Jack McCallum on Tony Parker (Author of 7 Seconds or Less!)

[Man Mountain]

300789019715973120


:greedy

[capek]

:tu

He (along with Timmy and Manu) would have gotten SO MUCH hype if they'd played their careers in a big market. So it's always a vindication to see people in the media recognize that fact. Tony deserves HUGE respect from Spurs fans for the leader he as become. How many NBA players actually make the big career steps Tony has made? He had an unreliable jumper. Fixed that. He wouldn't consistently step up and lead this team to wins. He's done that this year, a lot of times without Timmy or Manu on the court. Just phenomenal. :toast

[Spursfan092120]

Tony's always had problems against Deron. Tonight, without Tim and Manu, he completely owned this game. He is this team's leader..he's the go to guy..and I couldn't be happier to be a fan of this team with him as the leader.

[MI21]

It's not often a PG averages 25/10 over a stretch of 20-25 games, espcially with relatively low minutes.

Historical greatness from Parker at the moment.

[HI-FI]

as somewhat of a TP hater at times, it's crazy that a finals MVP is as underrated as he is, but it's true. I'd like to see him get an MVP before it's all done.

[HarlemHeat37]

Parker is much more under appreciated than Duncan, tbh..

Tim is highly appreciated on the Internet..most die-hard NBA fans rank him anywhere from 5-9 on the all-time list, from what I've seen..he doesn't receive any media hype, but this will change in the future, as advanced stats become more prominent in NBA coverage..

Parker doesn't receive hype in either outlet, tbh..this is particularly strange, because PGs tend to be by far the most overhyped players in the NBA..the media loves pushing the "it's a PG league" agenda..

[tmtcsc]

Tony's always had problems against Deron..

I disagree. I think he's owned Williams for years. He's too quick for him to guard and pretty much has had his way with him on the court. He destroyed him in the WCF in 2007.

[timvp]

I think history is going to be kind to these Spurs. Duncan obviously will be remembered as an all-time great. Ginobili's advanced stats, Olympic exploits and winning on every level will always keep him in the conversation as being one of the best and most dynamic shooting guards ever. If Parker keeps it up, it's going to be really difficult to look at his career achievements and not be really impressed. He's unique in that he reached a high level early in his career and then not only sustained it but continuously improved. Most point guards peak early (hell, players like Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Derrick Rose may have already peaked and they are all younger than TP). Speedy point guards usually fall off a cliff late in their 20s (look how Devin Harris looks like a washed up scrub already ... and players like Kevin Johnson and Terrell Brandon were basically done at 30). If Parker keeps it up for even this year and next year, his resume is going to look great.

And then we have to factor in that most "great" point guards are unable to win championships. PG-led teams almost never win so Parker's championships are going to stack up well against others.

[superbigtime]

Tony's best attribute is his desire to improve. He has improved every area of his game and he can be counted on to be consistent. He is a true competitor. He is in the top 15 players in the league, no doubt.

[timvp]

^Over the last 20-25 games, Parker is probably top 3 with LeBron and Durant, tbh.

[ace3g]

I like how Pop mentioned that "they wanted to add a bit of John Stockton" to his game over the years - regarding some of his improvements overall

[baseline bum]

Speedy point guards usually fall off a cliff late in their 20s (look how Devin Harris looks like a washed up scrub already ... and players like Kevin Johnson and Terrell Brandon were basically done at 30). If Parker keeps it up for even this year and next year, his resume is going to look great.


Crazy; this is about the age Isiah Thomas started to break down too.

[capek]

^Over the last 20-25 games, Parker is probably top 3 with LeBron and Durant, tbh.

It's amazing that that is an easy, obvious statement to make. Like, who could argue with it at this point (within this span of games of course).

For anybody, like myself, who remembers those tumultuous years where people had good reason to doubt whether Parker would be able to be a consistent leader on the court, it has to feel great to see him progress to this point, where he is legitimately one of the best players in the league.

[MaineSpursFan]

remember when we wanted to get jason kidd and dump parker....

[Solid D]

Paul and Parker are the 2 best point guards in the NBA right now. They both played in New York today and showed why they are the 2 best.
Rankings that include Curry as the #2 PG are a complete fantasy.

[Spur|n|Austin]

:toast

[Man In Black]

remember when we wanted to get jason kidd and dump parker....

More like sign Kidd and make TP play the 2 on O and the 1 on D. TP was smart to not agree.

[SpursIndonesia]

remember when we wanted to get jason kidd and dump parker....

More like sign Kidd and make TP play the 2 on O and the 1 on D. TP was smart to not agree.

Considering during the reign of big three, point guard play has never been really the achilles of championship aspiration, i think TP was certainly correct in his own right. "I CAN lead this team as a PG !", still remember those days ......

[boutons_deux]

^Over the last 20-25 games, Parker is probably top 3 with LeBron and Durant, tbh.

Lebron seat a Heat record yesterday:

It was James' fifth straight game with at least 30 points, a franchise record. He also joined Adrian Dantley (1979) and Moses Malone (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3776/moses-malone) (1982) as the only NBA players to score at least 30 and shoot at least 60 percent in five straight outings.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=400278473

[will_spurs]

Tony's always had problems against Deron.

Actually Tony always played equal to Deron or better whenever they met, and the same can be said of any of the other elite PGs. For whatever reason Tony struggles more against relative scrubs.

Right now more than the stats it's his ability to take over games that is incredible. He's definitely got that "extra gear" this season. In a way I wouldn't say he's underrated, at least not by everybody. But he's definitely not respected as much as he should be, even (especially?) here.

[cd98]

People under appreciate Tim, but still call him greatest PF of all time. Parker is truly under appreciated.

[temujin]

Crucial issue.
Not that Parker is a superplayer, but that he is perceived as such.
Just look at the difference of the contracts Parker and Rose got from shoes' brands.
Business-wise parker is a fringe superstar.
ouside of the basketball courts.
That's where the REAL championships are being played and won.
NBA is just business, nothing else, and for the Spurs to make it to the Finals again, as their play so far undoubtly deserves, they need a Parker superstar, and perceived as such.
No more flying under the radar.

[exstatic]

I think history is going to be kind to these Spurs. Duncan obviously will be remembered as an all-time great. Ginobili's advanced stats, Olympic exploits and winning on every level will always keep him in the conversation as being one of the best and most dynamic shooting guards ever. If Parker keeps it up, it's going to be really difficult to look at his career achievements and not be really impressed. He's unique in that he reached a high level early in his career and then not only sustained it but continuously improved. Most point guards peak early (hell, players like Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Derrick Rose may have already peaked and they are all younger than TP). Speedy point guards usually fall off a cliff late in their 20s (look how Devin Harris looks like a washed up scrub already ... and players like Kevin Johnson and Terrell Brandon were basically done at 30). If Parker keeps it up for even this year and next year, his resume is going to look great.

And then we have to factor in that most "great" point guards are unable to win championships. PG-led teams almost never win so Parker's championships are going to stack up well against others.

The thing that makes TP so lethal is his pick and roll game. Devin Harris is washed up because he never mastered the jumper behind that pick. He still looks like Tony, circa 2004. Chip Englland is one of the best coaching hires in Spurs history.

Tony is so f-ing patient. He'll call for a pick and use it. If he doesn't get the angle he wants, he'll either reset the pick, or use the reverse angle pick, or call for a completely different player to set a different pick. He's Tom Brady or Peyton Manning.

[exstatic]

^Over the last 20-25 games, Parker is probably top 3 with LeBron and Durant, tbh.

This. We're approaching mid February, and I'm not really seeing anyone who would de-throne him as WCPOTM. He might get another one.

[CubanMustGo]

McCallum gave TP a nickname I'd not seen before: "T-Parker".

From there, it's only a tweet or two until you get .... "T Park". http://www.rabbitdogs.net/images/smilies/hairraising.gif

[Strategic]

Parker's ability to let the game come to him, while leading others, makes him a rare breed indeed.

[ontheraise]

TP last 5 games 0.600/FG% 0.667/3P% 0.904/FT% 9.2/APG 1.2/SPG 26.4/PP just sayin...

[ontheraise]

Right now, can't stop laughing thinking about jeremy lin hype from last year....

[Samr.]

Imagine how different this would be if Parker was in NY or LA.

I just don't understand why PHX got so much hype for their 7-seconds or less suns, whereas the Spurs are arguably a better offensive team, and a much better defensive team, and they barely get any press for it.

[ThaBigFundamental21]

I just hope Parker rolls like this through out the playoffs. Or he can do this against our more quality opponents coming up on this road trip.

[EVAY]

My take on some of this is that while it is true that Tony has improved several areas of his game over time, he would have been considered more of a star earlier in his career if he had NOT been playing in the Spurs system in his early years, when the entire offense ran through Duncan, and no pg could get many stats because the offense was built around a Power-Guard in the person of Tim. For the first few years that Tony was here, the only role that a pg had was "bring the ball up the court and then give it to Tim". That is what he was supposed to do. So that is what he did. Then Tim would dribble the ball, wait for a double team or not, and then decide whether to kick it out or take a shot himself. That offensive structure, which defined the Spurs for at least the seven of Tim's years here, leaves little or no room for anyone else to be anything other than a role player.

It has only been in the last few years (2 or 3) that the offensive set has changed from "Duncan-point" to "Parker-Point". Since that change has occurred in the offense, Tony has begun to dominate more and more and more.

What has NOT changed is that Tony still does whatever Pop tells him to do. And when Tim and Tony are on the floor together, the other guys don't get as many touches because that is the way Pop is running the offense. It always amazes me that people in this forum are so slow to recognize that Pop is still in charge of this team, and that nobody out there is going to stay out there unless they are doing exactly what Pop wants done.

I dislike reading things like "if he keeps this up". I respectfully suggest that is bullshit. He is already proven.

When Tim was ascendant, even the point guards were mere 'role players'. Now that Tim has declined somewhat, Pop has changed the offense to Tony and Tim, with everyone else (Manu included) relegated to role players. That includes people like Kawhi and Tiago. When folks get upset that Tony is not including other people in the offense enough, it is because Pop has set it up that way. The problem that this sets up is magnified in the playoffs when shutting down Tony can shut down the team because only Tony and Tim are in positions to drive the rest of the team. That is Pop's doing, not Tony's.

[EVAY]

^^^^Think about how much of a change it has taken for Tim to become a 'catch and shoot' player. That change, moving the ball more quickly and everyone being ready to shoot when they get the ball, has made it far easier for any pg to get better assist totals than before. Tony is great today and is a total team player. He was the one last night who screamed at the team at halftime about improving their defense. And he led them to it.

But Tony was always a team player in that he did what Pop asked within Pop's system. It used to mean he held himself back. Today it means something else. It still means he is playing team ball, per Pop's plans.

[ontheraise]

My take on some of this is that while it is true that Tony has improved several areas of his game over time, he would have been considered more of a star earlier in his career if he had NOT been playing in the Spurs system in his early years, when the entire offense ran through Duncan, and no pg could get many stats because the offense was built around a Power-Guard in the person of Tim. For the first few years that Tony was here, the only role that a pg had was "bring the ball up the court and then give it to Tim". That is what he was supposed to do. So that is what he did. Then Tim would dribble the ball, wait for a double team or not, and then decide whether to kick it out or take a shot himself. That offensive structure, which defined the Spurs for at least the seven of Tim's years here, leaves little or no room for anyone else to be anything other than a role player.

It has only been in the last few years (2 or 3) that the offensive set has changed from "Duncan-point" to "Parker-Point". Since that change has occurred in the offense, Tony has begun to dominate more and more and more.

What has NOT changed is that Tony still does whatever Pop tells him to do. And when Tim and Tony are on the floor together, the other guys don't get as many touches because that is the way Pop is running the offense. It always amazes me that people in this forum are so slow to recognize that Pop is still in charge of this team, and that nobody out there is going to stay out there unless they are doing exactly what Pop wants done.

I dislike reading things like "if he keeps this up". I respectfully suggest that is bullshit. He is already proven.

When Tim was ascendant, even the point guards were mere 'role players'. Now that Tim has declined somewhat, Pop has changed the offense to Tony and Tim, with everyone else (Manu included) relegated to role players. That includes people like Kawhi and Tiago. When folks get upset that Tony is not including other people in the offense enough, it is because Pop has set it up that way. The problem that this sets up is magnified in the playoffs when shutting down Tony can shut down the team because only Tony and Tim are in positions to drive the rest of the team. That is Pop's doing, not Tony's.

+1

[Man In Black]

Crucial issue.
Not that Parker is a superplayer, but that he is perceived as such.
Just look at the difference of the contracts Parker and Rose got from shoes' brands.
Business-wise parker is a fringe superstar.
ouside of the basketball courts.
That's where the REAL championships are being played and won.
NBA is just business, nothing else, and for the Spurs to make it to the Finals again, as their play so far undoubtly deserves, they need a Parker superstar, and perceived as such.
No more flying under the radar.

Problem with the Spurs is they are too busy setting a gold standard that whatever marketing advantage they had was either wasted or misunderstood by Madison Avenue and the NBA. They never ever learned how to market our International Studs in Parker or Ginobili. It's so easy for Madison Avenue to do ad pitches for an AMERICAN. Not so much for an International, although...because of Tony and Manu and other Internationals, there is some play given to guys like Ricky Rubio.

It's the same kind of short-sightedness that made Bruce Lee bail off to Hong Kong before Hollywood realized what they lost when Enter The Dragon was released.
Dumbasses and why they got a Ben Kingsley to play The Mandarin against Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man in Iron Man 3 is still part of that BS. But I digress. TP is the fuckin man and while no one outside of San Antonio will call him the Best PG in all the land, if they opened their got damn eyes, they'd notice he is the most EFFECTIVE PG for sure.

[jag]

300789019715973120


http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdwe4kJckU1qhat21.gif

[Brazil]

Amen

[Mel_13]

^Over the last 20-25 games, Parker is probably top 3 with LeBron and Durant, tbh.

Front page of espn.com:

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2013/0211/nba_pwrrankings_576.jpg

[KaiRMD1]

Yeah, he might get on my nerves at times but this, what Jack McCallum says, is very true.

[DMC]

TP is one of the most underrated players in the history of the NBA. It's amazing how little respect he gets for what he does.

[DMC]

300789019715973120


:greedy
Hey Pop, how's it going?

[Old School 44]

A completely healthy Manu and Tony are on the floor, 20 seconds left, game tied, with ball on the side in the front court.
Who has the ball at the top, initiating the play? Tbh, for me in the past it has always been Manu, no question. Now, I'd be happy with either. As a Spurs fan what a great luxury to have.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Front page of espn.com:

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2013/0211/nba_pwrrankings_576.jpg

he has a very strong case for runners up that he has an outside chance even upsetting lebron for that award....lebron hasnt done shit besides coasting and getting them very effciently, if they gave one to nash for being efficient, then lebron will get his cause the media loves that black dick

durant has been shit who hasnt improve any other areas of his game, his basically the same player since day 1

[mercos]

The last two years, Tony Parker has elevated his game to the upper echelon of NBA players. He was playing at an MVP level last year, and I thought he was the MVP of the first half. This year, he is playing like one of the best players in the league period. Right now, I would only put Lebron and Durant ahead of him. He is clearly the best point guard in the NBA at this point. What I find most striking this year is how unstoppable he is consistently. He has shown flashes in the past where he would get hot for short stretches and look invincible, but he is doing it on a nightly basis this year. Parker is the best finisher in the game right now, and he accomplishes this without dunking. He has become so accurate at the rim that I am genuinely surprised when one of his attempts don't go in.

[will_spurs]

Business-wise parker is a fringe superstar.
ouside of the basketball courts.

Just wanted to point out he's definitely a superstar in his own country, which is probably equally as important to him.