Steve Nash vs. Tony Parker

[Dex]

So Steve Nash has long been heralded as one of the best point guards in the game. He's a proven scorer, a dead-eye shooter, and has amazing court vision. Over the past five years, if you had asked most non-Spur fans if they'd rather have Nash or Parker, I think most would have reasonably gone with Nash.

Flash to this point in the season. Obviously, Chris Paul is playing out of his mind and is the best point guard in basketball at this very moment, to the point of being in the MVP discussion. But after our Christmastime Showdown with the Suns, I'd like the bring back the old Nash vs. Parker debate and see how Tony is stacking up the point guard elite this season.

In the stats listed below, I created my own category called Points Contributed. This is basically the Points Per Game, plus two points for every Assisted Basket, to generalize how the player affected the scoring column.

Steve Nash
PPG = 15.5
APG 8.5 x 2 = (17.0 PC)
Points Contributed = 32.5
RPG = 3.00
TO = 3.75
EFF = +18.00

Tony Parker
PPG = 21.3
APG = 6.6 x 2 = (13.2 PC)
Points Contributed = 34.5
RPG = 3.20
TO = 2.68
EFF = +19.63

Looking deeper into the stats, the only place Steve Nash still has Tony beat is from the three-point line, and the free-throw line. Aside from that, Tony is schooling Steve in nearly every statistical category, aside from assists, which he compensates for by his increased scoring. Also, his speed and footwork make him more of a post threat, his defense is leaps and bounds ahead of Nash, and he is arguably showing more poise as a floor leader, having led his team to a better record through tougher straits. Nash looks out of place in Porter's new offense, and its hard to tell if it is the system that is failing him, or if it is just his aging legs.

At this point, I think it's pretty safe to put Tony Parker in the Top 5 Point Guard List. Where he falls on that list probably depends upon which homer glasses you happen to be wearing, but I know I feel good about the Spurs' future when I see him bringing the ball up the court.

But just for comparison's sake...

Deron Williams
PPG = 14.4
APG = 9.6 x 2 = (19.2 PC)
Points Contributed = 33.6
RPG = 2.90
TO = 3.76
EFF = +17.06

Rajon Rondo
PPG = 11.6
APG = 7.4 x 2 = (14.8 PC)
Points Contributed = 26.4
RPG = 5.00
TO = 2.24
EFF = +19.10

Chris Paul
PPG = 20.2
APG = 11.7 x 2 = (23.4 PC)
Points Contributed = 43.6
RPG = 5.30
TO = 2.88
EFF = +30.38

[kace]

PER seems a good way to measure things, even if the stats don't say the whole thing. but FG % and others stats should be included in any general appreciation of a player:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/holli...seasonType%3d2


The only thing that bothers me is how parker, being one of the 15 best scorers of the league is only 36th in free throws attempted per game, considering his aggressivity to the rim. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/statis...avg=pg&pos=all
2 or 3 more FTA per game would be good for the spurs.

[DAF86]

The thing with Parker is that a lot of people don't see him as a true PG. Is kind of the same with Iverson, nobody can deny that they're both great players but when you talk about point guards people tend to think in names like Nash, Kidd, Paul, etc.

[timvp]

Nice breakdown

plus two points for every Assisted Basket

What's interesting is how many of Parker's assists are on three-pointers. A few years ago, he led the league in that category. Of those players you mentioned, here's the breakdown:

Percentage of Assists that are Three-Pointers
Tony Parker - 38.4%
Chris Paul - 31.7%
Steve Nash - 26.3%
Deron Williams - 22.6%
Rajon Rondo - 21.9%

I haven't checked but I wouldn't be surprised at all if Parker leads the league in that category. Part of the reason Parker doesn't average more assists is that the Spurs have virtually no finishers at the basket. While CP3 can lob it to Chandler and Nash can rack up easy assists via Stoudemire, who on the Spurs gives Parker easy assists? Duncan and Ginobili are good finishers but they mostly like to create shots on their own.

There will always be those who will try to diminish Parker's accomplishments by comparing him to a players like Iverson who aren't anything close to a true point guard, but the truth is that if Parker isn't a true point guard -- he's pretty damn close. Especially over the last few seasons.

[timvp]

The thing with Parker is that a lot of people don't see him as a true PG. Is kind of the same with Iverson, nobody can deny that they're both great players but when you talk about point guards people tend to think in names like Nash, Kidd, Paul, etc.

Right on cue . . .

[xtremesteven33]

People also forget how much BETTER Parker has gotten this past years. Couple of years ago the best way to defend him would be like defending Rondo now. Sag off and dare him to shoot.

Now Parker is a superstar. Able to take over a game if needed. Spurs fans dont know how fortunate we are to have Parker.

[Shastafarian]

I know I'm in the minority but I still think Parker needs to work on his PnR defense. He just gives up most of the time. In that way, he's kinda like nash.

[timvp]

I know I'm in the minority but I still think Parker needs to work on his PnR defense. He just gives up most of the time. In that way, he's kinda like nash.

Pop is on record as saying Parker is his best pick-and-roll defender. Even better than Bowen.

[Shastafarian]

Pop is on record as saying Parker is his best pick-and-roll defender. Even better than Bowen.

I just don't see it. Watch him closely next time. Tell me if he grabs the defender setting the pick and lets his teammate chase after the opposing PG. He does it so often it seems.

[DAF86]

Right on cue . . .

Kiss my ass.

Iverson is one of my favorite players of all time right next to Manu and Jordan. And I like Tony 'cause he resembles me of him. Tony isn't a conventional point guard he's a shoot first guard that gets most of his assts of his penetrations just like Iverson.

The comparisson wasn't meant to disminish Parker's acomplishemts, but to praise them. For god sake AI is a fricking hall of famer so STFU you abnosious b1atch.

[xtremesteven33]

Kiss my ass.

Iverson is one of my favorite players of all time right next to Manu and Jordan. And I like Tony 'cause he resembles me of him. Tony isn't a conventional point guard he's a shoot first guard that gets most of his assts of his penetrations just like Iverson.

The comparisson wasn't meant to disminish Parker's acomplishemts, but to praise them. For god sake AI is a fricking hall of famer so STFU you abnosious b1atch.

[sonic21]

Kiss my ass.

Iverson is one of my favorite players of all time right next to Manu and Jordan. And I like Tony 'cause he resembles me of him. Tony isn't a conventional point guard he's a shoot first guard that gets most of his assts of his penetrations just like Iverson.

The comparisson wasn't meant to disminish Parker's acomplishemts, but to praise them. For god sake AI is a fricking hall of famer so STFU you abnosious b1atch.

wow

[DAF86]

timvp thinks that because I like Manu I don't like Tony when I never said nothing wrong about him, in fact every time I can I praise him. Including this one time

[timvp]

I just don't see it. Watch him closely next time. Tell me if he grabs the defender setting the pick and lets his teammate chase after the opposing PG. He does it so often it seems.

Sounds like you should give Pop a call.

[Shastafarian]

Sounds like you should give Pop a call.

Why so he can trace it and send his Ukrainian friends to my house?

[timvp]

Kiss my ass.

Iverson is one of my favorite players of all time right next to Manu and Jordan. And I like Tony 'cause he resembles me of him. Tony isn't a conventional point guard he's a shoot first guard that gets most of his assts of his penetrations just like Iverson.

The comparisson wasn't meant to disminish Parker's acomplishemts, but to praise them. For god sake AI is a fricking hall of famer so STFU you abnosious b1atch.

timvp thinks that because I like Manu I don't like Tony when I never said nothing wrong about him, in fact every time I can I praise him. Including this one time

Sensitive much?

If you are such a big fan of Iverson, you'd know he's completely incapable of playing point guard. The Pistons recently found that out the hard way. AI is a great scorer but he doesn't make players around him better and he'd be a disaster as the starting point guard for the Spurs -- even back in his prime.

At shooting guard, he can be a damn good player. But comparing Parker to him is far from a compliment to Parker because AI is the stereotypical short shooting guard who is forced to play point guard but can't succeed in doing so.

[mathbzh]

About PG, I found this "assists/bad pass" ranking at 82games

assist/bad pass

Paul ranking is amazing (Harris/billups/Parker don't try fancy pass).
This season Nash is clearly not that good. It looks like he is gambling too much with his passing. What do you think?

[DAF86]

Sensitive much?

If you are such a big fan of Iverson, you'd know he's completely incapable of playing point guard. The Pistons recently found that out the hard way. AI is a great scorer but he doesn't make players around him better and he'd be a disaster as the starting point guard for the Spurs -- even back in his prime.

At shooting guard, he can be a damn good player. But comparing Parker to him is far from a compliment to Parker because AI is the stereotypical short shooting guard who is forced to play point guard but can't succeed in doing so.

I think that if you switch places (Parker lands in Philly in 96 with a bunch of scrubs and Iverson in San Antonio in 01 with Duncan and Pop) Parker will be a lock hall of famer with a lot of scoring les and maybe a regular season MVP, and Iverson will be a more complete player with 3 NBA rings and some finals MVP's

[kace]

I think that if you switch places (Parker lands in Philly in 96 with a bunch of scrubs and Iverson in San Antonio in 01 with Duncan and Pop) Parker will be a lock hall of famer with a lot of scoring les and maybe a regular season MVP, and Iverson will be a more complete player with 3 NBA rings and some finals MVP's

[DAF86]

How do you think their careers would unfold?

[it's me]

Nash hands down...

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Parker > Nash now end of story. Nash can't pass anymore without getting a bunch of turnovers.

[it's me]

Parker > Nash now end of story. Nash can't pass anymore without getting a bunch of turnovers.

All PGs have a lot of turnovers... Tony is leading the Spurs in that department even playing alongside "Manu Turnobili" ....

when young Nash>>>>>>>Tony

[Chieflion]

All PGs have a lot of turnovers... Tony is leading the Spurs in that department even playing alongside "Manu Turnobili" ....

when young Nash>>>>>>>Tony

Jose Calderon says hi cause he knows how to pass safely. Not a wrong decision, but not the right one though.

[layupdrill]

Nash 2006 was better than Parker...Today Parker all day