Parker, Spurs temper trade speculation
By Paul J. Weber
Tony Parker went through injuries this season like the San Antonio Spurs went through lineups. Both helped explain their situations Monday.
For the Spurs, it was shrugging off being swept in the playoffs by Phoenix and 'fessing up that their overhauled roster — the one that added players to the Big Three of Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili — never became championship material.
For Parker, it was facing questions about his future in San Antonio.
"It would surprise me if Tony hadn't played this year with some kind of health ailment that we would even be having this conversation," general manager R.C. Buford said.
Both Parker and the Spurs head into summer with unmet expectations. Coach Gregg Popovich joked last July that he should be fired if the revamped Spurs didn't win a fifth le, but on Monday he dubbed this the most challenging of his 14 years in San Antonio.
Parker, meanwhile, never came close to his All-Star form in 2009 while battling injuries. The 27-year-old has one year left on his contract, but both Buford and Parker tempered rumors that the Spurs might let him go.
"The speculation on Tony is (based) outside of our organization, not internally," Buford said.
Parker said his heart remains in San Antonio.
"I trust Pop and R.C. to make the right decision for our team," Parker said. "They've been great for our team over the years. I really trust them."
As usual, the Spurs will be scrutinized over whether their aging core can reach that level again. Ginobili turns 33 this summer and Duncan will turn 35 when the playoffs roll around next year.
No longer the dominant player in his prime, Duncan had a brilliant start to the playoffs but leveled off in the Phoenix series. He'll likely take an extra month off again this summer to rest up, particularly the left knee that he protected with a brace all season.
Popovich and Buford had liked their chances with this bunch. But instead of reclaiming their spot atop the West, the Spurs finished with the worst regular season in the Duncan era and needed a late surge just to lock up the No. 7 seed.
Upsetting Dallas in the first round had the Spurs thinking they'd finally figured it out. But after getting booted by the Suns in four games — the first time San Antonio has been swept in a playoff series since 2001 — the Spurs made some tough admissions.
"Everybody could tell it wasn't enough. That we were not ever, probably, a championship-caliber team," Ginobili said. "We were close. But we never made it to that level."
The Spurs looked like the winners of the NBA offseason a year ago when they landed swingman Richard Jefferson in a lopsided trade and signed veteran Antonio McDyess. So long as Parker, Ginobili and Duncan stayed healthy, the Spurs figured they could contend again.
But it never went that smoothly. Jefferson, who averaged 22.6 points two years ago in New Jersey, struggled adapting to a new role in a new system. His 12.3 points per game scoring average was the lowest since his rookie year.
Jefferson is due to make more than $15 million in the final year of his contract next season. He did not speak with reporters Monday at the Spurs practice facility, but teammates defended his underachieving Spurs debut and spoke like they expected him back next season.
"Every new player that we had since I been here in San Antonio has always sucked the first year and they play better the second year," Parker said.
Popovich said he'd be surprised if the Spurs were as active this summer as a year ago. The Spurs believe they have an emerging star in George Hill, and high-energy big man DeJuan Blair will work on his shooting this summer rather than play in the summer league.
One of the biggest summer subplots is whether the Spurs can finally bring 6-11 center Tiago Splitter into the fold. The Spurs drafted Splitter in the first round in 2007 but he has remained in Europe ever since.
"We needed to try to get younger, more athletic. And we did, but probably not enough," Popovich said. "We need to work more in that direction."
As much as some here would like the Spurs to trade Parker and make a big splash in the off season. I don't think they will or are dumb enough to think about trading him. You don't trade your all-star point guard for a bag of beans. The only move I see the Spurs making is to beef up the bench and getting Timmy some help.
lol"Every new player that we had since I been here in San Antonio has always sucked the first year and they play better the second year," Parker said.
"Every new player that we had since I been here in San Antonio has always sucked the first year and they play better the second year," Parker said.
I like how he says 'suck', because it's the plain truth. Tony isn't trying to be nice.
If this article had a Facebook, it would tag the 267 Trade Parker threads that have been made since the final buzzer last night.
"Every new player that we had since I been here in San Antonio has always sucked the first year and they play better the second year," Parker said. "
LOL!
Buford: Spurs not planning to shop Parker
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblog...-spurs-no.html
We also need size and three point shooting."We needed to try to get younger, more athletic. And we did, but probably not enough," Popovich said. "We need to work more in that direction."
Parker's quote may be the funniest thing said about the Spurs all year. Because it could have been taken straight from any of about 1000 ST posts.
"The speculation on Tony is (based) outside of our organization, not internally," Buford said.
Parker said his heart remains in San Antonio.
"I trust Pop and R.C. to make the right decision for our team," Parker said. "They've been great for our team over the years. I really trust them."
That's enough for me.
The key departures will be losing Mason, KB and Bonner.
We have to presume that no one will take Jefferson so we are looking at Duncan, TP, Manu, Jefferson, Hill, Blair, Dice if we get Splitter and Ian, we have taken care of our bigs. Harriston could take KB's spot. Hopefully they find a place for Temple and we have 11 players who I think could all contribute to the team. That leaves two spots, one will be a draft pick (I am presuming that the Spurs will be looking for a SF because that is what we need) and then an extra defender.
If the Spurs decide to make moves, they need to focus on shooters. This was probably the worst three point shooting team Duncan has had since Avery ran the PG.
Is there anyone in the world actually named Harriston?
H-a
double-r-eye
g-a-n
spells Harrigan
Hairston. Better?
Of course it's better. It's an actual name.
Tony telling it like it is.
Those with their eyes open could see this, but it's interesting to see Manu admit it."Everybody could tell it wasn't enough. That we were not ever, probably, a championship-caliber team," Ginobili said. "We were close. But we never made it to that level."
That's what I've been saying for two years, and I agree with Pop - they've gone part of the way there, but still need more athleticism and speed. Adding another couple of youngsters this off-season, and giving a role to Hairston next season, might get us there."We needed to try to get younger, more athletic. And we did, but probably not enough," Popovich said. "We need to work more in that direction."
Yet he trots out there Bricking Bonner and has Ian on the bench all year. 2 face idiot coach.
Raja Bell?
The injury comments from RC are misleading to a degree. Part of the dissatisfaction from the fans is that he played injured for his NT and came into camp tired and not ready to play.
Parker, Spurs temper Spurstalk trade speculation...
exactly what was the Parker for Paul trade rumor? was it a straight up trade or were draft picks or other players involved? also, why would NO trade away Paul for Parker? Paul is their superstar and puts butts in the seats. Parker is a great player, but he doesnt exactly have the charm and charisma that Paul has off the court.
Awesome quote by TP!
Both Hornets and Spurs management said there was no trade talk between them about Parker-Paul. It was just another media fantasy.
if nash somehow reached conf finals with one eye i trust that tim at 35 can do wonders
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