Kori Ellis
12-23-2005, 02:43 AM
Spurs guard Parker paints improved picture
Web Posted: 12/23/2005 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA122305.1D.BKNspurs.parker.14a7d25e.html
Larry Brown decided enough was enough. Having seen Tony Parker bolt down the middle of the lane (again), the New York coach signaled for a timeout.
Brown imparted his instructions, sat down and watched Parker dribble through the Knicks' defense. After finding Brent Barry for a jump shot, Parker beat everyone down the floor for another layup.
Frustrated, Brown signaled for another timeout. He talked some more, ushered the Knicks back onto the court and, in disbelief, watched Parker pitch the ball to Bruce Bowen in the corner for an open 3-pointer.
By the time Parker had finished his work Wednesday, the Knicks couldn't even count on support from their own fans. Stephon Marbury, who routinely used to overwhelm Parker, exited under a shower of boos after being outplayed by the Spurs' point guard.
"Tony really kind of dominated the game," Tim Duncan said. "We just played off him."
Not unlike what they have done much of season. With Duncan and Manu Ginobili slowed by podiatry problems, Parker's quick feet have kept the Spurs atop the Western Conference.
Parker enters tonight's game against Toronto averaging 20.1 points and 6.5 assists while shooting 54.2 percent — all career bests. In short, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, he's played like an All-Star.
"I feel like I'm on a mission this year," Parker said. "I really want to prove to the Spurs and to Pop that I can go to that next level."
If nothing else, Parker has shown he can get to the basket with the NBA's best. He has attacked opposing defenses more aggressively than ever, scoring a league-high 340 points in the paint, 16 more than Duncan.
While Duncan's post-up skills necessitate working in the lane, Parker's ability to dart and spin around defenders has allowed him to establish residence. Of Parker's 218 made shots, 78 percent were taken in the lane.
As a result, Parker ranks fifth in the league in shooting. Since the 1985-86 season, only two point guards have finished in the top 10: Utah's John Stockton (2001) and Chicago's John Paxson (1991).
Parker, whose signature teardrop shot allows him to score over defenders' long arms, has worked daily with new shooting coach Chip Engelland to improve his mid-range jumper. Rarely, however, has he had to use it.
"Our shooting coach decided to make sure there would be no assessment of his abilities, so he's taught Tony to shoot nothing but layups," Popovich joked. "We have no clue how well he's doing."
In truth, Parker has improved his balance and follow-through motion. Still, what worries opposing coaches most is his ability to penetrate.
"Not taking anything away from Tim," Chicago coach Scott Skiles said, "but Parker, in my opinion, has been the key for them so far this year."
After watching Parker skate through the Bulls for 22 points on Nov. 7, Skiles made it a priority to keep him from getting to the rim when the teams met three weeks later. The Bulls pursued Parker off pick-and-rolls and forced him to give up the ball early to allow their defenders enough time to recover on the Spurs' shooters.
In limiting Parker to 13 points, Chicago handed the Spurs their only home loss.
"It's easier in some ways to prepare for Tim," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "He's the best player in the league, but you know where he's at.
"With a point guard, it's so much more difficult, especially a speedy point guard. Can you trap him? You can try, but he might dribble past that. You can pack it in, but if you do that, then you allow their shooters to get shots.
"I watched three of their games where teams went zone, and he still made layups."
Rivers compares Parker's quickness to that of Philadelphia's Allen Iverson.
But Parker, Rivers said, has "a better team around him."
Parker's ability to find — and trust — teammates may be the greatest improvement he's made. In last week's victory over Sacramento, he penetrated into the lane before passing to Michael Finley for the winning shot. He forced a late 3-pointer — a shot Popovich has told him to "forget about" — which contributed to Tuesday's overtime loss in Milwaukee but distributed 10 assists against the Knicks for his third double-double in four games.
"He still makes some mistakes here and there, but he's real receptive to Pop and what he has to say," Duncan said. "He's learning from it. Game to game, he's getting better and missing less people that are open."
Parker's biggest test won't come until the playoffs, when teams have more time to defend specific personnel. In each of the previous three years, he struggled when teams kept him from getting into the lane.
Parker also knows that how he performs in the postseason ultimately will decide whether he deserves to be ranked alongside Steve Nash, Chauncey Billups, Jason Kidd and the league's other top point guards.
"He's a hell of a competitive kid," Popovich said, "and he wants to be the best."
Web Posted: 12/23/2005 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA122305.1D.BKNspurs.parker.14a7d25e.html
Larry Brown decided enough was enough. Having seen Tony Parker bolt down the middle of the lane (again), the New York coach signaled for a timeout.
Brown imparted his instructions, sat down and watched Parker dribble through the Knicks' defense. After finding Brent Barry for a jump shot, Parker beat everyone down the floor for another layup.
Frustrated, Brown signaled for another timeout. He talked some more, ushered the Knicks back onto the court and, in disbelief, watched Parker pitch the ball to Bruce Bowen in the corner for an open 3-pointer.
By the time Parker had finished his work Wednesday, the Knicks couldn't even count on support from their own fans. Stephon Marbury, who routinely used to overwhelm Parker, exited under a shower of boos after being outplayed by the Spurs' point guard.
"Tony really kind of dominated the game," Tim Duncan said. "We just played off him."
Not unlike what they have done much of season. With Duncan and Manu Ginobili slowed by podiatry problems, Parker's quick feet have kept the Spurs atop the Western Conference.
Parker enters tonight's game against Toronto averaging 20.1 points and 6.5 assists while shooting 54.2 percent — all career bests. In short, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, he's played like an All-Star.
"I feel like I'm on a mission this year," Parker said. "I really want to prove to the Spurs and to Pop that I can go to that next level."
If nothing else, Parker has shown he can get to the basket with the NBA's best. He has attacked opposing defenses more aggressively than ever, scoring a league-high 340 points in the paint, 16 more than Duncan.
While Duncan's post-up skills necessitate working in the lane, Parker's ability to dart and spin around defenders has allowed him to establish residence. Of Parker's 218 made shots, 78 percent were taken in the lane.
As a result, Parker ranks fifth in the league in shooting. Since the 1985-86 season, only two point guards have finished in the top 10: Utah's John Stockton (2001) and Chicago's John Paxson (1991).
Parker, whose signature teardrop shot allows him to score over defenders' long arms, has worked daily with new shooting coach Chip Engelland to improve his mid-range jumper. Rarely, however, has he had to use it.
"Our shooting coach decided to make sure there would be no assessment of his abilities, so he's taught Tony to shoot nothing but layups," Popovich joked. "We have no clue how well he's doing."
In truth, Parker has improved his balance and follow-through motion. Still, what worries opposing coaches most is his ability to penetrate.
"Not taking anything away from Tim," Chicago coach Scott Skiles said, "but Parker, in my opinion, has been the key for them so far this year."
After watching Parker skate through the Bulls for 22 points on Nov. 7, Skiles made it a priority to keep him from getting to the rim when the teams met three weeks later. The Bulls pursued Parker off pick-and-rolls and forced him to give up the ball early to allow their defenders enough time to recover on the Spurs' shooters.
In limiting Parker to 13 points, Chicago handed the Spurs their only home loss.
"It's easier in some ways to prepare for Tim," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "He's the best player in the league, but you know where he's at.
"With a point guard, it's so much more difficult, especially a speedy point guard. Can you trap him? You can try, but he might dribble past that. You can pack it in, but if you do that, then you allow their shooters to get shots.
"I watched three of their games where teams went zone, and he still made layups."
Rivers compares Parker's quickness to that of Philadelphia's Allen Iverson.
But Parker, Rivers said, has "a better team around him."
Parker's ability to find — and trust — teammates may be the greatest improvement he's made. In last week's victory over Sacramento, he penetrated into the lane before passing to Michael Finley for the winning shot. He forced a late 3-pointer — a shot Popovich has told him to "forget about" — which contributed to Tuesday's overtime loss in Milwaukee but distributed 10 assists against the Knicks for his third double-double in four games.
"He still makes some mistakes here and there, but he's real receptive to Pop and what he has to say," Duncan said. "He's learning from it. Game to game, he's getting better and missing less people that are open."
Parker's biggest test won't come until the playoffs, when teams have more time to defend specific personnel. In each of the previous three years, he struggled when teams kept him from getting into the lane.
Parker also knows that how he performs in the postseason ultimately will decide whether he deserves to be ranked alongside Steve Nash, Chauncey Billups, Jason Kidd and the league's other top point guards.
"He's a hell of a competitive kid," Popovich said, "and he wants to be the best."