ducks
06-12-2005, 03:37 PM
Harvey: Parker's calling plan — how he shares his minutes
Buck Harvey: Parker's calling plan — how he shares his minutes
Web Posted: 06/12/2005 12:00 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
If they are on the telephone again with Julius Erving, then Tony Parker is on hold.
Manu Ginobili does all the talking in this bit. As for changes in the script: Now Ginobili is one of those stars in the night sky.
Trophy love can be fickle, all right. But the Spurs say there are no hints of jealousy in their international backcourt. If anything, they say, Parker embraces what Ginobili does for him now. After all, there was a time when Parker had to score, and run the offense, and play defense, and take the blame.
Now? Parker just needs to hang on Chauncey Billups with all his might, then look for his own moment.
Parker says "Manu makes my job easier," but Parker knows nothing is easy now. Billups comes at him with the body of a linebacker and a game-changing shooting touch.
Billups played the first game of these Finals as he did in last year's Finals, when he was the MVP. Billups ended with 25 points and six assists, and Gregg Popovich says, "We couldn't stop him."
There are signs that suggest Popovich didn't mind. The Spurs could have switched assignments at times during Game 1, moving Parker or Beno Udrih to Carlos Arroyo or Lindsey Hunter, then muscling Billups with either Ginobili or Devin Brown.
Some on the bench wondered if that was the smarter move, too. But Popovich didn't switch for emotional incentive. He wanted Parker and Udrih to take the challenge.
Something else is possible, too. Billups can post, and he can pass out of double teams. But he's not as lethal as Jason Kidd and Gary Payton have been at this. If Billups goes to the block and the Spurs bring help fast enough, does that actually take the Pistons out of what they like to do with the others?
Using that theory, Parker was a lure. And on the other end Parker was often a spectator, watching as Ginobili continued his rise.
Parker sped at times on his way to his own 15 points, including a Steve Nash-like circling of the rim. But the Finals opener was another step in the separation of this backcourt.
Parker was clearly the team's second-leading scorer in previous seasons. This year Ginobili edged ahead in status as an All-Star. And today Ginobili stands on the biggest stage as the biggest draw.
Parker, amazing once as a teen starter, likely assumed he'd always be the No. 1 player with English as a No. 2 language.
Parker has his share of pride, and he doesn't have the personality that wants to pass on pressure. Parker would like to be an All-Star someday, too, and he thinks it will happen.
But he's content enough with what is happening right now. Winning has a lot to do with that, as does his long-term contract that kicks in next season.
For those wondering: It's richer than Ginobili's.
Then there's the nature of these men. Some on the Spurs' staff believe their backgrounds help them avoid turf issues.
Coming from different countries means they each own a fan base they can never lose. A French media contingent follows Parker and an Argentine one follows Ginobili, so neither will ever feel ignored.
"If both were Americans," a Spurs assistant said Saturday, "who knows? They might have problems."
Parker is half-American. But if half of him wishes he could do more right now, the other half sees the advantages. Too often in the past Parker was asked to carry too much of a load.
When he failed, the Spurs often did. That was some burden for a 21-year-old point guard going against the veteran Kidd in 2003. Little wonder Speedy Claxton finished out the Finals then.
Parker burped against the Lakers last year, too, and tonight would normally set up the same scenario. These are the games the Pistons win, and these are the games when Parker has gotten the blame.
But now Parker can operate with more comfort, giving way first to Tim Duncan, then to Ginobili. And if he sees his chance — as he did when he took over an overtime in Denver in the first round — Parker will feel free to attack.
"I'm waiting my turn," he said Saturday.
As if he were on hold.
Buck Harvey: Parker's calling plan — how he shares his minutes
Web Posted: 06/12/2005 12:00 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
If they are on the telephone again with Julius Erving, then Tony Parker is on hold.
Manu Ginobili does all the talking in this bit. As for changes in the script: Now Ginobili is one of those stars in the night sky.
Trophy love can be fickle, all right. But the Spurs say there are no hints of jealousy in their international backcourt. If anything, they say, Parker embraces what Ginobili does for him now. After all, there was a time when Parker had to score, and run the offense, and play defense, and take the blame.
Now? Parker just needs to hang on Chauncey Billups with all his might, then look for his own moment.
Parker says "Manu makes my job easier," but Parker knows nothing is easy now. Billups comes at him with the body of a linebacker and a game-changing shooting touch.
Billups played the first game of these Finals as he did in last year's Finals, when he was the MVP. Billups ended with 25 points and six assists, and Gregg Popovich says, "We couldn't stop him."
There are signs that suggest Popovich didn't mind. The Spurs could have switched assignments at times during Game 1, moving Parker or Beno Udrih to Carlos Arroyo or Lindsey Hunter, then muscling Billups with either Ginobili or Devin Brown.
Some on the bench wondered if that was the smarter move, too. But Popovich didn't switch for emotional incentive. He wanted Parker and Udrih to take the challenge.
Something else is possible, too. Billups can post, and he can pass out of double teams. But he's not as lethal as Jason Kidd and Gary Payton have been at this. If Billups goes to the block and the Spurs bring help fast enough, does that actually take the Pistons out of what they like to do with the others?
Using that theory, Parker was a lure. And on the other end Parker was often a spectator, watching as Ginobili continued his rise.
Parker sped at times on his way to his own 15 points, including a Steve Nash-like circling of the rim. But the Finals opener was another step in the separation of this backcourt.
Parker was clearly the team's second-leading scorer in previous seasons. This year Ginobili edged ahead in status as an All-Star. And today Ginobili stands on the biggest stage as the biggest draw.
Parker, amazing once as a teen starter, likely assumed he'd always be the No. 1 player with English as a No. 2 language.
Parker has his share of pride, and he doesn't have the personality that wants to pass on pressure. Parker would like to be an All-Star someday, too, and he thinks it will happen.
But he's content enough with what is happening right now. Winning has a lot to do with that, as does his long-term contract that kicks in next season.
For those wondering: It's richer than Ginobili's.
Then there's the nature of these men. Some on the Spurs' staff believe their backgrounds help them avoid turf issues.
Coming from different countries means they each own a fan base they can never lose. A French media contingent follows Parker and an Argentine one follows Ginobili, so neither will ever feel ignored.
"If both were Americans," a Spurs assistant said Saturday, "who knows? They might have problems."
Parker is half-American. But if half of him wishes he could do more right now, the other half sees the advantages. Too often in the past Parker was asked to carry too much of a load.
When he failed, the Spurs often did. That was some burden for a 21-year-old point guard going against the veteran Kidd in 2003. Little wonder Speedy Claxton finished out the Finals then.
Parker burped against the Lakers last year, too, and tonight would normally set up the same scenario. These are the games the Pistons win, and these are the games when Parker has gotten the blame.
But now Parker can operate with more comfort, giving way first to Tim Duncan, then to Ginobili. And if he sees his chance — as he did when he took over an overtime in Denver in the first round — Parker will feel free to attack.
"I'm waiting my turn," he said Saturday.
As if he were on hold.