With Spurs guard Gary Neal. The 6-4 Neal is a 26-year-old rookie who spent the last three years playing in Italy, Spain and Turkey. This season, he has played in every game while averaging 8.6 points in 18.4 minutes and shooting 39.6 percent from the three-point line -- the result of an overseas investment in his ambition of an NBA career. "What was driving me every day to do two practices and perform was to have a chance at the NBA," he said. "That was my goal." What made him think he could achieve that goal? He had gone undrafted in 2007 after averaging 25.3 points as a senior at Towson. He sought respect by yielding to a new system of preparation.