MVP Texas | Spurs Win Highlights Parker’s Growth

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Written by David Rountree

Tuesday, 24 January 2012 14:15

Tony Parker for years has been one of the Spurs most underrated players and maybe the most overlooked Finals MVP of all-time. This season that trend continues while Parker quietly puts up numbers that rival the top point guards in the league.

The San Antonio Spurs picked up another allusive road win last night against the New Orleans Hornets. They were fueled by a powerful game from Tim Duncan and a career assist night from All-Star Tony Parker.

The Spurs defeated the Hornets 104-102 off a spectacular winning hook-shot by Tim Duncan. This game was a reminder of Duncan’s past greatness and showed he was still capable of having big games. The Spurs need Duncan to show more consistency on offense while the team waits for star Manu Ginobili to return from injury.

On the other hand, Tony Parker has been the most consistent player on the team since Ginobili went down. Parker has built his career by being a scoring point guard but this season he has quietly reached more of a balance of passing/scoring. Just recently against the Hornets Parker had a career high 17 assists.

So far this season Parker is averaging about 18 points and 8 assists, almost three more assists higher than his career average. He is currently ranked ninth in assists in the entire league, placing only slightly behind top point guards like Chris Paul and Deron Williams—both averaging 8.4 assists.

Parker’s balance has allowed for the Spurs younger players to develop confidence and to improve their own skills. Tiago Spiltter and Dejuan Blair are contributing nicely because Parker is making more of an effort to find them in transition. Parker’s penetration is also creating open looks for shooters Jefferson and Green.

Parker is still making his presence known on the offensive end with his different array of moves around the basket. He continues to be one of the league leaders in points in the paint and field goal percentage among guards.

Even at thirty years of age, Parker is still one of the quickest players in the league and he continues to maintain a nice jumper from mid-range. This season he is making an obvious effort to get his teammates more involved, and this will not only make the team better but increase Parker’s chances at staying healthy for the rest of the year.

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