People often tell me that they don't care for today's NBA. These same individuals claim that basketball was much better back in the day. Of course, "back in the day" means different things to different people. Some miss the excitement of the Jordan era. Some miss watching Larry Legend and Magic Johnson battling on the game's biggest stage. The one thing that all of them have in common (aside from the nostalgia that comes with getting older) is that they are all wrong.
The game of pro basketball has never been better.
If this is true, then why have so many lost interest in the sport? More often than not, people have the same grievances. Some complain that guys don't really start competing until the Playoffs, but that has been the case for years. The majority of people who don't care for the sport, for whatever reason, do not like or relate to today's NBA players. There is another factor at work here.
In a much simpler time many years ago, popular culture gave birth to a phrase.
"Don't hate the player. Hate the game."
That saying changed everything. The 90's were a decade plagued by "player hating" which gave birth to the aughts, a decade of "game hating". You see it happen again and again. When Latrell Sprewell claims that he can't feed his family on $14.6 million dollars a season, people hate the game. When A.I. routinely skips practice after signing a $70 million contract, people hate the game. When guys piss and moan about every foul call, people hate the game. Let's face it; some guys in the league are downright unlikable and I can understand people not wanting to support them. Unfortunately, a lot of truly great basketball was missed as a result. Let's examine the 2000's NBA.
The aughts gave us the best years of some future Hall of Famers. The greatest power forward of all time established himself in that era. There are plenty of guys in the league who can either score, rebound, pass, defend, or block shots. For many years 4-time champion, 2-time MVP, 13-time All-Star Tim Duncan did all of those things exceptionally well. Basketball purists were losing faith in the new crop of shoot-first point guards until a shaggy haired baller from British Columbia made it cool to pass the ball. How can anybody who loves sports not enjoy the way that Steve Nash approaches the game? Him being named the NBA's Most Valuable Player was a resounding victory for all those who still play basketball the right way. We saw a lanky kid from Wurzburg revolutionize the power forward position in that decade. The world had never seen a 7-foot tall low-post presence with the shooting range of a 2-guard and the skill set of a point guard before Dirk Nowitzki stepped on the scene. His talent was unreal and getting to see a humble, hardworking, loyal guy win it all after years of disappointment was truly gratifying. Who can forget "The Answer"? Few were as polarizing as that diminutive David in a game of Goliaths. Whether or not you like the guy, witnessing Allen Iverson carry the Sixers to the Finals with a bruised tailbone, right quad contusion, sprained right knee, sprained left ankle, inflamed right toe, right hip contusion, left hip pointer, dislocated shoulder, bursitis in his left elbow, and a sprained left thumb captured my imagination in a way that transcended sports.
The 2000's also gave us some great teams. Seeing the dominant yet dysfunctional Lakers 3-peat was unforgettable. Shaquille O'Neal was a once in a lifetime talent (on the basketball court, at least) and he and Kobe Bryant may be one of the greatest tandems to ever play together. The Spurs were also a force to be reckoned with in those days. Some said their style of play was boring; I thought it was brilliant. Each and every night, San Antonio played relentless defense and executed their offense with surgical precision. In 2007, three superstars put aside egos and big contracts to win as a team. They did just that. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo were all great players in their own right but what stays with me is that despite all of their individual greatness, every game they competed in was a clinic on how basketball should be played. The '04 Pistons with Billups, Hamilton, Prince, and the two Wallace's could be the best defensive unit ever assembled. Watching them absolutely manhandle a heavily favored Lakers squad with 4 future Hall of Famers was quite entertaining.
There were no shortage of awe-inspiring moments in the aughts: Kobe's 81 Point game, Tracy McGrady's 13 points in 35 seconds, the Celtics beating the Nets after being down 21 points in the 4th quarter, the postseason battles between the Lakers and Kings, Dwayne Wade's performance in the '06 Finals, Vince Carter's gravity-defying dunk contest, Robert Horry's numerous game-winning buzzer beaters, and Phil Jackson surpassing Red Auerbach for most championship teams coached to name a few.
When I first starting following basketball, guys like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, John Stockton, and Hakeem Olajuwon's unbelievable talent, skill, and passion for the game made a lasting impression on me. Pro basketball became my favorite sport and this didn't change throughout the 90's or the 2000's. Right now there are more great players, great teams, and great coaches in the league than ever before, and last season's Playoffs provided some of the most competitive games that I've ever seen. Despite all of that, the player haters and game haters of the world still won't watch, which doesn't bother me at all. Katt Williams did say that it is a hater's job to hate. Perhaps that makes it my job to love the game that much more.
Showing posts with label Tim Duncan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tim Duncan. Show all posts
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
The Lost Art of the Low Post Game
There is little debate among the basketball intelligentsia in the matter. Kentucky's Anthony Davis appears to be the consensus #1 overall pick. This is no small feat, especially since many scouts are calling this the deepest Draft class since '03. The 19 year old is projected to be a starting power forward who can have an immediate impact at the next level. Some would go as far as to say that Davis will one day blossom into a franchise player. Predicting the success of big men coming into the league can be a crap shoot but the kid does have a tremendous upside. Davis is a game changer on the defensive end. He is already a superb shot blocker with great instincts. He runs the floor well, is surprisingly quick, and has an amazing vertical leap. These attributes contribute to him being an exceptional offensive rebounder. Anthony Davis is listed as 6'10" with a 7'4" wingspan. He also has nimble feet and a nice looking jump shot. These attributes could contribute to him one day becoming a good low post scorer.
A good low post scorer.
Imagine that.
There is a serious lack of good low post scorers in the league right now. For years, getting a dominant big man and surrounding him with outside shooters and other role players was the blueprint for winning championships. It was how the Hakeem Olajuwon and the Rockets won two of them. It was how the Shaquille O'Neal and the Lakers won 3 of them. It was how Tim Duncan and the Spurs were able to win 4. One could even argue that the low post play of Pau Gasol and Kevin Garnett were essential to their respective teams' championship runs. Getting that dominant big man used to be every team's mission in life.
Things are much different these days. The tried and true "back-to-the-basket" style of play seems to be going the way of the set shot and the underhanded free throw. Why is that? There are plenty of athletic big men in the league but for whatever reason, none of them are dominant low post scorers. Is it because strong, agile, coordinated, 7-footers with a soft shooting touch are that hard to come by? Is it because today's game is becoming more about guard play and perimeter shooting? Either explanation makes sense. You don't see guys with Olajuwon's size, footwork, and skill set every day. The game is also changing. Nowadays there is no shortage of great perimeter players at every level. Perhaps today's big men are being taught to become screen setters rather than scorers.
Some teams still choose to invest in big men. Right now, the two best in the league (in my estimation) are Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum. Both guys can take over a game on any given night. Their play in the low post commands double teams, creates spacing and makes their teammates' jobs a whole lot easier. Who else is there? Roy Hibbert, Al Horford, Andrew Bogut, and Luis Scola are all quality big men but none of them are exactly "franchise player" material. Demarcus Cousins could develop into a dominant big man but has a lot of maturing to do.
The Hornets' eventual decision to draft Anthony Davis is not without risk. A lot of promising 7-footers taken number 1 overall ended up being busts. Yao Ming was a dominant center when he was healthy. Unfortunately, he wasn't healthy too often. Andrew Bogut has the size and skills to be a dominant low post scorer but can't stay healthy either. Greg Oden may have developed into a great center but has never been able to remain injury-free for any extended period of time. Kwame Brown had all of the physical tools to become a great center but will most likely be remembered as the biggest bust in the history of the NBA.
I hope that Anthony Davis will live up to the hype. It would be great to have another dominant big man in the NBA and I believe that it would be good for the game. Back in the day, seeing Ewing and Olajuwon go at it was always entertaining. Some of my favorite Playoff memories involved watching Shaq and Tim Duncan battle in the low post. One day I may be just as fondly recalling the epic battles between Anthony Davis and Andrew Bynum, Dwight Howard, or DeMarcus Cousins.
A good low post scorer.
Imagine that.
There is a serious lack of good low post scorers in the league right now. For years, getting a dominant big man and surrounding him with outside shooters and other role players was the blueprint for winning championships. It was how the Hakeem Olajuwon and the Rockets won two of them. It was how the Shaquille O'Neal and the Lakers won 3 of them. It was how Tim Duncan and the Spurs were able to win 4. One could even argue that the low post play of Pau Gasol and Kevin Garnett were essential to their respective teams' championship runs. Getting that dominant big man used to be every team's mission in life.
Things are much different these days. The tried and true "back-to-the-basket" style of play seems to be going the way of the set shot and the underhanded free throw. Why is that? There are plenty of athletic big men in the league but for whatever reason, none of them are dominant low post scorers. Is it because strong, agile, coordinated, 7-footers with a soft shooting touch are that hard to come by? Is it because today's game is becoming more about guard play and perimeter shooting? Either explanation makes sense. You don't see guys with Olajuwon's size, footwork, and skill set every day. The game is also changing. Nowadays there is no shortage of great perimeter players at every level. Perhaps today's big men are being taught to become screen setters rather than scorers.
Some teams still choose to invest in big men. Right now, the two best in the league (in my estimation) are Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum. Both guys can take over a game on any given night. Their play in the low post commands double teams, creates spacing and makes their teammates' jobs a whole lot easier. Who else is there? Roy Hibbert, Al Horford, Andrew Bogut, and Luis Scola are all quality big men but none of them are exactly "franchise player" material. Demarcus Cousins could develop into a dominant big man but has a lot of maturing to do.
The Hornets' eventual decision to draft Anthony Davis is not without risk. A lot of promising 7-footers taken number 1 overall ended up being busts. Yao Ming was a dominant center when he was healthy. Unfortunately, he wasn't healthy too often. Andrew Bogut has the size and skills to be a dominant low post scorer but can't stay healthy either. Greg Oden may have developed into a great center but has never been able to remain injury-free for any extended period of time. Kwame Brown had all of the physical tools to become a great center but will most likely be remembered as the biggest bust in the history of the NBA.
I hope that Anthony Davis will live up to the hype. It would be great to have another dominant big man in the NBA and I believe that it would be good for the game. Back in the day, seeing Ewing and Olajuwon go at it was always entertaining. Some of my favorite Playoff memories involved watching Shaq and Tim Duncan battle in the low post. One day I may be just as fondly recalling the epic battles between Anthony Davis and Andrew Bynum, Dwight Howard, or DeMarcus Cousins.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Tony Parker is a Hall of Famer
The year was 2001. The San Antonio Spurs were taking on the Seattle Supersonics in Seattle and I was watching the game from the relative comfort of my first apartment. Before tipoff, the commentators were discussing the generic keys to victory for both teams. Of course, the point guard matchup came up. The Spurs' rookie from France (the youngest player to ever start for the Spurs) would be guarded by "The Glove" Gary Payton, whom had made the NBA's All-Defensive team nine times. The talking heads bantered back and forth and chuckled while making inane comments like,
"This will be a rude awakening for the young kid from France."
"It's gonna be a long day at the office for Tony Parker."
After a missed jumper by the Sonics, Parker got the ball and took off. Payton nearly tripped over his own feet trying to keep up. The kid seemingly made it from one end of the court to the other in less than 2 seconds, with Payton far behind him. On the next possession, the young kid from France got the ball at the 3-Point line. "The Glove" was in front of him in that famously low defensive stance. Parker dribbled hard with his left, then crossed over right and flew past him for another layup.
I'll never forget that crossover. At that time guys like Allen Iverson, Steve Francis, and Jason Williams were turning the crossover dribble into an art form. They were masters of using their great handles, low center of gravity, head fakes, and quick first steps to get by their defenders. This was something completely different. There was no trickery. No great ball handling. Just pure speed. Parker was standing upright and blew by the best perimeter defender in the NBA. He was the fastest guy I had ever seen and watching him play was like watching Usain Bolt run.
The kid was a blur.
Tony Parker's game has grown and developed throughout his illustrious 11 year career. Shot blockers and charge takers set their sites on him so he developed the "tear drop floater" which has become his signature move. Slower defenders would sag off him once he got within 20 feet of the rim so he developed a consistent outside shot. Parker is still as fast as ever and makes a living attacking the rim. He regularly ranks in the top 5 in points in the paint, a distinction normally reserved for giants like Shaquille O'Neal or Dwight Howard. In 2005, Parker finished the season shooting over 54% from the field. That was the first time since 1975 that a point guard had ranked in the top 3 in field goal percentage. Tony Parker plays the game without fear and seeing him get knocked to the floor has become so commonplace that we take for granted how tough he is. He ranks 3rd among active players for free throws attempted per 48 minutes in the Playoffs.
Tony Parker has been instrumental in the 3 championships he has won with the Spurs but for whatever reason, his greatness is not recognized by most fans outside of Texas. Perhaps it's because he came into the league when it wasn't cool to be French. Perhaps it's because he plays with the Spurs. Perhaps it's because he made People's list of the "100 Most Beautiful People". Perhaps it's because he was married to Eva Longoria and still felt the need to sleep with Brent Barry's wife. Some people cannot root for a player that they are jealous of. Others have a tough time divorcing a player's greatness on the court with their behavior off of it.
I don't have either hang up. In my opinion, great athletes don't have to be guys that you would want to drink a beer with or have date your kid sister. An athlete's greatness is measured by what they accomplish in their given profession. Tony Parker has accomplished a great deal. He is a 4 time All-Star who has scored over 13,000 points and played in over 140 Playoff games. He is currently the Spurs' all-time assist leader in both the Playoffs and the regular season. Parker is 2nd only to Tim Duncan in Spurs all-time Playoff scoring and could surpass the future Hall of Famer one day.
Another great, yet equally unpopular champion famously said,
"To be the man, you gotta beat the man. Whoooooooooo!"
I think that Ric Flair is on to something.
Throughout Parker's career, he has performed well against the best point guards the league has to offer. He has outdueled guys like Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, Stephon Marbury and Derek Fisher. When asked what the key would be to defeating the Spurs in '05, Phil Jackson said that the Lakers would have to keep Tony Parker out of the paint to win the series. They couldn't and as a result didn't. Tony Parker absolutely dominated Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2007 Finals and became the first European-born player to win the Finals MVP.
Tony Parker has shown no signs of slowing down, literally or figuratively. This season has been his finest as a pro. He is clearly the best player on what is arguably the best team in the Western Conference. Last night, he outplayed Chris Paul, whom many consider to be the best point guard in the world. Parker should go on to have many more years of playing at a high level. I hope that when all is said and done, people will appreciate just how special he was and put that young kid from France in the Hall of Fame.
"This will be a rude awakening for the young kid from France."
"It's gonna be a long day at the office for Tony Parker."
After a missed jumper by the Sonics, Parker got the ball and took off. Payton nearly tripped over his own feet trying to keep up. The kid seemingly made it from one end of the court to the other in less than 2 seconds, with Payton far behind him. On the next possession, the young kid from France got the ball at the 3-Point line. "The Glove" was in front of him in that famously low defensive stance. Parker dribbled hard with his left, then crossed over right and flew past him for another layup.
I'll never forget that crossover. At that time guys like Allen Iverson, Steve Francis, and Jason Williams were turning the crossover dribble into an art form. They were masters of using their great handles, low center of gravity, head fakes, and quick first steps to get by their defenders. This was something completely different. There was no trickery. No great ball handling. Just pure speed. Parker was standing upright and blew by the best perimeter defender in the NBA. He was the fastest guy I had ever seen and watching him play was like watching Usain Bolt run.
The kid was a blur.
Tony Parker's game has grown and developed throughout his illustrious 11 year career. Shot blockers and charge takers set their sites on him so he developed the "tear drop floater" which has become his signature move. Slower defenders would sag off him once he got within 20 feet of the rim so he developed a consistent outside shot. Parker is still as fast as ever and makes a living attacking the rim. He regularly ranks in the top 5 in points in the paint, a distinction normally reserved for giants like Shaquille O'Neal or Dwight Howard. In 2005, Parker finished the season shooting over 54% from the field. That was the first time since 1975 that a point guard had ranked in the top 3 in field goal percentage. Tony Parker plays the game without fear and seeing him get knocked to the floor has become so commonplace that we take for granted how tough he is. He ranks 3rd among active players for free throws attempted per 48 minutes in the Playoffs.
Tony Parker has been instrumental in the 3 championships he has won with the Spurs but for whatever reason, his greatness is not recognized by most fans outside of Texas. Perhaps it's because he came into the league when it wasn't cool to be French. Perhaps it's because he plays with the Spurs. Perhaps it's because he made People's list of the "100 Most Beautiful People". Perhaps it's because he was married to Eva Longoria and still felt the need to sleep with Brent Barry's wife. Some people cannot root for a player that they are jealous of. Others have a tough time divorcing a player's greatness on the court with their behavior off of it.
I don't have either hang up. In my opinion, great athletes don't have to be guys that you would want to drink a beer with or have date your kid sister. An athlete's greatness is measured by what they accomplish in their given profession. Tony Parker has accomplished a great deal. He is a 4 time All-Star who has scored over 13,000 points and played in over 140 Playoff games. He is currently the Spurs' all-time assist leader in both the Playoffs and the regular season. Parker is 2nd only to Tim Duncan in Spurs all-time Playoff scoring and could surpass the future Hall of Famer one day.
"To be the man, you gotta beat the man. Whoooooooooo!"
I think that Ric Flair is on to something.
Throughout Parker's career, he has performed well against the best point guards the league has to offer. He has outdueled guys like Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, Stephon Marbury and Derek Fisher. When asked what the key would be to defeating the Spurs in '05, Phil Jackson said that the Lakers would have to keep Tony Parker out of the paint to win the series. They couldn't and as a result didn't. Tony Parker absolutely dominated Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2007 Finals and became the first European-born player to win the Finals MVP.
Tony Parker has shown no signs of slowing down, literally or figuratively. This season has been his finest as a pro. He is clearly the best player on what is arguably the best team in the Western Conference. Last night, he outplayed Chris Paul, whom many consider to be the best point guard in the world. Parker should go on to have many more years of playing at a high level. I hope that when all is said and done, people will appreciate just how special he was and put that young kid from France in the Hall of Fame.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Sizing up the Spurs
In every major sport with a postseason tournament, much is made of "getting hot at the right time". Conventional wisdom says that to win in the postseason, a team needs to be firing on all cylinders. If that is in fact the case, the San Antonio Spurs should be sitting pretty. They won 21 of their final 23 regular season games while resting players and avoiding injuries. Any concerns of being rusty or out of sync once the Playoffs began were quickly laid to rest. They swept the Utah Jazz by an average margin of 16 points in what more closely resembled a layup drill than a Playoff series. Hot may not be a strong enough adjective to describe just how well they are playing right now. Perhaps sizzling would be more accurate.
This is, of course, no accident. The Spurs are a well coached, deep team that does many things well. They have the unusual distinction of leading the league in both Field Goal percentage and 3-Pt Field Goal percentage. Defending a team that consistently drains 3's while getting dozens of easy layups is no easy task. The dynamic duo of guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli may be the best 1-2 punch in the business. While a bit long in the tooth, Tim Duncan is still a great player who is healthy in May for the first time in years. Gary Neal, Dejuan Blair, Kawhi Leonard, Matt Bonner, Danny Green, Stephen Jackson, and Tiago Splitter are all solid players who know their role and rarely play outside of themselves. Poppovich preaches ball movement and collectively these guys pass the rock better than any team I have ever seen.
Could this team win it all? Absolutely. Do I think that they will? Not necessarily. The Spurs are not without their weaknesses. Basketball is all about matchups and San Antonio does not match up well with some teams in the Western Conference. Here are some of the weaknesses that could prove to be their undoing;
Suspect Interior Defense
This comes down to size. Right now the Spurs have two 7 footers on their roster; Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter. Duncan is still a serviceable defender but not the dominant force he was 10 years ago. Tiago Splitter is still young and gets into foul trouble early and often when defending quality big men. Matt Bonner is tall (listed as 6'10") but a non-factor defensively due to his lack of strength and quickness. Heavy D (Dejuan Blair) gives a ton of effort but is a very undersized center at 6'7". Teams with quality low post players like the Grizzlies or Lakers could pose problems for San Antonio.
Difficulty Facing Good Shot Blocking
The Spurs shoot a lot of jump shots but their dribble penetration is what gets them going. The Spurs guards getting into the paint is what creates spacing for their outside shooters. Teams that can keep Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli out of the paint tend to give this team trouble. The Lakers, Grizzlies, and Thunder have great shot blockers who could make life difficult for this Spurs' offense.
Difficulty Facing Efficient Offenses
San Antonio likes to get out and run in transition. They also like to shoot a lot of 3-Pointers. The way to stop a fast breaking team is to make shots. The way to stop a 3-Point shooting team is to make shots while using up the shot clock. When you control the clock while scoring, you take away both fast break baskets and possessions. 3-Point shooting teams like the Spurs need a lot of possessions to be effective. Teams with efficient offenses like the Lakers, Grizzlies, or Clippers could disrupt the Spurs' offensive rhythm.
San Antonio matches up pretty well with the remaining teams in the East (Miami, Boston, Indiana, and Philly) but getting out of the West will not be easy. The Lakers, Clippers, Thunder and Grizzlies all pose different matchup problems for them and the road to the Finals will be a difficult one for this very talented team. A fifth championship for Duncan and Poppovich would add to their already impressive Hall of Fame resume. A fourth championship most likely guarantees (deservedly so, in my humble opinion) first ballot status to Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli. The Spurs' next series will start Tuesday and the real test begins.
This is, of course, no accident. The Spurs are a well coached, deep team that does many things well. They have the unusual distinction of leading the league in both Field Goal percentage and 3-Pt Field Goal percentage. Defending a team that consistently drains 3's while getting dozens of easy layups is no easy task. The dynamic duo of guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli may be the best 1-2 punch in the business. While a bit long in the tooth, Tim Duncan is still a great player who is healthy in May for the first time in years. Gary Neal, Dejuan Blair, Kawhi Leonard, Matt Bonner, Danny Green, Stephen Jackson, and Tiago Splitter are all solid players who know their role and rarely play outside of themselves. Poppovich preaches ball movement and collectively these guys pass the rock better than any team I have ever seen.
Could this team win it all? Absolutely. Do I think that they will? Not necessarily. The Spurs are not without their weaknesses. Basketball is all about matchups and San Antonio does not match up well with some teams in the Western Conference. Here are some of the weaknesses that could prove to be their undoing;
Suspect Interior Defense
This comes down to size. Right now the Spurs have two 7 footers on their roster; Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter. Duncan is still a serviceable defender but not the dominant force he was 10 years ago. Tiago Splitter is still young and gets into foul trouble early and often when defending quality big men. Matt Bonner is tall (listed as 6'10") but a non-factor defensively due to his lack of strength and quickness. Heavy D (Dejuan Blair) gives a ton of effort but is a very undersized center at 6'7". Teams with quality low post players like the Grizzlies or Lakers could pose problems for San Antonio.
Difficulty Facing Good Shot Blocking
The Spurs shoot a lot of jump shots but their dribble penetration is what gets them going. The Spurs guards getting into the paint is what creates spacing for their outside shooters. Teams that can keep Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli out of the paint tend to give this team trouble. The Lakers, Grizzlies, and Thunder have great shot blockers who could make life difficult for this Spurs' offense.
Difficulty Facing Efficient Offenses
San Antonio likes to get out and run in transition. They also like to shoot a lot of 3-Pointers. The way to stop a fast breaking team is to make shots. The way to stop a 3-Point shooting team is to make shots while using up the shot clock. When you control the clock while scoring, you take away both fast break baskets and possessions. 3-Point shooting teams like the Spurs need a lot of possessions to be effective. Teams with efficient offenses like the Lakers, Grizzlies, or Clippers could disrupt the Spurs' offensive rhythm.
San Antonio matches up pretty well with the remaining teams in the East (Miami, Boston, Indiana, and Philly) but getting out of the West will not be easy. The Lakers, Clippers, Thunder and Grizzlies all pose different matchup problems for them and the road to the Finals will be a difficult one for this very talented team. A fifth championship for Duncan and Poppovich would add to their already impressive Hall of Fame resume. A fourth championship most likely guarantees (deservedly so, in my humble opinion) first ballot status to Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli. The Spurs' next series will start Tuesday and the real test begins.
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