Tony Parker Evolution Of A Point Guard
Tony Parker, 2007 NBA Finals MVP, NBA All-Star 2006, 2007, 2009, and three time NBA Champion. He is only 27, yet he has already been in the league since 2001. Tony began his basketball career in France playing for French amateur teams. In 1999 he joined up with the pro French team Paris Basket Racing. Two years later he entered the 2001 NBA draft.
I remember when the Spurs first drafted Tony Parker. He was a backup to Antonio Daniels. At the time my family and myself were gunning for Antonio Daniels to stick around. Tony after all wasn’t doing so well. I guess we don’t have such a good eye for talent. When we heard it was announced he would be the starting Point Guard, we were shocked. But we had faith in him at this point. However we had no clue he would be such a valuable piece of the lineup for years to come. When he and Manu Ginobli led the Spurs to the 2003 NBA Championship, we were excited. Heck, the whole city was excited. It was our second Larry O’Brien Trophy. Another reason to celebrate on the streets. That 2002-2003 season, he averaged 15.5 points per game. In 2005 is averaged creeped up to 16.6. By the time the Spurs were celebrating their fourth title, he was averaging 18.6 points per game. The 2008-2009 season his average jumped to 22 ppg. Those are his numbers, at least some of them. But they don’t tell the whole story.
Tony Parker, over the last 8 NBA seasons, has only gained in experience and in skill. His ability to score the rock, has been a valuable weapon in the Spurs arsenal. He has been consistent, he has picked apart defenses, and he has showed that he is arguably one of the best point guards in the league. His he the best? Some don’t think so. Some think that privelege should go to Chris Paul or Steve Nash. But would say that TP9 has evolved into the best point guard. Why do I think he’s the best? 1, 2, 3…that’s how many rings he has. To be the best, you have to have led your team to a championship. Or more accurately, have been the vital piece of the puzzle. So vital that without you, your team would not have been in a position to win. And that is what I think Tony Parker brings to the table. He is a neccessity. For without him, the Spurs may still only have one Larry O’Brien trophy. But at the same time, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobli are just as vital. You take away any one of those key players, you might as well empty the trophy cases at the AT&T Center. The Spurs have added pieces around their star players for years. Keeping good talented players in support of Tim, Tony, and Manu.
Tony Parker has evolved into an elite NBA point guard. With Tim and Manu at his side and a supporting cast that has included the likes of Kurt Thomas, Brent Barry, Michael Finley, and other key players over the years, Tony has led the Spurs to be one of the best, if not THE best NBA franchise over the last decade. Say what you will about Tony Parker and the Spurs, but they are a force to be reckoned with.
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