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Spurs plan to put Parker’s youth to the test

Tony Parker was just 19 years old in 2001 when, six games into his rookie season, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich installed him as the team’s starting point guard.

Parker has held the job ever since, creating the illusion he arrived not long after James Naismith hung the first peach baskets.

Though a fixture in the Spurs’ lineup since before he could buy a drink, Parker is not old. Playing next to 35-year-old Tim Duncan and 34-year-old Manu Ginobili, however, he is at times considered ancient by association.

“I’m just 29,” Parker insists. “I’m still young.”

With Ginobili out with a broken hand, T.J. Ford out with a torn hamstring and no other plausible point guard on the roster, the Spurs seem poised to put Parker’s youth to the test.

In the past three games, Parker has totaled more than 114 minutes, including 81 in a back-to-back against Milwaukee and Houston. He tallied at least 20 points and eight assists in each of those three contests, a nearly mandatory line given the Ginobili-sized hole in the nightly box score.

For his effort, Parker has been promised no rest on the horizon, and no hazard pay. He can expect another exhausting day at the office tonight at the ATT Center against Phoenix and Steve Nash, an opponent who traditionally brings out his best.

“Pop told me it’s going to be a lot more minutes,” Parker said. “I just have to be ready.”

Given Ginobili’s state of perpetual injury over the past four seasons, Parker has become the Spurs’ minuteman, ready at a moment’s notice.

It is no coincidence that Parker’s finest NBA season — a 2008-09 campaign in which he averaged 22 points and earned third-team All-NBA honors — came in concert with Ginobili being sidelined for all but 44 games.

“When Manu is out, I have to do double the job,” said Parker, who has averaged 17.1 points in 34 regular-season games against the Suns. “I’ve got to stay aggressive and be in attack mode the whole time.”

This season, Parker is averaging 15.9 points, his lowest clip since 2003-04. In seven games sans Ginobili, however, that average has leapt to 17.9.

Tony Parker, celebrating with Richard Jefferson, has logged more than 114 minutes in the Spurs’ past three games. (Eric Gay / Associated Press)

In further testament to Parker’s aggressiveness gone into overdrive, he has committed 13 of his 26 turnovers in the past three games.

“Tony’s a scoring guard,” Popovich said. “He’s always looking to be aggressive. I guess you see him being aggressive for more minutes now, since he’s playing more minutes.”

And Ford’s injury, suffered three games ago in Milwaukee, only amplifies the Spurs’ reliance on Parker.

Rookie Cory Joseph is the only other true point guard on the roster, and he is far from ready to be an NBA rotation player. For the past three games, shooting guard Gary Neal filled in gamely, if miscast, as Parker’s primary backup.

In Friday’s 99-83 victory over Portland, the Spurs’ reserves had them ahead by 14 points in the fourth quarter. Needing a ball-handler to deal with the Trail Blazers’ full-court pressure, Popovich had to re-insert Parker to close the game.

He immediately scored 10 consecutive points in a two-minute span to keep Portland at arm’s length.

“He’s doing just about everything for us,” Duncan said. “He’s continued to attack every time down the floor. He found a way to get things done.”

The trick now is to keep Parker from running into the ground for the next four to six weeks while his injured backcourt mates heal.

Especially in a condensed season like this one, Popovich is hyper-aware of the minutes logged by his older veterans, and the toll it takes on them. He is not concerned about Parker, because he doesn’t consider Parker old.

“He’ll play more minutes than Tim during this period when Manu’s gone,” Popovich said. “He’ll have the burden.”

It is a burden Parker is happy to shoulder, while he’s still young.

Kings put blemish on Spurs’ home record

By Jeff McDonald

For the second game in a row, the Spurs found themselves needing a must-have basket late in the fourth quarter, and for the second game in a row, coach Gregg Popovich called timeout to set something up.

For the second game in a row, Popovich put the ball in Danny Green’s hands and, for the second game in a row, asked him to be Manu Ginobili and create a play with Tim Duncan.

Unlike in Orlando, where Green found Duncan for the tying layup, this time Green lofted a floater over the Sacramento defense.

When the ball fell short of everything Friday, sealing an 88-86 loss to the Kings that was the Spurs’ first at the ATT Center this season, it felt like the opposite of déjà vu.

“Pop trusted me again,” Green said. “I hope I get another chance another time.”

Right up until the final horn, it felt as if the Spurs had never left Orlando. Against the Magic on Wednesday, they didn’t shoot well and turned the ball over at inopportune times, but still emerged with their first road win, 85-83 in overtime.

Against the Kings, the Spurs didn’t shoot well, turned the ball over at inopportune times and lost.

Tyreke Evans scored 23 points — including the game-winning jumper with 47.2 seconds to go — to go with 11 rebounds and seven assists as the Kings snapped a 12-game losing streak to the Spurs.

Sacramento had lost nine in a row at the ATT Center, a streak dating to April 6, 2006.

“It’s probably the biggest win of the year for us,” said Kings guard John Salmons, who made two of his three field goals in the final 2:12.

Tony Parker scored 24 points and Duncan added a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double despite playing only 5.5 seconds of the fourth quarter for the Spurs, who started 9-0 at home before Friday’s loss.

Just as the Spurs knew they weren’t going to go 0-33 on the road, even after an 0-5 start, they also knew they were unlikely to go 33-0 at home.

“It was just one of those ugly games we couldn’t pull out,” guard Gary Neal said. “Orlando was the same way. We just happened to pull that one out.”

The Spurs (10-6) opened the game as if still stuck in Orlando, missing 11 of 19 shots and giving away four turnovers and six offensive rebounds in the first quarter.

Midway through the second quarter, Sacramento pushed its lead to 15.

The Kings (6-10) still led 73-67 heading into the fourth. The Spurs did not take their first lead until Tiago Splitter spun past DeMarcus Cousins for the last of his 10 points to make it 74-73 with 9:52 left.

“We dug ourselves a hole, not rebounding well, not getting back on ‘D,’?” said Popovich, whose team looks for road win No. 2 tonight in Houston.

The Spurs followed a 2-for-17 3-point effort in Orlando by starting 2 for 19 Friday, finally breaking through with a 3-for-7 fourth quarter.

The misses weren’t limited to beyond the arc. Green and Neal combined to shoot 7 of 23. Parker was 8 of 18. Richard Jefferson went 2 for 8.

“We couldn’t hit a shot,” said Parker, whose team endured its worst shooting night at home this season (37.8 percent). “It’s tough to win shooting 38 percent.”

When Matt Bonner hit his lone 3-pointer of the game and Parker followed with his first three of the season, the Spurs had an 82-78 lead with 4:57 to go.

Then, momentum swung again. Salmons hit back-to-back jumpers to tie the game with 1:23 to go. Evans followed with the go-ahead basket.

The Kings managed more points in those crucial 85 seconds than they’d scored in the previous 8:48.

That set the stage for Green’s shot at some Orlando déjà vu. Except with just 5.5 seconds to complete the play, Green wasn’t sure he could shuttle the ball to Duncan.

“My last couple shots had been high and long, so I tried to shoot it high and soft,” Green said. “I just didn’t get a good grip.”

Two nights after an ugly first road win, the Spurs had returned for an ugly first home loss.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

– Photos by Tom Reel/Express-News

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Kings 88, Spurs 86: Jan. 20, 2012

Tony Parker emphasizes contact from Jimmer Fredette in the first half as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Tim Duncan leans back to get a shot off against J.J. Hickson in the first half as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

SPORTS Tiago Splitter reverses under the hoop to score against DeMarcus Cousins as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

DeJuan Blair goes to the board with a shot against Jason Thompson as the Spurs lose to Sacramento 88-86 at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Gary Neal turns the corner on J.J. Hickson as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Tiago Splitter gets fouled by DeMarcus Cousins in the second half as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Richard Jefferson pumps a three pointer as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Matt Bonner hooks in a shot against DeMarcus Cousins as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Tony Parker is pressured under the basket by Tyreke Evans as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Tony Parker cradles the ball in the lane against J.J. Hickson as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

SPORTS Tim Duncan shoots around Jason Thompson in the first half as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

ony Parker dishes away after driving into the lane against Tyreke Evans as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

SPORTS Greg Popovich argues a call with the referee as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Tim Duncan pulls down a defensive rebound as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Danny Green gets in the way of Tyreke Evans as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Kings guard John Salmons is pressured by Tiago splitter and Richard Jefferson as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Tony Parker instructs Danny Green as they walk back on the court as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Richard Jefferson clears a defensive rebound as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Tim Duncan pulls down a defensive rebound as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Danny Green gets in the way of Tyreke Evans as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Tony Parker instruct Danny Green as they walk back on the court as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Richard Jefferson clears a defensive rebound as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Silver Dancers perform as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

DeJuan Blair comes out to guard Tyreke Evans as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Kawhi Leonard shoots free throws in the first half as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ gunners vow to keep firing

By Jeff McDonald

In the game’s most pivotal moment, the score tied in overtime and 39 seconds to go, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich drew up a play to free guard Gary Neal for a 3-pointer.

This would not have been a surprise last season, when Neal emerged from nowhere to become one of the NBA’s brightest shooting stars.

Wednesday in Orlando, with Neal having clanged 16 of his past 18 threes and all four attempts on this night, the scribbles on Popovich’s grease board came with a side shot of blind faith.

“They’re your shooters,” Popovich said. “You’ve got to stick with them.”

Freed both by Popovich’s X’s and O’s and the confidence his coach has in him, Neal buried the jumper, giving the Spurs a three-point lead en route to a gut-check 85-83 victory over the Magic.

In a season that started with an appendectomy, and also included a nasty run-in between a medicine cabinet and the top of his head, Wednesday’s late swish gave Neal hope that perhaps his luck has begun to turn.

“As long as I continue to take open shots, I’m sure the numbers will come back my way,” Neal said. “We’ve still got, what, 51 more games?”

When it comes to Neal and Matt Bonner — two of the NBA’s most dead-eyed shooters a season ago — the Spurs trust the numbers will eventually stop telling them lies.

Even after going 2 for 17 from long range in Orlando, the Spurs rank fifth in the league in 3-point accuracy (38.3 percent) heading into tonight’s home game against Sacramento. Surprisingly, that percentage is being dragged down by two of the team’s best 3-point shooters.

After leading the NBA last season at 45.7 percent, Bonner has started 17 of 47 (36.2 percent) from long range this season. Neal set Spurs rookie records for 3-pointers made (129) and accuracy (41.9 percent) last season, but has made just 28.6 percent (10 of 35) as a sophomore.

For both players, the game has become an exercise in forgetfulness.

“You’ve got to take the shot, regardless of what your prior history in that game is,” said Bonner, a career 41.2-percent 3-point shooter.

For a player whose usefulness is often measured in stark terms of black and white — did the ball go in or didn’t it? — shrugging off failure can be easier said than done.

“I definitely struggled with it earlier in my career,” Bonner said.

He seemed to again in Orlando. After Bonner missed his third 3-pointer, a wide-open look midway through the fourth quarter, he barked at himself in frustration.

Adding to the insult, moments later Ryan Anderson hit a 3-pointer in Bonner’s face to bring the Magic within two points.

In slumps like these, it helps to have a support network, and both Bonner and Neal have fans in high places. In addition to Popovich, Spurs captain Tim Duncan and point guard Tony Parker expressed confidence in the team’s two wayward gunners.

“We’ve got some of the best shooters in the league, and we know it,” Duncan said. “If they start taking bad shots, contested shots, then we have something to complain about.”

Said Parker: “Even if they miss 15 in a row, I’m still going to pass the ball to Matt Bonner or Gary Neal if they’re open.”

When Neal buried the go-ahead 3-pointer against the Magic, salvaging a 1-for-5 night, nobody understood his relief more than Bonner.

The sharpshooting big man doesn’t think there is anything mechanically flawed with his own shot.

“They’re all in and out,” Bonner said.

Still, Bonner admits it would be nice to have a breakthrough moment like the one Neal enjoyed Wednesday. Subtract a 17-point night he posted in a win over Dallas on Jan. 5, when he made 5 of 9 from distance, and Bonner is 12 of 38 from beyond the arc.

And yet, the chances will keep coming. Like Neal before him, Bonner vows to keep shooting.

“That’s your role on the team,” Bonner said. “Everybody on the team expects you to take that shot. If you don’t, it screws everything else up.”

jmcdonald@express-news.net