How does Pop handle the Parker situation without Hurting his ego and feelings?

**Biernutz** · 07-06-2015

This is the most idiotic thread. Just a miserable, chillingly mindless premise.

you can't expect any thing else from apalisoc_9.....he is just a thread Parrot now.

**apalisoc_9** · 07-06-2015

lol moron

You're assuming he would've been inserted to dribble the air out of the basketball like Enrique does. Why not just allow him to play his role and get some of that famed Spurs ball movement going? Worked just fine for Paddy during the '14 Playoffs and anytime his number was called vs the Clippers. Not sure why you think dribbling around, without actually penetrating, and taking a low percentage midrange shot is vital in a PG.

I tell you brah, these parker fans don't like seeing spurs players play good baksetball. It must be really hard since parker never play good basketball.

**BillMc** · 07-06-2015

Originally Posted by Kawhi 5-0

Yes, Parker's status was incredibly worrisome last season. Now that CoJo is gone, we are very exposed if the same thing happens this coming year.

The main thing is not to attack the guy. Sure, many times I pondered in my head about the Spurs trading Parker (even though I think he has a no-trade clause). While his performance last year might say "trade" to the coldly analytical mind, there are other things to consider.

First, Parker might indeed be much better this season.
Second, even if he's not, he has an intangible value and a definite value of experience.

Though I was sad to see Splitter go, it was a gamble with the payoff being Aldridge. Splitter had a rough year too. Who knows, he might thrive in Atlanta.

Trading Parker (if he agreed to that) would be trading away the possibility of him coming back into form. Splitter helped us get one ring. Tony's helped us get four.

Who would have thought Duncan would have a resurgence this late in his career? Same logic goes for Parker. If he is truly dedicated this offseason, who knows what he could do this year and beyond?

There's no doubt that Tony is/was in a slump.

For the Spurs' system to work, there must be a real connection between the players. Parker's role is unusual in that he should be attacking the defense. It's only when he's successful at this that his skills set the Spurs' wonderful passing in motion. I admit, Tony looked a little lost out there last year. Perhaps he was trying to force his old role back into the system? It should go without saying that for him to be effective at attacking the defense, he must be in tip-top shape.

It's a strange double standard which has been leveled at Parker. Splitter's injury last season also caused him to miss significant time. Though some were also quick to label Splitter soft, I recall that the actual prognosis of Splitter's injury was very mysterious. I think the reason Parker has taken so much heat (much more than Splitter did) is that Tony was really damn good until last year. We're used to Parker being lightening-quick and crafty.

I do think Parker needs to learn how to adapt. Aging is inevitable. Just because he gradually becomes a different kind of player doesn't mean he has to become worse.

I'm sure it's a conundrum for Pop from a strategic point of view. How to use Parker's current skill set in combination with the other components of the offense.

Tony's got to trust his teammates on the offensive end. In some cases this means trusting other guys to pick up the scoring slack from his speed drop-off. It really is the athleticism which Parker is battling. , Kyle Anderson's battling that too and he's a young guy.

Tony's gotta play smart on the offensive and defensive ends. There's less room for error when his athleticism (primarily speed) isn't well above his compe ors. He has to be disciplined and smart in his decision making. In short, he has to be part of the team. Our last championship was a total team effort. A team can sustain losses to injury and still find a way.

I'm wishing Tony the best this year. He might be more effective off the bench, though I think he and Manu play better when they're not on the court at the same time. Patty is a great spark off the bench, but I don't know if he's the steady presence we need to start games. I think CoJo was more of that player. Patty will definitely get his chance for big minutes this year. In light of last year, I'd say a third PG is essential. I hope Kawhi is ready to take a bigger role as point forward. He has good handles and excellent speed. He just needs to be confident out there. There will be some growing pains.

Cheers to everybody,

Paul

That was another really nice post Paul. Thanks

FWIW, I don't think he has a no trade clause. They're pretty rare and I've only heard of Duncan having one among Spurs players.

It'd be great to have a discussion about how Tony should adjust his game (and minutes) as he ages. Unfortunately, when these discussions start they tend to turn into the endless Parker hate threads. Hard to believe given he's a future HOFer and one of the 5 or so best Spurs ever. Tony was All NBA only a year ago, and was considered at his peak only 2 years ago.

As has been stated many times, as Tony's speed declines he'll have to work on expanding his shooting range to give him space. It's evident he's done that. He's changed his diet and off season work habits. We'll see how this affects him. What else can he do as he ages? How did Kidd and Nash remain effective until their last 30's?

**Kawhi 5-0** · 07-06-2015

Originally Posted by BillMc

That was another really nice post Paul. Thanks

FWIW, I don't think he has a no trade clause. They're pretty rare and I've only heard of Duncan having one among Spurs players.

It'd be great to have a discussion about how Tony should adjust his game (and minutes) as he ages. Unfortunately, when these discussions start they tend to turn into the endless Parker hate threads. Hard to believe given he's a future HOFer and one of the 5 or so best Spurs ever. Tony was All NBA only a year ago, and was considered at his peak only 2 years ago.

As has been stated many times, as Tony's speed declines he'll have to work on expanding his shooting range to give him space. It's evident he's done that. He's changed his diet and off season work habits. We'll see how this affects him. What else can he do as he ages? How did Kidd and Nash remain effective until their last 30's?

Thanks Bill!

All I know is that the Spurs have successfully adapted over the years from a defense-first mentality into a team where sharing the ball is their hallmark. I could see Tony taking on more of a shooting guard role in the half-court. He's more likely to lose his man from defensive laziness on the part of the opposing team. Off-the-ball picks. Running him off multiple screens. Hopefully you get opposing PGs caught playing the play and not the man.

Of course, Parker isn't really a shooter. This would entail plays-within-plays. If Parker gets the ball as a result of his off the ball movement and he's stranded in a jump shooting situation there has to be more off the ball movement.

It just seems to me that Parker was not particularly effective in the screen-and-roll last year.

Parker should probably be looking to be a "pass first" player on offense. That would certainly be a transition for him. It comes naturally to Diaw. Manu certainly seems to relish a similar mentality. Only problem with Manu is that he seems bored unless the degree of difficulty is very high.

I think the Spurs' system is basically the an hesis of the "isolation ball" we saw from Lebron in the Finals. Granted, Cleveland didn't have a lot of options, but it's ugly to watch that kind of brute force approach. At any rate, the Spurs don't have a player as offensively dominant as James.

No doubt the offense here is going to change with Aldridge on board. Even so, ball movement still remains top priority. When the ball "sticks" in one place the defense gets a breather. Parker has to be smarter at spotting mismatches. That's the kind of quarterbacking we need from him. Our most likely mismatches will be ones with Leonard in the post and ones involving Aldridge. Duncan will have his share of mismatches. I think Tony has to realize that he will probably not be the one with the mismatch most of the time.

Parker is probably the most reliable ball-handler on the team. After a made basket by the opposing team, he should probably bring the ball up if he's in the game. In the half-court, the default should probably be getting Leonard the ball ASAP. Leonard's athleticism gives him the best chance of beating people off the dribble and causing the defense to overreact. I guess Parker would be a secondary facilitator--a pass-first off-the-ball option. Parker's more likely to beat his man off the dribble if someone's scrambling to close out on him. Tony's 3 pt. FG% was pretty good last year (even if he didn't take that many). I think Boris leverages his range well. Tony could learn some stuff from Diaw. A good ball fake and the close out man has to commit to contesting a shot or staying down. If Tony shoots an occasional 3 it will keep the defense honest. Our offense was so out of sync last year that Boris settled for too many 3s.

--Paul

**james evans** · 07-06-2015

Originally Posted by Embedded

Tony Parker has already started making the adjustment by stating it is time to pass the torch to Kawhi. You Tony Parker haters are re ed, he is doing what his coach wants him to do.

then he still refuses to pass him the ball on fast breaks.

**kaji157** · 07-06-2015

IF Leonard learns how to run an offense, and that is a BIG if, we will startup with Leonard - Aldridge pick and roll. And then whatever the defense gives you.

**TDomination** · 07-06-2015

Parker growing out the hair

**Mouth is Bleeding** · 07-06-2015

Pop is like this

**ChumpDumper** · 07-06-2015

Originally Posted by TDomination

Parker growing out the hair

fauxhawk?

**HarlemHeat37** · 07-06-2015

, growing the hair out on top is a move often done to slim the face, tbh..ugh..

**ChumpDumper** · 07-06-2015

Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

, growing the hair out on top is a move often done to slim the face, tbh..ugh..

How much are you saying Parker actually weighs now?

**HarlemHeat37** · 07-06-2015

Originally Posted by ChumpDumper

How much are you saying Parker actually weighs now?

How would I know?

**ChumpDumper** · 07-06-2015

Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

How would I know?

You study every picture of him with a jeweler's loop.

Not even a guess?

You say he's overweight -- well, how much do you think he weighs?

**cantthinkofanything** · 07-06-2015

**HarlemHeat37** · 07-06-2015

Originally Posted by ChumpDumper

You study every picture of him with a jeweler's loop.

Not even a guess?

You say he's overweight -- well, how much do you think he weighs?

noticing that he's growing his hair out(you did first, btw) is studying him?

**ChumpDumper** · 07-06-2015

Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

noticing that he's growing his hair out(you did first, btw) is studying him?

Someone else did.

You say he's overweight -- well, how much do you think he weighs?

Feel free to ask your krew for help. I know this may call for some game planning.

**HarlemHeat37** · 07-06-2015

Originally Posted by ChumpDumper

Someone else did.

You say he's overweight -- well, how much do you think he weighs?

I think he was out of shape during the season, pretty obvious IMO, not a coincidence that Parker has changed his entire off-season training regiment

..

Popovich expressed confidence Parker will bounce back next season.

"Tony didn't have the year that he wanted to have," he said. "But he's had a lot of good ones and I can tell you he's already thinking about what he wants to do with his body for next season. I'm thrilled about his outlook already after a tough loss

**ChumpDumper** · 07-06-2015

Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

I think he was out of shape during the season, pretty obvious IMO, not a coincidence that Parker has changed his entire off-season training regiment

..

Popovich expressed confidence Parker will bounce back next season.

"Tony didn't have the year that he wanted to have," he said. "But he's had a lot of good ones and I can tell you he's already thinking about what he wants to do with his body for next season. I'm thrilled about his outlook already after a tough loss

No, you have been saying all along that he is overweight.

Well, how much do you think he weighs?

**pgardn** · 07-06-2015

Originally Posted by FkLA

lol moron

You're assuming he would've been inserted to dribble the air out of the basketball like Enrique does. Why not just allow him to play his role and get some of that famed Spurs ball movement going? Worked just fine for Paddy during the '14 Playoffs and anytime his number was called vs the Clippers. Not sure why you think dribbling around, without actually penetrating, and taking a low percentage midrange shot is vital in a PG.

Read my list again ya GD squash for brains and tell me why you would use Patty at point ?Where he clearly does not belong for extended periods like Parker. If you think using Patty at point over Tony is going to solve what was clearly our weak spot in the playoffs last year, then you need not watch the games and forget the playoffs.

Once again for the mentally handicapped...

**pgardn** · 07-06-2015

Originally Posted by pgardn

You now have a PG that can't change directions adequately while dribbling, congrats.
And you will now take his off the ball ability to hit 3s.
Further you have a primary dribbler who has a great deal of trouble getting free on his own and thrives in the open court as a runner not the handler.

Excellent choice, Patty will be elated with his new role.

Refute please.