Monroe: Spurs Notebook: Spurs' Parker: I've got to be myself

[duhoh]

So Parker plays well and the people are unhappy.


You people are some miserable s.

People always have something to complain about around here

[Parker2112]

Some of us just see the big picture a little more clearly...mainly that Tony's scoring-first style has the potential to compromise the success of this team during the second season.

Regular season stats, win records, all-star appearances, mvp awards, and beating the Clips at home don't amount to everything.

It's not about last night...it's about positioning yourself for a strong playoff run. Anyone who has followed the Spurs through the le stretch knows that in order for us to have a shot, the whole team needs to be gelling by the last month of the season. That takes teamwork, it can't be done by one player alone. No one Spur has ever been able to carry this team alone. TD has come the closest though

Tony blazed through the regular season last year. He abused defenses like there was no tomorrow. We won the division. And we flamed out in the first round.

Sorry, that may be what you want to see from our team but not me.

[Ibanezsr]

Some of us just see the big picture a little more clearly...mainly that Tony's scoring-first style has the potential to compromise the success of this team during the second season.

Regular season stats, win records, all-star appearances, mvp awards, and beating the Clips at home don't amount to everything.

It's not about last night...it's about positioning yourself for a strong playoff run. Anyone who has followed the Spurs through the le stretch knows that in order for us to have a shot, the whole team needs to be gelling by the last month of the season. That takes teamwork, it can't be done by one player alone. No one Spur has ever been able to carry this team alone. TD has come the closest though

Tony blazed through the regular season last year. He abused defenses like there was no tomorrow. We won the division. And we flamed out in the first round.

Sorry, that may be what you want to see from our team but not me.

Last year's bench was non-existant... so comparing this team to last year will do no justice. I don't think Parker being aggresive will compromise anything if the right combinations are being used. I think having Parker out there with Duncan, Bogans, & Blair won't hurt a thing. Only thing I would change is start Mason over Jefferson. Jeff is better suited to play with Hill and Gino... TP should only play about 30-34 mins a game... Switching the different types of offense up will only work in SA's advantage as it's harder to defend consistently..

[DAF86]

Parker is a scoring guard, and that's what he has to do if he tries to do something else he'll continue to suck.

[Parker2112]

Last year's bench was non-existant... so comparing this team to last year will do no justice. ..

Your point is that this year we have a deeper team...all the more reason to shelve the TP one-man-gang theory

I don't think Parker being aggresive will compromise anything if the right combinations are being used. I think having Parker out there with Duncan, Bogans, & Blair won't hurt a thing. Only thing I would change is start Mason over Jefferson. Jeff is better suited to play with Hill and Gino... TP should only play about 30-34 mins a game... Switching the different types of offense up will only work in SA's advantage as it's harder to defend consistently..

this might help matters, and I like the angle, but it is hard to justify why we need to put all our other scorers (manu, mason, RJ) on the bench to compensate for Tony's play on the starting squad. Seems like a bad compromise to me.

[Ibanezsr]

Your point is that this year we have a deeper team...all the more reason to shelve the TP one-man-gang theory



this might help matters, and I like the angle, but it is hard to justify why we need to put all our other scorers (manu, mason, RJ) on the bench to compensate for Tony's play on the starting squad. Seems like a bad compromise to me.

My point is TP needs to be the player he is used to being... Last yr he dished out 7 assists a game with a crappy supporting cast (that's not horrible)... Why not just let him be instead of trying to change him into a PG he will not be/nor cares to be? His passing abilities are nowhere near the Nash/Paul/Billups type so why force it?

I stated that I wanted Mason to start so it wouldn't be putting him on the bench. I like Gino on the bench just because Pop is not going to play him more than 25 mins a game anyway so starting him only to sit him for a while would be counter-productive. Jefferson is new and needs to learn the ropes... Let him do that on the bench against the 2nd tier players of the NBA. Once he proves he can play/create a niche with SA I have no problem starting him... Bottom line is Pop is limiting everyone's minutes anyway. Tim is at 32 mins a game, TP 31 mins a game and Gino at 24 mins a game. They will all get those minutes so I just don't see a reason to try to force TP into something he is not. Supposedly he is a "passing" PG this year so far but his assists are down from last yr by 1.2 a game.. It would be one thing if he was playing 48 mins a game but he is not....

[Parker2112]

My point is TP needs to be the player he is used to being... Last yr he dished out 7 assists a game with a crappy supporting cast (that's not horrible)... Why not just let him be instead of trying to change him into a PG he will not be/nor cares to be? His passing abilities are nowhere near the Nash/Paul/Billups type so why force it?

I subscribe to the 70-30 idea stated by other posters. We need the points, but we need balance as well. As for accepting TP's limitations, I think alot of guys on Golden State, Clippers, Nuggets, etc. would give the same reasons for not wanting to play team ball.

I stated that I wanted Mason to start so it wouldn't be putting him on the bench.

saw this on a reread.

I like Gino on the bench just because Pop is not going to play him more than 25 mins a game anyway so starting him only to sit him for a while would be counter-productive. Jefferson is new and needs to learn the ropes... Let him do that on the bench against the 2nd tier players of the NBA. Once he proves he can play/create a niche with SA I have no problem starting him... Bottom line is Pop is limiting everyone's minutes anyway. Tim is at 32 mins a game, TP 31 mins a game and Gino at 24 mins a game. They will all get those minutes so I just don't see a reason to try to force TP into something he is not. Supposedly he is a "passing" PG this year so far but his assists are down from last yr by 1.2 a game.. It would be one thing if he was playing 48 mins a game but he is not....

Good points, I just think our only shot at a championship comes if our starting PG can keep the offense flowing at all times...even if he is calling his own number 50% of the time. Just ask Kobe about that.

Besides, TP wearing himself out on one end leads to opposing PGs feeding on him at the other. Balance is the key.

[Ibanezsr]

I subscribe to the 70-30 idea stated by other posters. We need the points, but we need balance as well. As for accepting TP's limitations, I think alot of guys on Golden State, Clippers, Nuggets, etc. would give the same reasons for not wanting to play team ball.



saw this on a reread.



Good points, I just think our only shot at a championship comes if our starting PG can keep the offense flowing at all times...even if he is calling his own number 50% of the time. Just ask Kobe about that.

Besides, TP wearing himself out on one end leads to opposing PGs feeding on him at the other. Balance is the key.

I agree that balance is the key but I think defense out of TP is more important than offense... and is the key to a championship. SA has plenty of offensive weapons. They are putting up 102 a game with everyone not named "Duncan" playing inconsistently... It would be great if TP was putting up 10-12 assists a game but it's not going to happen... And I can live with that.. But if he can't hold his own playing defense then he should get no more than 30 minutes a game... I can't live with his horrible defense...

[Parker2112]

I agree that balance is the key but I think defense out of TP is more important than offense... and is the key to a championship. SA has plenty of offensive weapons. They are putting up 102 a game with everyone not named "Duncan" playing inconsistently... It would be great if TP was putting up 10-12 assists a game but it's not going to happen... And I can live with that.. But if he can't hold his own playing defense then he should get no more than 30 minutes a game... I can't live with his horrible defense...

Honestly, if he's playing D I can live with a shoot first mentality. It becmes hard to take when I see guys standing around watching him, and then getting asked to bust their but on the other end. For guys like bogans, thats a given on some nights. But for others, the team suffers when they aren't firing on all cylinders. And then there are nights when a guy like Theo can get into double digits.

I remember too many stakes being driven into the heart of the opposing team, both in the playoffs and the finals, by a non-star. Avery. Kerr. Fisher. Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Lu ck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_. Horry. The reason? Because when it counts the opposition is going to have the talent to take away your first, second, and maybe third option. That's why we need to keep these role players contributing...so they are in place at season's end, with the confidence to take a key shot. That is also why Parker must learn to shift gears on the fly...so we don't live and die by his hand alone. When teams force someone else to beat them, TP needs to let someone else do the job. He hasn't shown the capacity to flip the switch at the right time in the past. That is why his interview remarks worry me...

[slayermin]

If he was a good three point shooter and more consistent from 18 feet, he would be unstoppable. And the Spurs would be unbeatable. But his outside shot isn't there yet.

He should continue to develop his playmaking skills because his perimeter game is still a work in progress. He has to realize that if he gets Jefferson going, it opens things up for himself.

[The Truth #6]

In another article he mentioned trying to diversify his game, but it was focused on improving his 3 point shot. It's frustrating that he sees passing as being passive.

Having said that, I think it's worth waiting to see how he plays now that he's no longer trying to be a distributor. I hope his only problems this year are that he's pouting because he's being asked to pass the ball. If last year's dominant Parker returns then the team can adapt around that. I think he's blaming his occasionally poor play on the new role being asked of him, and not other factors such as not being as quick as he used to be or focusing on defense like in years past.

If he can return to excellence this will help the team find its iden y with the first team being led by Parker and Duncan, and the second unit being led by Manu, Hill, and RJ. The team can't keep trying to find its iden y as the season goes along. If Tony feeling comfortable with his traditional role makes things click, then I'll live with that.

[Ibanezsr]

Honestly, if he's playing D I can live with a shoot first mentality. It becmes hard to take when I see guys standing around watching him, and then getting asked to bust their but on the other end. For guys like bogans, thats a given on some nights. But for others, the team suffers when they aren't firing on all cylinders. And then there are nights when a guy like Theo can get into double digits.

I remember too many stakes being driven into the heart of the opposing team, both in the playoffs and the finals, by a non-star. Avery. Kerr. Fisher. Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Lu ck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_. Horry. The reason? Because when it counts the opposition is going to have the talent to take away your first, second, and maybe third option. That's why we need to keep these role players contributing...so they are in place at season's end, with the confidence to take a key shot. That is also why Parker must learn to shift gears on the fly...so we don't live and die by his hand alone. When teams force someone else to beat them, TP needs to let someone else do the job. He hasn't shown the capacity to flip the switch at the right time in the past. That is why his interview remarks worry me...

TP has always worried me. Not a big fan of his...

[I. Hustle]

When Tony does badass we do badass.

[NFGIII]

There's nothing wrong with Tony being himself, IMHO... I would just play Mason instead of RJ on the starting lineup and bring RJ off the bench...

Agreed. This is something that I've considered lately - switching RJ with Mason while letting TP just be himself. RJ would feast on the league's 2nd units and would also have Manu out there feeding him. Manu has no problem passing first while it seems that TP gets out of sync when he attempts that.

Parker is a scoring guard, and that's what he has to do if he tries to do something else he'll continue to suck.

Ditto. Regardless of who is at fault it seems that TP isn't going to be the type of PG that CP3 or Nash are. Frankly I think TP needs to distribute more but for some reason he just doesn't play as well when he does this. So if he continues to suck while being a pass first PG then maybe it's time to scrap that and let him return to his old form. We need Ws and not excuses as to what player isn't doing his job the "right" way. It seems that for TP to be effective he needs to score first and pass second. This is his "right" way of playing. If this is what Pop and the Spurs are going to have to live with then see the first point above about a possible lineup change.

[portnoy1]

Agreed. This is something that I've considered lately - switching RJ with Mason while letting TP just be himself. RJ would feast on the league's 2nd units and would also have Manu out there feeding him. Manu has no problem passing first while it seems that TP gets out of sync when he attempts that.



Ditto. Regardless of who is at fault it seems that TP isn't going to be the type of PG that CP3 or Nash are. Frankly I think TP needs to distribute more but for some reason he just doesn't play as well when he does this. So if he continues to suck while being a pass first PG then maybe it's time to scrap that and let him return to his old form. We need Ws and not excuses as to what player isn't doing his job the "right" way. It seems that for TP to be effective he needs to score first and pass second. This is his "right" way of playing. If this is what Pop and the Spurs are going to have to live with then see the first point above about a possible lineup change.

So whats better? TP being his old self and looking for his shot, while an athletic/ multi-talented overpayed player like RJ watches and waits behind the 3pt line. TP took the first quarter of a few games and looked for his teammates, racked up assist and did his thing for the rest of the game. It was easy after that cause all his teammates RJ/Dice/Bogans had it going and were in a good rythym offensively. 1 qtr is a very small sacrifice for TP. Even Kobe/Jordan learned that no matter how good you are, you need teammates. Each of them took the first qtr of games and got the other guys involved. TP is not kobe or Jordan. And besides he is a PG, the other 2 were SG's.

[hater]

When Tony does badass we do badass.

exactly.

when Tony scores 25+pts we probably win 90% of games.

[DPG21920]

It is not even about balance to me. In my mind, there is not a golden ratio. I want TP to take a lot of shots, because he is usually our best scorer. But even though it is not about balance, it is about decision making. Like blackjack said, he can definitely be a score first PG, that is good for the Spurs, but there are times that he has to make the right decision. That will be the difference. Get people the ball when it is optimal. Be a personality controller as well as a game controller. If RJ leaks out on a break, get it to him. Those times in the game where it is absolutely the right basketball play to give it up, regardless of position, is what TP needs to focus on.

[sa_kid20]

It is not even about balance to me. In my mind, there is not a golden ratio. I want TP to take a lot of shots, because he is usually our best scorer. But even though it is not about balance, it is about decision making. Like blackjack said, he can definitely be a score first PG, that is good for the Spurs, but there are times that he has to make the right decision. That will be the difference. Get people the ball when it is optimal. Be a personality controller as well as a game controller. If RJ leaks out on a break, get it to him. Those times in the game where it is absolutely the right basketball play to give it up, regardless of position, is what TP needs to focus on.

I agree. Tony needs to get out of the mentality of ''ok I need to try to pass more this game'' or ''I need to be more aggressive this game'' and just play basketball. If he takes what the D gives him and makes the right basketball play (either passing or scoring) this team can be scary good. I just hate it when he unnecessarily forces things. Especially with the talent he has around him this year.

[The Truth #6]

His approach to these two styles does seem sort of caveman like. There's a whole world of options in between. I'm keeping fingers crossed Tony will still integrate the best of both options, and that even if he's looking for his shot he keeps others involved, and not just Tim.

[senorglory]

Do you guys know how hard it is to find a clip of Revenge of the Nerds where they're all sitting around listening to the accordian version of "I Gotta Be Me?"

[HarlemHeat37]

I'd much rather Tony look to score..

people just have to stop asking for Parker to become a playmaker..he's a poor passer for his position, he just doesn't have the mentality..it's not something that you can develop..he doesn't have the passing ability and he doesn't have the court vision..he DOES have a great ability to score however, and he should focus on that..

If Pop gets back to calling out more plays, we'll be better off IMO..he should be the one getting plays for RJ to get him involved, we shouldn't be relying on Tony to call the plays, that's just not his style..

[Blackjack]

I just want Tony Parker to be Tony Parker, I'm not looking for him to be Nash, Kidd or even Paul. The guy is what he is and what he is, is damn good.

I'm not sure if he's playing more hurt than he'll let on or if comments like the ones in this piece are indicative of a weak approach he's taken this year, but, bottom-line, he's not getting it done.

Whether it be when to turn down and use screens, how far he needs to penetrate, getting his passes on the mark, being strong with the ball, and just his overall decision-making, (to say nothing of the defensive end) he's been just off the mark in all phases; the guy was second to only Paul last year for players at the position and, at times, was looking like a mini Wade. We know the guy's capable, he's just not getting it done.. for whatever reason.

Chemistry issues are obviously inherent any time there's this much roster-turnover for a team, but the digression in Tony's play is baffling; the guy's just been give more weapons than he's ever had to work with, and he looking like he's some kind of pacifist.

He's got the tools with which to work and the ability to utilize them to his and the team's advantage, it's time he stopped doing his Kobe impersonation (i.e.: I'm supposed to get the players involved so I tried to get them involved -- by completely abandoning my offensive game.) and starts just being a basketball player; let the action dictate the play and never allow yourself to become just another guy out there.

An upgraded roster really shouldn't be a burden; there's no reason Tony Parker can't be Tony Parker, just in a little more efficient and less stressful manner.

[it's me]

in other words, dude is ing pathetic passing the rock.... so he has to go back to his "own self"... take advantage of Duncan's greatness....

an awesome player but a sorry ass POINTGUARD.... just imagine Tim's carrier stats with a real pointguard..... would be world recordish

[ducks]

Some of us just see the big picture a little more clearly...mainly that Tony's scoring-first style has the potential to compromise the success of this team during the second season.

Regular season stats, win records, all-star appearances, mvp awards, and beating the Clips at home don't amount to everything.

It's not about last night...it's about positioning yourself for a strong playoff run. Anyone who has followed the Spurs through the le stretch knows that in order for us to have a shot, the whole team needs to be gelling by the last month of the season. That takes teamwork, it can't be done by one player alone. No one Spur has ever been able to carry this team alone. TD has come the closest though

Tony blazed through the regular season last year. He abused defenses like there was no tomorrow. We won the division. And we flamed out in the first round.

Sorry, that may be what you want to see from our team but not me.

duncan and manu were hurt
manu did not play dumbass
spurs have rj now incase manu craps out again like ususally lately

[dbestpro]

Its crazy. We are suppose to start 4 guys with Parker that don't need to score to be effective so Parker can be effective. Here's an idea that is just as crazy. Start Manu and Hill and bring Parker off the bench. He can do all the scoring he wants on the second unit and he won't get torched as much by second string point guards.