Tony Parker (Associated Press file)
Spotlight on… Tony Parker, point guard, San Antonio
When: With apologies to Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving, Parker is getting the nod as The Denver Post player of the week for March 7-13.
What’s up: In three games, Parker averaged 28.7 points, 5.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals. He shot 59.7 percent from the field and 40 percent from the 3-point line. The Spurs won two of those three.
Background: It has been a rough season for Parker, who has dealt with nagging injuries that have reduced his effectiveness. The Spurs struggled for good portions of the season, and one of the main reasons was Parker’s inability to get fully healed and re-energized. But that is no longer an issue. He has turned his game up to the levels fans are used to seeing, and the Spurs are flourishing as a result. They have won six of their last seven games.
Dempsey’s take: About the only thing Parker hasn’t done well is shoot free throws. He struggled to 58.8 percent from the line during the evaluation period, but his value goes well beyond that. Parker is back to being the player who can crease any defense and score in the lane and at the rim against any defender. Irving’s unbelievable night in Cleveland’s overtime victory over the Spurs on Friday night overshadowed Parker’s game, but Parker’s 31 points were the reason San Antonio had ample chances to pull that game out in the first place.
