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A thing of beauty When he's on his game, Parker has Spurs sitting prettyPosted: Friday June 06, 2003 1:48 AM
SAN ANTONIO -- Spurs point guard Tony Parker was walking back onto the SBC Center floor after practice Thursday when he spotted Nets forward Richard Jefferson answering questions for a group of reporters. Parker immediately rushed over to the podium behind which Jefferson was standing, and playfully picked up a tape recorder. "Um, Richard, what do you think of Tony Parker being named one of the 50 most beautiful people," Parker said as the two broke into laughter. "You can do that because you won the first game," Jefferson said. "Just wait until after Game 2." Parker's performance was anything but beautiful to the Nets in Game 1. The baby-faced point guard, recently named to People Magazine's annual list of hottest celebs, had 16 points and five assists to complement Tim Duncan and help lead the Spurs to an easy victory. He also helped limit Kidd to just 10 points on 4-of-17 shooting. "[Parker] played a great game," Kidd said. "In the second half he made some tough shots. ... He gave them a boost." Parker has been a barometer for San Antonio all season. When he plays well, the Spurs are almost impossible to beat. When he struggles, they're vulnerable. Matched up against Kidd, the second-year Frenchman is facing an enormous challenge. Not only must he find a way to penetrate against the bigger and stronger Kidd, he also must stay in front of him on defense and try to keep him off the boards. And then he has to deal with all the distractions surrounding Kidd's looming free agency and speculation the All-Star guard might sign in San Antonio and take his job. "The pressure is there," Parker admitted. "Especially when you're trying to win the championship." Parker got off to a slow start in Game 1, hitting just one of six shots in the first half. But he erupted like a volcano in the third quarter, scoring nine points to help the Spurs outscore the Nets 32-17 and blow open a tight game. He scored two huge baskets during a 10-2 run to open the frame, one a 21-foot jumper off a pick and roll with Duncan, and the other a 3-pointer. He later added two driving layups in traffic, making the Nets pay dearly for a team defense that was sagging on Duncan and practically daring somebody else to beat them. "I thought he had an excellent mentality in the second half," Duncan said. "He came off screens, really got in the middle and really made them pay for playing halfway on me." Parker's maturity has never been an issue. Though just 21 years of age, he has several years of pro experience playing overseas. After arriving in San Antonio last season as a rookie, one of the first things he did was go out and buy his own home. "He found a realtor, looked at homes, bought one and furnished it, got a mortgage and the whole deal," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Did it all when he was 19. I don't know if I could find my way out of town." Sometimes Parker's confidence can get him in trouble. Before the Finals, he caused a minor buzz when he suggested that Suns guard Stephon Marbury was a tougher matchup for him than Kidd. Never mind that he was just stating the facts, a New York tabloid slapped it on the back page. Sacre bleu! The truth is Parker has the quickness to keep up with Kidd and the outside shooting stroke to punish the Nets. The only question going into these Finals was whether he could make good decisions at both ends against a savvier more experienced opponent. In Game 1, at least, he showed he could. "I've just got to stay aggressive and play my game," Parker said. "Do whatever my team needs me to do." If he succeeds like he did in Game 1, Jefferson and the Nets might soon have to cancel their plans for a victory parade -- along with their subscriptions to People Magazine. Marty Burns covers pro basketball for SI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment. |
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