After 25 games, Is Parker a top 20 NBA player ?

[Clipper Nation]

Yes, he's one of the top 20 fattest s in the league. Also, one of the top 20 choke artists and team cancers as well.

[SpursFan86]

One thing to note: he's shooting almost 65% from 16-23 feet this year...which needless to say isn't going to hold (his career high from that distance is 45.9% in 2013). However from 10-16 feet he's shooting below his career averages, so he will probably see an increase there.

As I said, I'd be very surprised if he continues to shoot at a 60+ TS% clip this season. But even if that number falls in the 55-57 range, it'd be a massive improvement over where he was at last year...especially when you throw in his improved defense. I said going into the season that I'd be happy if he could at least get back to where he was during the 2013-2014 regular season, and that seems like a realistic possibility now

[G-Dawgg]

Put him on a different team and I guarantee you would see him shine. On the Spurs, he has to play a role. On another team, he'd be a killer....

[Kikoluna]

Lol este vato. You mean Chubbs? Top 20? This has to get more fire than my kobe to spurs

[houston spurs fan]

I really hate lists like this because it's all apples and oranges. Don't think you can compare him to other point guards or players. What I think we can all agree on is that TP is the right point guard for this veteran team, he is playing well, and is making smart decisions. We need him to be Jason Kidd this year, not TP 2007. He's orchestrating. You've got new guys, guys with new roles, and it's Tony's job (and Manu with the 2nd unit) to make it all go. He's doing a great job so far...

[GSH]

One thing to note: he's shooting almost 65% from 16-23 feet this year...which needless to say isn't going to hold (his career high from that distance is 45.9% in 2013). However from 10-16 feet he's shooting below his career averages, so he will probably see an increase there.

The thing is, he doesn't shoot very many shots from that 10-16 foot distance. The last few seasons, he shot about 25% of his shots from 0-3 feet. This season he's shooting about 37 of his shots in the paint. That is a HUGE change. He's shooting a lot fewer 3's than last season, and a lot fewer from 3-10 feet. It's the fact that he is taking a lot more shots all the way to the rack is the reason his numbers look so much better.

[SpursFan86]

The thing is, he doesn't shoot very many shots from that 10-16 foot distance. The last few seasons, he shot about 25% of his shots from 0-3 feet. This season he's shooting about 37 of his shots in the paint. That is a HUGE change. He's shooting a lot fewer 3's than last season, and a lot fewer from 3-10 feet. It's the fact that he is taking a lot more shots all the way to the rack is the reason his numbers look so much better.

Well my main point was that his mid-range shooting (shooting 65% from that 16-23 feet range, and over a quarter of his attempts come from there) won't hold up, so naturally his overall efficiency is due for a drop.

But you're right in that a larger % of his attempts are coming at the rim, and he's also finishing at the rim better compared to last year. Shooting around 63% there (career average is 65%), whereas last season he was just under 60%. I imagine some of that has to do with Aldridge providing more spacing than Splitter, as well as Parker just in general looking healthier and more like his old self this year.

[TheMulletMan3000]

Who cares? As long as he keeps playing like he has been I'll be happy.

[From Downtown]

my RIP thread made wonders on his karma... let's hope this thread won't jinx him

Are you hater in disguise?

[TheGreatYacht]

IMO he is the best PG in the NBA right now, and I'm 200% convinced he will be even better in the playoffs

You POS

[Lostwingman]

I just hope he stays this productive through the playoffs. If we had this Parker last playoffs we probably repeat.

[Spurtacular]

Basically, the question is if you had to draft a team (for a year), would you take Parker top 20? I don't think there'd be many takers.

[K...]

Basically, the question is if you had to draft a team (for a year), would you take Parker top 20? I don't think there'd be many takers.

I would. Veteran leadership. No drama (compared to harden).

I mean he's obv ranked 20-30. You have curry above everyone, but now you get some pretty bad quality guards after the top ten.

I mean better than?

19. Deron Williams, Dallas Mavericks
18. Reggie Jackson, Detroit Pistons
17. Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves
16. Ty Lawson, Houston Rockets
15. George Hill, Indiana Pacers
14. Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans
13. Jeff Teague, Atlanta Hawks

[SpursFan86]

I would. Veteran leadership. No drama (compared to harden).

I mean he's obv ranked 20-30. You have curry above everyone, but now you get some pretty bad quality guards after the top ten.

I mean better than?

19. Deron Williams, Dallas Mavericks
18. Reggie Jackson, Detroit Pistons
17. Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves
16. Ty Lawson, Houston Rockets
15. George Hill, Indiana Pacers
14. Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans
13. Jeff Teague, Atlanta Hawks

Well OP is talking about a top 20 player in the NBA, not just top 20 at the PG position. Obviously Parker has played like a top 20 (probably top 10) PG this year.

[will_spurs]

Defensive metrics are one thing, and they're indeed probably overrated. But I don't think Tony's defensive stats were really outstanding even when playing with strong D. So one part of it is that his metrics improved, and the other part is the eye test and it's quite obvious his D is much improved.

Actually there's never been any reason for him to be a bad defender (and I'd say he's been underrated in terms of D over his career) but clearly having to shoulder less of the load on O means he can spend some energy on D. It's quite hard to be playing at top efficiency at both ends of the floor. Very few players manage that. Now his play is more balanced between O and D, and he's still incredibly efficient on O even when given few opportunities (another aspect that's underrated, he doesn't need to take 20+ shots a game like Westbrook for his presence to be felt or his shooting % to be so high).

[Mr Bones]

The guy is doing everything an aging star should be doing. He's deferring to younger emerging leaders on the team, he's taking fewer shots, he's being incredibly efficient, he's focusing more on defense... Like Duncan, he is pretty much laying out the blueprint for how to age gracefully & successfully in the NBA.

[J_Paco]

Put him on a different team and I guarantee you would see him shine. On the Spurs, he has to play a role. On another team, he'd be a killer....

I don't agree with this opinion, unfortunately. Last season proved that Tony's time as an elite PG is over and playing a more cerebral, veteran "role player" role is better for his body. He just can't hold physically to be a team's number 1 option and playing big minutes (34+ per game).

That being said, Tony is proving that he's smart, unselfish and savvy enough to play a great role player role at the deepest, hardest and most compe ive position in the NBA. Now, we need to hope that his body holds up (no rolling your ankles, please) and he continues to pace himself.

He isn't a top 20 player, but definitely near or in the top 30 - 40 range of players, IMHO.

[Solid D]

Tony has played a real balanced game at both ends, so far. The ranking of 4th in FG% that Brazil mentioned is listed in a sea of Bigs where the next best G or PG is Stephan Curry at 16th. That is just not really a category for Guards. But Tony does not loaf defensively. He's played an active part of the team defense which leads the NBA.

[SnakeBoy]

The guy is doing everything an aging star should be doing. He's deferring to younger emerging leaders on the team, he's taking fewer shots, he's being incredibly efficient, he's focusing more on defense... Like Duncan, he is pretty much laying out the blueprint for how to age gracefully & successfully in the NBA.

This.

Tony has done an amazing job realizing he is no longer the head of the snake and instead focusing more energy on defense. On offense he has done a really solid job of knowing when the team needs him to be aggressive and deferring the rest of the time. Time will tell but he looks like he is now playing in a way that will allow his body to hold up over the course of the long season. I just hope he keeps it up when the playoffs come and doesn't start playing like he's having dreams of days gone by.

[Brazil]

.363 vs Clippers in 7 game playoff.

We are all in agreement that this years Parker is wayy better so far.

was not talking over a 7 games span but ok

[Spurtacular]

Defensive metrics are one thing, and they're indeed probably overrated. But I don't think Tony's defensive stats were really outstanding even when playing with strong D. So one part of it is that his metrics improved, and the other part is the eye test and it's quite obvious his D is much improved.

Actually there's never been any reason for him to be a bad defender (and I'd say he's been underrated in terms of D over his career) but clearly having to shoulder less of the load on O means he can spend some energy on D. It's quite hard to be playing at top efficiency at both ends of the floor. Very few players manage that. Now his play is more balanced between O and D, and he's still incredibly efficient on O even when given few opportunities (another aspect that's underrated, he doesn't need to take 20+ shots a game like Westbrook for his presence to be felt or his shooting % to be so high).

I disagree. I've seen Parker pick up his defense intensity in the waning moments of big games; but throughout a season or even a playoff series, his defense has never been better than average at best. Even when he was prime, this was the case. The reality is that he gives away something on defense. So, to take him top 20, one is saying he is that pivotal to an offense. I don't know that I see it that way. But given his resume, there's at least a case for it.

[T_L_P]

So Kawhi, Duncan, Tony, Aldridge are all top 20 players to you?

[Beaverfuzz]

weight loss has helped Parker immensely.

[BD24]

Not top 20, but I think every Spurs fan has to be thrilled with how much better he's looked this season compared to last. He's taking less shots (9.3 FGA per game) and when he does shoot, he's being extremely efficient. Career low in TOs, and career high in TS%. As for his assists, the raw numbers look a bit low, but per 36 they're about in line with his career averages, which is fine.

But honestly, the biggest surprise has to be his defense. The past couple of years he was a complete liability on that end and I cringed every time he was guarding someone with the ball. This year though he's actually been incredibly solid (at least by Parker standards ) defensively. Obviously it helps when you have Green/Kawhi/Aldridge/Duncan behind you helping out, but regardless, he deserves credit for making strides on that end.

I have doubts about him keeping this up all season, but if he can at least keep up the defensive effort without completely falling apart efficiency-wise (55-57 TS% would be good enough), I'll be ecstatic.

I agree with this. Particuarly the defense piece. He just seems to be putting forth much more effort on the defensive end. That is probably a result of him being less involved in the offense so he has more energy for defense. Have been really happy with his year and the Spurs so far.

If DG can ever start knocking the 3 down at a decent clip the league should watch out

[YGWHI]

I know some people have been ing that Kawhi isn't getting enough post-ups. But think what that does for Tony, having him pull the other team's best defender away from the paint.

Parker's efficiency has benefited from Kawhi's ability to draw the attention of defenses.

If you have to facilitate the offense of a player on your team, you would facilitate the offense of your best player, or the offense of your vet point guard? Kawhi is a great post up player, that's way people have been ing that the Spurs don't feed him in the post or at least exploit his favorable matchups. Utah switched, Kawhi had Neto on him and nobody passed him the ball...