*Originally published on Suite101.com in 2010; minor revisions made pertaining to Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
An injury has taken guard Tony Parker out of the starting lineup for the San Antonio Spurs. However, he almost became the team’s sixth man seven years ago.
Three years ago, San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker was living the dream life of a star NBA basketball player. He got engaged to famous actress Eva Longoria, who was starring in the popular television show “Desperate Housewives”. Then, Parker was named 2007 NBA Finals MVP as his Spurs swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in 4 games. This was Parker’s third team championship in five years. About a month later, Parker and Longoria had their wedding in France.
2003 NBA Finals
Despite this Hollywood fairy tale, the road to winning an NBA championship was not always smooth for the international star basketball player. When Parker and the Spurs played for the NBA championship in 2003, they took on a talented New Jersey Nets team. At the heart of the Nets was veteran point guard Jason Kidd. During this exciting championship series, rumors swirled that Kidd would leave the Nets in the offseason via free agency and then join the emerging Spurs dynasty. ‘Jason Kidd, San Antonio Spurs’ seemed to have a nice ring to it. Despite being a second year rising star, Parker was looking at losing his starting job. This was also despite the fact that Parker had started all but 5 regular season games—and every playoff game—since joining the Spurs in 2001-2002.
To complicate things further, Parker struggled as the 2003 NBA Finals ran longer. His earlier postseason success was offset by a Nets defensive adjustment. As he missed shots and committed more turnovers than Head Coach Gregg Popovich could tolerate, Parker was benched in favor of improving backup point guard Speedy Claxton. Claxton played the bulk of the minutes in the second half of the clinching Game 6 victory.
As the Nets had lost the 2003 NBA Finals, there was growing speculation that Kidd would leave the team. As a veteran in his prime, Kidd was expected to leave the runners-up for an even better contender. Who else better to join than the Spurs? Likewise, Claxton had proven his value to the Spurs and was a free agent. Stephen Jackson, who was the team’s starting shooting guard, was also a free agent. Steve Kerr, who was the Spurs’ third-string point guard, was retiring. Lastly, swingman Manu Ginobili was making a name for himself—albeit off the bench—as a part of the emerging Spurs dynasty. Where would this leave rising star Tony Parker, who was under contract for one more year?
Spurs Roster Decisions
As Kidd entertained presentations and offers from the Spurs and other NBA teams, there were various suggestions regarding what to do with Parker. For one, San Antonio could make Parker the backup point guard behind Kidd. Another option was to start Parker at shooting guard next to Kidd. If neither plan appealed to them, the Spurs could trade Parker and try to land a power forward or center to help replace retiring NBA superstar center David Robinson.
Kidd helped the Spurs make their decision when he re-signed with the Nets. Meanwhile, Claxton signed a contract with the Golden State Warriors. Lastly, Jackson left the Spurs and joined the Atlanta Hawks. With this in mind, Parker’s starting point guard job was safe.
With defensive specialist Bruce Bowen keeping the starting small forward job, Ginobili battled for minutes, alternating between starting shooting guard and sixth man. Despite helping lead the Spurs to another championship in 2004-2005, Ginobili—not Parker—remained the Spurs’ sixth man and spot starter.
NBA Sixth Man
There is no shame in coming off the bench in the NBA. There is no written rule stating that an NBA starting lineup must consist of either the five best players or the five highest paid players on a team. At the same time, there is no rule stating that the starters must play the final minutes of every NBA game. While teams have acknowledged this, the NBA has recognized the value of top bench players by giving out a Sixth Man Award each year.
The Spurs have been well aware of this philosophy. After debating whether or not to move Tony Parker to the bench, the Spurs moved Manu Ginobili to the bench. Ginobili has taken the decision in stride, regularly being recognized as one of the best bench players in the NBA. Ginobili got ultimate recognition when he won the NBA Sixth Man Award in 2007-2008.
At this point, it seems only fitting that Parker and Ginobili have reached a crossroads in their careers. With the Spurs’ acquisition of swingman Richard Jefferson, the emergence of point guard George Hill, injuries to Parker and Ginobili, and a sense of stagnancy, Coach Gregg Popovich made the move to start Hill and Ginobili together in the backcourt. When Parker returned from injury late in the season, he took Ginobili’s spot on the bench. That is, he was named the Spurs’ sixth man almost seven years later than previously expected.
Three NBA championships and an NBA Finals MVP Award were not enough to keep a now veteran point guard Tony Parker off the bench. Oddly enough, winning a fourth NBA championship may lead Coach Popovich to declare Parker as the permanent sixth man of the San Antonio Spurs.
Sources:
Associated Press. “South for the summer: Free agents will flock after Spurs’ dollars in offseason.” SI.com. Accessed April 30, 2010.
Basketball-Reference.com. Accessed April 30, 2010.
Bucher, Ric. “Speedy quickly becomes Spurs’ hottest commodity.” ESPN.com. Accessed April 30, 2010.
Ivanov, Alex. “Cleveland Cavaliers Sixth Man of the Year: Anderson Varejao Eyes NBA Award.” Suite101.com. Accessed April 30, 2010.
Ludden, Johnny. “Role change: Parker follows Ginobili’s lead.” Yahoo.com. Accessed April 30, 2010.
NBA.com. Accessed April 30, 2010.
Rubin, Courtney and Pete Norman. “Eva Longoria’s Wedding Features Bling and Bang.” People.com. Accessed April 30, 2010.
An injury has taken guard Tony Parker out of the starting lineup for the San Antonio Spurs. However, he almost became the team’s sixth man seven years ago.
Three years ago, San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker was living the dream life of a star NBA basketball player. He got engaged to famous actress Eva Longoria, who was starring in the popular television show “Desperate Housewives”. Then, Parker was named 2007 NBA Finals MVP as his Spurs swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in 4 games. This was Parker’s third team championship in five years. About a month later, Parker and Longoria had their wedding in France.
2003 NBA Finals
Despite this Hollywood fairy tale, the road to winning an NBA championship was not always smooth for the international star basketball player. When Parker and the Spurs played for the NBA championship in 2003, they took on a talented New Jersey Nets team. At the heart of the Nets was veteran point guard Jason Kidd. During this exciting championship series, rumors swirled that Kidd would leave the Nets in the offseason via free agency and then join the emerging Spurs dynasty. ‘Jason Kidd, San Antonio Spurs’ seemed to have a nice ring to it. Despite being a second year rising star, Parker was looking at losing his starting job. This was also despite the fact that Parker had started all but 5 regular season games—and every playoff game—since joining the Spurs in 2001-2002.
To complicate things further, Parker struggled as the 2003 NBA Finals ran longer. His earlier postseason success was offset by a Nets defensive adjustment. As he missed shots and committed more turnovers than Head Coach Gregg Popovich could tolerate, Parker was benched in favor of improving backup point guard Speedy Claxton. Claxton played the bulk of the minutes in the second half of the clinching Game 6 victory.
As the Nets had lost the 2003 NBA Finals, there was growing speculation that Kidd would leave the team. As a veteran in his prime, Kidd was expected to leave the runners-up for an even better contender. Who else better to join than the Spurs? Likewise, Claxton had proven his value to the Spurs and was a free agent. Stephen Jackson, who was the team’s starting shooting guard, was also a free agent. Steve Kerr, who was the Spurs’ third-string point guard, was retiring. Lastly, swingman Manu Ginobili was making a name for himself—albeit off the bench—as a part of the emerging Spurs dynasty. Where would this leave rising star Tony Parker, who was under contract for one more year?
Spurs Roster Decisions
As Kidd entertained presentations and offers from the Spurs and other NBA teams, there were various suggestions regarding what to do with Parker. For one, San Antonio could make Parker the backup point guard behind Kidd. Another option was to start Parker at shooting guard next to Kidd. If neither plan appealed to them, the Spurs could trade Parker and try to land a power forward or center to help replace retiring NBA superstar center David Robinson.
Kidd helped the Spurs make their decision when he re-signed with the Nets. Meanwhile, Claxton signed a contract with the Golden State Warriors. Lastly, Jackson left the Spurs and joined the Atlanta Hawks. With this in mind, Parker’s starting point guard job was safe.
With defensive specialist Bruce Bowen keeping the starting small forward job, Ginobili battled for minutes, alternating between starting shooting guard and sixth man. Despite helping lead the Spurs to another championship in 2004-2005, Ginobili—not Parker—remained the Spurs’ sixth man and spot starter.
NBA Sixth Man
There is no shame in coming off the bench in the NBA. There is no written rule stating that an NBA starting lineup must consist of either the five best players or the five highest paid players on a team. At the same time, there is no rule stating that the starters must play the final minutes of every NBA game. While teams have acknowledged this, the NBA has recognized the value of top bench players by giving out a Sixth Man Award each year.
The Spurs have been well aware of this philosophy. After debating whether or not to move Tony Parker to the bench, the Spurs moved Manu Ginobili to the bench. Ginobili has taken the decision in stride, regularly being recognized as one of the best bench players in the NBA. Ginobili got ultimate recognition when he won the NBA Sixth Man Award in 2007-2008.
At this point, it seems only fitting that Parker and Ginobili have reached a crossroads in their careers. With the Spurs’ acquisition of swingman Richard Jefferson, the emergence of point guard George Hill, injuries to Parker and Ginobili, and a sense of stagnancy, Coach Gregg Popovich made the move to start Hill and Ginobili together in the backcourt. When Parker returned from injury late in the season, he took Ginobili’s spot on the bench. That is, he was named the Spurs’ sixth man almost seven years later than previously expected.
Three NBA championships and an NBA Finals MVP Award were not enough to keep a now veteran point guard Tony Parker off the bench. Oddly enough, winning a fourth NBA championship may lead Coach Popovich to declare Parker as the permanent sixth man of the San Antonio Spurs.
Sources:
Associated Press. “South for the summer: Free agents will flock after Spurs’ dollars in offseason.” SI.com. Accessed April 30, 2010.
Basketball-Reference.com. Accessed April 30, 2010.
Bucher, Ric. “Speedy quickly becomes Spurs’ hottest commodity.” ESPN.com. Accessed April 30, 2010.
Ivanov, Alex. “Cleveland Cavaliers Sixth Man of the Year: Anderson Varejao Eyes NBA Award.” Suite101.com. Accessed April 30, 2010.
Ludden, Johnny. “Role change: Parker follows Ginobili’s lead.” Yahoo.com. Accessed April 30, 2010.
NBA.com. Accessed April 30, 2010.
Rubin, Courtney and Pete Norman. “Eva Longoria’s Wedding Features Bling and Bang.” People.com. Accessed April 30, 2010.