And he had some of the best footwork for a PG ever, too. He and Steve Nash had incredible footwork which was partially do to playing soccer as a youth.
I think Parker most underrated skill was his speed and how he used it, one second he's dribbling up the court, and the next he'd blew past you on the pick and roll, spun around the help and floated that gorgeous teardrop above whoever tried to block it. His greatest individual accomplishment is bringing back the teardrop in the league, younger fans may not realize but, really before him nobody used this shot and it was considered innefective, now every decent player has it in its bag, but really its his move, like ... my god how satisfying is it to watch
I remember in 2005, when a team didn't have an elite Power Forward (for example Seattle) I remember they would rest Duncan and Parker would literally rip up that teams defense on drop 20 or 30 inside. People couldn't stay in front of him. Duncan didn't carry him, he had plenty of weapons including speed.
@@johnlayne8056 It wasn't as simple as demanding a trade that caused the drama. Nigga had a WHOLE season of "will he or won't he" come back from injury with zero communication while he left for New York often. I can't say the spurs organization handled it smoothly, but the dude flat out ghosted them most times.
People hating on Parker because he played with Duncan: Do you also hate on John Stockton because he played with Karl Malone? Good players make their teammates better. Parker made Duncan better, and vice versa.
I love Tony and I'm a Spurs fan for life but to be fair with Stockton, he had the career stats/total to back it up. His Assists and Steals all time record is imo just unbreakable.
Hmm, not a very accurate comparison. Stockton and Malone were more equal partners. Plus Stockton's lifetime stats... He was a Dream Teamer... Not quite the same. Plus I think people are more talking about the whole San Antonio system and Popovich, not just Duncan. Parker was great though. Not much to say against him. James Worthy was the third best player on those 80s Lakers teams, he's still a HoF legend.
I'm sorry but Stockton made the game easier for Malone . Malone mostly choked vs Hakeem , drexler and Jordan . Tony Parker was a role player. Manu scored the last 11 points in game 7 vs the Detroit pistons. Many scored the most points in game 4 vs the Cavs in the finals. When manu was hurt in 2008 the Mavs beat the Spurs 4-1 with Parker as the lead. The Spurs beat OKC in game 6 when Parker sat out and the team went back to manu and Duncan . I will never understand how Tony gets so much credit, Tim Duncan and manu lead the Spurs . Parker didn't make them better , they made him better. Even in the 2013 finals Parker struggles when LeBron guards him. Manu has a great game and they switch LeBron on manu and manu still scores and assist. Tony then scores 18 points in the 2nd half when Chalmers guards him. Tony is at no point at the elite level the guys you mentioned
@@wilsonsmilk Stockton played in an era when it was a big man's league with very few elite point guards only one I could think of from that era is the Glove so that explains the steals and assist totals. I'm sure if Tony Parker was playing against Charlie ward mark price Ron Harper every game he would be like Magic too.
that's what happens when you play for a "team first" type of organization your individual stats and accomplishments take a hit but in exchange you win four championships which at the end of the day is all that really matters. Tony Parker is a legend and one of the greatest of all time.📣🏀🏀
To add to his greatness, it should be mentioned that Parker regularly spent his summers playing for the French national team, competing in the 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015 FIBA Eurobasket competitions, and winning Bronze (2005) and gold (2013, Parker also won MVP of that tournament). All that while competing in an NBA team that would always reach the playoffs and would frequently reach the finals (100+ games).
@@21bloke65 how fast? TP was once given a standing ovation for saving a ball and getting back to the court to finish the break. I doubt you run that fast and i doubt you can run fast.
Underrated, just like ginobili since they focused more on winning basketball than a statistical beast diva like carmelo anthony , like you said he's one of the best pgs in the 2000s won series against kidd,paul, nash, deron williams, same goes with ginobili if played on another team he'll get bigger numbers and will be looked as a superstar
Tony Parker is easily a top 10 point guard of all time. I don't get the disrespect that this man gets. In his prime he was the best player on the Spurs and the best point guard in the league. Who was better than Parker in his prime? Certainly not Chris Paul. Even Pop says that for a handful of years Parker was the best player on the team so how can he owe all his success to Duncan? Pippen was never better than Jordan.
And aside from their first 2-3 yrs together, Kareem was not better (or more important) than Magic. Just saying cause I'm tired of hearing "he has 6 rings" and few ever say that about Scottie. And I understand why. Rightly or wrongly. For those who foolishly rate Kareem over Wilt or Russell. ONE ring til' Magic arrived.
Adonas Buhr you can make an argument for cp3 being a top 5 pg of all time. you can't even try to make an argument for tiny even being borderline top. 5
@@Rockets2024Champs could you explain that? Only year CP3 got past the second round was last year, and only cause Kawhi sat out the year. No way the Spurs dont make it to the WCF with a healthy Kawhi. Tony played in 5 NBA finals and won 4. He was finals MVP for one of those, and if they had won in 2013 he would easily have 2 finals MVPs. What does CP3 have to compare other than stats, all-nba's, and all star apperances? Its definitely not going to be career wins* or rings.
Parker is a great player and a top 10 PG of all time, but Chris Paul is the most complete point guard ever. At his peak he could shoot and pass like nash, play dirty & hits everyone in the PnR like Stockton, take over a game like Isiah & lock up opposing points like Payton. He also should have won the 2008 MVP and was a top 5 MVP finalist more than three times as many times at Parker
Hey Andy! I enjoyed your video and also share your admiration for Tony. It's great to see a "normal sized" human being be so effective in the NBA. It kind of inspired me to find ways to be effective in my own "game". As a Brazilian admirer of the NBA, I would also highlight the fact that he is an international player. Nowadays, there are quite a few successful international players, but when he started his career he was an exception, and I really admire him for getting over that hurdle and paving the way for future stars (thanks to Coach Pop for that, too). Him being french, playing along side other "foreigners" like Manu, Belinelli, Paty and Thiago, and having epic battle against the Gasol brothers and other NBA players in international competitions also made him an icon for basketball fans outside the US (remember when he led France to a Eurobasket title?). Anyway, I'd love to talk! Hit me up and we can organize something.
as a lifetime spurs fan I can tell you what made him amazing was his speed, double clutch, and finishing especially when fouled, sure his floater was great but he would blow by, spin around, and do straight up gymnastics in the paint and no matter what angle he would drop it in and usually get the 3 point play
He pays the "price" for being with the Spurs. Some think any decent PG would have had similar success. Think that's going a bit far. He, Tim and Manu are rightfully given the lions share of the credit. Admiral, too, but he wasn't there long in the real dynasty period.
I've been a spurs fan since 1973 and Tony Parker wasn't that great!!! He had a average jump shot!!! He choked in the 2014 finals, but Patty Mills came to the rescue!!! He may be in the top 100 point guards!!! We should have traded him years ago!!! I;m glad he is gone!! Murray is much better than Parker!!
Nice analysis ! He also had a tremendous explosive first step, he would have been unstopable with a distant shooting skill. He was the perfect PG to associate with Duncan. Skills, friendship, attitude, complementarity, sacrifice. He surely is underrated the same way Stockton is.
Two things you kinda overlooked - He was one of the best post players of all time - not amongst smaller guys but amongst all positions. His footwork is right there with the likes of Hakeem, McHale and Kobe. - He was leader of France international team for 15+ years (including youth teams). In 2013 France won their first Eurobasket and Tony won MVP. He absolutely carried them in semifinal against stacked Spain team.
I do really love his style of play. It always got me excited to see him drive to the ring where a lot of players gathered. His skills and bravery were top notch
He's definitely underrated and I'd also put him top 10. I don't get the people who say "He played with Tim Duncan who is the GOAT PF" argument. Yet I don't see them saying the same thing about Magic Johnson. Now I'm not saying he was as good as Magic but he also played with arguably the GOAT Center: Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
I agree. Do they John Stockton, who has the most assists and steals all time had that because of his teammates? Was it because he played with Karl Malone, Jeff Malone and Jeff Hornacek? People won't give Parker his due, but TP9 kicked butt.
@@tonyross4sabrina I can agree with that. With John Stocktons assists and steals, not only is it due to his ability to do so but also longevity does play a part in it for being as high as it is.
This comment made my eyes light up. I completely agree. Awesome defensive monster and is doing great in retirement as a public and private speaker. Funny guy and speaks very well.
i just wanna say that as someone who has only just recently gotten into the nba this series is really awesome for me, not knowing much about older players. keep up the good work
My favorite player and the reason I started watching the NBA in 2013, being a spur and seeing him getting the ring against Heat's Big 3 was something incredible. Sad he left to Charlotte, you will be missed, Tony!
Had the Spurs won against Miami in 2013 tony would have won his second finals MVP. He was unreal during these playoffs. People disrespect way too much TP. And please stop comparing nash and CP3 to TP. The Spurs have always been a "share the basket and respect the system" team. The man would have had much higher stats somewhere else. Stats or title, tony made his choice. Brillant career
"Average physical prowess," except for that, not even going to call it speed, that ELITE quickness. That guy was QUICK. Damn quick. Quickest guy in the league quick. Quick.
Parker may not have been the most athletic guy out there but he was was so quick with the ball and he had the spin move as well, and a great mid-range game.
Vangelis Retsas He said he’s still going to retire a spur, so wether that’s a 10 day contract or a last season whatever it’s all good he has no beef with the the spurs organization
Ruben actually Tony’s remark about retiring with the spurs was taken out of context, he recently said that he meant he’ll have his jersey retired by the spurs. Not returning to them
That argument about being Duncan's sidekick is partially true, Parker himself said nothing would have been possible without him. I believe he deserves a lot of credit for his will, tenacity and hard work as a basket ball player though. It's no secret Popovich was very hard on him and Parker obviously swallowed his pride and gave it all to the Spurs. Other organizations were not as open as to give free rein to a European, They saw something in Parker or they would not have kept him. C'mon they are professionals, they would never have kept a player they did not consider good/great enough at this level. THIS team, this conjecture, many elements come into account. His position was point guard but, just like other positions, their relevance becomes blurier as players become more all around. He had post moves, good court vision and great guard moves but he trained like hell for it, he stayed in an organisation that helped him become what he is, and remember being in the Spurs means having less flashy individual stats (well except for Duncan but well...he's Tim Duncan! one of the greatest basket ball players ever). In the Spurs the bench does contribute (as it should be with every basket ball team), that means less individual numbers for the major 5 players. He lasted for 17 seasons and was really good from 2005 until the end. Not many players can say that. he got 2007 finals MVP and would probably have got it in 2013 had they won. Yeah he did not stand out a the leader (though Popovich credited him with great leadership and that is saying something!), was not the franchise player : that was Duncan. But hell Parker was really good. Just my (long) opinion.
Tony Parker was a great spurs player and he really was a great leader for the Spurs on and off the floor , sadly he didn’t resign with the Spurs but he’s probably gonna do that 1 day contract thing .. great video as always Andy
Key players from the Spurs are always underrated. They are one of the most competitive players in history and plays the style which what basketball is ought to be played. Team oriented, disciplined and without the antics. They don't care about stats, their purpose is to be champions. With that, they became the most respected role models in basketball. That's one measure of greateness.
Tony Parker very Underrated extremely Quick nasty spin move, one of the greatest Floaters ever! Good playmaker smart passer good defense all around good basketball iq
His footwork, speend, mental strenght and leadership were among the best in the league for years... Yes he had good teammates, but he was also often the best on the court despite playing with superstars. Top 10 for sure imo.
Parker is top 10 for me.. but i think you failed to mention that he may have the best spin move in the history of the game. That's the thing that always highlights parker for me.. it seems unstoppable..
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Good video about a really underrated player he definitely deserves more respect but i think he is a top 15 PG of all time Also U could have mentioned his speed and quickness as that was one of his main attributes of his success at NBA
A lot of people disregard our team stars because of the "Magical System". But the Spurs stars have always been the pioneers of the league. Who makes the floater and spin layup popular, Parker; who makes the euro step, the step back shot popular, Manu; who revolutionizes the 4 position, Duncan. And honestly, which team really started the trend of high pace offense with ball movement and shooting 3, San Antonio
In a era of generational PG talent, Parker dominated all of them until he started to slow down. He is vastly under rated since he played with Duncan and Ginobili. Definitely a top 10 all time.
Rings don't mean you're better then someone else. Look at Karl Malone or AI. I hate people who compare championships won to skill. It's a team game, Jordan did have help. PS: I think Parker is better then Paul as well, but it has nothing to do with rings.
@@jeffs8299 You may be right but one thing's for sure, Spurs would not have won without him. The question becomes would the Spurs have won 4 if they had Paul instead?
Wouldn’t say it’s a huge margin but Chris Paul is definitely better. If CP3 played with Duncan and Pop he’d be a champion too. Not that Parker wasn’t great. Paul is just a better player.
You have to do a How Good on Hondo! Good ole spark plug Havlicek. Course it would be very challenging as there is not much footage available that I can see
As a scoring point guard, parker has 1 finals mvp 4 ring, avg 49.2% career FG just for a reference, Kobe avg 44.7% and kobe never had a 50% FG year. 56.8% FG in 2007 finals swept against Cavs, no.1 defense team in the league that year. Name me 5 other point guards with this resume as a scoring point guard. His spin and floater is the best in league for a good stretch of time and in nba history. He is super underrated.
as a total noob to Basketball, I would say: Since Tony was around for 20 years scoring an average of 20 points per game and 8 assists or whatever it was at his good years, which were more than 5 ....... I'd say he was a legit good Point Guard, maybe not All time best but somewhere around the top 5-10 in that 15 year stretch....... But what made him special was that he did fit perfectly into the Spurs rotation and their roster....... I guess AI would trash him 1on1 but I don't think AI would've symbiosed as well with Tim Duncan, Ginobili and the other guys like Tony did. So he is maybe not a 40 Points scorer but he had is nicely fitting role with his moments to shine in that team and that makes him a valid player......... Yes that is my opinion, but then again I'm just noob that kinda sucks and I'm just rambling around to fill the void :)
The argument about Duncan or no-Duncan made me fall off my chair. Like...he can't win a thing without Timmy ? Eurobasket 2013 ? Parker basically kicked asses of Dragic, Lithuania, and Gasol brothers with only Alexis Ajinça in the paint... He won the trophy, won the MVP award and won the NBA title 9 months later. Top 10 all time NBA PG Top 5 all time FIBA PG Oh and...greatest french player ever and in 2018, one and only NBA player in activity with 4 rings ^^ this one might not last but hey...froggies leading the NBA in something, I'll take it.
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Diego Lopez i mean steve nash won 2 over kobe dwade etc so yeah TP deserved it, he was the guy running the team with the best record in the league, and he ended like 3rd if i remember correctly
@4:33 ‘-- as he led the Spurs in scoring for five different seasons.’ I am so confused as to why Andy Hoops clarified that the seasons were different seasons. I honest to God promise I never once thought Parker led the Spurs in scoring for five of the same seasons.
I think that an aspect that should be taken in consideration as well is the fact that Parker was not American and Americans always underrate international players for some reasons
When you do a topic that has the potential for so much debate, to only have 42 dislikes at this point and over 2,000 likes you know you covered the topic well Andy.
I made a lot for french player on NBA and on national team. He add the american winning mentality to our player and that thanks to him that now we have some players like Gobert and Fournier, and more in the future. And he really put France on the map
I think everybody underrate his clutch moments too...take what he accomplishes at the end of that 2013 game 6 for instance (before being outclutched by the most clutch stuff ever seen...).And yes I think the Longoria drama hurt is US reputation A LOT.
Magic, Big O, Stockton, Steph, Payton, Thomas, Kidd, Nash, Frazier, Paul, Russ, Dennis Johnson, Billups, Cousy, Archibald, Kyrie, Moncrief, Bing, Hardaway, Lillard.... and then what if you count West, Iverson, and Harden?