Does Current Parker Make Spurs Legit Contenders?

[Amuseddaysleeper]

When Pau first came into the league, some of the NBA bigs made some y statements about how they would handle him. (Shaq and Mourning in particular, if I remember right.) He played with a chip on his shoulder, and they quit talking about him. He's capable of being a good defender, but it seemed like that quit being a priority for him after a few years. I know he's older, but I still think he could be a lot better on D if he was motivated to do it. He became Memphis' all time leading rebounder in something like his 5th season. One of my biggest complaints this year is that I've watched him loaf on rebounding - just not make any effort at all to go after them sometimes. None.

I thought Parker was totally shot, but he's shown that he still has something left in the tank. In short spells, at least, he can still get the corner and take it to the rim.

Dedmon has some problem with fouls. I've commented that quite a few of them have actually been smart fouls - stopping auto-buckets, when the defense breaks down. But that doesn't change the fact that he's still picking up too many. He's got to learn that sometimes he has to give up two points, to be sure he can stay in the game.

IF:

If Parker can play enough minutes at a reasonably high level.
If Pau would commit to defense, and actually give something like 100% - even if it's in limited minutes.
If Danny keeps getting back to his old shooting form.
If Dedmon can stay out of foul trouble.
If Simmons improves his decision-making just a little bit, and learns to let it fly when he's wide open.
If Manu can stay healthy and rested.
If Murray can benefit from regular season minutes enough to at least be able to do cleanup duty in the playoffs.
If Kyle... oh, , I don't even want to get started on that one. Just play your best D and don't up too badly, Kyle.

COULD they contend? If everything on that list came true, then without a doubt. But not without the first two things on the list, IMO. I think the Spurs have enough raw talent, and a load of experience and basketball IQ. But Parker can't be shot, and Pau can't be complacent on D. Without those two guys playing at a higher level than, say, last year? They have zero chance of actually winning it all.

We're seeing a different Tony. Show me a different Pau, and then I'll believe. But not until then. Otherwise, I'll still cheer for them, right up until the second round exit.

GSH with the goods as always. Great post Unlike the Warriors, I don't think the Spurs have really hit their ceiling/maxed out with what they can do. So that's something to see moving forward.

[GSH]

I guess it's easy to never be wrong when you never have an actual take about basketball though, right? 90% of your posts to this forum are about Parker. Pretty sad dude.

What are you talking about? He constantly starts threads that consist of a thread le, and a ROFL emoji inside. That's not enough of a basketball take for you? I don't understand how ESPN hasn't picked him up as a columnist.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Parker's been considered a bad defender for years, but he's never been the reason the Spurs struggled in a series. People like Klay and Barnes have gone HAM on Tony, but that was what the Spurs wanted. It's not like Parker gives up a bunch of threes, which is really the concern. He's ahead of both Green and Leonard in 3P% allowed this season.

But Chinook, don't you think Parker playing far too many minutes in the Clipper series from 2015 was part of the problem in that series? I know he gets a lot of hate on here, but Mills definitely should have been getting more minutes than Tony in that series. The final 6 minutes of Game 7 from Parker were an abomination

[Chinook]

But Chinook, don't you think Parker playing far too many minutes in the Clipper series from 2015 was part of the problem in that series? I know he gets a lot of hate on here, but Mills definitely should have been getting more minutes than Tony in that series. The final 6 minutes of Game 7 from Parker were an abomination

Parker and Splitter being hurt doomed the Spurs. They probably win in five with a healthy roster.

[bklynspursfan]

Parker and Splitter being hurt doomed the Spurs. They probably win in five with a healthy roster.

Agreed. Patty was 2-6 that game, so his shot was off. Matt Barnes outplaying Kawhi that game pretty much did us in

[GSH]

If he can keep this up, I sure as like their chances better than before.

Then again, it was Denver.