By Emmett Shaw
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Jan 12, 2006, 01:06
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_15675.shtml
Case Closed - Parker's an All-Star
The Spurs’ current three-game split of opponents Phoenix, New Jersey, and Detroit marks a tough mini-series of games that highlights Tony Parker’s readiness for an All-Star berth. The Suns’ Steve Nash, the Nets’ Jason Kidd, and the Pistons’ Chauncey Billups already are where Parker wants to go, and more.
Tony’s three rivals these last few days are not just All-Stars but current and former MVP candidates. Nash even won the award last season. The universe is in balance though. Tony has won the ring – has two of them. His dynamic counterparts combined have one.
On the other hand, Parker has Tim Duncan on his team. Hence when we asked Jason Kidd whether it was time for Tony to play in Houston this February 19th, Jason just said, “He’s playing very well.” No slight intended. Kidd, who as usual has winning games more on his mind, isn’t about to take sides.
Indeed Tony’s right to the berth isn’t clear cut, but it is cut. Cut of an amazing .534 shooting percentage that is exceeded only by Kevin Garnett among the NBA’s top 40 scorers. When an outstanding player dominates in a major category, that’s his “in” to the game.
Ben Wallace and Shawn Marion dominate the glass. Tony has his points in the paint, a category which he leads, even at 6-2 and 180. Besides, he leads Nash and Kidd in scoring and only is a couple of tenths behind Billups. This isn’t saying Tony is an MVP. The brilliant Nash outplayed him in a Suns home victory last Saturday, and Steve usually gets the best of the matchup, but not by terribly much.
Kidd also showed his stuff in scoring 15 versus the Spurs to go with 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, showcasing a better handle and a more cir spect knowledge of passing angles than Parker. But Tony was zip-quick, more maneuverable, and outscored Jason (as he often does), missing only 4 FGAs. San Antonio won 96-91 while the Nets rarely let Kidd try to guard Parker, a wise move that occurred to Byron Scott midway through the Finals of 2003.
In short, Parker has looked like he belongs on the same floor with the game’s top trio of PGs. Next installment – now comes Chauncey tonight in the Alamo City. Like Kidd, Billups (202) has the size and power factor in his favor against Tony. But Parker has shown the defensive versatility to move over and check 6-6 Rip Hamilton, who leads the two-time Eastern champs in scoring.
Expect Billups and Kidd to join Allen Iverson, Dwyane Wade and Gilbert Arenas on the Eastern team, which should be favored to win the usually guard-dominated All-Star game. Nash will represent the West, and be helped by Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady, whose back injury doesn’t appear to jeopardize his playing.
The West needs someone to get up and down with AI and his mates, and push it back at them. Parker has the speed and the game to do it. His outside shot isn’t very good, but the West is loaded with great shooters – Nash, Kobe, T-Mac and Dirk Nowitzki, plus perhaps Baron Davis and/or Ray Allen.
The game will come down to whether Kobe, Tracy, Marion, Carmelo Anthony and Jason Richardson (or Allen) can keep LeBron James, AI, Wade, Kidd, Arenas and Vince Carter from producing a highlight tape.
There really figure to be two open spots on the West squad that Tony and a short list of players must fill.
Here are your locks: Garnett, T-Mac, Yao Ming, Kobe, Nash, Dirk, Tim,
Carmelo, Marion and Elton Brand should be in. Richardson, Allen and Baron Davis join Tony as candidates for the last two members.
You probably can’t go wrong with any pair of the four on the list, as long as Parker is included. First of all, he’s earned it. Second of all, the East has such a spectacular squad that the West must have Tony’s quickness available.
The West will have a sharpshooters’ chance, but at all costs needs to avoid getting embarrassed by an Eastern track-meet to the hoop, complete with outrageous triple jump compe ors dunking it down from the top of the square.
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