I also think if each of those players switched places with Parker, the new look Spurs would have a better record and the opposite team would have a worse record.

I do, however, think it’s debatable (not open and shut), but for my money each of these players have had better seasons than Parker.

– Deron Williams has had an incredible season firstly keeping Utah afloat, and then leading them into the playoffs, all while Utah was getting battered by injuries to their best players.

– Brandon Roy has been immense for Portland, and that team would be nowhere near a playoff spot if not for him, he controls everything. I think those two are locks ahead of Parker.

– The final spot would go to Chauncey Billups, who has been tremendous for the Nuggets, and I think, their best player. Carmelo should regain the best player tag next season but his scoring has been sketchy this year, way down in both per game and efficiency. Chauncey is the piece that makes that team go.

– Joe Johnson is the best player on the Hawks and has led them to the playoffs and homecourt advantage in the first round. The team is due to finish with their best record since the late 90′s when Mutombo+Smith+Blaylock were holding court. His all round game, the defense, the passing, the ballhandling, the scoring and versatility of scoring, and the rebounding. Such a smooth player. I don’t think he’s gotten enough credit this season or in recent years while been hidden on some of those lousy Hawks squads.

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I also think Tim Duncan isn’t getting enough credit for the season he’s had. I know he’s struggled since coming back from his recent injury, but I don’t think that’s changed anything.

Duncan has been the reason why San Antonio still have a great defense, despite San Antonio losing a second defensive big man and their best perimeter stopper (less minutes anyway), and also having to play half the season without their next best defensive player in Ginobili. Still, Duncan continues to hold together the defense.

Duncan’s rebounding continues to be amazing. And, he’s been a one man wrecking crew on the boards — he’s the only Spurs player to average more than five rebounds, and the Spurs as a team are barely outrebounding the opposition.

Then you add the 20 points, the low post scoring presence, the attention the opposing defense gives him, the passing, the unselfishness … and then all those intangibles like his leadership.

I think Duncan has been more important to the Spurs, and more important by a large margin. I think if San Antonio added one of those guards I mentioned above, alongside Timmy, then the Spurs would get stronger.

Tony Parker is an excellent player and I regard him as a Top 5 point guard in the league. I just don’t rate him as highly as those other guards (Deron, Roy, Joe), or at least in Billups case (neck and neck for 3rd and 4th place on my top five points), not as highly when comparing their current seasons.

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One other point which doesn’t rate highly in my view, is the team’s place in the Western Standings. The second seed and the seventh seed are only separated by three and a half games, it’s a minuscule difference and not a large enough separation to be one of my deciding factors.

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The Tony Parker argument is similar to the Ray Allen argument.

He’s been the most consistent of the Big Three for the Celtics this season, and some feel he deserves to be recognized ahead of KG/Pierce for his efforts this season.

Then you add in the team success Boston has had and point to Ray Allen — but like the Parker argument, I do not think it’s a true picture of relative importance and contributions made. So Ray Ray, is also not one of my choices for an All-NBA team.

As a side note: I do think Parker has had a better season than Ray Allen, just similarities to the argument.

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Anyway, that’s where I’m coming from on my selections.

First Team — Kobe and Wade
Second Team — Paul and Deron
Third Team — Billups and Roy

Joe Johnson is on the bubble and next on my list. Parker comes somewhere after that.

I think all of those guards have had better seasons than Tony Parker, and that’s just the guards. I don’t understand how he can be an MVP candidate.

lakeshow this is transforming into parkers team want it or not and this is coming from a spurs fan that likes the other 2 more than tp.

arnaud that is kinda dumb u dont have to be the best at your position to be the mvp howard is not better than duncan for example and is going to end up higher in the voting its a mix of numbers and record.

dave is just hating and talking a bit out of his neck (see lakeshow i remember hehehe) how is parker not even deserving a 3rd team all nba.

john
can u have 3 guards in the first team????
wade
kobe
lebron
td
howard

paul
parker
for the second team imo of course assuming its 2 guard 2 fowards and a big man