Tony Parker (photo. NBA)In an arena that so closely marries sports and entertainment like the NBA, getting mainstream respect is a complicated thing. Unlike the playground, it’s not enough to just be a great ballplayer. Unlike high school, it’s not enough to just put up standout numbers. Unlike college, it’s not enough to just win. In the NBA, good players who put up numbers and win championships are not guaranteed respect, especially if they don’t play for the right team, or play the right style, or come from the right place on the map or live the right lifestyle. Those players have to force respect down the collective throats of those who still don’t believe.
Just look at Tony Parker.
Amongst media types and basketball fans I know, I’m one of the only self-admitted TP fans. I love his game. I respect that he’s a winner. And I don’t hate on him because he’s French, or because of who he’s married to, or because he’s got misguided hip-hop dreams, or because he plays for the Spurs, or because he doesn’t dunk on people. I’ve always said Parker belongs no lower than 5th in that ongoing “Who’s the best point guard in the League?” argument, and that he should rightfully be closer to #2 or #3. Because when it really comes down to it, no active PG can match what he’s accomplished. Jason Kidd has the numbers, Steve Nash has the MVP trophies, Chris Paul and Deron Williams have the fan’s love, Baron Davis has the highlights, Chauncey Billups has the ultimate prize, but Parker has three ultimate prizes, and then some.
But no. Despite three championship rings, despite the ‘07 Finals MVP, despite starting all 82 games for the ‘03 Spurs championship squad when he was 21-22 years old, despite cracking the Western Conference royal class of Kobe, T-Mac, Nash (and recently Iverson) to fit a couple All-Star nods in there, despite going up against every elite and so-called elite PG in the League during his career and beating them, Parker is continually disrespected.
But NOW … let Parker score 55 points and drop 10 assists in a double-OT game last night. Let him show he can carry more of the Spurs’ load with Manu Ginobili out of the lineup (which he’s done before, just never to this statistical extent). Let Deron Williams conveniently be out-of-sight-out-of-mind. Let Parker do something that only MJ and Oscar have done before (50-10). And NOW he gets respect. Watching the mainstream coverage of Parker’s game last night, the experts are now putting Parker in that Top-2/Top-3 point guard discussion. Now they’re talking about how great he is and how he’s been underrated his whole career.
For Tony Parker, respect was hard-earned. Three rings, a Finals MVP and everything else aside, all it took was a double-nickel and a historic stat line. Now we’ll see how long it lasts.
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November 6th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Casey Lee says:
Tony Parker is a classic example of how patience, skill, and timing = wins, team success, and championship rings
November 6th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
bballinca says:
Amen!
November 6th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
GEE...Big Brotha Almightyyyy! says:
LOL TP LOOK Like an alien in that pic. Or like he should be on the short and slow bus.
Pimpin must have some game though he got Eva. Still that pic Bwaaaaaahhaaaahahaha!
November 6th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
SIdney Deane says:
Tony Parker is the anti-Marbury
November 6th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
2 Easy says:
Its cause his assist numbers have never been where people consider a truly elite PG’s should be. Now I know that in the Spurs system hes not gettin that many dimes a night but a PG wit those percentages and that resume AND a dime for a wife should be heavily respected but all thats gonna be said is he has the greatest PF of all time on his side which makes him better so hes destined to be disrepected until he murks it without TD around unfortunately
November 6th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
knoc says:
damn right
November 6th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
2 Easy says:
O and AB your Obama article… Amazing. I put it on my facebook and my girl was cryin while she was readin it and I myself teared up which definately doesnt happen often. You’ve always been my favourite Dime writer but that put u on another level and it had jack to do wit ball…. No Homo, dont wanna ride your nuts or nothing just wanted to give props where props is due
November 6th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
2 Easy says:
@ Gee its the lazy eye thats what makes that pic look so odd and yo he’s French, Im sure he pulled some hella romantic shit off. I saw an interview wit him and Eva and I swear he runs her EASY. Game recognize Game
November 6th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
control says:
TP is great, I’d give him 4th out of all PGS in the league.
1-3 being Nash, Paul, Williams. Pretty easy to make a case for him being better than Williams as well.
Some fool was posting on smack the other day that the Spurs 0-3 start was proof that Manu is a HUGE part of the Spurs…but TP getting into his groove will make people say “Manu who? Oh, that flopping pussy guy!”. All the Spurs need is for TP to bring it, TD to be TD and someone like Matt Bonner or Finley to step up a little bit and they will be aight this season.
November 6th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
QuEsT??? says:
yea i drafted him on dmitry’s ;eague wuhuu
November 6th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
dapro says:
AB it has more too due with the fact that TP plays with arguably the greatest PF ever along with quite possibly the greatest international player ever
It’s hard to gauge TP against the rest of the league and especially considering the fact that the Spurs are one of the most hated teams in sports
I think he’s top 3 in terms of talent, he’s a proven winner and held back some of his game early in his career as Pop guided him…….. but he hasn’t had to carry a franchise and the argument has never been made that he makes players better
November 6th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Austin Burton says:
@2 Easy — Thanks for the good words man, I appreciate it.
November 6th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
@ AB–
Only LeBron James, Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan have had games with at least 50 points and at least 10 assists. Now TP joins them and that makes 4
November 6th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
MJ, TP and The Big O are the only ones with 55 and 10
November 6th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
2 Easy says:
@ AB jus givin much deserved props homey, keep up the good work
November 6th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
control says:
Hasn’t Nash pulled a 50/10?
Or was that like 45/15 or something? I think it was against Dallas in the playoffs or something.
November 6th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
loganlight says:
Great read.
I have to admit that I’ve hated on Parker a time or two… mainly because of the team he plays for. But AB is absolutely right. The dude has the trophy case that even KG looks up to, and he gets no main stream love.
Maybe it’s because everyone has acknowledged that the Spurs have always been anchored by Timmy. Because the scoring role never needed to fall on TP’s shoulders (via Manu). Whatever the reason, respect has been stolen from Parker…
He has mine. And I’m ashamed that it had to take a double OT for it to happen.
LL
November 6th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
johnsacrimoni says:
Well, this confirms it. Because of one great game TP is the second-best PG in the league and because D-Will turned his ankle he sucks now.
November 6th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
GEE...Big Brotha Almightyyyy! says:
2 Easy Yea pimpin doing his thang with her on the hip.
TP’s D is still very Nashish (usher your man to the hole so he can lay it in with ease and feel comfortable).
TP and Nash play D like they got 5 fouls at the start of the game.
Individual D that is.
Now TP does the team D well I will give him that.
Side note and off topic: I wish they wouldn’t call penalties and techs for taunting, trash talk and all. Seriously (for me) it adds to the fun of the game. I mean I know it’s to lessen the % of possible fights. Still it’s unfortunate grown men can’t hold down their emotions cause someone is saying something.
As a Lyricist I used to have a troop of minstrels serenade me, sorry I just like that commercial.
But as person who has been in plenty of ciphers and rapped against dudes that go no holds barred, you got to have a tough chin.
My whole thing is it’s just words even if they do know you or know about yo life or whatever. I just enjoy the old skool more in that respect. Like GP he talked to you on O and D. Shaw Kemp would dunk on you and you KNEW it. Even MJ would give words.
Oh well I digress.
November 6th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
dagwaller says:
Lol at Gee’s post on Nash and TP’s defense. Don’t necessarily agree 100 percent, but funny.
I do agree with you about the trash talking though. The League (dress code) is clearly going in the other direction though.
I know you appreciated it when (I’m killing myself because I forget exactly who) someone banged real hard in-game recently and his entire bench was on their feet and whooping it up, AND1 style.
November 6th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
control says:
dag, that was some nub on the Celts. KG was doing a DMX bark for some reason.
November 6th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
GEE...Big Brotha Almightyyyy! says:
dagwaller yea I believe it was a cat on Boston’s squad that got someone and they lost they rabbit a$& minds. I was loving it.
I am all for taunting and trash talk in football, basketball and whatever other sport wants too.
I think it would be hilarious for Tiger Woods to tell some dude “If you drive down about 3 miles and turn left, there is a putt putt place where you might do a lil better”.
Shoot Hockey can fight and even in racing they can flip off their cars and drive in circles till they are dizzy. So let Deke wag his finger at the dude he just blocked, let Kenyon scream after every follow up dunk at someone who wasn’t even under the basket.
Just let dudes do what they do.
What is the worst that could happen…what..Carmelo punches somebody and runs backwards full court again.
November 6th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
2 Easy says:
@ Gee no need to digress this is something thats been goin on in my favourite sports for years and its got to stop. Charles Barkley says many of these techs take the passion and emotion out of the game and as a fan thats the best part for us. Of course the artistry of the plays is nice but the pure emotion of someone gettin slammed on then screamin like u did it on ur couch is why I watch the NBA. Dont even get me started about the NFL, their doin everything they can to remove the fun and childlike emotion guys have when they play the game. I say malicious and overtly thought out celebrations I can understand banning them but simple fun fan friendly ones? Makes me wanna puke knowin that since a team is happy they scored they cant dance for fear of gettin fined, ugh
November 6th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
dapro says:
@dagwaller
Celts first game, Leon Powe dunk?
November 6th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
George W Kush Sr says:
Respect? Dude has my respect, he’s the ‘07 FINALS MVP. I regard Finals’ MVPs much more than a bench warmer who picks up a ring or 2. TP gets my respect. Its my attention that I refuse to give him. Fuck him, dude’s annoying as hell. He’s crazy quick and has game, but i dont like him, so fuck him. happy?
November 6th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
flyp says:
Hey Doc,
Swiped Zach Randolph for Spencer Hawes in my league.
I’m happy.
November 6th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Meica says:
Why are we talking about this? Amare Stoudamire scored 49 points of 17-21 shooting and sinking 15-15 free throws in 44 minutes while also racking up 11 boards, 6 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocked shots! Tony Parker, on the other hand, did play an amazing game: 55 points, 7 boards, 10 assists, but he did it against arguably the worst team in the league and in double overtime. Amare racked up his stats against a servicable team in less minutes. Honestly, if the Suns/Pacers game had gone into double OT Amare could have broken 60. I can’t find the info on Oscar, but MJ got his 57 points and 10 assists in a regulation game. What Tony did was incredible, but I still think Amare owned the best game played last night. Look at the numbers! 49 points. 17-21 from the field, a perfect 15-15 from the line, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks! I mean, come on, that is a freakin’ stat line if I ever saw one.
November 6th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
rangerjohn says:
meica
tony has 42 in regulation, 9 assists and 6 rebounds in regulation. he also played 42.5 minutes less in regualtion then amare did.
parker being 6′1″ did it both inside and out to the tune of 61% shooting. amare went up against primarily JEFF FOSTER and TROY MURPHY!
all in all the 2 of them played a pretty close and comparable game BUT tony did it with the odds stacked against him, because he doesnt have shaq, nash, grant hill diaw, and so on, all he had was duncan but duncan and parker alone are not equal to the suns (close but not equal).
by the way, how many dunks did amare have? i will guarantee parker didnt have any BECAUSE HE IS 6′1″!!!!!
November 6th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
Theses athletes need t have a dress code they make enough damn money they should at least act professional. That said who wouldn’t wear a suit for the L minimum? The L tried to let them decide how to dress for themselves and they couldn’t be professional about it… All that I wanted to see was like KG does it, Nice sweater and some nice jeans nothin too special just doesn’t look like a thug.
November 6th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
sans says:
nice victory lap Austin. You deserve it. Repping TP like you get paid to do it…which you do…but every other talking/typing head in this country was underwhelmed by TPs abilities, but not you. Respect to you, sir. Just to requote myself “TP was playing angry like his wife tripled in size after they said there ‘I dos’ or some ish…oh wait…” You’re engaged, watch that ish. It happens. Have one of your boys get yall a gym membership for your wedding. Peace.
November 6th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
dagwaller says:
Thanks for the info, control, dapro, and Gee. That was the dunk to which I was referring.
It’s a thin line between letting the players chest bump, jaw at each other, look the other way on technicals, and fights, players trying to go one on one, and guys getting back at one another later in games and/or other games. The things in the first half of that sentence brings some passion, enhancing the game; the second half would diminish it.
I would rather see the players just naturally put as much passion into each possession as you might see on the playground or (much as I hate to say it) in college. Once they do that, I’d be willing to acknowledge that their respect for the game might allow for some extra curricular activity on the floor, instead of just fear for the integrity of play.
Because really, who wants to watch Michael Sweetney play just because he’s big and could cause fights? Hockey and basketball aren’t the same sport.
Beyond that, because basketball players wear such little clothing and don’t wear helmets, we identify more with them. Even their facial expressions are passionate, which you don’t get to see in any other major sport (I don’t count baseball as a sport). The flip side of that is that it humanizes fights much more; it makes them more visceral, dangerous. Putting basketball players closer to fighting is a bad idea.
Just my two cents.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Ross says:
Once again I agree with you, Austin. I think being on the cover of NBA Live has a lot to do with him getting more recognition this season. Hopefully it continues.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
knoc says:
amen to rangerjohn
November 6th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
RED says:
WORD
1CP3
2 DWill
3 TP
4 NASH/BARON
nash IS OVERRATED, 2 OVERRATED MVPS!!!
November 6th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
K Dizzle says:
Whatever….What Meica said. 55 in double overtime against…….the Wolves? Please tell me who the backcourt was that took the Spurs to double overtime.
If scorin 50 in a game gave you auto-respect, willie Burton and Tony Delk would be hall 0f famers. Yeah, Amare got his against Foster and Murphy. Which all-defense squad member did Tony put 55 on?
I guarantee TP ain’t puttin 55 on my Lakeshow cuz if he even thought about gettin loose on DFish or Farmar, we’d lock him down with KB or Ariza so quick, it’d make his head spin.
Let’s face reality. Spurs are a 1-3 team that finally got a win against maybe the worst team in the league, in double ot, needin a career game from Parker. Holla back when they beat a playoff team
I’m out
November 6th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
David Brandon says:
damn, he looks hella dirty! like a kid in a wet sandbox or something! haha
November 6th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
ab_40 says:
he also got 10 assists not just 55 damon stoudamire had 53 one day just gunning. And ginobili is a top 5 sg in this L he’s one of their main players and they don’t realy have the players who can do what he does.
If chris paul or lebron james would have 3 titles with a finals mvp? they’d be in the GOAT talk. Tony Parker is an amazing scorer with a nice passing ability.
Quick name one player who can stop him 1 on 1? he’s going up againt bruce bowen on the daily. He went head to head and topped CP3 in the playoffs.
November 6th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
jackass says:
can’t deny the double nickel game. damnnnn, gotta admit didn’t know parker had it in him like that. RESPECT
November 6th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
rangerjohn says:
um lets see, how many PF’s have gotten 49 and 16? and now, how many PG’s have gotten and 10 assists?
nuff said!!!!!!
November 7th, 2008 at 1:54 am
karizmatic says:
I don’t think he’s close to number two or three last year I made the “outlandish” statement to my friends that TP was the best point guard in the league. I still think he is. Three rings, one of the fastest players in the league, still young, makes good decisions, has a killer game insise the 3 pt line and is virtually unstoppable, but the biggest factor is the 3 rings. Like I said before Paul and D-Will have to catch him not the other way around. For those that say he has Duncan, ok, Paul has West and D Will has Boozer not as good but still top notch PFs in the league. Give TP his respect best point in the league or at least you got to say his name in the top 3.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:02 am
Ian says:
kdizzle
u said get back to u when the spurs beat a playoff team
pleaseee get back to me when kobe wins a ring being the best player on his team and gets a final mvp. i mean how many allstar caliber player does kobe need to win a ring damnnn. next season when kobe fails to win again lets trade duncan and hamilton the lakers to see if they can help kobe win. hey kobe tell me how my ass taste … the diesel was right
to the fool that says manu isnt a huge part of the spurs
must be the dumbest shit posting here
manu isnt a huge part of the spurs????
a top 5 sg and their leading scorer not huge?
and yes the 0-3 start doesnt happen with manu since they lost 2 games by 3 or less. have the spurs ever started 0-3 in the manu timmeh and parker era ? NO
so please dont come posting crap here.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:07 am
Ian says:
post 9 must be the dumbest post ive read in a while.
now someone here mentioned that parkers game wasnt impressive cuz it was against the wolves (kdizzle)
how many players have done that to the wolves before???? ZERO and everyone get a ride at the wolves so please dont be stupid. and a team cant lose a regular season game to a inferior team???? thats new i didnt know everyseason the champion went 98-0
November 7th, 2008 at 2:43 am
odi says:
control
“Some fool was posting on smack the other day that the Spurs 0-3 start was proof that Manu is a HUGE part of the Spurs…but TP getting into his groove will make people say “Manu who? Oh, that flopping pussy guy!”. All the Spurs need is for TP to bring it, TD to be TD and someone like Matt Bonner or Finley to step up a little bit and they will be aight this season.”
wow you are saying manu is not a huge part of the spurs?? which he is the leading scorer and their go to guy in crunch time and the reason the spurs didnt give the lakers a series and you call someone else a fool? the best part is when you add bonner just needs to step up and the spurs will be fine. hahahahahahaha you are the fool.
November 7th, 2008 at 9:58 am
jmoney says:
You’ve gotta respect Parker. He may be the best little guard EVER to get points in the paint like he does. He’s top 5 every season for points in the paint. That boy got game…….
November 7th, 2008 at 10:33 am
doc says:
He’s number 3 behind u know who and u know who.If that aint respect enough then fuck him
December 28th, 2008 at 5:40 am
Yoda says:
get em on your fantasy teams now, fellas. his 32 points tonight are nice, but it’s the WAY he’s getting his buckets now that are scary. He’s going to continue having a monster season. here’s why:
No secret he can blow by anyone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYIQboOJfWk
you don’t have to watch the whole clip, although it’s dope as fuck. just go to 2:35. There is a play there where he drives to the hoop, and THE ENTIRE STARTING LINEUP OF THE DALLAS MAVERICKS collapse on him at the same time and NOT ONE can get a finger on him. I’m not even exaggerating. see this play for yourself. he blows by the entire team. they see him coming, they’re all D-ing up, but somehow they miss and run into each other!
all those arguments about him needing duncan and ginobili are now moot. He goes into the lane when no other Spur is within 10 feet of it and get his buckets while swarmed with big men, double teams, and being defended by the other team’s best player. they still cannot stop him. Duncan needs him as much as he needs Duncan…and the way he’s stepped up this year has been crazy.
This yr he finally developed a consistent Jumper, and now he’s been raining them in all over the place. ya’ll saw the 55 point performance when ginobili was out. He was hitting 3s and jumpers all game long. Parker is willing them to victory. Memphis took them to double over time tonight and Parker was hitting shots from 25, 27 feet-EACH TIME- to keep them in it. Each time he got the look it was money. I looked at the footage of his 55 point, 10 assist game and it was the same thing. Jumpers, drives, and dishes. he’s evolved his game to the point now where he does everything and anything he wants on the court. this has also been his best statistical season, unsurprisingly. He is as dangerous an offensive weapon as there is in the league, and with that J i just don’t see how you can effectively gameplan for him. just have to hope he’s having an off night.
Real talk, he’s only 2nd to Chris Paul now. you can debate it, hate it, whatever, but no pg is as valuable to his team as Parker is to the Spurs except for Paul. And Parker is now entering his prime. Baron Davis? still complaining and still erratic as hell. Nash? 2 MVPs will never be forgotten but he’s not the same. D-Will is suffering from injuries. Kidd? most complete PG ever but a horrible scorer and falling off hard on D now, too. Billups is still the man, i’l admit-but he needs to unseat Parker, not the other way around. after that? NO pgs are left in this debate. You don’t have to believe me, just watch the footage. dude is scary good now. I always thought he was a great role playing winner who just played at a high level…but now i’m actually witnessing him entering greatness.