Duncan: Parker should get MVP votes

You're only going to get one MVP candidate per team. Since the Spurs have two franchise-level players this year (would be 3 but for Manu's injury) voters will not consider either. They will essentially split the "spurs" MVP vote possibilities.

That being said, you still hear Kobe getting MVP love when Gasol has been very, very good for LA this season because everyone's on Kobe's nuts.

LBJ and Wade however, are in a different stratosphere. They have no one nearly as good on their teams and are singlehandedly carrying their teams. LBJ has a better cast than Wade and thus his team has a better record, but no one on Cleveland is even close to good enough to split LBJ's votes.

If you're basing the MVP for parker on being him carrying the team, Mr D Wade would like a word.

Slam.

Tony Parker: Le MVP Candidate?
by Marcel Mutoni

The MVP debate this year has centered around three players. LeBron, Kobe and D-Wade. Though it’s pretty clear to everyone that James has the award all but locked up, the complete list of candidates continues to take shape.

Tony Parker’s name has now been thrown into the hat by his teammate, Tim Duncan.

CBS reports:

Parker was brilliant Wednesday night with 42 points and 10 assists, helping the Spurs solve their recent struggles closing out games in a 102-92 victory over the Hawks. Parker’s performance was so good, it prompted Duncan to say he deserves to at least be in the top five on voters’ MVP ballots in a few weeks.

“I think absolutely,” said Duncan, a two-time MVP. “Of course I’m biased, obviously. But with the position that we’re in — second or seventh in the West, however many games it can switch — we’re right in the mix with that. The amount of injuries we’ve been dealing with all year … he’s keeping this team consistent. He’s been the consistent one all year long. Absolutely, he should be at least given an opportunity to be one of those top five. “
Parker is having the best season of his career, and has beautifully steered an aging, injury-depleted ship in the brutal Western waters all season long. He certainly deserves to have a couple of votes thrown his way.

Warning: Hoopsworld.

Parker Having MVP Season

Every time we write off the San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker keeps them winning and moving up the charts. Last night the Spurs took on the Atlanta Hawks, one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference, and beat them 102-92.

It's an impressive win no matter what, but when you consider that it came in Atlanta, where the Hawks have been strong, and that it came on a night when Tim Duncan was resting and Manu Ginobili was a on-factor, it takes on a whole new significance.

What did it take for the Spurs to score a huge road win without their franchise player? An MVP effort from Tony Parker . . .and not his first of the season.

The 2007 Finals MVP chalked up 42 points and 10 assists, while connecting on 18-of-25 from the field and 6-of-6 at the foul line. His opponent, Mike Bibby, was just 5-of-13 from the field with 13 points on the night. Parker dominated both ends of the floor, something he's done each time he's been without one or both of his Big Three teammates.

The Spurs' first win of the season came on a night when Parker made up for Ginobili's absence with a 55-point explosion. When Ginobili went down more recently Parker again stepped up his game. In March, when everyone expected the Spurs to fall off without Manu, Parker averaged 26.6 points and 7.9 assists per game while shooting 54% from the field. The team is just 8-6 on the month, but has held onto the second seed in the West despite losses to the likes of Boston, Houston, and the Lakers.

All of the MVP talk is circling around Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade, but right there in the mix should be Parker. The Spurs don't like media coverage, and actually go out of their way to block it when possible. It's unfortunate that Parker is paying the price. If he were in LA or New York he'd be all anyone talks about.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by duncan228

If he were in LA or New York he'd be all anyone talks about.

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no doubt

I was watching sportscenter and the host even mentioned why tony should be an MVP candidate so maybe there will be a parker bandwagon of some sort. I know he won't get the nod but should at least be mentioned, bullshit.

He's already been the MVP of the Finals, where the two best teams played in 2007, and that stage included LeBron James and Tim Duncan !

That tells you that people shouldn't feel funny in saying that Tony Parker is one of the top five players in basketball.

He's already done it on the biggest stage in basketball.

:toast