The resurgence of Tony Parker as an elite caliber NBA point guard has the Spurs riding high at 23-10

Most people thought that the Spurs were completely done after getting beat in the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies last season, but the great play of Tony Parker has carried them to being the same old winning Spurs so far.

I would even go as far to say that Parker is a legitimate MVP candidate after his impressive month of Feb.  He took a night off to rest yesterday and the Spurs were beat by 40, but before that, T.P. had led them to an unheard of eight straight road victories.  Obviously that award is going to be given to guys like LeBron James, Derrick Rose, or Kevin Durant.. however no player has meant more to the success of their team than Parker.

Parker’s last three games have highlighted his ability to fill up the stat sheet in multiple categories.

• Feb 20 at Utah – 23 points, 11 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, Spurs win by 4
• Feb 18 at LAC – 30 points, 10 assists, 3 rebounds, Spurs win by 3
• Feb 16 at Tor – 34 points, 14 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, Spurs win by 7

On the season, Parker is averaging 19.5 points and 7.9 assists per game.  That’s 11th in the NBA in scoring and 7th in assists.

With Ginobili constantly hurt and Tim Duncan playing well, but old, the pressure for the Spurs to win is more on Parker’s shoulders than ever and he’s handled it amazingly on the court. Parker excels at getting into the painted area and throwing up a floater or setting up a big man perfectly.  T.P. is 29-years-old at the moment, but is showing no signs of slowing down and, in my mind, has firmly placed himself among the leagues elite point-gods. 

It hasn’t just been the last three games, the entire month of February has seen Parker step his game up in the scoring department.  He’s averaging 25.5 points per game for this month while averaging 8.2 assists.

Season Highlights:

• 42 points, 9 assists in win vs OKC on 2/4
• 37 points, 8 assists in win at Philly on 2/8
• 20 points, 17 assists in win vs Nola on 1/23
• 20 points, 13 assists in loss at Hou on 1/21
• 25 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds in win at Orl on 1/18
• 28 points, 8 assists in win vs Hou on 1/11
• 21 points, 8 assists in win vs Warriors on 1/4