Parker Gets No Love From National Media
Jose Arredondo
TBS Editor-in-Chief
Against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Spurs point guard Tony Parker had a season-high 42 points. However, Parker is usually better known for passing the ball than scoring points.
Parker, lobbed a pass to forward Tim Duncan in the third quarter of the game against the Thunder, and passed former Spurs point guard Avery Johnson as the all-time team assists leader.
“Tony Parker is good and deserves it. He has been a good point guard his whole career,” Paul Rodriguez, sophomore, said.
The Spurs franchise has been one of the most successful teams since the National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association merger. The Spurs, a former ABA team many years ago, have had solid guards since joining the NBA including George Gervin and Alvin Robertson.
Many Rough Riders feel that Parker is underrated as a point guard with most of the national media attention focused on points guards such as Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Rajan Rondo, Darren Williams, Russell Westbrook, and Steve Nash. They seem to forget about Parker and his accomplishments including an NBA Finals MVP award and being a key member of three championship teams.
“Tony is very underrated as a point guard. No one gives him credit. He is in the top five point guards every year,” Brady Wyatt, Rough Rider assistant boys’ basketball coach, said.
Parker has been an all-star and was selected again this year to be on the team as a reserve for the western conference. Parker has been criticized for not being consistent, but has been a leader on the floor for the Spurs in times of need.
“Tony Parker is back to his usual self scoring 30, whenever he wants. He also gets his teammates involved,” Jordan Valle, sophomore, said.
Parker is in his 12th season and continues to play a big role for the Spurs who continues to prove his critics wrong.
