I recently talked about why the San Antonio Spurs are so successful, and that's because they have many players that embrace their roles on the team and do a good job of fulfilling their roles. Gary Neal is one of those guys. The undrafted rookie has proven to be a solid player on the team that is a good shooter and performs well offensively. Although he doesn't create his own shots, he isn't called upon to do so in the Spurs' offensive scheme. Creating shots for himself is not his role. He is supposed to camp out near the perimeter and hit shots from kickouts- for the most part.

Neal is average in the other facets of his game, and he isn't exactly "good" at any one thing in particular. However, Neal is a decent player that is really good on the perimeter. A knock on him is that he focuses too much on playing around the arc. When Neal is on a hot streak- like he is now- his shot is nearly unstoppable. He is shooting 41.9 from downtown as well as 44.1 from the field in general, and Neal doesn't attempt many close shots so the stats aren't skewed.

Neal has successfully transfered from the European game to the NBA, and he has been one of the biggest surprises this year in terms of rookies. He was ruthlessly efficient in Italy for his team Treviso, and he led the league in scoring there. Although he actually can create a shot if he is needed to- he did that in Italy- he does a good job of stepping into a new role in the Spurs' scheme and sitting back while spreading the floor and taking his shots from teammates in a supporting role.

Although Neal isn't a physically gifted defensive player, he has now decided to try defending once he has come into the NBA. It is evident that Neal is trying as hard as he can to make the most of his opportunity to finally play in the biggest league. He makes sure to do what he can defensively, and he works so hard in a part of the game where hard work is key. I think Neal will be a solid role player for years to come, and he really embraces and plays any role he has to for his team to win. He is definitely somebody you want on your team. He will help you get your championship by working hard and constantly improving and trying to show his work.

Embracing His Role

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: NBA, NBA Player Profiles, Spurs, Gary Neal

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3/2011 Team Scope: San Antonio Spurs

March 1st 2011 15:42

Let's open up March with a team scope. But unlike yesterday, this scope will be of an NBA team that is on pace for a record season. The Spurs have depth and star power along with coaching to become the best team in the league this season. First off, I would like to give a shoutout to Forest Bennett, a PSU fan just like me! How you doing man? Hope you enjoy this one Forest, and all you other great readers of this blog!

The Spurs just received that their star point guard is out for two to four weeks with a sore calf muscle. For most teams in the NBA, this would be crushing news. It is terrible news but having George Hill as your backup point guard softens the blow. Tony Parker is one of the three best point guards in the league at driving. He brings so much to the table for the Spurs, and his leadership is invaluable to the team. However, Hill is a good scorer in his own right that really stepped up last year when Parker was injured.

Manu Ginobili is another great driver that combines his ability to score and handle the ball- the shooting guard can also play the 1 when called upon- along with solid defense. Ginobili is also an indispensable leader for San Antonio. Backup shooting guard Gary Neal was undrafted this season as a rookie, but he has made a name for himself as a solid role player who has a decent shot. The Spurs have many of these kinds of role players, which is a testament to their ability to draft well and scout talent well and find key guys that they can plug in every night. The Spurs look for pieces to add to their team that can help support the main cast of stars. That's smart managing by the front office right there. That's why these guys consistently win.

I love Richard Jefferson. RJ has been one of my favorite players in this league for a while. I defended him last year when he struggled saying that it would take time for him to learn the system. He's got it down now, and he has now become a solid contributer. Nobody on this team has eye-popping stats. The Spurs spread the ball around and display teamwork instead of relying on one player. Jefferson has been solid overall this year, and that's the kind of production that really helps teams win games. I would rather have six solid players than three superstars, one average player, and two scrubs.

Tim Duncan doesn't need to dominate anymore, and he won't anyway at this stage in his career. However, Duncan still is an efficient player that also makes solid contributions. Duncan still gets the boards, and he has had an incredible defensive year so far. Backup power forward Matt Bonner shed the tag of "scrub" ever since joining the Spurs. Again, Bonner is another one of those solid contributors. I really love his 3-ball. Bonner can shoot, and he is one of the few big men- like Dirk and that guy named Channing who is today's Sports Personality of the Day and has two straight games with buzzer beaters in OT- that can shoot really well from behind the arc.

DeJuan Blair is another player that I love. The Spurs made a great choice in taking Blair, even when teams were scared that he plays with no ACLs. You read that right. San Antonio's medical staff said that it was worth the risk because he never showed signs of breaking down in college. Blair always dominated Hasheem Thabeet in college, so I wasn't surprised that Blair is a better player than Thabeet. Blair stepped in and became a quality role player even as a rookie for the Spurs. Now, the Pitt grad is the team's starting center. Antonio McDyess is a solid veteran presence for the Spurs.

Greg Popovich is obviously a great coach that gets the most out of his players. Although he is controversial, he is still a great coach that deserves his reputation. As you can see, the Spurs are a team based on the foundations of teamwork, chemistry, and a team that surrounds itself with solid role players that fit in well and do their job. That is why they are so successful. It's no shock as to why they are dominating in the league. The way the Spurs were built is the model for how teams should be built in the future. Don't make big 3's. Make a well-rounded and deep team.