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I remember Neal having some good games even when JA was playing. He had a couple of real eye opener games in those first six. I think if JA doesn't get hurt, they both get time and Manu is a lot more rested.
If not for the injury to James Anderson? Prior to the injury, Anderson was playing fairly well and was dominating the minutes off the bench for the 2/3. Neal had seen some time but Pop was obviously going first and foremost with Anderson.
Had Anderson not gotten hurt would he have continued to get those minutes and would Neal be buried on the bench?
I remember Neal having some good games even when JA was playing. He had a couple of real eye opener games in those first six. I think if JA doesn't get hurt, they both get time and Manu is a lot more rested.
I think he would still be a factor. He never seemed to be afraid to shoot. That is one of the differences between him and Anderson. Anderson seems to ignore his instincts where Neal seems to use his. I will say this, had they both been healthy, I think this team would have been near unstoppable at this point.
Don't know if anyone has the minutes played stats b/f and the Anderson injury. I'm never good at digging those kinds of stats out. I think he would've still had an impact but we probably would've be taking about him in the same light we are now. It just shows how much depth we have.
I just hope Anderson can regain his form and help lower Manu's minutes heading into the playoffs.
There is no stopping Neal. Dude is on a mission.
Looking at the game logs for Neal in those first six, he had an 8 point 2-4 3p, a 16 point 4-8 3p and a 15 point 5-7 3p game before JA went down.
the injury to address forced pop to play him more
neal did not have to worry about messing up and getting benched right away
Before JA was hurt Pop clearly said despite a good game of Neal that there would be nights when Neal would see a DNP ... so yes, the injury of JA helped Neal improve and give confidence to the coaches. Even if JA was 100% fit right now, Gary Neal would see his share of minutes every game ...
I agree with this, but JA going down has opened up more minutes for Neal. He was just able to prove himself slightly earlier & given more opportunities. Now lets hope JA can come back to form before the PO's & we actually use him if appropriate.
No. In the loss to NOH in San Antone Neal brought us back and both JA and him played together in the clutch in a game we almost tied if RJ three doesn't rim out.
They were both playing well.
The thing with Neal is that he is never afraid to shoot...ever. This is probably in the top 5 of rules in the Pop discipleship handbook. Because of that he would have gotten minutes whether Anderson went down or not.
i dont recall James being afraid to shoot either. if he didnt sshoot, he usually drove into lane. i think Neal aquired himself more in different situations had JA not been injured. but the system with both sharing minutes before JA injury was prety tight. i thought Pop did a great job early in season with these two.
i remember both coming in and hitting a lot of threes. i hope it gets back to that formula. thats what will help Spurs become champions.
I don't think there's any doubt that JA's injury has been a positive for Neal (while creating some negatives for the team at the same time).
Gary had some good games and was receiving PT before Anderson went down, so no reason to think that he wouldn't have continued to do so until now.
At the same time, it forced Pop to stay with Neal on nights when he was NOT hitting. That's given him a chance to work on a lot of aspects of his game beyond the catch-and-shoot factor.
I think this year, these minor injuries have really helped the Spurs implement players coming back from injury (that would have a tough time getting back in the rotation).
1. Bonner went down with the knee injury = Splitter gets a foot back into the rotation to show he can play some meaningful minutes.
2. Neal with the concussion symptoms = James Anderson gets a foot back in as well.
With these injuries Pop was forced to play these guys = blessing in disguise
Last edited by ace3g; 02-26-2011 at 01:14 PM.
I think Neal has had more playing time with JA out. What would have happened if they both were healthy is hard to say because I'm still not sure how good Anderson is.
he was given the opportunity. he grabbed it with both hands.
"Yes"
- Lefty
Had Anderson not gotten hurt Anderson would have been much better than what Neal is now.
I really doubt that. I don't know if you're overrating Anderson or just not appreciating the level Neal has played at this season but I don't for a second think Anderson would be playing as well as Neal has.
I think Anderson can be a good contributer to this team but I think Neal is something incredibly special. He's sixth man of the year material.
Really? Anderson was playing pretty damn well on both ends before he got hurt, Manny.
Sup Manny.
I don't see any compe ion between the two. If JA wasn't injured they both would be playing well and the team would be playing even better. And yes, Manu would be better rested.
The latter part of that last statement is what concerns me - the number of minutes Manu has logged. It's very key for Manu to be a fresh as possible entering the playoffs. I wonder if Pop will dial him back, just a bit, once Neal and Anderson are both a full disposal?
well duh!
but spur fans thought spurs did not overpay him
I second what many have said. It doesn't really matter who's better between Anderson and Neal, the point is Manu could have been better rested had JA stood healthy.
Hopefully, the Spurs will take the time and games to rest Manu and get AJ some burn.
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