Charlotte Hornets’ Gary Neal Could Be A Sixth Man Of The Year Candidate
By Alex Passannante
@Alex_NinerTimes
Jeremy Brevard-USA Today Sports
When Gary Neal came out of college, he was a high-scoring guard at Towson, putting up great numbers of nearly 26 points per game. When he declared for the draft in 2007, not many people considered him to be an exciting prospect, resulting in him playing in Turkey, Spain and Italy. When the San Antonio Spurs signed Neal in 2010, he put up good numbers and averaged 9.0 points per game through his tenure there.
When Neal scored 24 points in a playoff game against the Miami Heat, fans and scouts started to realize that this guy could ball. Fast forward to the 2014-15 season, and Neal has found himself on a good Charlotte Hornets team that can do some damage in the Eastern Conference.
Neal has been getting steady sixth man minutes since the season has began, and has played well enough to warrant some more minutes in the near future. Against the New York Knicks on Sunday, Neal torched J.R Smith and Iman Shumpert for 17 points in only 30 minutes. If he can keep putting up numbers like this, it would be reasonable to consider him as a Sixth Man of the Year contender.
One of the biggest problems that the Hornets are having so far this season is the inability to put up points. Neal is a guy who can come off the bench and make threes, mid-range shots and knock down every free throw (he’s shooting 93 percent from the line this year). With the signing of Lance Stephenson this past summer, many thought that Neal wouldn’t get many minutes; but with Stephenson playing well below average and slightly injured, Neal has been a nice filler player to put points on the board.
With Michael Kidd-Gilchrist currently out with a rib injury, Neal will have to be one of the bench players to step up. The Hornets haven’t started the season off as well as they would have liked, but one highlight so far has been the play of Neal.
Blake Griffin Needs to Cut Tough Guy Act
Blake Griffin has changed quite a bit over the past year and it isn't for the better. Read More
Golden State Warriors: Ball Movement Much Improved
The Golden State Warriors are winning games and looking like a legitimate contender for a championship, and it is mainly thanks to their great ball movement. Read More
76ers' Rebuilding Efforts Hit All-Time Low
Thursday night, a game that was supposed to bring clarity to the Philadelphia 76ers’ rebuilding efforts instead just brought more questions. Read More
Nick Young Eyeing Return For Lakers
With the Lakers' offense struggling, the return of Nick Young will be welcomed. Read More
Ellen Degeneres Helps MCW Get Away From Basketball
Philadelphia 76ers guard Michael Carter-Williams uses The Ellen Degeneres Show to get away from all things basketball. Read More
10 Early NBA Rumors
The NBA season is young, but there are still a bunch of rumors circulating. Here are 10 early-season rumors. Read More
Could Every Team in Southwest Make Playoffs?
Taking a look at the Southwest Division and if all five teams will make the NBA playoffs. Read More
Johnson, Nets Will Improve After 'Selfish' Talk
Joe Johnson made headlines when he said the Nets were playing "selfish." Strides were made in Phoenix, and it is just a matter of time until the team gels. Read More
Clippers Must Persevere If Griffin Is Suspended
Blake Griffin's battery charge could be detrimental to the Los Angeles Clippers. Read More
Kanter Picks Up Offense For Jazz, D Still Lacking
After struggling in the early games, Enes Kanter has been on target with his jumper. His defense is another story. Read More
Lakers' Scott Misses Point By Challenging Defense
Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss to the New Oleans Pelicans, Byron Scott ripped the team effort on defense. Unfortunately for Scott, thanks to personnel and rotation choices, it won't change. Read More
5 Takeaways From Heat's Early-Season Play
After an eventful offseason, the Miami Heat look to rebound from the four-year circus which has paraded around the team. Here are five takeaways from their early-season action. Read More