NBA's Tony Parker Admired at Home and Abroad

**Kori Ellis** · 03-01-2005

NBA's Tony Parker Admired at Home and Abroad
Tue Mar 1, 2005 08:06 PM ET

By Julien Pretot

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...toryID=7779017

PARIS (Reuters) - San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker is not only an ace in the NBA, he is fast becoming a style icon back home in France, where his dazzling career started eight years ago.

"He is definitely one of the most popular sportsmen in France, even if people don't necessarily know which club he plays for," said French writer Xavier Colombani, a basketball specialist.

"The way he talks, his passion for video games and his American culture have made him the young people's favorite.

"He now has his own radio show and features in several advertising campaigns in France."

The son of an American former player, also Tony Parker, the Belgium-born Parker grew up in France and started his professional career at Paris St Germain.

Already an international player, Parker won the under-18 European championship with France and was voted the tournament's most valuable player.

After a disappointing second season with PSG, he was selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round (28th pick overall) of the 2001 NBA draft.

"It is the team I wanted to go to. They are among the best three squads in the NBA," he said at the time.

RECORD BREAKER

At 19, Parker became the youngest man in Spurs' history to play a regular season game.

In his first season, he scored an average of 9.2 points, 4.3 assists and 2.1 rebounds before bursting into the limelight the following term with 15.5 points and 5.3 assists per game.

Often compared to experienced all-star Jason Kidd, he outplayed the New Jersey guard in the first games of the NBA final in 2003.

At the age of 21, Parker became the youngest starting point guard to win an NBA le since Magic Johnson in 1980.

Parker has pace, confidence and an outstanding vision of the game.

"I know I should not say this, but everything seems easy to me," he said after scoring 19 points, delivering 10 assists and grabbing eight rebounds in a 94-92 away win over the Cleveland Cavaliers last month.

Parker has extended his contract with the Spurs until 2011 after signing a 66-million-dollar deal, making him France's best-paid sportsman.

However, Parker has yet to become an all-star player.

He has been omitted from this year's all-star game in favor of team mate Manu Ginobili, who has the advantage of being more spectacular, if less influential.

BIG SHOTS

"I cannot understand why such a player has not been picked," said Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy.

"I know many good players have been omitted but Parker is the point guard of the team with the best record. I don't understand because he is very, very, very good."

Parker has been named by USA Today NBA specialist David DuPree as "the most underrated player in the NBA."

"Parker runs the show," he wrote in a column in January.

"He became the starting point guard as a teenager. During the last three seasons the Spurs have won more games than any other team in the league, in large part because of Parker.

"He makes big shots, runs the screen-and-roll play with Duncan as well as any two players in the league and is a fearless compe or at 6-2 and 175 pounds."

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is a great admirer. "You don't become a leader overnight. You are a leader or you are not," Popovich said.

"Tony understands what we expect from him. He's been asked a lot since he's started but he has now become the guard we wanted him to be."

**whottt** · 03-01-2005

This is a great article with some very high praise for Parker.

Van Gundy isn't his only fan, I have heard Mike Dunleavy say some nice things about him also. I do get a little nervous when I hear Van Gundy praising him so much, it makes me go and check to make sure that he really does have a longterm contract with us.

What's really cool is that you can slowly see Pop gaining more and more respect and trust for Parker...he really hasn't been on his case as much this season. He's said some nice things about him in this article...and on his Malik memorial show last week he said something like, "no one on this team gets tougher treatment from me than Tony Parker". It's good to see Pop giving Tony props.

I agree that Parker might be the most under-rated player in the NBA...because of his D...he really has turned into a mini Bowen.

The scary thing is...Tony obviously has confidence...but I don't think he realizes how good he is...when he does realize it, there won't be any stopping him.

This kid has seen just about everything you can see in the NBA, he's one of the most complete skilled and playoff tested players in the NBA...and he's still younger than some rookies.

**timvp** · 03-01-2005

If Tony can play an entire playoffs like he's playing right now and the Spurs win the championship, I think he'll soon be regarded as one of the better players in the league.

**ChumpDumper** · 03-01-2005

He is definitely one of the most popular sportsmen in France, even if people don't necessarily know which club he plays for

Dammit, the team he's on is half the reason he's this good, this soon.

**ducks** · 03-01-2005

but pop you had to go after kidd first then oneal
I mean if spurs had landed oneal they would not have gotten rasho but they would have been set

hopefully tim duncan will pick it up a notch and tp will stay the same
actaully manu needs to pick it up he is the one that is not on par after the all star game

timvp the media only cares about james and his birthday and everything else
could care less about parker

**whottt** · 03-01-2005

Originally Posted by timvp

If Tony can play an entire playoffs like he's playing right now and the Spurs win the championship, I think he'll soon be regarded as one of the better players in the league.

He pulled a double team out of Phil Jackson last season...I don't think I've ever seen Phil double a PG before...especially with a guy like Duncan drawing extra defensive attention...if that doesn't show how special Parker is I don't know what does.

That double stopped him last year after he was the best player on the court in the first two games...Tony's pattern has been to struggle with something the first time he experiences it, and then to figure it out and overcome it...first it was his shooting, then his passing, then his consistency and D...I have a feeling he's going to do a lot better the next time a double gets thrown on him in the playoffs. I don't think he'll try to force the issue next time...

**pjjrfan** · 03-01-2005

I know the kid is tough, tough as nails, this is something many people don't give him credit for, I love Manu's tenacity and toughness but Tony is a step behind him if not up there with him. Neither of these two guys get any breaks from the refs, yet Tony keeps getting up and bringing it again and again. Tony is getting better and better, I still think he dribbles the ball too much at times and tends to force things, but when he gets it going he tough to stop, last night there was play where he got a rebound and dribbled past James, Ilguaskas and half the Cav team as if they were all in slow motion, his speed and quickness make him a potential superstar if he can corral the mental aspects of his position. He can do so many things, but at times it seems he gets stuck on one thing trying to penetrate and put up a shot, but he has consistently improved every year, and at 22 the sky is the limit with this kid.

**JUUOT** · 03-01-2005

whott is putting the right way. the reason this player is a phenomenon is because he never accept a fail, he overcomes it the next time. It is the reason all the people that trhink he is at his top are from from reality. this is the kind of player whose game will evolve along his career. this french men is like good wine getting better with age...
i can't wait the play off!

**SequSpur** · 03-01-2005

Tony Parker is great. I only hope Pop someday finds someone to have his back when he has those infrequent off nights. Pop is still jacking around with backup point guards.

**boutons** · 03-02-2005

"Van Gundy isn't his only fan"

And remember Hubie's comment in after Tony tore up the Grizz in 04 playoffs, something like Tony "finishing well, and finishing right in the face of and over your big men".

**whottt** · 03-02-2005

Dunleavy's comments were even more brutal...I can't remember what he said verbatim, but it was after a loss and basically he said...I wish I had a real PG like Tony Parker...Totally dissing his own PG.

**ChumpDumper** · 03-02-2005

Did Dunleavy have any PG at the time? Lots of injuries.

**milkyway21** · 03-02-2005

[QUOTE=Kori Ellis]..."I cannot understand why such a player has not been picked," said Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy.

"I know many good players have been omitted but Parker is the point guard of the team with the best record. I don't understand because he is very, very, very good."QUOTE]

..bec. 3 spots went to the "incredible 3" from the Phoenix Suns who had done nothing in the ASG... :p

**whottt** · 03-02-2005

Yeah his PG was healthy I believe and Parker tore him up. He was definitely dissing his own PG. I can't remember if it was at the beginning of this season or last season, but it was after a game in SA. I think the guy that played PG that game was the one that was Manu's old teamate...can't remember the guys name...the big PG.

It wasn't Brunson though. Brunson actually was a pain.

**timvp** · 03-02-2005

Marko Jaric. I don't remember the comment.

Link?

**whottt** · 03-02-2005

It wasn't in the paper...Elliott talked about it on the broadcast after it happened.

Trust me...I didn't just pull Dunleavy's name out of my ass. And it WAS a diss because Dunleavy was pissed at his teams(and especially his PG's) effort.

**ChumpDumper** · 03-02-2005

Dunleavy thinks Marco's an SG, so that's not a huge surprise.

**whottt** · 03-02-2005

Yeah, and it was probably that game that made him think that

Seriously though, I am not 100% certain it was Jaric that played PG the game where he made that comment...but whoever it was got destroyed by Parker, and Jaric has spent some time in Dunleavy's doghouse.

And I'll tell you why the comments stuck in my head...because I have always had the impression of Dunleavy being the biggest player asskisser in the NBA...he's a big reason Portland got so out of control. I've always thought of him as a nice guy, and hearing the harshness of those comments surprised me.

**whottt** · 03-02-2005

I think this is the game right here:

Code:

Box Score
 

LA CLIPPERS (90)

                          fg    ft    rb             
                   min   m-a   m-a   o-t   a  pf   tp
C Maggette          27  7-14   4-4   2-4   1   4   19
E Brand             36  9-11   4-6  4-13   3   3   22
C Kaman             19   2-3   2-2   2-5   0   1    6
M Jaric             24   1-3   0-0   0-2   2   2    2
Q Richardson        33  4-15   0-0   0-3   2   1   10
B Simmons           23   2-6   1-3   1-7   1   2    5
D Overton           12   1-2   0-0   0-1   2   1    2
G Rice              11   1-4   2-2   0-1   1   1    4
C Wilcox            28  6-10   2-2   2-5   1   1   14
K Dooling           12   2-5   0-0   0-0   2   1    4
E House             12   1-5   0-0   0-1   3   0    2
O Polynice           3   0-0   0-0   0-0   0   0    0
  
_____________________________________________________
TOTALS             240 36-78 15-19 11-42  18  17   90
_____________________________________________________

Percentages: FG-.462, FT-.789. 3-Point Goals:
3-8, .375 (C Maggette 1-1, Q Richardson 2-4, 
G Rice 0-2, E House 0-1). Team Rebounds: 5. 
Blocked Shots:4 (E Brand 4). Turnovers:25 (C 
Maggette 5, C Kaman 5, E Brand 3, O Polynice 
2, G Rice 2, B Simmons 2, M Jaric 2, D 
Overton, Q Richardson, C Wilcox, E House). 
Steals: 8 (E Brand 3, B Simmons 3, K Dooling,
M Jaric).


SAN ANTONIO (111)

                          fg    ft    rb             
                   min   m-a   m-a   o-t   a  pf   tp
B Bowen             30   5-9   0-2   0-4   1   2   11
T Duncan            40  9-16   4-6  1-10   2   3   22
R Nesterovic        18   2-4   2-2   2-4   2   3    6
T Parker            32  9-12   0-0   0-3  14   0   19
E Ginobili          31  6-10   1-2   2-3   5   1   16
H Turkoglu           6   1-4   0-0   0-1   0   0    2
R Horry             18   4-6   1-2   0-2   2   0   11
J Hart              16   1-3   0-0   0-4   1   2    2
M Rose              14   2-5   2-4   2-4   3   2    6
R Mercer            22  5-10   0-0   0-0   0   2   10
D Brown              7   1-3   0-0   0-1   2   1    2
K Willis             6   2-2   0-0   1-2   0   0    4
  
_____________________________________________________
TOTALS             240 47-84 10-18  8-38  32  16  111
_____________________________________________________

I think that game would do it.

**Frenchise player** · 03-02-2005

The son of an American former player, also Tony Parker, the Belgium-born Parker grew up in France and started his professional career at Paris St Germain

Nothing that important but Paris St Germain is the soccer team in Paris, Tp played in the Paris Basket Racing.

**tekdragon** · 03-02-2005

Sequ is freaking amazing!

He puts a Tony Parker thread into his hat and pulls out a rabbit!

(A rabbit which immediately proceeds to piss directly on Gregg Popovich)

The Incredible Sequ, ladies and gentlemen!

**Lady M** · 03-02-2005

Originally Posted by Frenchise player

Nothing that important but Paris St Germain is the soccer team in Paris, Tp played in the Paris Basket Racing.

The first saison was PSG, the second PBR

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