Sorry to say, but Tim Duncan makes Tony Parker much better.
On another team, Tony is above average player. On Tim's team, Tony is an all star.
Now, Tim needs Tony to get him easier shots. So, the relationship is a lot less one sided than before. And clearly, in 2007, Tony easily deserved the Finals MVP and there has been zero debate about that because it was so clear.
Without Tim Duncan, Tony is going to have a difficult career.
Some people seem to think Tony has HOFer locked up.
I think Tony can make it, but he has a lot of work ahead of him to justify it.
If his career continues as it has, he's borderline at best.
Manu is on even shakier ground. Manu was close on the ballots in 2005 to be Finals MVP and had a spectacular year as an all-star. He also was great in Game 4 against the Cavs in 2007 Finals to finish out the games. He also was great against the Jazz and Nuggets in helping us win those playoff series. Manu also has his international record to help him. Having won the Gold Medal and being the MVP of the Italian League (if that's no right, plz feel free to correct me).
However, his stats in the NBA are about average. And because of his last couple of years in terms of injuries, it doesn't look like he will have a lot to add to his resume for that argument (to be a HOFer).
So, the people thinking Tim had this spectacularly great group of teammates around him which is why he won and someone else didn't, are overestimating Tim's teammates and underappreciating Tim's greatness who can take above average or merely average players and make them much better.
This always has been and always will be Tim Duncan's team.
BTW, athleticism doesn't always win in 1 on 1. Bird could score against anyone and win against DRob and Tim Duncan and he was as unathletic as you could get. Just to inject a dose of reality for whott. and others.
and don't make age arguments against me. the points are valid I made even if I wasn't fortunate to see that much of David.
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