Enjoy the poster, appreciate the effort

by

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Poor Gary Neal. The guy most people figured as nothing more than a potential training camp body back in summer league is quickly emerging as a household name, and not always for the right reasons.

How do we know that Gary Neal has arrived? Because this time when he made the highlight reel no one was misidentifying him as George Hill. To be fair to Neal, any basketball player worth his salt has been dunked on. Not every player has the luxury of burying the tape, and not every player gets the business as viciously as Neal has. Twice.

I have a friend from college that I played basketball with who probably led the team in charges taken, which is a noble thing until you get immortalized on YouTube, as he did drawing one of those many charges. In an age of smart phones and always present internet access I can tell you there is no end to the joy that is pulling up the video of him getting dunked on in his presence.

To his credit it never phases him, his response is always the same: “At least I took the charge.”

The point is if you’re going to commit yourself to defense as Gary Neal has, you’re going to find yourself in a position to get embarrassed from time-to-time. Nothing to be ashamed about, not even for Shawn Bradley (okay, so maybe a little for Shawn Bradley).

So while your fans and your teammates can laugh about your immortalization Mr. Gary Neal, know too that we are appreciative of your effort. Though you were just shy of drawing a charge this time, the fact that you were in a position to make a play speaks volumes.

And because one can never pass up an opportunity to take a good-hearted shot at a friend and teammate:

  • Jacques

    As long he makes the Threes and the floater….. Gary will be there for us.

    Go Spurs

  • http://www.passthemsticks.com Batmanu

    That video of your friend is now going to get a ridiculous amount of views. L.M.A.O.

    And I asked George on Twitter why Neal is our poster boy. No response yet…

  • Mark B

    Shawn Bradley was a guy who wasn’t coordinated or athletic enough to be an elite athlete, but he was able to play pro basketball because he was so frikkin tall. He got postered a lot by quicker and stronger players, but he made a damn good paycheck off just being tall, and he put forth good effort and hustle. I’d say give the guy a break.

  • andy

    i have come close to regretting trying to take one charge, and that’s when shaun rogers dunked on me. he is a massive man.

    here’s hoping every one of our spurs steps up to take the charge without regret.

  • http://readramblerant.blogspot.com/ Humberto

    Yea, I’m glad they got his name right too lol. As for your friend…I only wish I had vids like that of mine!

  • junierizzle

    At least Neal is trying out there. Besides like you said every player gets dunked on. All that matters is the W. And as I recall the SPURS won both of those games that Neal got dunked on.

  • http://www.passthemsticks.com Batmanu

    @ junierizzle

    Yes, we did. The Nuggets game, if I’m not mistaken, was the game Manu took the game-winning charge on Melo at the buzzer.

    And we destroyed Sacremento.

  • rob

    I think it’s amazing that Neal is even in the realm of notable video. Here’s a player who has shown through determination, heart and desire to go undrafted to become an integeral part of an nba championship caliber team. Doing everything he’s done so far to get to this level from where he began…I think it safe to assume those blocking fouls will turn into charges in the near future.

    His story would be interesting to publish or document. Yet another great find by the Spurs.

  • http://www.bpifanconnect.com Alix Babaie

    Rob, if Gary would have had a split second to assure his feet were outside the paint he would have drawn the charge.

    Jesse, that was some of the funniest shit I have ever seen! That dude got all nuts in your friends face, ha!

    So when did this dunk take place, what year?

  • betsyduncan

    Here’s to Gary “X-Factor” Neal being a valuable asset to our team, by doing whatever it takes (taking charges, included!) to getting to #5! Love your effort, GNeal!

  • Nadeem

    That bradley stuff is sooo funny. I feel sad for him. Monster dunks by Shaq and KG.

  • Nadeem

    Jesse,

    you should make a “top 10: video of gary neal taking successful charges as a counter to all dunks on gary neal videos.

  • Hobson13

    Poor Gary! However, in Neals defense, on both this dunk and the JR Smith smash, Neal was picking up a guy someone else should have at least slowed down. If you look at both films, you will see that Smith’s dunk was caused because Ime Udoka got his ankles broken that allowed Smith to get enough steam to slam it home. Neal was simply trying to draw a change.

    If you look at the Sacto film, you will see that at the beginning of the break, Bonner was actually closest to Evans. IMO, Bonner should have at least forced Evans to change direction or slow down. Instead you see him act as if he is going to guard a wing man, but in reality commit to no one. I’m not hating on Bonner, but this play has fake hustle written all over it. Just watch Bonner from beginning to end.

    P.S. To make this dunk even worse, the Kings only had 4 guys running on the play. I’m not sure if Cousins even got to half court.

  • rob

    @Alix

    “Rob, if Gary would have had a split second to assure his feet were outside the paint he would have drawn the charge.”

    No Doubt. All I am saying is Neal will probbly get better at recognition and setting as he continues to play.

    @ Hobson13

    Totally agree with your observation. Didn’t pay attention to that until you mentioned it. Bonner had every opportunity to at least force Evans to change direction or slow him down. Does anyone know why Bonner would turn his back and move away from Evans in that situation?

    Anyway….kudos to Neal for being the only player in that play at least “trying” to defend.

  • manufan

    Nice transition defense by Bonner there.

  • manufan

    By the way Neal was the only guy on that play that couldn’t do anything about it.

  • Titletown99030507d

    @Hobson13,

    “If you look at the Sacto film, you will see that at the beginning of the break, Bonner was actually closest to Evans. IMO, Bonner should have at least forced Evans to change direction or slow down. Instead you see him act as if he is going to guard a wing man, but in reality commit to no one. I’m not hating on Bonner, but this play has fake hustle written all over it. Just watch Bonner from beginning to end.”

    Especially how he starts to turn around and do a 360 as he rolls down the court and pretends to choose someone to guard ignoring Evans. Now that’s classic!

  • DorieStreet

    At the transistion’s beginning, Bonner should have got alongside Evans and harassed him into giving up the ball, or maybe even fouled him (were the Spurs in the penalty?).

  • Rey

    Yeah, yeah, yeah. GNeal would probably get dunked on as much often as TD would get a double-double during a game, but these guys who dunked on him would only have those videos to cherish - and define - the success of their careers.

    In all probability, GNeal would get two, three championships with his selfless play and willingness to take the charge, compared with these “highlight” dudes who’s in it for the image.

    And basketball, it should be emphasized, is more about substance than flash. That’s why it’s played five-on-five.

  • Somerset

    I will never live this down lol!!! Look they cut out the basket NOT counting lol