http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14246941p-15064708c.html
Parker the Sparker returns
The Spurs guard scores 16 of his game-high 25 points in the first quarter vs. the befuddled Kings.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, April 23, 2006
SAN ANTONIO - Brad Miller knew better.
When the Kings visited the AT&T Center on April 5, they left with a victory and plenty of pride for how they seemingly had contained San Antonio point guard Tony Parker.
Sixteen Parker points. Five Parker assists. It was like Peter Parker arriving on the scene instead of Spider-Man, as this Spurs-Man was far from heroic in the Kings' then-stunning 97-87 victory.
The Kings center, in later analysis, opted not to praise himself or his teammates for their stellar defense against Parker, but to point out the obvious.
"He missed about four or five layups," Miller said.
Not this time.
Parker played the part of catalyst and clincher in the Spurs' 122-88 first-round-opening victory over the Kings, showcasing every move from his repertoire and picking apart the Kings with his penetration. His game-high 25 points came on drives, pullups and the like, but 16 of them came during a first quarter in which - strange as it sound - a playoff game was all but decided.
It was patented Parker, the sort of game that led him to finish the regular season with a 54.8 field-goal percentage (third in the league), typically reserved for big men.
"Sometimes we had our heads turned, and I don't know why we would turn our heads to Tony because he's going to come right up your back," Kings coach Rick Adelman said.
He did just that.
With 7:14 left in the first quarter, Parker dribbled atop the key as he pondered his next move. He chose a right in the fork, in part because Kings point guard Mike Bibby led him that way. But to Bibby's dismay, the help he expected to be there was not, leading Bibby to walk off the floor frustrated during a timeout with the Spurs up 12-7. No help was enough help, though, as Parker went 9 for 15.
Now, for the Kings' purposes, their regular-season victory over San Antonio is of no use. At the time they desperately needed the victory to keep the playoff push going, but it wound up serving as plenty of motivation for the Spurs.
"(We remembered) how we played in the regular season the last game we played them," Parker said. "They kicked our butt. Mike Bibby had a great game. We made sure we played a better game and better defense."
For the record
Franchise playoff records set Saturday by the Spurs:
* Most three-pointers in a half: 8
* Most three-pointers in a game: 11 (tie)
* Field-goal percentage in a half: 68.4
* Opponent low rebounds in a half: 10
* Opponent low defensive rebounds in a half: 4
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com
Parker the Sparker returns
The Spurs guard scores 16 of his game-high 25 points in the first quarter vs. the befuddled Kings.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, April 23, 2006
SAN ANTONIO - Brad Miller knew better.
When the Kings visited the AT&T Center on April 5, they left with a victory and plenty of pride for how they seemingly had contained San Antonio point guard Tony Parker.
Sixteen Parker points. Five Parker assists. It was like Peter Parker arriving on the scene instead of Spider-Man, as this Spurs-Man was far from heroic in the Kings' then-stunning 97-87 victory.
The Kings center, in later analysis, opted not to praise himself or his teammates for their stellar defense against Parker, but to point out the obvious.
"He missed about four or five layups," Miller said.
Not this time.
Parker played the part of catalyst and clincher in the Spurs' 122-88 first-round-opening victory over the Kings, showcasing every move from his repertoire and picking apart the Kings with his penetration. His game-high 25 points came on drives, pullups and the like, but 16 of them came during a first quarter in which - strange as it sound - a playoff game was all but decided.
It was patented Parker, the sort of game that led him to finish the regular season with a 54.8 field-goal percentage (third in the league), typically reserved for big men.
"Sometimes we had our heads turned, and I don't know why we would turn our heads to Tony because he's going to come right up your back," Kings coach Rick Adelman said.
He did just that.
With 7:14 left in the first quarter, Parker dribbled atop the key as he pondered his next move. He chose a right in the fork, in part because Kings point guard Mike Bibby led him that way. But to Bibby's dismay, the help he expected to be there was not, leading Bibby to walk off the floor frustrated during a timeout with the Spurs up 12-7. No help was enough help, though, as Parker went 9 for 15.
Now, for the Kings' purposes, their regular-season victory over San Antonio is of no use. At the time they desperately needed the victory to keep the playoff push going, but it wound up serving as plenty of motivation for the Spurs.
"(We remembered) how we played in the regular season the last game we played them," Parker said. "They kicked our butt. Mike Bibby had a great game. We made sure we played a better game and better defense."
For the record
Franchise playoff records set Saturday by the Spurs:
* Most three-pointers in a half: 8
* Most three-pointers in a game: 11 (tie)
* Field-goal percentage in a half: 68.4
* Opponent low rebounds in a half: 10
* Opponent low defensive rebounds in a half: 4
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com
