Way Back Time Machine.. Gem

Spurs Mailbag: For right price, watch Parker hog ball up close

Web Posted: 12/04/2006 08:02 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....510d1de9.html

Still looking for the perfect Christmas gift for that special Spurs fan in your life?

Well, for the low, low price of $2,250 you can get him or her one ticket to an upcoming game.

Not just any ticket. THE ticket.

This season, the Spurs are selling four seats on the scorer's table next to the team's bench for $2,250. That's $2,250 per seat per game.

Each seat features a small TV display and comes with as much food and drink as the fan can ingest. (Of course, for $2,250 there are some people who think you should also be able to choose either Tim Duncan, Tony Parker or Manu Ginobili as your designated driver.)

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich even throws in a free vocabulary lesson during games. Earmuffs for children 16 and under are not included.

While the tickets are costly, they aren't the most expensive in the league. Courtside seats at Los Angeles' Staples Center went for $2,500 apiece last season.

Of course, if you're sitting courtside at a Lakers game, you might get Denzel Washington or Jack Black as your neighbor. In celebrity-starved San Antonio, you'll only be sitting next to the Spurs' beat writer.


Is it just me or is Tony Parker (for all his burgeoning talent) a tad selfish at times? It seems he has become enamored with calling his own number on the high pick-and-roll, to the exclusion of his teammates. I'm always a little leery when a point guard consistently leads his team in shots. I know Pop lets him call his own plays but where's the balance?– Patrick, Lagos, Nigeria


Do you think Tony Parker will ever evolve into a passer as a point guard? He can shoot very well, but he cannot get others involved when it is critical to do so. His assist numbers have not really improved to be an elite point guard in the NBA. I think he is too one-dimensional. The assist package would also prolong his career when he may no longer rely on speed alone.– Jared, San Antonio


The only surprising thing about these questions is that neither came from Argentina.

(This reminds me of my all-time favorite news conference moment. In the summer of 2005, Manu went to Buenos Aires to help conduct one of the NBA's Basketball Without Borders camps. At the introductory press session, a local TV reporter asked Ginobili, "Why does Tony Parker not pass you the ball? To Argentina, he is the Anti-Christ.")

So, while Tony is not the Anti-Christ, he is, indeed, selfish at times. But that's not always a bad thing.

Think of Tony as a scoring guard. He's not a conventional point guard like John Stockton or Steve Nash. That's not what the Spurs ask of him.

Pop wants him to be aggressive. And he wants him to shoot when open. It's hard to argue against that when Tony is making better than 50 percent of his shots.

Parker's greatest skill is his quickness, which allows him to penetrate and collapse defenses. Sometimes that opens shots for his teammates. Mostly, it opens shots for him.

Does Tony dominate the ball too much at times? Yes. Does that make the offense stagnate at times? Yes.

Striking a balance between scorer and distributor remains a constant battle. Sometimes Tony can't win for trying. During the Seattle game, Pop chewed on him for not attacking enough. The next night against Golden State, Tony got yelled at for shooting too much.

Pop might have been right in both cases. The challenge for Tony is to adjust to whatever the situation dictates.

The Spurs are fortunate that Manu also can create and distribute. In fact, they ought to stop differentiating between point guard and shooting guard and simply call both him and Tony "guards."

Also remember this: Chauncey Billups didn't average more than six assists per game until last season, his ninth in the league.


How would you use the Spurs pick in the upcoming 2007 draft? Have you any particular player who you like most? Don't you think that the Spurs lack "a-little-bit-bad" player who would pump them up during games? I think they are too "polite" on the court.– Fics, Zilina, Slovakia


Sign No. 1 your favorite players are getting a little soft: Someone named Fics from Slovakia says they're "too polite."

As for how I would use the Spurs' 2007 pick? Right now, I'm kind of partial to Greg Oden. :lmao


What is the Spurs all-time playoff record?– Craig Olcott, Charleston, S.C.


Why can't I get more questions like this? The answer isn't subjective, is easy to look up and takes about three seconds to type: 8-12 in the ABA; 128-114 in the NBA.


When the Spurs play the Mavs, why don't they clog the lane and make the Dallas cutters to the basket (Dirk, Josh, Devin) PAY when they go to the hoop and take them to the floor or give them a "friendly elbow" like Miami did in the Finals? If Pop is too chummy with Avery, and we keep chasing them around all over the floor we'll never beat a younger team like they are in a seven-game series doing that.– Kevin Schreiber, Dallas


For the Spurs to "take them to the floor," as you advocate Kevin, they first must be close enough to the Mavericks to touch them. And that, sir, has been part of the problem.

I went back and looked at the Nov. 24 game between the teams. Not including put-backs or tip-ins by big men, Dallas scored at the rim six times in the halfcourt. Two of those were back-to-back layups by Anthony Johnson, which promptly earned Beno Udrih a seat on the bench for the rest of the game.

At least one other layup was the result of a back screen that left no one in position to give a "friendly elbow."

I agree it wouldn't have hurt to drop Devin Harris on his rear a time or two, but I also think the so-called "intimidation" foul is one of the most overrated plays in basketball.

I say this having watched Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili get clubbed to the floor countless times over the past four, five seasons. And each time, they got up, dusted themselves off and drove right back down the middle of the lane. In fact, if there's any criticism of the Parker and Ginobili, it's that they penetrate too much.

In Game 2 of last season's second-round series between the teams, the Spurs' big men tried to deter the Mavs from scoring at the rim. In the process, they allowed at least three and-ones. If you're going to foul, you better make sure the foul is hard enough to keep the guy from scoring.

The truth is, the league has had few, if any, intimidating enforcers since Charles Oakley (and possibly Karl Malone) retired.

Miami beat the Mavericks in the Finals because they had a big man (Udonis Haslem) who was quick and physical enough to stay with Dirk. And because they had Dwyane Wade, who went to the free-throw line about a dozen times a game because the Mavericks kept fouling him every time he drove into the lane.


Will the NBA ever change the playoff format to 2-2-1-1-1 so we can see the Spurs win in 5 at home?– Robert Garza, Dallas

Umm ... the format is already 2-2-1-1-1 for every round but the NBA Finals.

And if you were referring to changing the Finals format, you're making four big assumptions.

1. That the Spurs have homecourt advantage. If they don't, they would be playing Game 5 on the road.

2).That they're able to win in five games. Of their three championships, only the one in 1999 ended in five.

3. That they're able to win the Finals. Getting there doesn't automatically mean you're going to win it.

4. That they're even in the Finals. Last time I checked, Dallas was the team that made it last year. And Dallas is currently one of two Western Conference teams with a better record than the Spurs.

If I remember right, the NBA changed the format to 2-3-2 for the 1985 Finals. Back then, the Lakers and Celtics were routinely facing each other and the league thought it had become too much of a travel burden to make the teams – and media – repeatedly crisscross the country.


How come Duncan hugs the ball before each game?– T. Martin, Leander


He's superstitious. Or lonely.


(originally posted by Kori Ellis circa 2006)

:lolsome things never change

Interesting:

1. Tony hasn't changed anything about his game.

2. Greg Oden

3. Will Spurs ever win a game 5 at home in the Finals? (just did)

4. Using Chauncey Billups as a measuring stick

5. "Parker's greatest skill is his quickness, which allows him to penetrate and collapse defenses. Sometimes that opens shots for his teammates. Mostly, it opens shots for him.
Does Tony dominate the ball too much at times? Yes. Does that make the offense stagnate at times? Yes"

No more quickness so now he's relegated to just stagnating the offense. Bless the little porker's heart, but he's become a liability on offense and defense, and is now Kobe Bryanting the team through his contract and his "we love Tony" minutes.

6. That this was written the year before Tony won the Finals MVP.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DMC

Interesting:

1. Tony hasn't changed anything about his game.

2. Greg Oden

3. Will Spurs ever win a game 5 at home in the Finals? (just did)

4. Using Chauncey Billups as a measuring stick

5. "Parker's greatest skill is his quickness, which allows him to penetrate and collapse defenses. Sometimes that opens shots for his teammates. Mostly, it opens shots for him.
Does Tony dominate the ball too much at times? Yes. Does that make the offense stagnate at times? Yes"

No more quickness so now he's relegated to just stagnating the offense. Bless the little porker's heart, but he's become a liability on offense and defense, and is now Kobe Bryanting the team through his contract and his "we love Tony" minutes.

6. That this was written the year before Tony won the Finals MVP.

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wow...

The guy has never bothered to change his game. TD and Manu are playing at a very high level with their reduced role.

I generally liked Ludden writeups, tbh

Tbh Kawhi needs to get better at passing out of the double team, and that probably doesn't happen this year. Actually, Kawhi put up lots of points on the Clippers this year, and I wondered Why don't they double him? and thought maybe Doc was saving it for the playoffs, so Leonard can't practice. We've known for a decade who Tony is and what he can't do, but now that it's KL's team we have to wait for him to figure out the things that all stars have to. Even Tim struggled with doubles early on in his career.

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Originally Posted by apalisoc_9

wow...

The guy has never bothered to change his game. TD and Manu are playing at a very high level with their reduced role.

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He never had the talent, bball IQ, or work ethic to have great longevity like Tim/Manu. Not too mention he's lazy and arrogant to boot:

Tony Parker believes he can play as many as 20 years with the San Antonio Spurs, similar to the longevity of Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Why not?” Parker said. “The way I play, I think I can definitely play that long.”

“When I see (Lakers point guard) Steve Nash being an All-Star at 38, I feel like I've got the same kind of game,” he said. “Neither one of us jumps that much. We're sort of like the kings of layups and great pick-and-roll players, so I can see myself playing that long, too.”

:nope Comparing his game to one of the greatest shooters/passers in NBA history.

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Originally Posted by #2!

Tbh Kawhi needs to get better at passing out of the double team, and that probably doesn't happen this year. Actually, Kawhi put up lots of points on the Clippers this year, and I wondered Why don't they double him? and thought maybe Doc was saving it for the playoffs, so Leonard can't practice. We've known for a decade who Tony is and what he can't do, but now that it's KL's team we have to wait for him to figure out the things that all stars have to. Even Tim struggled with doubles early on in his career.

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That's all fine and good except Tony still runs the offense. The fallacy of "it's your team" becomes painfully obvious during the post season when the supposed team owner doesn't get the ball. Team owners typically call the shots, but KL is still the 3rd or 4th option on offense, typically a last resort at this point. So it's still practically Tony's team, and while it's Tony's team he's going to continue playing how he's always played, just not with the same effectiveness. As as been said, his game hasn't really evolved to compensate for his loss of speed and quickness.

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/imag...J9aKq4uU//2Q==

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Originally Posted by DMC

That's all fine and good except Tony still runs the offense. The fallacy of "it's your team" becomes painfully obvious during the post season when the supposed team owner doesn't get the ball. Team owners typically call the shots, but KL is still the 3rd or 4th option on offense, typically a last resort at this point. So it's still practically Tony's team, and while it's Tony's team he's going to continue playing how he's always played, just not with the same effectiveness. As as been said, his game hasn't really evolved to compensate for his loss of speed and quickness.

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Wow, look at that. Someone that actually understands what was going on out on the court Sunday. Loop after loop to set up Enrique's dribble dribble dribble or two man game with Timmy yet the dumb sheep can't see how the offense was centered around him and not Kawhi.

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Originally Posted by DMC

Team owners typically call the shots.

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Point guards call the shots. That's their role.

Team owners draw double teams and take over games.

So far our point guard is doing point guard stuff, and our "team owner" is doing "team owner" stuff--well, except the "taking over games" part.

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Originally Posted by FkLA

Wow, look at that. Someone that actually understands what was going on out on the court Sunday. Loop after loop to set up Enrique's dribble dribble dribble or two man game with Timmy yet the dumb sheep can't see how the offense was centered around him and not Kawhi.

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^Yeah, 1 assist is PG stuff. You fucking imbecile.

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Originally Posted by FkLA

^Yeah, 1 assist is PG stuff. You fucking imbecile.

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:lmao

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Originally Posted by will_spurs

So far our point guard is doing point guard stuff.

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:lol

You showed your true colours right there.

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Originally Posted by DMC

[COLOR=#000000]Spurs Mailbag:

Do you think Tony Parker will ever evolve into a passer as a point guard? He can shoot very well, but he cannot get others involved when it is critical to do so. His assist numbers have not really improved to be an elite point guard in the NBA. I think he is too one-dimensional. The assist package would also prolong his career when he may no longer rely on speed alone.– Jared, San Antonio


The only surprising thing about these questions is that neither came from Argentina.

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How come Duncan hugs the ball before each game?– T. Martin, Leander


He's superstitious. Or lonely.

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Lol

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Originally Posted by itsamanuthree

:lol

You showed your true colours right there.

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Chill dude. He might block you. :lmao

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Originally Posted by itsamanuthree

:lol

You showed your true colours right there.

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I was mostly reiterating the OP's point: our point guard is calling the shots, which is what he is supposed to do.

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Originally Posted by dabom

Chill dude. He might block you. :lmao

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:lol

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Originally Posted by will_spurs

I was mostly reiterating the OP's point: our point guard is calling the shots, which is what he is supposed to do.

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whatever man

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Originally Posted by itsamanuthree

whatever man

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Welcome to reality :lol

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Originally Posted by will_spurs

Welcome to reality :lol

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suuure, thanks for welcoming into your "reality"

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Originally Posted by will_spurs

Point guards call the shots. That's their role.

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Not really. When Norris Cole was running Miami's point, Lebron still called the shots. When Tim was posting in the middle back in Primus Timmus Duncanus period, it was "get the ball to Tim" many times a game. Tony didn't have the option then to make his own way of the high screen. Tony began to get the green light more when the Spurs went to an up tempo game.

If Tony was a distributing PG, that would be quite different, but the Spurs' system involves ball movement, not Rondo type plays that isolates 3 other people and generates assists for the PG. Tony has been known to get caught up in the 2 man game quite often though.

So either it's KL's team or it's not. If Tony is calling the shots, it's Tony's team.

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Team owners draw double teams and take over games.

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Since Tony takes same or more shots as Kawhi, I don't see how that's possible. Guys who take over anything typically don't share the take over.

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So far our point guard is doing point guard stuff, and our "team owner" is doing "team owner" stuff--well, except the "taking over games" part.

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The game seems to go as the PG goes when Tony gets minutes. That's because Tony is a ball dominant player. You cannot have a "take over the game" guy while ball dominant player is on the floor. We've seen teams try that and fail. Last year Tony didn't do anything notable in the Finals, which allowed other players to step it up.

I understand your point, but you're wrong.

Yeah, championship teams where the point guard was the best player calling shots are few and far between

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Originally Posted by DMC

When Norris Cole was running Miami's point

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Norris Cole has never run anything in his life.

Quote:

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When Tim was posting in the middle back in Primus Timmus Duncanus period, it was "get the ball to Tim" many times a game.

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Pop was calling the shots back then. He's started delegating since.

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So either it's KL's team or it's not. If Tony is calling the shots, it's Tony's team.

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Clippers are CP3's team? Cavs are Irving's team? I think Griffin or Lebron might have something to say about that...

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Since Tony takes same or more shots as Kawhi, I don't see how that's possible. Guys who take over anything typically don't share the take over.

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Tony has 12.2 FGA this season, Kawhi has 12.8. But hey, whatever.

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You cannot have a "take over the game" guy while ball dominant player is on the floor.

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I so wish you'd be a Thunder or Lakers fan. That would be funny. Then you might really know what a ball dominant player is.

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I understand your point, but you're wrong.

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Tony is calling the shot, even though it's Kawhi's team. Only one of them has been doing his job in Game 1. I have a feeling this will change in Game 2 and this discussion will be moot.

Wow, is this fucking retard actually serious about Enrique'doing his job' in Game 1? Jesus christ, how cum stained must his Enrique colored glasses be that he is so blind to reality tbh.

This dude is beyond logical. LOL

Funny how the used condom brigade is talking about cum. Faggot

Chill kittie.

Post more emoticons.

Nah. On my celL.

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Originally Posted by FkLA

^Yeah, 1 assist is PG stuff. You fucking imbecile.

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:lmao

Welcome to Will's reality

http://www.dream-wallpaper.com/free-...llpaper-13.jpg

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Originally Posted by will_spurs

Norris Cole has never run anything in his life.



Pop was calling the shots back then. He's started delegating since.



Clippers are CP3's team? Cavs are Irving's team? I think Griffin or Lebron might have something to say about that...



Tony has 12.2 FGA this season, Kawhi has 12.8. But hey, whatever.



I so wish you'd be a Thunder or Lakers fan. That would be funny. Then you might really know what a ball dominant player is.



Tony is calling the shot, even though it's Kawhi's team. Only one of them has been doing his job in Game 1. I have a feeling this will change in Game 2 and this discussion will be moot.

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How did this work out for you? You still think it's Kawhi's team even though Tony is in charge (calls the shots?). That's a retarded take btw, fits perfectly up here.

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Originally Posted by DMC

How did this work out for you? You still think it's Kawhi's team even though Tony is in charge (calls the shots?). That's a retarded take btw, fits perfectly up here.

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Watch out, Will Turd is gonna block you :lol