Manu20
10-05-2006, 11:55 PM
Spurs' Parker dazzles French crowd
Web Posted: 10/05/2006 11:20 PM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA100606.01D.BKNspurs.lyon.gamer.2e68890.html
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
VILLEURBANNE, France — The chant began with three minutes left, the game all but over and the Spurs already eyeing their early morning flight to Paris.
To-ny! To-ny! To-ny!
Tony Parker leaned back in his sideline chair and smiled as he listened to the sold-out crowd in the cozy L'Astroballe arena yell his name. He rose from his seat, whispered a few words in Gregg Popovich's ear, then — with his coach's permission — walked to the scorer's table for one last curtain call.
"I just wanted to say goodbye," Parker said.
Unable to play for France's national team in the World Championships after breaking his right index finger, Parker did his best to make amends Thursday night. He treated his countrymen to an entertaining show, scoring 26 points and distributing 10 assists as the Spurs routed Adecco Asvel 115-90 in front of 5,600 fans.
"I know I have to play well here in both games to make them happy and say I'm sorry," Parker said. "I'll be back next year for the European Championships."
Parker's French goodwill tour will continue Sunday in Paris when the Spurs play Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv. The first stop went as well as could be expected.
Though Parker only resumed shooting a little more than a week ago after breaking his finger on Aug. 15, he didn't need long to find his touch. He made 10 of 13 shots, one of which was a 3-pointer from deep in the left corner.
"I'm feeling good compared to last year in training camp when I was changing my whole shot," Parker said. "I don't feel like I'm hot or I'm making more shots than usual. I just feel like it's a normal improvement because I've been working hard in practice."
Seventeen of Parker's points came in the first quarter. With the Spurs clinging to a one-point lead and a little more than a minute remaining, Parker closed out the quarter with three consecutive baskets, burying a 20-footer, tossing in his signature teardrop shot and driving for a layup.
The flurry helped break open the game as the Spurs scored 17 unanswered points.
"He just kind of took over," Tim Duncan said.
Duncan looked fairly dominant, scoring 19 points while making 7 of 8 shots. He said his left foot, which troubled him for much of last season, feels good.
"He's in the best shape he's been in five or six years," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "He's been working for about the last month, last month and a half, so he's ready to go."
Parker figured to need a while longer to regain his rhythm after his six-week layoff. His finger, however, passed its first test without any problems. His feet seem to be working, too.
Parker repeatedly beat his defenders off the dribble. After Rowan Barrett stuck a 3-pointer to give Asvel a 24-22 lead, Parker bolted by him for a layup while drawing a foul in the process.
Parker showed off his jump shot in the second quarter, hitting a 3-pointer plus back-to-back 20-footers.
"I was a little bit surprised at his range more than anything," Popovich said. "I'm actually starting to expect his midrange jumper to go in."
Popovich started Fabricio Oberto at center with the four holdovers from last season's opening-night lineup. He gave all of them a healthy dose of minutes: 26 for Parker and Duncan, 25 for Bruce Bowen and 23 for Manu Ginobili, whose lower back stiffened after he banged his hip in the third quarter. Newcomer Eric Williams also left with a sore foot.
Maccabi is expected to provide a tougher test for the Spurs than Asvel. But the French League team still had some moments. Amara Sy, an athletic 6-foot-7 forward, threw down a vicious dunk over Francisco Elson. Barrett also used a crossover dribble to make Bowen slip, freeing himself for an open jump shot.
"The game in the NBA is pretty much individual," said Asvel center Vincent Masingue, "but it's impressive to see how (the Spurs) get along so well together on the court."
The Spurs also dressed appropriately: Their traditional black uniforms had blue, white and red stripes down the sides in honor of the French flag.
Parker had no trouble seeing replicas of his jersey in the crowd. Several fans wore his No. 9 and he received a loud ovation during introductions. After that, he didn't need long to get the small arena buzzing.
Popovich pulled Parker late in the third quarter and planned to keep him on the bench for the rest of the night. Even when the crowd started chanting, Popovich initially hesitated before sending him in for the last 1:25.
"We were up by 25 points and I thought it would be rude to a put a starter back in the game," Popovich said. "Secondly, it would be very irresponsible on my part to put him back in a preseason game like that and have him become injured.
"But Tony kept asking me. He just wanted to say thank you."
Notebook: Popovich played his regulars for most of the first three quarters. Elson, who had five points and six rebounds in 19 minutes, was one of the first players off the bench. Jackie Butler didn't come in until 8:55 remained. ... Parker confidently drilled a 3-pointer, but Popovich still wants him to be selective with the shot. "The light hasn't changed on his threes yet," Popovich said. "There has to be a little bit more evidence." ... Popovich lamented leaving Lyon. "No more great dinners and no more wine. I'm really sad," he said. "We'll try to find those things in Paris."
Web Posted: 10/05/2006 11:20 PM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA100606.01D.BKNspurs.lyon.gamer.2e68890.html
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
VILLEURBANNE, France — The chant began with three minutes left, the game all but over and the Spurs already eyeing their early morning flight to Paris.
To-ny! To-ny! To-ny!
Tony Parker leaned back in his sideline chair and smiled as he listened to the sold-out crowd in the cozy L'Astroballe arena yell his name. He rose from his seat, whispered a few words in Gregg Popovich's ear, then — with his coach's permission — walked to the scorer's table for one last curtain call.
"I just wanted to say goodbye," Parker said.
Unable to play for France's national team in the World Championships after breaking his right index finger, Parker did his best to make amends Thursday night. He treated his countrymen to an entertaining show, scoring 26 points and distributing 10 assists as the Spurs routed Adecco Asvel 115-90 in front of 5,600 fans.
"I know I have to play well here in both games to make them happy and say I'm sorry," Parker said. "I'll be back next year for the European Championships."
Parker's French goodwill tour will continue Sunday in Paris when the Spurs play Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv. The first stop went as well as could be expected.
Though Parker only resumed shooting a little more than a week ago after breaking his finger on Aug. 15, he didn't need long to find his touch. He made 10 of 13 shots, one of which was a 3-pointer from deep in the left corner.
"I'm feeling good compared to last year in training camp when I was changing my whole shot," Parker said. "I don't feel like I'm hot or I'm making more shots than usual. I just feel like it's a normal improvement because I've been working hard in practice."
Seventeen of Parker's points came in the first quarter. With the Spurs clinging to a one-point lead and a little more than a minute remaining, Parker closed out the quarter with three consecutive baskets, burying a 20-footer, tossing in his signature teardrop shot and driving for a layup.
The flurry helped break open the game as the Spurs scored 17 unanswered points.
"He just kind of took over," Tim Duncan said.
Duncan looked fairly dominant, scoring 19 points while making 7 of 8 shots. He said his left foot, which troubled him for much of last season, feels good.
"He's in the best shape he's been in five or six years," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "He's been working for about the last month, last month and a half, so he's ready to go."
Parker figured to need a while longer to regain his rhythm after his six-week layoff. His finger, however, passed its first test without any problems. His feet seem to be working, too.
Parker repeatedly beat his defenders off the dribble. After Rowan Barrett stuck a 3-pointer to give Asvel a 24-22 lead, Parker bolted by him for a layup while drawing a foul in the process.
Parker showed off his jump shot in the second quarter, hitting a 3-pointer plus back-to-back 20-footers.
"I was a little bit surprised at his range more than anything," Popovich said. "I'm actually starting to expect his midrange jumper to go in."
Popovich started Fabricio Oberto at center with the four holdovers from last season's opening-night lineup. He gave all of them a healthy dose of minutes: 26 for Parker and Duncan, 25 for Bruce Bowen and 23 for Manu Ginobili, whose lower back stiffened after he banged his hip in the third quarter. Newcomer Eric Williams also left with a sore foot.
Maccabi is expected to provide a tougher test for the Spurs than Asvel. But the French League team still had some moments. Amara Sy, an athletic 6-foot-7 forward, threw down a vicious dunk over Francisco Elson. Barrett also used a crossover dribble to make Bowen slip, freeing himself for an open jump shot.
"The game in the NBA is pretty much individual," said Asvel center Vincent Masingue, "but it's impressive to see how (the Spurs) get along so well together on the court."
The Spurs also dressed appropriately: Their traditional black uniforms had blue, white and red stripes down the sides in honor of the French flag.
Parker had no trouble seeing replicas of his jersey in the crowd. Several fans wore his No. 9 and he received a loud ovation during introductions. After that, he didn't need long to get the small arena buzzing.
Popovich pulled Parker late in the third quarter and planned to keep him on the bench for the rest of the night. Even when the crowd started chanting, Popovich initially hesitated before sending him in for the last 1:25.
"We were up by 25 points and I thought it would be rude to a put a starter back in the game," Popovich said. "Secondly, it would be very irresponsible on my part to put him back in a preseason game like that and have him become injured.
"But Tony kept asking me. He just wanted to say thank you."
Notebook: Popovich played his regulars for most of the first three quarters. Elson, who had five points and six rebounds in 19 minutes, was one of the first players off the bench. Jackie Butler didn't come in until 8:55 remained. ... Parker confidently drilled a 3-pointer, but Popovich still wants him to be selective with the shot. "The light hasn't changed on his threes yet," Popovich said. "There has to be a little bit more evidence." ... Popovich lamented leaving Lyon. "No more great dinners and no more wine. I'm really sad," he said. "We'll try to find those things in Paris."