Game 24: Spurs @ Clippers -- Monday, Dec 16, 9:30PM (CST)

[cd021]

Yeah, no one on SpursTalk rips about Neal's shooting ability - it's more about his defensive capabilities. He really did seem lost a lot of the time, but he was a pure shooter with balls and guts.

Yet he cost or nearly cost games with his freethrow shooting. I've never seen such a great shooter miss so many clutch freethrows.

[Ice009]

Yet he cost or nearly cost games with his freethrow shooting. I've never seen such a great shooter miss so many clutch freethrows.

Yep. Another hater. I don't recall Neal costing us many games with his freethrow shooting. I do recall him missing a few, which is surprising considering his outside shooting, but I don't recall the Spurs losing games directly related to his free throw shooting.

And hey, at least he could get to the free throw line, unlike most of the other 1 dimensional shooters that are on the team now.

[ace3g]

[Baam]

^ that isn't funny to me, if Pop is so over it now that he can joke around with him he should have managed to get past it back then...

[SpursRock20]

^ that isn't funny to me, if Pop is so over it now that he can joke around with him he should have managed to get past it back then...

That kind of irks me too. I mean what in the is that? Almost makes me believe that there was more to the story than what we heard last year.

[Raven]

starters came back in

more like belinelli happened, -28.

[Raven]

it just seems like all teams break their 3 point record of season against us

go figure

[mingus]

Splitter being out really hurts us. He's really important for us esp defensively. Parker and I've no idea why seems not take as many mid-range shots this year so far. He's proven himself in that area so I don't know why.With Danny Green on the floor it's basically 4 on 5. He's been a nonfactor so far.

[Sean Cagney]

I am still angry with Neal and his defensive ups, he really did suck on that end of the court. I still want to hit him for leaving a shoeless Mike Miller wide open and also giving up that three to Chalmers at the end of the 3rd quarter, but still, the guy isn't a pussy when it comes to shooting. People here keep trashing him and I don't think they realize that it's not easy to find shooters like Neal. I don't want guys that can only shoot against the bad teams in the regular season. I don't care if you miss, but you GOTTA shoot the ball with confidence. The Spurs didn't really get anyone significantly better than him, so I don't think they should have let him go, especially if they were going to sign a scrub like Ayres with that money.

I am just trying to emphasize that the shooters on the team MUST shoot with confidence and make their shots. This team can't go anywhere if that doesn't happen. A lot of them seem like they are scared to shoot when the pressure is higher against the best teams in the league, or they simply don't shoot with the same confidence when we play the good teams and they are putting more pressure on you. You can't shrivel up and disappear. It puts too much pressure on Tim, Tony, Manu. These young guys need to step the up and stop letting the older guys carry their asses. Kawhi, Danny - I am looking at you.

I have no idea why the Spurs didn't try and sign at least one more creator in the off season. We're back to Manu and Tony as the only two players on the team that can create for themselves.

Danny is mentally soft and thats a given. He shoots the lights out some nights but if you put pressure on him he is useless at times. Kawhi is still young so I will give him time, but yes I wish he would do what you said more often. Marco? Time will tell if he has it in the playoffs, would not count him out though asa he hit some big shots in CHI last year and was good against Brooklyn in round one. He might have it.

Neal could shoot you out of a game too with a bad shot or two way out of the flow of the offense, but as you said he was fearless and would let it fly and that is rare in the league.

[cd021]

Yep. Another hater. I don't recall Neal costing us many games with his freethrow shooting. I do recall him missing a few, which is surprising considering his outside shooting, but I don't recall the Spurs losing games directly related to his free throw shooting.

And hey, at least he could get to the free throw line, unlike most of the other 1 dimensional shooters that are on the team now.

Seriously? I would hate on Neal. I like the guy but he isn't anymore clutch than, say Green is. That has been blown out of proportion.


At Dallas 2 seasons ago he was fouled behind the 3pt line and missed the last freethrow. That would have tied the game. Dallas scored on the following possession and we lost after he missed a 3 at the buzzer.

At Clippers (same season) missed a free throw that would have tied the game with less than 30 seconds. Clippers hit a jumper and we missed on the following possession. We were going to foul and extend the game, but Foye threw a terrible inbound pass and that Paul bobbled and Neal caught and hit a 3.

He cost of 1 directly and nearly cost us another 1. Also in the Heat "rest game" game he had

All in the final 2:43 (We were up 95-91)
-Personal foul on Ray Allen (made 2 free throws)-95-93
-Made 3-98-93
-Offensive Foul (Lebron 1-2 at free throw line)-98-94
-Miss 17 footer
-Miss 3 pointer
-Miss 9 footer

We lost 100-105

Also last season, he gave up a late 3 that allowed Memphis to tie, after Neal left Conley wide open with 35 seconds left.

He could get to the line on occasion, he also developed a floater that he could use off the dribble. But Belinelli is certainly a better fit. He is hitting 54% of his 3's in our offense thus far. Last season, on a poor offensive team) he still managed to shoot 39% 3pt. He also can legitimately create for others, something Neal couldn't ever do. I wish him the best but we upgraded.