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I think he'd serve better as a play maker than a scorer.
Good point about the FTs. Tony has no excuse for hitting in the 60s, not now Chip has improved his shooting technique. He gets to the line so much he has gotta start hitting his FTs.
I think he'd serve better as a play maker than a scorer.
NoneTP the playmaker or scorer?
Any word about Parker's injury?
People who keep bringing up Parker's free throw shooting should note he hit 76% from the line after the All-Star break and 81% in the postseason.
As a PG I think he should pass first then shoot or drive. Of course if the lane is open, then by all means. But for the most part I think he should set up the offense and find the open man.
I want Tony Parker to be smarter with the ball. If he is going to have it in his hands the majority of the time his decision making abilities need continual improvement.. oh and don't take on the other team 1 on 5... don't dribble the ball for 20 seconds and then force up a bad shot.. that about sums it up..
So, essentially, you don't really want him to play aggressively on the offensive end? Just set up and dish the ball?
I think the debate is fairly misplaced. Pop doesn't ask Tony to be a distributing point guard, even when Tim and Manu are completely healthy, because the offense is set up to work from Duncan out, rather than from the point guard's creativity. 4 Down draws groans (when used in excess, I understand) but what has made the Spurs effective offensively for years is throwing the rock into Timmy, having him move the defense by drawing doubles and forcing rotations behind the ball, then skipping the ball out to a shooter or a penetrator who faces less resistance because the defense is moving. Other than that, the offense largely focuses on exploiting screen and roll opportunities in which the distribution of shots is fairly equal between the ball and the screener.
The Spurs don't run a system like Phoenix does -- ignoring pace -- because Parker doesn't dominate the ball on the offensive end like Nash does (plus, Parker doesn't get as many break opportunities as Nash does). Parker gets some playmaking opportunities, but he splits those opportunities with others (mostly Manu) and then has to divide his own opportunities between creating for himself and making things work for others. I think he found a nice balance in his decision-making last season and I think that if that jumpshot improves, it's only going to make things easier for Tony.
If you want Tony to become an 8-10 assist per night guard, you're essentially arguing (I think) that the Spurs' offense needs to change. I'd disagree with that.
I'll go with loser. Tony Parker the loser.
I think Tony doesn't need to improve anything and do what he did last season. He wasn't quite stellar in the playoffs though, where it all matters. We already got a great rebounder(Timmy of course) and a playmaker(Manu). All we got to do is increase our scoring from TD and TP.
I'd take option #1. Tony would be absolutely devastating if anyone had to respect his jump shot from 19 feet and out. No more of just packing in the lane like the 2004 Lakers if Tony can hit a reasonable clip outside.
Good point Kori, hopefully he can keep that up.
Now, we need Tim to shoot like it's 2001...
Man, he shot .629 last year! Timmy, Timmy, Timmy!?
It is not only about him becoming a high assist guy, but also a low turnover kind of guy. If he isn't going to get tons of assists, he should be able to be less turnover prone.
I think Tony really either needs to reduce his TO's or improve his outside shot to the point of at least mediocrity. That doesn't just mean a decent percentage, but the ability to take volume threes and hit them at a mediocre percentage.
I am not sure which is more important -- but for some reason Parker hasn't played to his potential in about 3-4 playoffs of his short career. His FG%'s have looked decent, but that is inflated because he simply never gets to the line or hits any threes. And he also tends to turn it over more than he probably should. So if is shooting under 50% it is the equavialent of Sjax, Barry, Manu or any Spur perimeter player shooting 42-43% (because they hit more threes and get to the line at a better clip). The proper term is True Shooting Percentage.
In the past two seasons the Spurs have been about the 9th or 10th best offensive team in the league. They have three excellent scorers and offensive players -- yet they aren't really close to being elite. I think this trio should be good enough to put them into the top 5-6, while still being an easy #1 on defense. But perhaps having Bowen and other defensive first players like Rasho in the past have dragged down their offensive efficiency?
I think Parker can be even better on offense than he is. Last year he was awesome. But for some reason I get the feeling he could and needs to improve in one of those two areas (or maybe a little in both) in order have gain the confidence and consistency come playoff time.
There is no question he can be a better playoff performer than he has been so far. Perhaps he has just had bad luck and doesn't need to make any drastic improvements? Just thought I would pose the question to see where fans felt TP needed to improve most to help the team.
Parker is as gifted as anyone in terms of pure scoring at the PG spot. Yet in the playoffs he hasn't done it to his capabilities. Is it just bad luck? Is it because he doesn't have the passing game to fall back on?
I can do this one on autopilot now:
if Tony is going to cut down on turnovers, then the Spurs need to do something that will give him more options on his penetrations other than to kick out to somebody standing around behind the three-point line.
I don't care how he does it as long as we get that trophy in '07!
Well instead of traveling, or kicking it out for a turnover -- he could draw a foul more often? Or perhaps not make the tough play in traffic in the first place?
Tony's a pure offensive PG. His jumper has been improving since his first season in the league. His free throws need to improve to around 75% IMO. He should stop taking three's and focus on the long jumper.
Tony will never be like Steve Nash or John Stockton and diss out 10+ apg. He's a shooting first, pass second type of a PG. Pop knows that and I think he wants him to be like that.
Our primary offensive players are Duncan, Parker, and Manu. Those three carry the bulk of the Spurs offense. Parker had a very good season last season and if he'll do the same this comming season I will be very happy.
getting rid of nazr and rasho should help tony's turnovers
tony played well in the playoffs for the most part except for when he was hurt and you could tell
He should be a playmaker with 15 pts and 8 ast.
All TP needs to worry about is taking what the defense gives him. He needs to recognize when the D is collapsing the paint or doubling off the P&R to stop him, or when the D is staying at home on TD, Manu, and the other guys and playing him straight up. IF the D is playing him straight up then he needs to assert himself on offense and score because he can take anyone off the dribble. If the D collapses or comes with help then he needs to find the open shooter and let them convert. Just like an NFL QB has to make reads and decided what the D is giving him a smart PG has to read the D and decided what is given. TP has enough experience now to be able to make the correct reads the majority of the time.
A quick translation of what he say today about his injury in his website :
" Everything is fine. My finger was broken and bones have moved a little. I wear a splint to straighten it. In ten days, I will remove the splint. I do some running and cycling for the moement to stay in shape."
BTW, Parker is in France and should be back at SA on september 15th.
WTF?? He can't help it if he gets banged and there's no whistle (and he gets banged with no whistle as much as any guard in the league).
And if he has no shot, and the passing lanes are cut off and everybody's just standing around the perimeter, turnovers will result.
I'm not saying he doesn't need to improve his court awareness, but his teammates and the game plan have to help him out.
TP's free throws were much improved last season, to those complaining about his FTs.
That fact alone will increase his scoring average next year....
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