We have two capable backup PGs

[Stabula]

Nando and CoJo seem to have strengths that best suit a back-up PG role while Mills and Neal seem to have strengths that best suit a back-up SG role. That being said I would rather have Nando than CoJo and rather have Mills than Neal. It is possible that CoJo can develop into something great someday so I wouldn't rule him out at all but I'm liking what I'm seeing from Nando more and more. The guy is really starting to develop. As for the SGs I think Neal has hit his ceiling while Mills is younger and still has a ways to develop as a player. Both have beautiful shooting strokes but Mills is quicker, better at pressure defense, and will only get better.

[Darkwaters]

The best part of this situation is that Pop has a variety of options behind Tony. Rather than watch Neal get roasted alive in the playoffs again this year, the team will have a litany of backup points with heavily varied skills, strengths and weaknesses. Find the hot hand. In a best of 7 series that could really come in handy.

[Bruno]

I will repeat a little what I've said in another thread but, even if he is a damn good player, you had to wonder how much Spurs need to have Neal with their current roster.
Neal at PG isn't that good. He is way better at SG. If De Colo keeps playing that way, he might end up as the best option for the backup PG slot.
At SG, spurs still have Green and Ginobili. Even considering injuries and small ball, Neal would have a limited role as 3rd string SG.
Having a player that can bring instance offense at the end of the bench is always nice but Spurs do have another player with Mills that can play that role. Mills isn't as good as Neal but he is good enough for that role and he also bring some quickness that can be very useful in some matchups.

[Paranoid Pop]

I will repeat a little what I've said in another thread but, even if he is a damn good player, you had to wonder how much Spurs need to have Neal with their current roster.
Neal at PG isn't that good. He is way better at SG. If De Colo keeps playing that way, he might end up as the best option for the backup PG slot.
At SG, spurs still have Green and Ginobili. Even considering injuries and small ball, Neal would have a limited role as 3rd string SG.
Having a player that can bring instance offense at the end of the bench is always nice but Spurs do have another player with Mills that can play that role. Mills isn't as good as Neal but he is good enough for that role and he also bring some quickness that can be very useful in some matchups.

Imo Neal could be the starting SG, Pop seem to have a crush on Green but I'd rather trade Green.

[TDMVPDPOY]

if de colo can limit his stupid turnovers from flashy passes, increase his shooting efficiency...he could end up better somewhere between vet brent barry and rookie beno...

[polandprzem]

I always said that De Colo should be the back up and that's it!

But of course we have Pop who rather trust experience of neal then De Colo's. But how can it be when Neal is capable of doing silly mistakes as well esp on the PG position.
Neal is not a fast or quick guy so I can't imagine him run the ball on fast pace when the spurs needs it.

[Boomersgold]

I always said that De Colo should be the back up and that's it!

But of course we have Pop who rather trust experience of neal then De Colo's. But how can it be when Neal is capable of doing silly mistakes as well esp on the PG position.
Neal is not a fast or quick guy so I can't imagine him run the ball on fast pace when the spurs needs it.

Neither is De Colo. In fact, Neal's a lot faster than De Colo. The fastest back up point guard is Patty. If you want a point guard that's fast and plays at a fast pace, then De Colo ISN'T your man. De Colo plays a slower, more controlled offense.

[letmk]

I always said that De Colo should be the back up and that's it!

But of course we have Pop who rather trust experience of neal then De Colo's. But how can it be when Neal is capable of doing silly mistakes as well esp on the PG position.
Neal is not a fast or quick guy so I can't imagine him run the ball on fast pace when the spurs needs it.

Agreed. Even De Colo or others as back-up PG is not necessarily better than Neal considering experiences and other things, it at least can set free Neal the SG.

[spurraider21]

guys, its really quite simple

PG - Parker - De Colo - Mills - Joseph
.................\
.................Neal
................./
SG - Green - Manu
...........................\
............................Anderson
.........................../
SF - Kawhi - Jackson
............................\
............................Diaw
............................/
PF - Timmy Duncan - Matt Bonner

C - DeJuan Blair - Tiago Splitter

not really sure what all the confusion is about

[Captivus]

By PO time Pop is gonna ave a better idea of what Nando can and cant do.
I wouldnt trade Neal, he can win games by himself.
What teams need a PG? Thats the question i have now.

[polandprzem]

Neither is De Colo. In fact, Neal's a lot faster than De Colo. The fastest back up point guard is Patty. If you want a point guard that's fast and plays at a fast pace, then De Colo ISN'T your man. De Colo plays a slower, more controlled offense.

Neal is a lot faster then De Colo - that's interesting.

As far as playmaking skills and create for others I think De Colo dominates Gary. Just watch how much he will develop.

[100%duncan]

No one ing touches Gary Neal. He stays ma s.

[timvp]

Neither is De Colo. In fact, Neal's a lot faster than De Colo. The fastest back up point guard is Patty. If you want a point guard that's fast and plays at a fast pace, then De Colo ISN'T your man. De Colo plays a slower, more controlled offense.

Massive fail, unfortunately.

The Spurs play at the fastest pace by far when De Colo is in the game.

[Boomersgold]

Massive fail, unfortunately.

The Spurs play at the fastest pace by far when De Colo is in the game.

Sure didn't feel like it from the viewer's perspective. Most of the times, what I saw was De Colo patiently waiting for the bigs to get down on the court so that he could set a pick 'n' roll with them or set them up for an easy layup. Not once did I see "Showtime", where the point guard would race up the court and the team would attempt to score quickly without any proper offensive plays and before the defense of the opposition could fully set, à la Magic Johnson.

EDIT: Also having Patty Mills on the court with him probably was part of the reason for the Spurs' high possessions per minutes when De Colo was on.

[therealtruth]

Massive fail, unfortunately.

The Spurs play at the fastest pace by far when De Colo is in the game.

Makes sense. Steve Nash is not the fastest guy but he runs offenses that have the fastest paces.

[spurraider21]

Most of the times, what I saw was De Colo patiently waiting for the bigs to get down on the court so that he could set a pick 'n' roll with them or set them up for an easy layup. Not once did I see "Showtime", where the point guard would race up the court and the team would attempt to score quickly without any proper offensive plays and before the defense of the opposition could fully set, à la Magic Johnson.

and

[Southwest Texas Fan]

Massive fail, unfortunately.

The Spurs play at the fastest pace by far when De Colo is in the game.

I know it's early but what do you think is De Colo's ceiling?