Parker, legit shot at MVP?

[TDomination]

If the Spurs end up with the best record in the NBA does he have a true shot at winning the MVP?

We all know that LBJ is the best player in the NBA but there has been discussion about how even though MJ was #1 throughout his years, Barkley and Malone were still able to win.

I say YES. If Parker continues to play like this and Spurs are #1 record wise at the end of the season, he should be MVP. Even over Durant.

[ChumpDumper]

Not if James keeps playing like he is.

[jestersmash]

No.

I'd put money on Parker finishing outside the top 3 for MVP, let alone winning the whole thing.

[BatManu20]

Nope. Lebron's got it in the bag. All you need is the popular vote and media hype, and Lebron already has that.

[capek]

It's hard to imagine this actually happening, but if Parker maintains this level of play, the MVP award would jump a few levels of legitimacy in my eyes if he wins it. Would be absolutely crazy and unexpected, having watching Tony his whole Spurs career.

[letmk]

As of now, I would put Tony at #2 behind only LeBron. Spurs do have better record and that should be counted to MVP votes, but LeBron is really at his own level, nobody comes even close.

[T Park]

Lebron James is in Zeus mode.

Not a chance in hell. If Parker finishes third, that would be good.

[hooperflash]

If TP was 6'8 , he'd be the MVP hands down, all the love that Tony was given tonight is the closest we're gonna get to hearing him being called MVP. Here's hoping LBJ goes on a slump! :toast

[timvp]

LeBron is the best player in basketball. Right now, Parker might be second. At worst he's third.

As far as MVP, it's tough to say. Jordan didn't win it a few times when he was obviously the best player in the league, so being the best doesn't always equate to winning it. But unfortunately for Parker, it's probably impossible for him to pass Durant for the second best player in the popular view. And it'd be pretty difficult for him to pass CP3. For some reason, CP3 has somehow locked himself into being considered the best PG in the league no matter happens.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Nope. Lebron's got it in the bag. All you need is the popular vote and media hype, and Lebron already has that.

Unfortunately, this is true. I mentioned the same thing in the game thread, but in true realization, LBJ has it.

[TDomination]

Its crazy to think about, but my basis is based on how Jordan could have easily won more than 5 MVP's. He probably should have been MVP for every year he played in the 90's.

If Lebron wins this year, it would be 4 MVP's in the last 5 years and will be on pace to easily pass up MJ with more MVP's.

I understand it would take basically a miracle for the media to vote for him above LBJ, Durant & CP3 but we've seen some miracles already, like Parker winning WC player of the month, first spur to do that since i believe 2002 when Duncan won it.

[FromWayDowntown]

But unfortunately for Parker, it's probably impossible for him to pass Durant for the second best player in the popular view. And it'd be pretty difficult for him to pass CP3. For some reason, CP3 has somehow locked himself into being considered the best PG in the league no matter happens.

The best precedent for Parker's campaign is Derrick Rose's win in 2011, though Tony won't get his scoring average anywhere near 25 ppg and thus, won't have the raw scoring numbers that Rose had that season. But the problem he must overcome is the one that timvp notes: even with Parker playing as well as he has recently, few in the media are willing to accept the proposition that he's even the best player at his position in the league. I heard someone today say that Paul is the best PG by far, and that Parker is currently 2nd with the immediate caveat that Derrick Rose hasn't played and that if Rose played, Rose would be second. So, even at his very, very best, Tony Parker is perceived in the MVP electorate to be a lesser player than a guy who hasn't even played this year. Add on top of that the complete unwillingess to consider the idea that anyone in the league could compare to either Lebron or Durant, and I don't think there's any realistic chance that Parker gets enough votes to win MVP now or ever.

I think the more realistic question is whether the NBA media could be swayed enough by Tony's play to give him enough votes to make First Team all-league this year. I think that's going to take the voters: (1) concluding that Parker has had a better season than CP3; and (2) deciding that one of the guard spots should be awarded to a point guard rather than a second shooting guard. First Team All-NBA would be a stellar outcome for Tony Parker.

[letmk]

LeBron is the best player in basketball. Right now, Parker might be second. At worst he's third.

As far as MVP, it's tough to say. Jordan didn't win it a few times when he was obviously the best player in the league, so being the best doesn't always equate to winning it. But unfortunately for Parker, it's probably impossible for him to pass Durant for the second best player in the popular view. And it'd be pretty difficult for him to pass CP3. For some reason, CP3 has somehow locked himself into being considered the best PG in the league no matter happens.

Exactly what I think. LeBron and Durant got the praise by their play and team record. CP3 is a top 5 player for sure, but he is deemed as No.1 PG by default is so befuddled. Like the Spurs swept the Clippers last year, but many people still put them ahead of Spurs (at least before tonight's game), and their reasoning is simply because they have CP3.

I can understand Thunder is the favorite as they are the defending West Conference Champion and beat Spurs 4:2. But CP3 never beat the Spurs before and his deepest play-off run is only 2nd round.

[letmk]

The best precedent for Parker's campaign is Derrick Rose's win in 2011, though Tony won't get his scoring average anywhere near 25 ppg and thus, won't have the raw scoring numbers that Rose had that season. But the problem he must overcome is the one that timvp notes: even with Parker playing as well as he has recently, few in the media are willing to accept the proposition that he's even the best player at his position in the league. I heard someone today say that Paul is the best PG by far, and that Parker is currently 2nd with the immediate caveat that Derrick Rose hasn't played and that if Rose played, Rose would be second. So, even at his very, very best, Tony Parker is perceived in the MVP electorate to be a lesser player than a guy who hasn't even played this year. Add on top of that the complete unwillingess to consider the idea that anyone in the league could compare to either Lebron or Durant, and I don't think there's any realistic chance that Parker gets enough votes to win MVP now or ever.

I think the more realistic question is whether the NBA media could be swayed enough by Tony's play to give him enough votes to make First Team all-league this year. I think that's going to take the voters: (1) concluding that Parker has had a better season than CP3; and (2) deciding that one of the guard spots should be awarded to a point guard rather than a second shooting guard. First Team All-NBA would be a stellar outcome for Tony Parker.

To me personally, Rose was a wrong choice. People just wanted to penalize LeBron because of THE Decision.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Claim? Legit. Shot? Nope.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Its crazy to think about, but my basis is based on how Jordan could have easily won more than 5 MVP's. He probably should have been MVP for every year he played in the 90's.

If Lebron wins this year, it would be 4 MVP's in the last 5 years and will be on pace to easily pass up MJ with more MVP's.

I understand it would take basically a miracle for the media to vote for him above LBJ, Durant & CP3 but we've seen some miracles already, like Parker winning WC player of the month, first spur to do that since i believe 2002 when Duncan won it.

I wouldn't call TP winning WC player of the month a miracle, but more well deserved. In regards to the TPMVP, the media, the fans, and the coaches, all see that he's at that level; lead your team to the top of the league with injuries, and score at a high scoring percentage with limited TO's, then yes, he's the top dog. Unfortunately the media still recognizes CP ahead of TP, and that is a shame.

Didn't we cry the same complaint last year? Yes. Reason this season is more significant than the last: TP keeps improving. Not only improving, but improving at an incredible rate.

When will we see justice? Most likely never. That is why we are Spurs fans; true fans will always take the shit when it comes, and keep rolling with it, even though our shit should be recognized

[capek]

I think the more realistic question is whether the NBA media could be swayed enough by Tony's play to give him enough votes to make First Team all-league this year. I think that's going to take the voters: (1) concluding that Parker has had a better season than CP3; and (2) deciding that one of the guard spots should be awarded to a point guard rather than a second shooting guard. First Team All-NBA would be a stellar outcome for Tony Parker.

Ya, I would definitely be content with him being selected 1st team. That would still be a huge accomplishment for him, and some very much deserved recognition.

[timvp]

I agree with FWD. If Parker stays healthy and even can keep 90% of the level, the true goal should be All-NBA first team. That would be a GREAT accomplishment. I have a bad feeling that CP3 probably "won" that All-NBA first team nod before this season even started, though, unfortunately.

[chapnis]

And Kobe will get the other guard spot because he's Kobe

[letmk]

I agree with FWD. If Parker stays healthy and even can keep 90% of the level, the true goal should be All-NBA first team. That would be a GREAT accomplishment. I have a bad feeling that CP3 probably "won" that All-NBA first team nod before this season even started, though, unfortunately.

I would put both Tony and CP3 into the first team. KB does not deserve it, at all. But those media people will vote him in.

[FromWayDowntown]

I agree with FWD. If Parker stays healthy and even can keep 90% of the level, the true goal should be All-NBA first team. That would be a GREAT accomplishment. I have a bad feeling that CP3 probably "won" that All-NBA first team nod before this season even started, though, unfortunately.

No doubt that reality doesn't always keep up with perception -- particularly in the NBA and even more particularly with the NBA's fanboy media. I tend to think that if coaches voted for the all-league teams, Tony's first team nod would already be pretty salted away (he'd likely be the leader as we head down the stretch). But with the vote in the media's hands, it wouldn't shock me to find that both Paul and Westbrook (and perhaps even Kyrie Irving) get more All-NBA votes than Tony ultimately does.

[Spur|n|Austin]

No doubt that reality doesn't always keep up with perception -- particularly in the NBA and even more particularly with the NBA's fanboy media. I tend to think that if coaches voted for the all-league teams, Tony's first team nod would already be pretty salted away (he'd likely be the leader as we head down the stretch). But with the vote in the media's hands, it wouldn't shock me to find that both Paul and Westbrook (and perhaps even Kyrie Irving) get more All-NBA votes than Tony ultimately does.

Key words, "media's hands".

[Russo21]

I said last year Parker should have finished 3rd or even higher. I think he finished 5th? What's the criteria? Best player on the best team with the best record? Best player on an upstart team? Don't think anyone knows anymore. They should rename it the LeBron. He'll win it for the forseable future.

Which is strange. Jordan 'only' won 5? He was widely regarded as the best player in the NBA but they seemed to share it around more back in the day.

[DAF86]

Nope, Lebron and Durant are the favorites and deservedly so, they do by far more heavy lifting than any other player in the league.

[FromWayDowntown]

Assuming that things stay fairly close to their current status the rest of the way, I think the two pieces of recognition that should be due to the Spurs for this season are Parker being First All-NBA and R.C. Buford winning (at long last) Executive of the Year. (I don't see anyone else in particular who's made the sort of paradigm-shifting move that typically wins the Executive of the Year award; at some point, the choices that have built this roster after the flameouts of 2009-11 and have left it capable of winning even when the Big 3 sit out are pretty exceptional).

[TrainOfThought5]

the closest Tony will get to MVP are Fan chants at the free throw line.

with that being said , what Tony Parker needs to do to get some respect and recognition is attain a legitimate Finals MVP award instead of his Kobe-esque FMVP with bigmen truly leading the way, To be incredibly honest.

[DAF86]

Best player in the best team is a bullshit criteria that was invented only to hand Kobe a pity MVP award over CP3 back in '08 (even though the Lakers didn't even have the best record in the NBA)

[ShoogarBear]

Actually, I think the most due recognition this year should be Tim Duncan for Defensive Player of the Year.

[El Jefe]

No doubt that reality doesn't always keep up with perception -- particularly in the NBA and even more particularly with the NBA's fanboy media. I tend to think that if coaches voted for the all-league teams, Tony's first team nod would already be pretty salted away (he'd likely be the leader as we head down the stretch). But with the vote in the media's hands, it wouldn't shock me to find that both Paul and Westbrook (and perhaps even Kyrie Irving) get more All-NBA votes than Tony ultimately does.

The strange thing to me is how often Parker will be left out of discussions of the top FIVE PG's in the league.

Half the time a media generated list would include Paul, Rose, Westbrook, Deron Williams and some young up and comer (Irving) before they would consider Parker. I feel like the only reason that has really changed this season is Rose's injury and the cratering of Williams' career.

[Dro210]

For some reason, CP3 has somehow locked himself into being considered the best PG in the league no matter happens.

Makes me sick, tbh

[Budkin]

Nope. It'll be LeBron or sadly CP3.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Assuming that things stay fairly close to their current status the rest of the way, I think the two pieces of recognition that should be due to the Spurs for this season are Parker being First All-NBA and R.C. Buford winning (at long last) Executive of the Year. (I don't see anyone else in particular who's made the sort of paradigm-shifting move that typically wins the Executive of the Year award; at some point, the choices that have built this roster after the flameouts of 2009-11 and have left it capable of winning even when the Big 3 sit out are pretty exceptional).

Buford winning this would be a long, deserving, refreshing: ahhhhh (coca cola style)

[El Jefe]

Assuming that things stay fairly close to their current status the rest of the way, I think the two pieces of recognition that should be due to the Spurs for this season are Parker being First All-NBA and R.C. Buford winning (at long last) Executive of the Year. (I don't see anyone else in particular who's made the sort of paradigm-shifting move that typically wins the Executive of the Year award; at some point, the choices that have built this roster after the flameouts of 2009-11 and have left it capable of winning even when the Big 3 sit out are pretty exceptional).

RC SHOULD win exec of the year, but I feel like Morey will be the sexier candidate (Harden trade, Asik and Lin signings, fleecing the Kings of Thomas Robinson)

Barring that, if the Knicks play at all well down the stretch I almost wouldn't be surprised to see them win it over the Spurs. Felton, Kidd, Prigioni etc. I think that'd be a horrible choice, but the built in NY media bias plus the Spurs haven't "done anything" with the roster this year....

[timvp]

Other than the awards mentioned in this, another one that is probably deserved but won't happen is Parker on an All-Defense team. His recent destructions of Irving and CP3 stand out but he's been doing it for quite a while now. I can't even remember the last time he got close to being outplayed in a game.

Parker has been playing the type of D he usually reserves for the postseason.

[FromWayDowntown]

Agree that Morey might fit the usual mold. The strange thing about Exec of the Year is that the executives themselves are the voters for that honor. Maybe they've refused to give it to the Spurs because they're tired of being made to look bad by San Antonio's front office.

I also agree with Shoog about a DPOY for Timmy. I jus don't see that happening this time either. It's shameful that neither Tim nor Bruce Bowen has that trophy for himself.

[cheguevara]

Nope 0 chance check espn home page right now

[DAF86]

Tim missed too many games and doesn't play enough minutes per game to win DPOY, I agree with timvp on Parker's all defensive recognition though.

[timvp]

Robinson, Duncan and Bowen have a combined one DPOY :lmao

That's just stupid in retrospect.

[El Jefe]

I forgot that the execs vote for exec of the year. I retract my New York / Media bias conspiracy theory.

How Bruce never won DPOY I'll never understand. Everyone knew he was a defensive specialist. He had a reputation as a defensive specialist. The only reason he was on the floor was to play defense, and he was hands down the best perimeter defender in the league at the time and one of the best all time. It really should have been a no brainer, but Marcus Camby blocks shots so....

[capek]

Robinson, Duncan and Bowen have a combined one DPOY :lmao

That's just stupid in retrospect.

DPOY: least respectable major award in all of professional sports tbh

I can't even laugh that that fact, just pisses me off :lol :(

[will_spurs]

the closest Tony will get to MVP are Fan chants at the free throw line.

That would already be something and would get him some well-deserved media attention.

But check the other threads about Tony and notice how many HERE still think he's not better than CP3 (or at least didn't before last night), don't think he's a top 5 MVP candidate, don't think he's the best at his position, etc. How can he be considered seriously when even his team's fans keep underrating him like this?

[Pasta Batman]

MVP, not going to happen, but he should be a lock for 1st Team ALL NBA. Fuck that if Paul and Kobe win over him for the two guard spots

[MannyIsGod]

Makes me so happy to see Tony play the way he has the past couple of years. Not may Spurs fans thought he was capable of this and its just awesome to see it come to fruition. 20+ years now of having one of the best players in the league.

[spurraider21]

LeBron is essentally doing for Miami what Tony is doing for us... but better. A case can definitely be made for TP, but my money says he ends up #2 in MVP voting. I think the recent nationally televised games are really helping his cause, like Brooklyn and now the Clippers. Abusing CP3 definitely helps in a big road WC game. He should be 1st team no doubt. As far as defensive team its going to be tough. As awesome as his D has been, I think the voters view Tony as strictly an offensive player, so he'll probably get left off. If the Spurs end up with the top record, its going to be tough to dispute his worthiness as MVP ahead of Paul or even Durant tbh

[Raven]

he has passed Durant in my mind, but Lebron is still far off. If he keeps playing like that (next to impossible) and Lebron has a slump (hard to believe tbh) then he could have a shot, but the voting is a different thing. Still, Rose did win it over Lebron, so it's not impossible.

[Southwest Texas Fan]

That would be nice but at this point finals MVP has a nice ring to it.

[100%duncan]

Not if James keeps playing like he is.

Pretty much this.

[Seventyniner]

If the Spurs go 66-16 or better and run away with the best record (as in second-best record is 57-25 or something), Parker finishes at least 2nd in MVP voting imo.

[ohmwrecker]

No way, but he is a solid 3rd place right now.

[look_at_g_shred]

That would already be something and would get him some well-deserved media attention.

But check the other threads about Tony and notice how many HERE still think he's not better than CP3 (or at least didn't before last night), don't think he's a top 5 MVP candidate, don't think he's the best at his position, etc. How can he be considered seriously when even his team's fans keep underrating him like this?

This. I think the same thing everytime I see someone on here post how CP3 is the better PG. It's like they don't want to admit it. Hey Spurs fans, if you weren't too busy riding Chris's dick you'd be able to see your team has the best PG in the league is tbh.

[jhfenton]

No way, but he is a solid 3rd place right now.
I agree. If he keeps up his current level of play, he's a solid 3rd in the voting.

[SA210]

Jeff Van Gundy on Mike and Mike this morning...thoughts on Spurs and Tony being MVP. Starts after the 6:30 mark.

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=8973932

[will_spurs]

Jeff Van Gundy on Mike and Mike this morning...thoughts on Spurs and Tony being MVP. Starts after the 6:30 mark.

Interesting that he also mentions Parker's influence "on both ends of the floor". But JVG isn't a moronic pundit.

[TDomination]

Parker now #2 on the MVP Ladder

http://www.nba.com/mvp-ladder/2012-13/index.html

[dbreiden83080]

One would hope he would be 2nd at worst right now in the voting..

[Obstructed_View]

I wouldn't have thought so until Barkley talked about it last night. Lebron's already had an MVP trophy taken away by a point guard who's not as good as Parker, so it wouldn't be a shock if it happened. Well, Parker's in San Antonio, so yeah it would be a shock. It could happen. Lebron's far and away the MVP though. Parker should be thrilled to be included in the discussion.

[Obstructed_View]

I agree. If he keeps up his current level of play, he's a solid 3rd in the voting.

He's averaging 29 points and 9 assists the last four games. If he keeps up his current level of play, he'll win MVP going away and deserve it.

[timaios]

Hollinger's PER : http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/statistics

Tony, Tim and Manu (despite his injuries) are 4th, 5th and 20th in PER right now ! The Big 3 is awesome, as always !
Tiago is 35th with 19.87.

Lebron is on another planet, there's no way he's not the MVP again.

But I would like a 1st team of Parker, Paul, Durant, James and Duncan.
That would be insane for a 37 years old Timmy to share that with Tony...

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/2429/per20130222.png

[024]

not really a legit shot. i laugh whenever someone says parker should "get consideration" or is "in the conversation," which are code words for "he has no way of winning MVP but we'll throw him a bone." i'll be happy when he starts getting actual MVP votes. even if it's just a few votes, that would mean parker is truly getting consideration.

[letmk]

Hollinger's PER : http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/statistics

Tony, Tim and Manu (despite his injuries) are 4th, 5th and 20th in PER right now ! The Big 3 is awesome, as always !
Tiago is 35th with 19.87.

Lebron is on another planet, there's no way he's not the MVP again.

But I would like a 1st team of Parker, Paul, Durant, James and Duncan.
That would be insane for a 37 years old Timmy to share that with Tony...

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/2429/per20130222.png

This. The gap between 31.63 and 28.91 PER is much much larger than a 31.63 and 28.91 PPG. You can shoot yourself to a scoring champion like KB did, but the efficiency of LeBron is otherworldly.

[Pasta Batman]

I wouldn't have thought so until Barkley talked about it last night. Lebron's already had an MVP trophy taken away by a point guard who's not as good as Parker, so it wouldn't be a shock if it happened. Well, Parker's in San Antonio, so yeah it would be a shock. It could happen. Lebron's far and away the MVP though. Parker should be thrilled to be included in the discussion.

Depends on the record that Spurs finish with. If they go on a crazy winning spree, then maybe (and by maybe I mean like less than 10% chance).

[Seventyniner]

But I would like a 1st team of Parker, Paul, Durant, James and Duncan.
That would be insane for a 37 years old Timmy to share that with Tony...

Yeah, it would be insane, and won't happen. Duncan should still get 2nd team if he keeps up his production.

Have the all-NBA teams changed the position requirements like the All-Star game voting? As in it's now 3 frontcourt and 2 backcourt rather than 1 C, 2 F, 2 G? I could see an all-NBA first team of LeBron, Durant, Carmelo, Tony, and CP3 even though none of the first three are big men.

[Dex]

Parker up to 8th in scoring and 4th in assists. 20th in FG percentage.

How any Spurs fan can still hate on Parker is beyond me. Screw the CoM or the CoP....we should all be members of the CoB3 (Church of the Big 3).

[ShoogarBear]

Robinson, Duncan and Bowen have a combined one DPOY :lmao

That's just stupid in retrospect.

Well, in counterpoint, Marcus Camby has one.

[SilverSpur]

If Nash can win two MVP, I say yes Tony Parker can win the MVP

[SilverSpur]

If Nash can win two MVP, I say yes Tony Parker can win the MVP:flag: