Tony Parker had a blunt quote about his role on the Spurs, and it encapsulated the team's continued evolution
Christian Petersen/Getty
When the Spurs won the 2013-14 championship, Parker was the team's leading scorer in the regular season and postseason.
Things have changed.
The Spurs are now LaMarcus Aldridge and Leonard's team while Parker, Duncan, and Ginobili essentially function as high-quality role players. While Aldridge and Leonard are averaging a combined 43 points on 29 shots per game in the playoffs, Parker, Duncan, and Ginobili are averaging a combined 21 points on 17 shots per game.
On Wednesday, Parker was asked about how the Spurs have made Aldridge their go-to scorer and whether it affects other players. Parker gave a frank answer about how roles evolve and how it's important to stay focused (via Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express News):
"You always have that discussion, because then the other guys are not in rhythm. But hey, LaMarcus has been playing unbelievable. If he keeps playing like that, it's our job, even if we get three shots, four shots, we have to make them. That's a tough life. For me, I used to get 15 or 20 shots, so I got time to get a rhythm. When you get four shots, you have to make them. That's my job now. That's my life now. I have to make those shots. I know I'm going to get three or four and then I'm not going to see it again for 10 minutes. It's like that. I'm just going to have to make them."
Parker isn't hiding much here. He's averaging almost five fewer shots per game this postseason than last year, a dramatic drop-off undoubtedly tied to the presence of Aldridge and the emergence of Leonard. Parker clearly wouldn't mind getting more shots in the offense.
However, this also isn't a complaint by Parker. He's not demanding more shots; rather, he's accepting he'll get fewer shots, and that the Spurs' offense can only be potent if he takes advantage of the looks he gets. If Parker isn't hitting his shots, teams can bog down on Aldridge and Leonard, and the whole system can collapse.
Attitudes like this are partially why the Spurs have been so good for so long - players accept their roles, however large or small, with little complaint.
- Top temples to visit in India you must visit atleast once in a lifetime
- Top 10 adventure sports across India: Where to experience them in 2024
- Market recap: Valuation of 6 of top 10 firms declines by Rs 68,417 cr; Airtel biggest laggard
- West Bengal Elections: Rift among INDIA bloc partners triggers three-cornered intense contests
- Angel Investing Opportunities
- Nothing Phone (2a) blue edition launched
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market