Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Gary Neal is looking to be a major contributor this season for the Milwaukee Bucks after usually not getting as much playing time as he desired with the San Antonio Spurs.
His shooting abilities are what the Bucks hope to utilize in order to be a serious title contender in the NBA East. Milwaukee signed him as an unrestricted free agent after negotiations broke down between Neal and the Spurs.
In his third season with the Spurs for 2012-13, Neal saw action in 68 games from his guard spot with 17 starts and averaged 21.8 minutes, 9.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. He shot 41.2 percent from the floor, 35.5 percent in 3-pointers and 86.5 percent in free throws.
His scoring and rebounding has been consistent over the years. His numbers were usually slightly lower in playoff action. Neal showed his outstanding scoring ability when he had a career playoff-high 24 points, including six 3-pointers in Game 3 of the NBA finals, a 113-77 Spurs win. He was hot for awhile in threes but then cooled down in the final three games.
But the Spurs seem satisfied with the depth they have at shooting guard. Neal fills a hole the Bucks had with the departure of Monta Ellis and J.J. Redick. He will have a major impact at that spot with the Bucks, who also have O.J. Mayo ready to handle shooting guard duties.
Neal needs to show the Bucks that he will produce more provided he gets additional playing minutes. If he does, he’s likely to have his best season so far in the NBA.
John Raffel is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JohnCarlRaffel, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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