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Terry mings!
The evolution of Tony Parker
Jeff McDonald
From the first day he joined the Spurs as a teenager from France, point guard Tony Parker has always been able to do two things: Drive and score. In the seven-plus seasons since, Parker has continued to add other elements to his offensive arsenal. Many of them were on display in Parker’s 55-point opus Wednesday night at Minnesota, a game the Spurs won in double-overtime:
THE TEARDROP
This was the most natural first addition to Parker’s evolving game. Instead of finishing his drive at the basket, Parker often opts to let the ball go sooner, floating it into the basket with one hand. This has become Parker’s signature shot — EA Sports had him re-create it for its NBA Live video game.
Example from 55: At the start of the second overtime, Parker connected on back-to-back teardrops to spot the Spurs a four-point lead.
THE MIDRANGE JUMPER
As opposing defenders began to play off of Parker to prevent his speed-demon drives, it left space to shoot from 15 feet out. The past couple of seasons, Parker has started making that shot.
Example from 55: With the Spurs down to their last gasp at the end of the first OT, Parker took an inbounds pass, dribbled back and to the left to avoid Minnesota’s Corey Brewer, and swished a 20-footer as time expired to extend the game.
THE LONG BALL
Parker actually came into the league firing up 3-pointers — he tried more than 150 in each of his first four seasons — but that part of his game went away as he began to remake his shooting form. Though not yet the second coming of Steve Kerr, Parker is beginning to use the long ball a bit more these days.
Example from 55: The shot clock winding down during a first-quarter possession, Parker lined up and buried a 3-point try. He hit another three-ball in the third quarter, finishing the game 2 of 3 from long range.
THE FOUL SHOT
Allegedly the simplest shot in basketball, free throws haven’t always been automatic for Parker. In 2004-05, his fourth season, Parker shot just 65 percent from the line. Today, Parker has made himself into one of the Spurs’ better foul shooters.
Example from 55: Parker made 9 of 10 free throws against the Timberwolves, including 3 of 4 in the final 19 seconds to put the game away.
SPURS SCORING OVER 50
Player 50+ Rec. High Date
George Gervin 5 4-1 63 April 9, 1978
David Robinson 3 3-0 71 April 24, 1994
Tony Parker 1 1-0 55 Nov. 5, 2008
Tim Duncan 1 0-1 53 Dec. 26, 2001
Terry mings 1 1-0 52 Jan. 31, 1990
Larry Kenon 1 1-0 51 March 30, 1980
50+: Games of 50 points or more.
Rec.: Spurs’ record in those games.
Terry mings!
I liked Terry mings.
I wish McDonald emphasized the 10 dimes.
The double-nickel was unbelievable, but the 10 assists on top of that scoring outburst was elite.
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