. Three pointers are massively overrated.

[SpursDynasty85]

I agree with the notion that TJ Ford is the main backup pointgaurd now and we won't see anyone else really playing the back up pointgaurd, except maybe Manu to facilitate some things. Shrinking anyone's minutes but Bonner is what worries me. All these guys except Bonner deserves to play more. I might even say shrink Duncan's minutes than Ford's, Andersons, Jefferson, or Leonard's minutes.

[rascal]

The spurs need to make a move trading away a wing player for a frontline player.

[BackHome]

Although I like what I saw from TJ tonight I hope Neal takes all of Ford's minutes and some of Manus, Tonys, Andersons and Leonard's minutes.

That is only good if you plan on playing Manu a lot of minutes because he is the PG when Neal is in. I like Neal and he will get minutes just for the fact that we have 16 back to back games everyone is going to have to play.

[kaji157]

Neal role would be to give Manu and Tony some extra resting time.

[ace3g]

tonight is where having Neal out there would really help; just another shooter/play maker

[Obstructed_View]

Meh, the Spurs decided not to bother playing defense and jacked up a lot of long shots early. Having another guy jacking up shots would have made little difference.