Buck Harvey: Time to heal? Parker's shot
Web Posted: 08/25/2005 12:00 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....17a42330.html
San Antonio Express-News
Tony Parker's knee has healed. His jumper has not.
The Spurs are working on that. Just as they are in Chicago today trying to convince Michael Finley to shoot for them, they are also in Paris trying to convince Parker to make a few for them.
The Spurs are optimistic, mostly because they hired a shooting coach who has helped others. But even this coach will be pressed to change Parker this offseason, and this goes back to the sore knee, and this fits into Gregg Popovich not wanting Parker to play for the French national team this summer.
During the European championships — with pride and country on the line — will Parker want to risk a new shooting stroke?
Chip Engelland will make do. He was a Duke captain in the early '80s before bouncing around the minor leagues. But it's as a shooting guru where he has made his name.
Parker won't be Engelland's only project. The way the Spurs shoot free throws, Engelland should stay busy.
Earlier this month, for example, Engelland worked with Ian Mahinmi, the Spurs' 2005 draft pick. Everyone understands he will need a few years, but Mahinmi showed off one number when he was in San Antonio that means more than any shooting percentage.
The teen measured at a full 6-foot-11, an inch more than before.
Still, if there's one player who the Spurs had in mind when they hired Engelland, it's Parker. Not even Finley would improve the Spurs next season as much as an accurate Parker would.
So it's no coincidence that Engelland is in Paris now, and Parker has reason to listen. Engelland worked for the Nuggets last season, and Phil Jackson wanted him this season.
But Parker should be most impressed with Engelland's credentials because of one player he helped. Steve Kerr. About a dozen years ago the two went to dinner — they attended the same Los Angeles-area high school — when Kerr was in a shooting slump with the Bulls.
Engelland told Kerr to open his legs wider for better balance. Kerr listened, found success and later hired Engelland as his personal coach.
Grant Hill later did the same, and Engelland took Hill back to the basics. Hill stood 5 feet from the basket, his legs balanced, shooting with the ball in one hand, over and over again. Hill had to earn the right to shoot from farther out.
"It was a little humbling for him, I'm sure," Engelland said then. "You have to start out like a 10-year-old. In some ways, it's easier to teach a 10-year-old this stuff because they have not developed any habits yet. Someone who's older has a lot more to erase."
For Parker, the erasing will be an emotional chore. The Spurs questioned Parker's form from the day they drafted him, and he's tried to change. But when the tension grew — when he needed to score — he would go back to what he knew.
Sometimes, on the way to two championships, the old form came through. In overtime against Denver, in the close-out game against the Suns. Weren't those moments enough?
Parker knows the answer, and he's mentioned Tiger Woods as his model. Parker isn't a golfer, but he understands what it meant for Tiger to twice rebuild his swing.
But Parker never had Tiger's basics, nor has his stroke ever been compared to Kerr's or Hill's. Parker, instead, has a contorted shot that doesn't begin to fit into Engelland's equation.
When Parker s his head and spins the ball, is there anything balanced about it?
Engelland will proceed slowly, with bites of advice that Parker can swallow, and he will begin by finding a better ball position. Given time — and some trust — the combination could mesh.
But Engelland works with a distinct disadvantage now. Instead of being able to practice what he's learning, Parker will have to play with it.
Popovich knows all about this. He tried to talk Parker out of the European championships because of tendonitis in one of Parker's knees, but Parker was obstinate.
Was Parker being insensitive to the Spurs? Both Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili played for their respective countries in Athens last summer.
Popovich and Parker compromised. Parker agreed to skip practices this month to rest the leg, and the plan worked. Parker has no pain today.
Still, that doesn't mean the European championships won't hurt him. Parker should be in a gym, going over Engelland's tutorial, using this time to rebuild his stroke. He will instead be on the floor.
So what happens then? Won't Parker naturally go back to what he knows, just as he has done as a Spur, because there simply hasn't been enough time?
The Spurs will see soon enough.
Tony will be fine, He can flat out play. I am really not too concerned about his form, as much as i am about his ability to not turn over the rock in a crowd (goes for a couple of other guys too). I guess that just comes with our style of play though.
wtf is Buck Harvey to tell Parker what he should be doing in his off-season.
Thats sweet that Ian is 6'11 as well, I remember the draft bio I read had him at around 6'9. He'll probably end up being a full 7'0
.... or Pop either.
Still, that doesn't mean the European championships won't hurt him. Parker should be in a gym, going over Engelland's tutorial, using this time to rebuild his stroke. He will instead be on the floor.. I love how Buck Harvey has written about a million Manu loving articles this summer praising Manu and all that he means to Argentina and Argentinian Basketball, yet he disses Parker for trying to do the same thing that Manu and Tim Duncan did last summer.
I am with you on this one... I understand in principle that spurs interest are what counts for pop. but national teams is all what has survived the sportbusiness (kind of lol) just let the kid play with his friends and be proud to represent its country. he will be as proud as before to be a spurs once he will be done.
buck should get out of pop's ass and stop thinking about business and listen to the PASSION
That was Johnny Ludden.
Sorry Typo...still the point I was trying to make was the same. I think Ludden has also written a lot of those Manu articles this summer too.
And some here said the Spurs were cool with Parker playing over there. Oops.Popovich knows all about this. He tried to talk Parker out of the European championships because of tendonitis in one of Parker's knees, but Parker was obstinate.
Get it straight, Ludden was in Argentina doing the fluff pieces on Manu.I love how Buck Harvey has written about a million Manu loving articles this summer praising Manu and all that he means to Argentina and Argentinian Basketball, yet he disses Parker for trying to do the same thing that Manu and Tim Duncan did last summer.
Buck Harvey pretty much writes as the voice of Gregg Popovich. If Harvey is calling out Parker, you can bet that (compromise aside) Pop is not happy at all with Tony playing.
The problem with that is 1) it is a business and 2) both Manu and Duncan got hit with injuries this past season.but national teams is all what has survived the sportbusiness (kind of lol) just let the kid play with his friends and be proud to represent its country
buck should get out of pop's ass and stop thinking about business and listen to the PASSION
AND the last time Tony played summer ball, he also ended up hurt the following season. So I'd say it's about more than business - it's about health.
No, you have no point. Johnny Ludden wrote all the Manu lovefest articles this summer.the point I was trying to make was the same. I think Ludden has also written a lot of those Manu articles this summer too.
You called out Ludden for praising Manu and criticizing Tony (that would be your point), when in reality it was Ludden praising Manu and Harvey (a different reporter altogether) criticizing Tony.
Try again.
Where would it be better to have Engelland working with Parker, in SA where he could work with all the other Spurs or in Paris?
Sure wish I could get job where I had a three month vacation where I could do what I want and get paid $8 million doing it.
It is because it is France, a non-country
Ludden had to justify the trip down there as well as keep the Spurs happy.
I love how you feel the need to be a big time asshole. Get the over yourself AHF.
You're right, I did confuse Buck Harvey and Johnny Ludden's articles, but next time you want to correct someone, try doing it without coming across as an SOB.
No, you go yourself. Your whole point was that Ludden was a hypocrite, which clearly wasn't the case.
If you can be an ass to the wrong reporter, I can point out your error however the I feel like
No, you go yourself. Your whole point was that Ludden was a hypocrite, which clearly wasn't the case.
If you can be an ass to the wrong reporter, I can point out your error however the I feel like
Sorry, I didn't realize that you and Buck had a personal relationship going on and that my mistakingly saying something negative about him would cause you to go into a hissy fit.
.... or Pop either.
I'm struggling to find the relevance of what you said.
THAT RIGHT THERE, IS BUCK TELLING PARKER WHAT HE SHOULD BE DOING.
It's not Pop, its not a quote.
Next time lets hear something that makes sense.
It's been reported two ro three times that Pop didn't want Parker to play this summer. That Parker and Pop reached a compromise. A compromise means Pop didn't get what he wanted.and this fits into Gregg Popovich not wanting Parker to play for the French national team this summer.
I thought her point was that Harvey is a hypocrite. I'm confused . . .
I thought her point was that Harvey is a hypocrite. I'm confused . . .
See? Even he's a jackass and got the 2 confused. I thought that Harvey was the same guy who's been writing all those Manu articles this summer praising him for supporting Argentina etc. However, it was actually Ludden. My underlying point was that Parker is doing the same thing that Manu and Duncan did last summer---representing his home country in international basketball.
AHF was just being obnoxious by pointing out my mistaking the 2 writers, however, you're right, he also confused the 2 in that post.
Oh brother, now I'm in Grammar 101.
I wasn't confused. You were implying the original writer who was writing the Manu lovefest stuff (Ludden) was a hypocrite for criticizing Parker.
That was my point, that you calling out the writer who praised Manu for trashing Parker was wrong.
Your original point was trashing a hypocritical writer, which proved to be two different people.My underlying point was that Parker is doing the same thing that Manu and Duncan did last summer-
I'm not trying to be an asshole. I agree with Buck - I'd like to see Tony over here working on his game, instead of running around for Team France. Duncan and Ginobili both limped to the finish line this year because of playing summer ball last year, and I don't want to see Tony go down in December with an injury because he was running around in Europe this summer.
Plus, as a Parker fan, the moment he gets that jumper going consistently, the kid's an All-Star, and the Spurs are damn near unbeatable. If wanting him to focus on that instead of Team France makes me selfish, well it - I'm selfish.
I'm obviously not the only one, because Pop had to "compromise" with him (read, Pop had to settle for a middle ground instead of getting what he wants).
Just know if Tony goes down this year and it has a significantly negative impact on this squad, he's going to have a heap of criticism leveled, deservedly so.
Arguing about 2 dip reporters who couldn't write an article for the thrifty nickle is ing gay.
You're right Sequ.
LOL, its nice to be on the spectator end of a heated discussion!
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
