By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Tony Parker had nearly forgotten what it’s like not to be a starter in a San Antonio Spurs game.
The French guard came off the bench in Sunday’s (21/1) match against the Indiana Pacers (a 94 – 86 defeat for the Spurs) something that hasn’t occurred since Game 5 of the 2010 playoff first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks. He finished with 12 points and five assists, spending 20 minutes on the floor.
Parker’s playing time has been carefully managed following his return from surgery in November and last night he saw Dejounte Murray taking his place as a starter.
He was pretty OK with it when Gregg Popovich told him, prior to the match.
Per ESPN:
“I was like, ‘Oh, no problem,'” an upbeat Parker said of his reaction to Popovich’s decision. “Just like Manu [Ginobili], just like Pau [Gasol], that day’s going to come. And if Pop sees something that is good for the team, I’ll try to do my best. I support Pop’s decision, and I’ll try to help [Dejounte Murray] out as best I can, and try to be the best I can in that second unit with Manu [Ginobili] and Patty [Mills].”