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haha
Good article Jeffy.
Headline update.
Parker burns Suns with smoking second half
Parker smokes Suns again
Jeff McDonald
Physically, Mike D’Antoni was nowhere near the AT&T Center on Sunday afternoon. He was 1,800 miles in New Jersey, preparing his New York Knicks team for a game against the Nets that would have no bearing on the Western Conference playoff race.
D’Antoni’s presence, however, was certainly felt in the building the Spurs call home, much to the chagrin of the team he used to coach.
It was felt with every mid-range jumper Tony Parker tossed in down the stretch to rebuff a Phoenix comeback and carry the Spurs to a 103-98 victory. It was felt again in Parker’s final statistical line, which looked about like most any other he’s laid on the Suns over the years: 30 points, nine assists, 13 of 22 from the field.
“It started with Mike D’Antoni, with his philosophy to go under the pick and rolls every time,” Parker said, explaining his perennial mastery of the Suns. “(Spurs coaches) always told me against Phoenix, make sure you get 15 or 20 shots, because otherwise we’re too flat and nothing’s happening.”
If Gregg Popovich can claim credit for making Shaquille O’Neal into a foul shooter, via liberal use of Hack-a-Shaq in last year’s playoffs, Parker is free to credit D’Antoni with creating the monster he has become.
“He made me work harder on my game,” Parker said.
The fruits of that labor were once again on display Sunday afternoon. After picking his spots throughout the first half, Parker exploded for 22 points in the second, producing his fourth 30-point game since Manu Ginobili hit the injured list.
Roger Mason Jr. added 18 points and Tim Duncan enjoyed a 17-point, 15-rebound day as the Spurs (42-20) beat the Suns for the third time in four meetings.
Steve Nash scored 23 points with 11 assists, while Leandro Barbosa had 20 points for the Suns, who after an 0-4 road trip has fallen four games behind Dallas for the West’s final playoff seed.
“We’re in a desperate situation,” Nash said.
As he has so many times before, Parker piled on Phoenix’s desperation.
It says something about Parker’s traditional tormenting of the Suns that Sunday’s game barely cracks his list of great games against them. In the playoffs last year, Parker averaged 29.6 points, including games of 41, 32 and 31.
The Suns can at least take heart in this: When it comes to an inability to slow Parker, they have company. He is averaging 26.5 points since the All-Star game.
“He’s been carrying us for a while now,” Popovich said.
Before the game, Suns interim coach Alvin Gentry was asked how he might hope to handle Parker. Gentry, a former D’Antoni assistant, gave the same answer his ex boss might have.
“You have to do everything you can to keep him out of the paint,” Gentry said. “It’s kind of like LeBron (James) or one of those guys. If they’re making jump shots, you have to live with that.”
Instead, the Suns died that way.
The Spurs took a 58-45 lead into half, outscoring the Suns 13-0 over the final 5:20 of the second quarter. Parker, however, knew better than to relax.
“Against Phoenix, it’s never over,” Parker said. “You never know what’s going to happen.”
It wasn’t a surprise, then, that the Suns rallied to tie the game early in the fourth. It also wasn’t a surprise what happened next.
Over the next 3:48, Parker went into super stud mode. He threw in three jumpers, drove for a layup, drove and kicked to Michael Finley for a pull-up basket, and swiped two steals – one of which led to a Finley 3-pointer.
By the time Parker took a breath, the Spurs were ahead 92-82 with 4:20 left. When the Suns closed again in the final half-minute, Parker threw in a runner to put the Spurs ahead by seven.
With his fourth-quarter flurry, Parker put the Suns away.
“Tony has worked on his game,” Mason said. “Watching him his first years in the league, he wasn’t a jump shooter. Now, that’s like his bread and butter.”
For that, Parker has D’Antoni to thank. And the Suns have D’Antoni to blame.
Last edited by duncan228; 03-09-2009 at 01:20 AM.
haha
Good article Jeffy.
I think Tony did a great job getting everyone involved.
thank you, duncan228.
It was awesome watching TP take over the game in the 4th...he's truly $$$$$.
much improved jumper, tp is a beast
wow didn't realize 26,5 pts since the all star is quite impressive. With this kind of parker, Tim as his best, Manu healthy and gooden contribution it could be a good year to be a spurs fan.
I have just watched the recap on nba.com quite amazing spurs W and most of the actions showed are highlight of the suns.
There is also a quite nice 37 sec recap of Tony 4th showing the O show but also D.
Tony played like a beast. Props to Parker. He's helped win a lot of games while Manu's been out. That improved jumper of his is one of his greatest assets on most nights now.
spurs need manu back
but spurs could beat any team in the in the playoffs excexpt for maybe the lakers
spurs are winning with a healthy not rusty duncan and tp against playoff teams
somewhere spork is turning over in his grave to this thread le.. he's probably emailing mcdonald about how "pathetic" his journalism is..
It's nice when he's hitting his jumpshots. But when he's not...
TP is no doubt one of the games elite guards
No matter what anybody says.
Excellent game of scoring and distribution today mate!
Love the le, McDonald.
Like the guys on ABC said today, "Parker is the best point guard in the league when he plays the Suns".
34-29. 5 games from mediocrity. Yeah, I'll say.
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