News updates are sent daily. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Suns unable to contain Parker
Digg|
Save|
License|
Print|
E-mail|
The Phoenix Suns’ Shawn Marion and Boris Diaw converge on San Antonio\'s Tony Parker during Game 1 of the second round of the NBA playoffs.
Darryl Webb, Tribune
In trying to defend Tony Parker, you have to make a choice. You can either give him the outside shot — a decision usually favored by the Suns — or try to concentrate on stopping his drives to the rim.
Surely, you can’t give up both to the Spurs’ star guard.
But that’s what seemed to happen Sunday, when Parker torched the Suns for 32 points in the Spurs 111-106 Game 1 win.
“Obviously, we’re going to have to make adjustments,” Suns coach Mike D’Antoni said.
The Suns tried Shawn Marion and Steve Nash on Parker,
They opened with Marion. The thinking: They’re willing to give up a bit of Marion’s scoring and rebounding if he can be a defensive deterrent against the super-quick point guard.
Yet the Suns seemed to get the worst of both worlds, with Parker killing the Suns outside and in, while getting only 16 points and six boards from Marion (just five points and four rebounds through the first three quarters).
That was a big part of the Spurs’ 49-35 rebounding edge.
Marion, who turns 29 today, said, “It’s not like he’s out there by himself shooting.
“I was trying to go under the pick and rolls, and he was knocking down shots.
“He’s really fast. What can you do if he’s going to it shots like that?”
Parker said Marion’s size and wingspan didn’t present any problems. “A lot of teams put a big guy on me, but it doesn’t bother me.
“I just have to take my time and choose my moments. I’m used to it.”
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich heaped praise on Parker, “He’s become a wise competitor.”
The “competitor” has always been there, It’s the “wise” that’s been coming.
“He’s gained wisdom these past five years, and in games it shows,” Popovich said.
“This last season, and into the playoffs, he’s made better choices, moves the basketball better and feels confident enough to score when it’s available to him.”
In return, Parker thanked his coach for having the confidence in him to allow him to try to run — in spots — with the Suns.
“Pop is doing a good job of letting us run. He gives me a lot of freedom when we play Phoenix.
“The key is to find the balance of when to run and when to slow it down.”
Parker’s success vs. the Suns is nothing new.
He averaged 28 points against them in the regular season, prompting D’Antoni to label him the Suns’ biggest concern.
His tune hadn’t changed after Sunday’s game.
“We have to get a handle on him,” the Suns coach said.
Please add your comments, but follow these guidelines to keep this a safe, credible place for discussing the news: