Are the Spurs Tony Parker’s Team?

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It’s the quarterback controversy that never happened.

Increasingly, the San Antonio Spurs offhandedly refer to Tony Parker as their leading playmaker. Parker’s budding status as team pace setter began last season, and in some ways it was foist upon him because of the injury-hampered seasons of Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. The team needed Parker to evolve into a top shelf star, and he owned-up to the challenge. 55, 10, and 7 on November 6 placed Parker safely amongst the league’s best players. By February, Parker had progressed to the point of dominating entire teams. Good teams.

And that’s not hyperbole. That’s ‘dominating’ with all the dry denotation your desk reference dictionary can dish. John Hollinger marked the moment when Tony Parker entered the NBA’s elite class of players (February 26):

Yesterday I wrote that Tony Parker had outscored the Mavs while he was on the court in San Antonio’s win over Dallas on Tuesday, if you include the baskets he produced by his assists.

Well, you’re not going to believe this but … he did it again. Parker had 39 points and nine assists in the Spurs’ win over Portland last night. Four of his assists set up 3-pointers, so between points and assists he accounted for 61 of the Spurs’ points … out of the total of 78 they compiled while he was on the court.

Meanwhile, the Spurs gave up only 53 points when Parker was on the floor in the 99-84 win — meaning Tony once again “won” — beating the Blazers 61-53 a night after beating Dallas 66-54.

Making it more baffling, the Spurs again were playing without Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, which theoretically should have made it easier for the Blazers to run extra defenders at Parker to make him give up the rock. Apparently it’s harder than it looks.

By the postseason, everyone knew.

I know what you’re thinking. “I forgot Tony Parker was that good last season.” But it did happen, and he was. Tony Parker is only 27.

Gregg Popovich has said he expects Parker to become even more of a floor leader this season. Manu Ginobili recognizes that Tony Parker is the team’s primary scorer. And, most importantly, Father Time still mercifully acknowledges Tony Parker’s scant 27 trips around the sun. The stage is set for Parker to assume the reigns from Tim Duncan’s Hall of Fame grip.

But show care as you pass the news along. It’s not that Tim Duncan has slipped from the ranks of the league’s best players. He hasn’t. It’s just that Tony Parker has joined him there. This year’s Spurs team is either really good, or much better than really good.

Manu Ginobili gave a great quote on Media Day. Tim Duncan, he pointed out, is still, unquestionably, an All-Star. He used to give the Spurs 20 and 10. So this season Manu expects “19 and 9.5” from Duncan.

It’s clear that the Spurs are thinking in terms of a transition from one star to another. The Spurs are all about the superstar baton pass, following the earlier example of David Robinson and Tim Duncan. Now it’s Tim to Tony.

And here’s the thing: the process of Tim Duncan sliding from 1A to 1B will seem utterly unremarkable. No drama. No locker room fuss. No backhanded, jealous-for-my-touches comments in the press. We’ll save our remarks of amazement for nostalgic letters addressed to a time that slyly slipped past. That time is now.

Tony Parker will assume the torch, and blaze ahead. Tim Duncan will soldier on behind-just behind-in the workaday double-double fashion that suits him so well. He’ll put up All-League defense and fantastically efficient numbers while shape shifting into the Association’s most dominant second wheel. Field Commander Parker is starting to strut out front, and the Spurs are on parade.

  • g

    Great article. Makes me appreciate the organization and the people involved in it - from the owners to the superstars. The Spurs have such a great culture, with such great character. I do not know of the Spurs prior to David Robinson, but I have seen the Dennis Rodman experiment and how since then character and team became the priority (above talent and questionable off-court character). It is so refreshing to see how the good things have been instilled and carry forward.

  • http://myspurslink.blogspot.com Robby

    Guys, i had a post while back about Tony Parker becoming a leader of the Spurs… right it’s still TD but in a year or 2 who knows….

  • http://myspurslink.blogspot.com Robby

    right now I meant *

  • buns

    I guess the subject has already been discussed, but does a team absolutely need a single leader?
    Can’t there be two (or more) leaders? As long as chemistry hangs on…

  • Chris K.

    Let’s not forget 2 years ago (07-08), a totally healthy Manu led the team in scoring….

  • http://www.48minutesofhell.com Timothy Varner

    In the full interest of self-rebuke, LJ Ellis thoughtfully slapped me about the head with this comment:

    Good article but I don’t exactly agree. The way I see it, there are three distinct categories: leading scorer (AKA the first option offensively), the best player on the team and the team’s leader.

    Due to circumstances, Parker will likely continue to be the team’s leading scorer. However, I don’t think that translates to him automatically being the best player on the team and I don’t think that the Spurs become Parker’s team. Even if TD pulls back and plays at 85-90%, he’s still clearly the best overall player on the team. And he’s still the leader of the squad. Thus, I disagree with the notion that there is a changing of the guard.

    Parker is a damn good player but Duncan is still a better player and a healthy Ginobili is also a damn good player. I still see the dynamic of the team as Duncan being the best with Parker and Ginobili falling in as equal parts behind him. Ginobili is arguably better than Parker on a per-minute basis, although it evens out since Parker can play more minutes.

    All that said, the great thing about this group is that they all genuinely don’t care about this type of stuff. Each member of the Big 3 would sacrifice personal accomplishments if it meant that the team could reach its goals.

    LJ makes several good points and parses the dynamics between Parker-Ginobili-Duncan well , but I’m going to wait and see what the season brings.

  • http://atxsports.net Andrew A McNeill

    With Tony Parker entering the prime of his career, Tim Duncan and Manu in the twilight of theirs, and the league’s rule changes benefiting perimeter players, this is the year Tony Parker takes over. I won’t be surprised to see him be named an All-Star starter and get a large amount of MVP consideration.

  • Frank Shu

    Quite frankly it was after the two games vs. Mavs and Blazers that I truly believe TP is someone who can lead Spurs when the team needs him. Previously it was just TD and Manu

  • SA_Ray

    I haven’t been this excited to a start of a season in years. Tony hitting his prime, new blood in RJ, Tim anchoring the defense with less offensive pressure and a well rested and healthy Manu.
    This team could be scary good.
    Can’t wait for the preseason.

  • errin

    I agree Tim Tony will most likely be the teams leading scorer but this is still TD’s team he is the rock everything revolves around him. It is just smart to let the youngster carry us during the regular season but come playoff time we will no doubt see who the leader of this team is Tony will still be the first option but TD will assume his best power forward of all time status besting all big men we face both offensively and defensively and that is what seperates the two TD’s ability to dominate on the defensive end.

  • ELLIE

    In my humble female opinion - Tony needs to stop ball-hogging, it is very obvious. Any player can rack up points that way. He is good, but he needs to become more team- friendly or he will never obtain the status he desires. The reason Manu is such a fan favorite is because of his passion for the game, not the fame or glory. I hope he has a great year - and please Tony - give Manu the ball more often and let the thunder roll and the fun begin!

  • GMT

    I’ll just look at them as consuls of the Roman Republic.

  • Sean C

    I not ready to annoint Tony just yet.

    Just because you are the besting scorer (average the most points) on a team does not make you the LEADER of the team.

    No offense to Tony, but he’s not our best defender, passer, rebounder, shooter or even vocal leader.

    This is Tim Duncan’s team until he retires. We will see after that.

  • Chris

    This will always continue to be Tim’s team until he hangs it but Tony is taking more of a leadership role with his scoring and playmaking. It doesn’t really matter though. The Big Three are all leaders in some sort of way. Although hearing all the recent interviews this could possibly be Manu’s last year with the Spurs. He’s hinted and admitted that he would love to end with the Spurs but he’s not sure what he’s going to do. Well at least he’ll be super motivated this year to play well and stay healthy.

  • AP

    I know Tony is good, but is he good enough to be “the man” on our team in the future? Can we truly hope to be championship contenders with Tony at the helm?
    I love Tony, but as the main man on our team, he’s a huge step down from the Greatest Power Forward of All Time. Can the Spurs take such a huge step down and continue to win the way that we are used to?
    When the torch is passed to Tony, are we permanently relegated to the middle of the pack?
    I’d love to know the thoughts of the commentariat.
    Thanks.

  • zack

    enjoyed this article, regardless of whos the star right now, it shows the Unselfishness of this organization!

  • Jblock

    I think Tim Duncan would be the first person to tell you that this is the Tony Parker generation. For me, the era of Tony leading our team started with his Finals MVP, which I thought was well deserved.
    Tim Duncan is still the emotional and defensive leader, but we are not going to get far without the dominant offensive play that Tony can provide.
    Show Tony some love, guys!

  • SAJKinBigD

    AP: I don’t think our guys will be relegated to the middle o’ th’ pack once Tony takes over fully from Tim. That is, as long as Pop can be convinced to come back, I would bet his tactics will evolve to what is needed for Tony to be the Man and keep the Spurs atop the hill. I think more than anything, what will carry this team into the next generation is who is coaching this team. Hopefully that’s Pop for as long as possible, because he is a tactical genius.

  • Jelson A.

    Great article. I think that it will be Dunca’s team until he retires. The best power forward is an all-round player. Tony will become a super star but he is not our best defender. Dont forget that Manu was the leading scorer at one point. The Spurs’ players dont really care about the personal recognition as long as the SPURS as a team are successful.

  • vikombe

    This a good article that has us thinking and debating the leadership dynamics of future spurs teams. No one can speak of the future with certainty but I have no doubt in my mind that as currently constituted, the spurs are no doubt TD’s team. Irrespective of his age -which I have no problem with - TD is still our most talented player at both ends of the court. His importance can be measured by his consistent and team-leading PER over the years, his salary, and our teams winning percentage with him on the court. I’m not even sure if TP is a max contract player in 2012 when his contract expires. Recently, the only back court players to lead championship teams are Magic, Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan (Some would argue Billups, but he had too much help to say he clearly led his team). Is TP in this category of players?

    I love TP and my comments are not intended to belittle his contributions. Without any of the big three we ain’t going nowhere.

    P.S. TP is not a ball-hog as some commentators believe. In the last 2 seasons he averaged 16.3FGA, in 33.8 min and shot 50%. This is no ball-hog. In comparison, Duncan in the last 2 years averaged 14.9FGA in 33.8 min and shot 50%. While Manu averaged 12.3*FGA in 28.9* min and shot 45.7*%. Nb* this year manu was limited by injuries.

  • zain

    i believe that when duncan’s contract is over in 2012 he will sign a one year deal thats about 5-7 million and the spurs can use the rest to sign a big name young star over the next 5 years to complement tony and manu and RJ. If everything goes correctly, then our window could extend to 2015. someone from this list would be feasible: preferably a power forward or center to make duncan come off the bench. I think duncan will play until 2013 in my opinion.
    http://realgm.com/src_freeagents/2012/

  • SpursfanSteve

    I dont think Pop will coach long after Timmy retires. But i think we will have a solid core even after they leave, with TP, Blair, and RJ. Theres only one surefire superstar in that bunch, and thats Tony, but RJ is a former all star (like Manu), and although its too early to be relying on Blair so much, i’m predicting a solid double double average from him. Somewhere between 10/10 and 14/15. Throw in future draft picks, plus the players we already have stashed overseas and in the D league, and i think we will be a long way from middle of the pack in the post TD era. If Ian and Splitter work out anywhere near as good as their hype, we’ll be in even better shape.

  • mikrobass

    +1 to zain…thanks!

    imo, the spurs have been tony’s team since the 2007 nba finals…with tim’s blessings. tim is a smart fellow, i hope tim coaches for the spurs one day!

  • buns

    ELLIE I think you’re wrong. Tony does what he’s asked to do.

    In that perspective, that makes me wonder if the real leader of this team is none other than Pop.
    When I say that the team can have multiple leaders, I refer to some big Euroleague teams, full of stars whose only goal is to win (not touches, not tickets, not playing time). This is why I do like SA: because they say “team first” (well, everyone says that), AND they apply the rule through the years (and not everyone does that).

  • Bentley

    I think Tony Parker is getting ragged on too hard here. Although he’s not the leader of the team yet, I think its pretty obvious that he is getting put in that position to one day be the franchise guy, and he’s done enough in his career here to show that. His ability to get to the rim is unmatched and plus he creates many open looks from the perimeter. He may not be the best defensive player on the team, but he does what he’s asked to do and isn’t a liability on that end either. Tony Parker was the man last season and he(and Tim) carried us through and I expect to see more of the same this season. It’s almost as if some people in this thread are taking him for granted.

  • The Beat Counselor

    IMHO Tony Parker is the best score first point guard in the league.

    Chris Paul and Deron Williams are still better pure point guards, and CP3 will still probably beat out TP for the All-Star starting spot, but I think overall, I’d take Tony Parker over Deron Williams right now, all things being equal.

    Is Tony Parker one of the Top 10 players in the NBA right now?

    Let’s see (not to spend too much time on each player’s exact ranking, but these players probably have more to offer on a whole, than Parker and would probably get picked up before Parker in any sort of fantasy draft)…

    1. Kobe
    2. Lebron
    3. Wade
    4. CP3
    5. Duncan
    6. Garnett
    7. D. Howard
    8. Nowitzki

    Then you start getting into players like BRoy, Pierce, Rashard, Bosh, Billups and Nash. Then you have Yao and Amare who are injury prone.

    I’d say there’s a strong argument that Tony can be a Top 10 player in the NBA at this point.

    Thoughts?

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