Parker expects to come off bench against Suns.

[spursfan1000]

Spurs point guard Tony Parker came off the bench in the team's first-round series against the Mavericks and expects to do the same in the second round against the Suns.

George Hill started for San Antonio against Dallas and head coach Gregg Popovich has been coy about his lineup heading into the semifinals.

"Some things remain the same," he said, "and some things change, because we're playing a different team."

Regardless, Parker expects his role to remain the same.

"I expect to come off the bench," Parker said Saturday. "It's been working well, and we did a good job against Dallas, so I don't think we're going to change our strategy."

[Dex]

I'm okay with this.

I think Hill has shown both the offensive and defensive tenacity to challenge Nash. In fact, Hill may be able to challenge Nash with his length and defense even more than Parker could, and he got good practice going against Kidd. He needs to do the same things that he did in the last series, but realize that Nash is a much bigger offensive threat.

Meanwhile, I think Parker has the advantage over Dragic or a winded Nash, plus it still maintains the spark off the bench. It's important not to underestimate how vital in can be to have someone to come in and jump-start the team, or the offense, or the momentum. In those games where the Spurs come out lethargic, it's always comforting to know that if things don't start off right, you might be able to change the outlook of the game with your first sub.

If Parker moves to the starting lineup, I think you have to seriously consider moving Manu to the bench, and that's too big of a tremor in the rotation. Best to not fix what isn't broken at the moment, imo.

[SPURSCHAMP]

glad parker isnt pissed that george is starting over him

[Cane]

Well if you watched Pop's interview on that shootaround thread; he said if they did make lineup changes he wouldn't make it known to the media. CIA Pop in effect.

[Bukefal]

But why would it matter for him, because he still plays the same amount of minutes as before, maybe even more and he still can produce the same as before. So why would he be pissed. no reason to. The only thing that has been changed is the le, he is bench instead of starter. Big deal.

[Muser]

Good, don't change what's working.

[Pauleta14]

glad parker isnt pissed that george is starting over him

Agree, I think it's for 2 main reasons..;

1/ He wants to win BADLY and would do anything it takes

2/ He doesn't see Hill as a "rival" or someone who could take his job (on the contrary of many SpursTalkers )
George isn't a real PG (avg 0.7 ast/game against Mavs!), he just brings diff things than him...

IMO, Tony coming off the bench is more a "pragmatic" decision from Pop (do not change things that are working until you're proven wrong), I don't see Tony ending his Spurs "time" coming off the bench...

What's your "long term" opinion guys?

[Pauleta14]

But why would it matter for him, because he still plays the same amount of minutes as before, maybe even more and he still can produce the same as before. So why would he be pissed. no reason to. The only thing that has been changed is the le, he is bench instead of starter. Big deal.

Because coming off the bench if WAY more different than what you think and what the stats show (PT)
You don't have time to "feel" the flow of the game, to choose whether you attack straight or distibute...

For example, you remember Tony often being VERY agressive in the opening quarter, taking advantage of the fact that the opposite team doesn't want to get in foul trouble too early...

NOW, whem he comes, he has to be a difference maker STRAIGHT!

+ He doesn't play with the same guys as often, playing in a unit with Bonner, Blair or any bench player is not the same that with Timmy...
Less assists, more attention...

Anyway, I see some advantages and disadvantages, but it's really NOT the same deal for him...

Remember Manu's first quotes years ago when he first came off the bench!
He explained that there was big differences and that he had to adapt his game/production...

[m33p0]

it's a non-issue.

[Cane]

Against the Suns the Spurs could play a three guard lineup out there at times with Manu, Hill, and Parker.

[Bukefal]

plus, he too is seeing that this is working for the team for now and he knows its pop's decision and he respects that. He takes it how it is. Parker is a good guy.

It wont stay like this forever, he knows it, it works for now

[benefactor]

It's not even about Hill starting ahead of Parker. It's more about Manu starting and Parker coming off the bench.

BTW...I'm not saying this to stir up drama about one being better than the other. Both are equally important, it just happens to be the starting lineup that found the best chemistry.

[Brazil]

Because coming off the bench if WAY more different than what you think and what the stats show (PT)
You don't have time to "feel" the flow of the game, to choose whether you attack straight or distibute...

For example, you remember Tony often being VERY agressive in the opening quarter, taking advantage of the fact that the opposite team doesn't want to get in foul trouble too early...

NOW, whem he comes, he has to be a difference maker STRAIGHT!

+ He doesn't play with the same guys as often, playing in a unit with Bonner, Blair or any bench player is not the same that with Timmy...
Less assists, more attention...

Anyway, I see some advantages and disadvantages, but it's really NOT the same deal for him...

Remember Manu's first quotes years ago when he first came off the bench!
He explained that there was big differences and that he had to adapt his game/production...

I agree its kinda different for him to play off the bench.

The other point is that the spurs have more weapons Offensively, TP is not forcing the things and let the others envolved. I haven't the stats but I can bet per 48 min he is taking much less FGAs than the previous years.

Manu is now the go to go guy of the team.

[Pauleta14]

It's not even about Hill starting ahead of Parker. It's more about Manu starting and Parker coming off the bench.

BTW...I'm not saying this to stir up drama about one being better than the other. Both are equally important, it just happens to be the starting lineup that found the best chemistry.

Exactly

[Bukefal]

Of course its different, and strange for him, but as for being pissed, no i dont think so, why would he.

[PeterBurns]

Heard that Parker is not thrilled, but continues to warm up to the idea. Doesn't help when the French media is in his ear and they keep asking questions about why their star isn't starting.

He's playing clutch minutes. If he can continue to shelve the ego for the team, i'll completely change my mind on him. I think after 07, he turned into a bit of a primadonna

[DAF86]

And I expect him to be placed in the starting line-up if we get into a 0-2 hole. Maybe even after game 1 depending on how the game develops.

[EricB]

Heard that Parker is not thrilled, but continues to warm up to the idea. Doesn't help when the French media is in his ear and they keep asking questions about why their star isn't starting.

He's playing clutch minutes. If he can continue to shelve the ego for the team, i'll completely change my mind on him. I think after 07, he turned into a bit of a primadonna

epic fail

[Pauleta14]

Of course its different, and strange for him, but as for being pissed, no i dont think so, why would he.

He IS pissed! no doubt about that!

But he wants to win, he respect Pop's decisions, he is happy to have another effective weapon in the team in George...

He just doesn't say/show anything for the better of the team, props to him!

But I'm sure he is pissed or at least offended...

In a recent interview, he said his dad reminded him that it's a "what have you done lately for me?" business...
It show that he was expecting more conciderations from the FO/Fans/medias.. regarding what he has done/achieve over the last 9 years...

Anyway, either you like or dislike him (TP homers/haters ), you can only being impressed by his behavior, he is really a consumate professional/teamate/champion

By the way, I like the fact that he seems to go "under the radar" from most of the medias (expect K Smith on TNT), I ^redict a good series against the Suns for him!

[mavsfan1000]

Parker would benefit more from starting against Nash as Dragic is a better defender off the bench. But the depth makes a difference and Hill can still score. Just in different ways.

[sonic21]

Parker is pissed, he even said he will play this summer if he's not starting soon.

[mavsfan1000]

Parker is pissed, he even said he will play this summer if he's not starting soon.

The team gels better with George Hill as the starter as the ball goes through Manu more and George Hill spreads the floor better. Parker needs to understand why him coming off the bench for instant offense would make this team better than wasting away possessions that could hurt Manu's rhythm as well as spacing as Parker is not a reliable 3 point shooter.

[Bukefal]

Parker is pissed, he even said he will play this summer if he's not starting soon.

Where and when did he say that?

Anyway, of course its not nice to hear you arent starting and its different but no, i dont think he is really pissed. Because he is seeing its working for now, he knows its pop decision, they know eachother, he respects it, he wants what's good for the team, tony understands that. And he knows its not for ever going to be like this.

[spursfan09]

I have a feeling Parker woould play for the national team no matter if he starts or not

[Juanobili]

I heard him say "I'll do whatever Pop wants to win" with my own ears

so I hope Tony really means it