Parker follows Duncan’s lead with rigorous offseason regimen

[Uriel]

For 14 NBA seasons, Tony Parker’s offseason training consisted of little more than standard basketball work — getting in shape, honing his shooting stroke, building stamina. That was good enough to become one of the league’s better point guards, a six-time All-Star and a pillar of four championship teams.Not anymore.

Having just turned 33, coming off an disappointing season in which a rare summer off from international duty did nothing to alleviate the same batch of strains and pulls that have bothered him in recent years, Parker knows he needs to step up his efforts if he is to remain effective over the twilight of his career.

Taking a page from the Book of Tim Duncan, his seemingly ageless teammate, Parker said Wednesday that, since June 1, he’s been running, lifting and even boxing under the guidance of team strength and conditioning coach Anthony Falsone.

That will carry through through late July, when Parker reports for duty with France as it attempts to defend its le at the European championship in September. NBA training camps will open shortly after, giving Parker precious little downtime. But in his mind, he’s already had more than enough vacation since the Spurs’ first-round ouster on May 2 at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers.

“I only took three weeks off,” Parker said. “Very different from last year. Because I played so much, everybody was telling me I needed to rest after we won last year. I felt like I took maybe too much off. My mentality is a lot different. I feel like I have to rebuild my body and make sure I don’t get all the little inflammations, all the little injuries I had. I’m very excited about it. I’ve been working out since June 1 so hopefully it will pay off with Le Bleus and I will be in shape when I come in camp.”

“Just being on the track, lifting with our strength coach. I do some boxing; it’s fun. I never did a fitness program like that before. I talked a lot with Pop (Gregg Popovich) and RC (Buford) about what I can do to make sure I finish my career on a high. And so they know I’m committed, and I’ll do everything I can to be in shape, like Timmy. Timmy has been great at the end of his career, changing his preparation.

“I’ll do the same thing.”

Parker skipped last year’s FIBA World Cup, a welcome respite from a grueling schedule in which he played pretty much year-round, with the Spurs and his native France, for four straight years. It mattered little as he missed 14 games, and was frequently limited physically even when available.

The biggest issue, Parker said, was a nagging hamstring issue that led to a variety of other lower-leg issues. As a result, Parker — who entered the NBA in 2001-02 at 19 — averaged just 14.4 points and 4.9 assists last season, his lowest output since the earliest years of his career. His Player Efficiency Rating also fell for a second straight campaign, from a near career-high 23.0 in 2012-13 to last year’s 15.9, barely above the league average of 15.0.

Those struggles carried into the postseason, where Parker averaged 13.0 points and shot 36.3 percent while being soundly outplayed by rival Chris Paul.

“(The hamstring) was the main problem,” Parker said. “I never had that in 14 years in the league. It was very weird, like severe. I’ve had little things. But this was severe. For almost three months it bothered me. And then it was the Achilles, and it messed up everything else. But I’m excited. You have to put it in perspective. I’ve played in the league for 14 years, and I played (with France) every summer. I’ve been very lucky. I’m not trying to complain. I feel very blessed and it just gives me a lot of motivation for this summer to come back strong.”

Parker has endured a massive workload during his career, playing more than 40,000 minutes over 1,274 games with the Spurs (1,211) and France (63). He reiterated his plans to retire from international play following the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, a gentleman’s agreement with Popovich and owner Peter Holt before signing his most recent contract extension.

But even without those extra duties, Parker would reach astronomical totals if he is to reach his goal of playing for another five or six seasons. (He’s already eighth with 203 career playoff games, and his 1,008 in the regular season are 16th among point guards, and tied for 107th overall.)

Given his age and all that mileage, a return to peak form is improbable at best. But with a more rigorous approach to his conditioning, Parker hopes to enjoy a more gradual decline — and perhaps even stave it off altogether for at least a few more years.

“I don’t really have a target,” he said of his on-court effectiveness. “I don’t look at it like that. I didn’t think I’d have a career like this when I first arrived from France. So I’m not going to try to put a target on it. I just want to be in the best shape I can, and be as strong as I can, to finish as strong as I can because I want to play for five, six more years. I love playing basketball.

I’m very passionate about it. We have a great organization. I’m sure Pop and RC will do great this summer to get our team better and be in the mix again.”

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...en/#32417101=0

[TheGoldStandard]

So he's going to dribble less and pass more?

[Malik Hairston]

Great news, tbh..

[TheGreatYacht]

My

[MI21]

All the hatred for his performance last season aside, no trolling, no blaming etc..

This is a good thing if it's true. Players say this sort of all the time, doesn't make it true, but if Tony can come back at least fit and healthy, he is going to be a good player for the Spurs. I don't ever expect 2013 Parker but if he is at least healthy then I have no doubt he will have a decidedly better season than last.

[spurraider21]

given that his 3 year extension is about to kick in, we better pray the guy can improve. last year was a disaster.

but a lot of it has to do with his mindset and decision-making, not necessarily the physical ability. certainly can't hurt to be in better shape, though

[Dex]

At this point, I'll be glad if Parker can return to form just to shut all the ing haters up around here.

[Spur|n|Austin]

At this point, I'll be glad if Parker can return to form just to shut all the ing haters up around here.

I was just thinking the same, it'd be funny to see what they had left to post.

[spursparker9]

I will remain skeptical for now

[TheGoldStandard]

At this point, I'll be glad if Parker can return to form just to shut all the ing haters up around here.

If he can come back and be effective I'll happily eat crow because if not the Spurs will have to consider major changes to their foundation while guys like Tim and Manu walk after next season

[look_at_g_shred]

Have yall seen the video? Dude looks slim already! He also says that he's confident in Pop and Rc to improve the team this summer.

[Ice009]

All the hatred for his performance last season aside, no trolling, no blaming etc..

This is a good thing if it's true. Players say this sort of all the time, doesn't make it true, but if Tony can come back at least fit and healthy, he is going to be a good player for the Spurs. I don't ever expect 2013 Parker but if he is at least healthy then I have no doubt he will have a decidedly better season than last.

I agree with you man. This is very good to hear. He may not reach that 2013 form again, but being healthy and in great shape, can and will make a big difference IMO.

[RD2191]

Parker needs to learn how to run the point from Manu. He isn't going to get faster or stronger at his age. What he needs to do is become a real PG. Look to pass first and only shoot if he has no other option. It's pretty embarrassing that 37 year old Manu has more assist off of the bench on a regular basis.

[apalisoc_9]

His body won't change his ego.

If he tries to to average more than 12ppg a game next year and not adjust, he's just going to be detrimental.

healthy parker might be bad news...Anything that gives parker a chance to dribble dribble is never good news.

[HI-FI]

Hopefully he stays healthier. Interesting that the extra rest didn't help. Of course resting led to excess weight so least he recognizes his body is not the same. he needs to get better at being a pure PG and work on his court vision. I know Pop wants him to be more Stocktonesque. Feels like I've been wanting this for a decade so not sure it's possible with him but let's hope he's trying.

[Sean Cagney]

Great news, tbh..

Yeah it is. No more fat ass, should be interesting.

[K...]

Good news. He admits it was a real injury unlike the fan fiction going around here.

[ducks]

If he is healthy he ca get around people and set up other people
He was really injured last year
If people are true spur fans instead of player fans
They would give tp the benefit of the doubt

[ducks]

His body won't change his ego.

If he tries to to average more than 12ppg a game next year and not adjust, he's just going to be detrimental.

healthy parker might be bad news...Anything that gives parker a chance to dribble dribble is never good news.

Yes a healthy tp would be terrible during the regular season lets wear out everyone

Ps also a healthy tp is more tradeable

[MultiTroll]

“(The hamstring) was the main problem,” Parker said. “I never had that in 14 years in the league. It was very weird, like severe. I’ve had little things. But this was severe. For almost three months it bothered me. And then it was the Achilles, and it messed up everything else. But I’m excited. You have to put it in perspective. I’ve played in the league for 14 years, and I played (with France) every summer. I’ve been very lucky. I’m not trying to complain. I feel very blessed and it just gives me a lot of motivation for this summer to come back strong.”

It "messed up everything else" and was "severe", yet the brain trust of you and Popped had you carry the offensive load and *distribute*.

apple9

His body won't change his ego.

[apalisoc_9]

Severe Injury but Kawhi and TD reduced to spectator..That makes sense....

got.

[exstatic]

Hopefully he stays healthier. Interesting that the extra rest didn't help. Of course resting led to excess weight so least he recognizes his body is not the same. he needs to get better at being a pure PG and work on his court vision. I know Pop wants him to be more Stocktonesque. Feels like I've been wanting this for a decade so not sure it's possible with him but let's hope he's trying.

Pop has NEVER said that once they set him on his current course. What Pop did was draw a line, and say that young 2001 Tony was one end, and Stockton on the other, and that the plan was to get him to the middle of the line. He reached that years ago.

[KaiRMD1]

I'll believe it when I see it from the old sport. Until then, he's Tony "Enrique" Porker

[8FOR!3]

Parker's haters are getting annoying as , hopefully he'll shut them up next year.

[LongtimeSpursFan]

His body won't change his ego.

If he tries to to average more than 12ppg a game next year and not adjust, he's just going to be detrimental.

healthy parker might be bad news...Anything that gives parker a chance to dribble dribble is never good news.

Hey. Didn't you tell everyone on Spurstalk that you were going to stop posting on here ?