Where art thou Tony Parker?

by Big50 on Dec 16, 2009 9:47 AM CST

I have been noticing that Tony Parker, while he hasn't be awful, he's not the same as last year. Last year TP was carrying this team on the offense. Why is Tony less effective this year? Is it possible that he's trying to recover from the long summer of international ball? That might be part of it, but I think there's more that troubles Frenchie McWonderbutt.

"I am so tired after playing for French" (Read with French accent)

I have a theory. I think Tony isn't as motivated as he was last year. Last year, with Manu Ginobili out for large chunks of time, Tony took it on himself to score and pick up the slack. During the off-season the Spurs go pick up a scorer at small forward and a big man that can help score and then Manu comes back. From Tony's perspective he doesn't have to score as much because this team is better.

Of course it could be something similar to what I think is happening to Richard Jefferson, which is he's unsure of his role on this team. Parker may be worried about taking other guys shots away. I tend to think it's a little bit of all three things. Tony hasn't seemed as motivated to score, he seems unsure of himself on the floor at points during games and he also looks a little tired.

This team needs Tony Parker to be a big time scorer. As much as the Spurs need RJ to not suck, Parker is much more important. They need Tony to be strong and active in order to help this team score and put pressure on teams transition defense. I'd love to see Tim Duncan continue his form and I'd like to see Manu get back to playing his game consistantly, but I think this team needs a 100% healthy and confident Parker in order to move up towards the top of the Western Conference.

This is the Tony Parker we need

Let's hope that whatever it is, Tony Parker gets back to his form from last year and helps this team climb the ladder towards the ultimate goal. Come on Frenchie McWonderbutt!

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Comments

Wow! Found someone who isn’t on the Tony-Parker-is-killing-us bandwagon.
Thank you for not forgetting how Tony saved us last season. He deserves more appreciation than I’ve seen around here.

If less is more, imagine how much more more would be.

by JonnyJam on Dec 16, 2009 2:15 PM CST reply actions

I may not have been very clear. Tony Parker is killing us. He did great last year and we need him to do better than he’s doing this year. If he can pick it up like he did last year, I like our chances, if not, it might be a long year.

by Big50 on Dec 16, 2009 4:02 PM CST up reply actions

Of course we appreciate everything Tony did for us last year, but it isn’t last year anymore. I’m willing to give him moer time, obviously, but if Tony isn’t working with the new pieces properly, it’s a huge concern.

The Spurs - now playing like sh*t again!

by Tim C. on Dec 16, 2009 4:19 PM CST up reply actions

Well I guess that leaves just me in Tony’s corner.
I will give you that his play has dropped since last season & agree that he probably is tired.
However, he can’t make shots for the rest of team. Granted, he can put them in better position for good shots, but they still have to knock em down. I’ve seen too many wide open shots missed & too many playmaking opportuities not taken from the rest of the guys.
Maybe this is just being a non-conformist, but I don’t believe Tony is killing us at all.
Timmeh has been fantastic all year & who has been our second best?
My answer is Tony Parker
Time is on our side. This team is still finding it’s chemistry.

If less is more, imagine how much more more would be.

by JonnyJam on Dec 16, 2009 5:17 PM CST up reply actions

You are right, other guys on the team are not living up to their ability either. However, Parker’s supposed to be an all-star. He needs to be playing like an all-star in order for this team to advance. I’m not sure I’d say TP is playing like the 2nd best player on the team at this point, but even if he is, his play is not as good as it should be, it’s not at an all-star level. I like Tony and I know he makes the Spurs a better team, but to make them championship caliber he’s got to be an all-star level player.

by Big50 on Dec 16, 2009 6:21 PM CST up reply actions

Just a heads up, JonnyJam. We all really love Tony and we truly don’t appreciate him the way that we should. He’s a wonderful point guard and last year he pulled us thru the season.

However, we also love to rip on him. Why? I’m not sure, but we just do. My mother would tell it’s because I was dropped on my head when I was a young child. But she’s a Tony Parker fan, so what the hell does she know?

Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney

by bellasa on Dec 16, 2009 6:54 PM CST up reply actions

GOL

Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10

by J.R. Wilco on Dec 17, 2009 12:47 AM CST up reply actions

HAHA very good!

Seriously this PTR crowd is awesome. I just started reading in here this year & must say that this is the best fan site I enter. I suppose I will simply have to suffer through the ripping on Tony however misplaced I deem it.

If less is more, imagine how much more more would be.

by JonnyJam on Dec 17, 2009 12:16 PM CST up reply actions

Welcome, feel free to defend Parker whenever he needs it. I don’t mean to rip him, I just want him to be awesome. He helps the Spurs and they need him no question.

by Big50 on Dec 17, 2009 1:38 PM CST up reply actions

I think people are getting it wrong on Tony Parker.

Compared to last year, Tony’s scoring is definitely down. But he’s still the passer in 27% of the team’s assists. He has 2.5 more assists per game than the next guy (Manu), and 4.1 more than our other PGs (Hill and Mason). Sure Parker turns the ball over more, but the other point guards barely distribute the ball.

He needs to improve if we are to challenge for the chip, but that’s not to say he’s not been good this year. He may not be having a career year (slight understatement), but he’s been (more than) okay and surely better than bad.

He leads the team in assists, second in points, leads the team in FTs attempted, second in FT%, shoots at roughly 50% from the field, and is only third in minutes played behind Tim and RJ.

I think it’s RJ who’s pulling us down. He started the most games; played the most minutes (t-Duncan); third most FG attempts; yet a mere eighth in FG%; is only our SIXTH best 3p shooter; shoots WORSE than Tim Duncan from the line; and is out-rebounded by Bonner and Bogans, while being outscored by Hill and Blair on a per 36 min basis.

All while earning more than DeJuan Blair, Keith Bogans, Matt Bonner, Michael Finley, Malik Hairston, George Hill, Roger Mason, and Theo Ratliff—COMBINED.

"Yes, it's important that I have good numbers, and I'm well-respected as a player. But I think it's more important that I'm respected as a man." - Some Tall Guy Who Wore #50

by theonlyromeo on Dec 16, 2009 9:01 PM CST reply actions

I agree, RJ is killing us much more than Tony. That being said, Parker needs to be better if we want to win the big one.

by Big50 on Dec 17, 2009 9:23 AM CST up reply actions

I can’t believe that I’m the first one to mention the following. (And if someone’s previously discussed this in one of the game threads, my apologies to you, but I’ve been scarce lately.)

I think it’s possible that Parker is dealing with the pressure of all the “This is Tony’s team now” talk from the beginning of training camp. And, if that’s what it is, I expect him to grow into it in the same way he grew into being a starting NBA poing guard.

It’ll likely take him some time — probably more time than we’d like — but he’ll get there and then we’ll see last year’s Tony ~~dominating~~ playing like we know he can.

Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10

by J.R. Wilco on Dec 17, 2009 12:53 AM CST reply actions

Hmmm, I would think being “the guy” would be right up Parker’s alley. Of course you could be right, none of us really know. I hope he picks it up soon.

by Big50 on Dec 17, 2009 9:26 AM CST up reply actions

Parker's doldrums

Don’t think Tony’s drop is scoring is anything to worry about, but his increase in turnovers is.
Teams know that he wants to penetrate and shoot teardrops and reverse layups, but teams have seen those moves often enough after last year that they can defend against them. They are also cutting off his passing options when he penetrates and can’t get off a shot because bigs aren’t leaving their feet when defending his penetrations. That means he has nowhere to go and he ends up dribbling the ball out of bounds or off his legs or just gets tied up with so many defenders around him. I think he has to be more selective on his pick and roll drives and make sure the numbers are in his favor. Lately they haven’t been. I’m sure Pop has been talking to him about this, but I don’t think he has been making the adjustments yet. Defenders are giving him the 15 foot jump shots and he can make them, but until he does that more frequently he will have difficulty going all the way, especially to his left with his off hand flip.

by jimjule on Dec 17, 2009 11:03 AM CST reply actions

I agree, the TO’s are a huge problem. I think he’ll be a better scorer and passer when he can practice patience and gets the turnovers under control.

by Big50 on Dec 17, 2009 1:39 PM CST up reply actions

Parker’s problem is that he’s not a true pg. Just contrast him with Nash on their last game, Spurs defense can’t keep up with Nash because they had to worry him finding the open man and he’s got a good jumpshot, with Parker they know that he’s gonna drive to the basket and when he does that’s exactly what he’s gonna do and its easy to anticipate his passes since they’re only on 1 direction which can’t be said of the other top pointguards. And if Parker’s the next leader of this team I’m afraid for the spurs because he doesn’t have toughness, he cracks under pressure (his freethrows recently against Boston)) and he doesn’t know how to put his teammates in a position to score. Besides the fact that he can’t keep up with opposing guards. I hope he works to be a better all around pg because he’s no Kobe to be carrying the scoring load for this team which at times is what he’s forcing himself into.

by 21td on Dec 18, 2009 11:34 AM CST reply actions

Could move him over to a short 2 guard and trade for a young, passing PG like a Westbrook (OKC)

"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html

by Joe deLarios on Dec 18, 2009 3:04 PM CST up reply actions

Why in the world would they trade Westbrook to us?

Andre Miller’s on the block… but I don’t know that he would help. Good distrubutor, though.

The Spurs - now playing like sh*t again!

by Tim C. on Dec 18, 2009 3:45 PM CST up reply actions

I understand your point, but I think you’re wrong on a couple of things. Parker is not a “true” PG in the sense that he is not a pass first player, sure, but aside from that he has proven to be one of the top 4 or 5 PG’s in the NBA. Parker has a good jump shot and is capable of using it, he happens to be a really good finisher as well, something Nash lacks. Also he’s been on a team that’s won 3 championships, he may not be ultra clutch, but he’s good enough to have been on the floor during crunch time in all those runs, I think he’s fine in the clutch, despite a hiccup or two.

As far as putting his teammates in a position to score, he does that by scoring. When he’s aggressive and looks for his shot early he makes the defense guard him and thus opes up the floor for other guys. I think you’re right about him needing to be a better all around PG. As long as he doesn’t sacrifice the parts of his game that make him great in order to get 2 or 3 more assists a game. He doesn’t need to carry the load like Kobe, you’re spot on there. He needs to be Tony Parker and do what he does to make this team better.

by Big50 on Dec 18, 2009 5:02 PM CST up reply actions

It’s great to discover a more objective Spurs fan post that is not fixated on bashing and trading away Tony Parker. I am personally a tad disappointed at TP’s play so far but it’s not totally fair to compare it to his full throttle role last year, when there was nobody else to be depended on except him. With all the line-up experimentation Pop’s dishing out to find the “best” rotation, TP’s been displaced from the second-to-TD role. Ergo, all the hesitations and inconsistent plays. I commented at the SA fans blog that of all the Spurs stars, TP and RJ will have the toughest time adjusting to their new roles. I agree that TP is most effective for his team when he is unleashed to being the aggressive PG he was last year. But that means veering away from Pop’s mission of meshing all the new players into the “new” system. Tough decision for the team, but you guys might be right—- the Spurs perhaps need to give Tony the green light to being his all-star self if that’s what it takes for the Spurs to be winners again. I mean, other teams have entrusted their engines to rookies like BJennings, TEvans and they’re doing just fine, thank you.

by Talisman on Dec 20, 2009 12:51 AM CST reply actions

Are you saying that Parker has the game to carry the scoring load for the spurs? His offense is one dimensional and he’s not an above the rim player, he’s not tough to be a back to the basket player and his jumpshot is inconsistent plus he’s missing game important freethrows. During the Spurs last trip to the WC finals, he’s been the go to guy because of the injuries to Duncan and Ginobili and Spurs only won a game where Ginobili was dominant. Stop patronizing Parker’s offense, he needs to be a pointguard for this team, an all around one not a one dimensional predictable one.

by 21td on Dec 20, 2009 2:10 PM CST up reply actions

I’m confused. You’re saying he’s one dimensional, and that dimension is scoring, but he needs to go away from the one thing he’s good at?

I disagree that he’s one dimensional, you don’t become a top 5 PG by being one dimensional. I too want him to be a complete player, but scoring is what he does best and that’s what the Spurs need more at this point.

by Big50 on Dec 21, 2009 3:05 PM CST up reply actions

Sorry, SpursGerbil, photos of hot women aren’t allowed. Heart breaking, I know. Let me reproduce your post and Hipuks’ response, just because it cracked me up.

Come on guys, this is easy. You want to know what’s wrong this season? Two words. Eva Longoria. He spent the off-season with that, I’d be tired too.

First, banned. Second, oh of course, it always has to be the evil woman who ruins the boy’s club and pulls them apart, stop being so sexist and re-enforcing stereotypes. Third, Tony is French, that’s what’s wrong with him, he’s a cheese eating surrender monkey.

Bone breaking? -340
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Dec 20, 2009 5:51 PM CST reply actions

Dang, I missed the rare hot pic that snuck in…

"Yes, it's important that I have good numbers, and I'm well-respected as a player. But I think it's more important that I'm respected as a man." - Some Tall Guy Who Wore #50

by theonlyromeo on Dec 20, 2009 8:15 PM CST up reply actions