No Names, Big Games
There are several players in the NBA that are little known but have big impacts on their teams and sharp bettors can use that knowledge to play the right team when it comes to the correct match-ups.
Today we’ll concentrate of three of those such players: Ronnie Brewer, Jose Barea and Gary Neal.
Brewer came into the league in 2006 after having a solid career at the University of Arkansas and it took him awhile to find his way.
He only averaged 12 minutes that first year but averaged double digit points the next two seasons. This season, he is getting about 23 minutes a game for the Chicago Bulls and what he does every night doesn’t always shows in the box score.
Brewer is versatile, can play either guard position, is quick as a cat with his first step, is unselfish finding open teammates and he defends with an attitude.
Ronnie is a game changer. He disrupts the defense, can shoot the long ball and plays hard every night. Check out his line in a win last week vs. the Pacers.
He was the first reserve called into the game, hit 2 of his 3 shots from 3-point land, grabbed 5 rebounds, dished 5 assists and had a steal for good measure.
Bettors should give the Bulls the nod when they go against teams that are weak in the backcourt and soft down low as Brewer can do his magic against these squads.
Good things come in little packages and at 6 foot, Northeastern product Jose Barea is a good thing. He is having his best year backing up Jason Kidd at the point for the Dallas Mavericks and he maturity has been obvious this year.
He has learned from guys like Kidd and Steve Nash that you don’t have to pick up the ball or pass once you penetrate but if you continue with your dribble and dash down low from sideline to sideline, open jump shots for teammates will materialize.
Barea is an under appreciated scorer as he averaged 21 and 8 assists as a senior and because of his quickness and work ethic, he has overcome his diminutive nature and often makes the right pass at the right time.
His value to Dallas is not only his offensive but the fact he lets Kidd rest and that pays dividends in the point spread.
Gary Neal is a 26-year-old rookie this year for the San Antonio Spurs but this is not his first trip to the rodeo. He played for my friend and high school classmate Pat Kennedy at Towson in Baltimore and he not only brings grit but a deadly outside shot to the party.
Bettors should look to ton up on the Spurs when they face poor perimeter defending teams that will play right into the hands of Neal.
Gary had some issues coming out of college and had to take his talents to Turkey where he matured as a player and person.
He led the Turkish league in scoring in 2008 at almost 24 a game but he can also get to the hoop, get his own shot and he is athletic enough to defend and rebound.
One of the reasons the Spurs are off to one of their best starts early is because of Neal.
Those that like to wager on hoops, should evaluate how these 3 players may put their mark on games that they are considering betting.
