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Parker plunders Thunder

By Jeff McDonald

Tony Parker arrived in San Antonio in the summer of 2001 a skinny, unknown French point guard in an era when European players were still more novelty than necessity.

All Spurs coach Gregg Popovich asked him to do was replace the only championship point guard the franchise had ever had.

On a Saturday night more than a decade later, in the Spurs’ 107-96 victory over NBA-leading Oklahoma City, Parker replaced Avery Johnson in the record books. With nine assists, Parker passed Johnson as the team’s all-time leader with 4,477.

Popovich, ever the whip to Parker’s backside, feigned being unimpressed.

“He’s been here a long time,” Popovich said with a shrug and, if you looked closely enough, a smile. “He should have a lot of assists.”

In passing Johnson on the Spurs’ assist chart, however, Parker did something his predecessor could never do.

On his record-breaking night for giving, Parker also pumped in 42 points, his highest total in three seasons, to send the Spurs (16-9) off on their annual rodeo road trip on a season-best four-game winning streak.

For Parker, it was the first 40-point game since the 2008-09 campaign, when he had three, including a 55-point opus at Minnesota. It was one point shy of the ATT Center record of 43, set by Manu Ginobili against Orlando in 2010.

“I was rolling tonight,” said Parker, making a case to coaches voting for West All-Star reserves. “Every time I popped, I felt better in my head. I was in attack mode.”

For that, Parker again credits Popovich.

When he rolled into the ATT Center on Saturday night, Parker knew he needed seven assists to pass Johnson, now coach of the New Jersey Nets. His quest met with stiff resistance from his coach.

“Pop comes in before the game and says, ‘You need to take 25, 30 shots or we’re not going to win,’?” Parker said.

When Parker opened the game a little too pass-happy for Popovich’s liking, the coach gently reminded him of the pre-game orders.

“The first timeout, Pop screamed at me, ‘Shoot the ball!?” Parker said.

It didn’t take much prodding after that. Parker eventually got his record-breaking assist on a pick-and-pop jumper from Tim Duncan with 4:57 left in the third quarter.

Parker met his quota for field-goal attempts, going 16 of 29. Outside of the points, and the record, the most impressive number on Parker’s box score was zero — as in no turnovers.

“We knew we had to score a lot of points against these guys,” Popovich said. “(Parker) went into the game with that in mind. He was aggressive all night.”

Before the game, Popovich announced plans to have rookie Kawhi Leonard defend Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, the two-time NBA scoring champion.

“If he keeps him below 40, I’m gonna slap him on the ass and say, ‘Great job young man,’?” Popovich said.

Leonard earned his kudos. Durant finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Little did Popovich know he would have a 40-point scorer in his own huddle.

Outdueling Russell Westbrook, perhaps not coincidentally another scoring point guard up for All-Star consideration, Parker punctuated his record-snapping third quarter with 16 points.

When Parker hit a pair of free throws with 2:02 left in the frame, the Spurs led the Thunder (18-5) by 24.

Duncan, who played with both Johnson and Parker, laughed when asked if he could think of two point guards more dissimilar than the Little General and the French Blur.

“Yeah, I can’t imagine that,” Duncan said. “Knowing (Parker) is a scoring point guard more than anything, but he’s evolved over the years. He knows how to do it all, and you saw that tonight.”

Having changed places with Johnson in the Spurs’ record book, having at last replaced the irreplaceable, Parker can one day look forward to joining him in the ATT Center rafters.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

– Photos by Tom Reel

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Spurs 107, Thunder 96: Feb. 4, 2012

SPORTS Spurs center Tim Duncan puts up a shot against Kendrick Perkins as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker gets Nazr Mohammed (8) and a teammate hanging in there as he fakes to the basket as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker makes a quick spin move to get to the hoop on Nazr Mohammed as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs forward Matt Bonner is rejected at the net by Kendrick perkins as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker continues the move against Reggie Jackson which gets him to the bucket in the second half as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs forward Tiago Splitter puts up a layup against Nick Cllision as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker returns to play for the fourth quarter as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs center Tim Duncan rips down a defensive rebound in the second half as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker threatens to go in the lane against Reggie Jackson as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs guard Danny Green causes havoc under the hoop as he pushes the ball through on a pass as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs forward Matt Bonner cranks up a three pointer as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs center Tiago Splitter works against Kendrick Perkins under the hoop as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker twists under Kendricks Perkins for a bucket in the first half as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Thunder forward kevin Durant is forced to pass by tough defensive applied by Kawhi Leonard as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker slips inside of Reggie Jackson for a clear look at the bucket as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Thunder guard Russell Westbrook gets smothered by Tony Parker and DeJuan Blair trying to control a loose ball in the first half as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Thunder guard Russell Westbrook gets kicked and stepped on trying to control a loose ball in the first half as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Tony Parker passes off after driving into the lane as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Thunder forward Nick Collision dives for a loose ball in front of Danny Green and Matt Bonner as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Thunder center Kendrick Perkins pivots on Tim Duncan as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS The Silver dancers perform as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS The Silver Dancers perform as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs notebook: Splitter’s lessons crafted on court

NEW ORLEANS — A student of the NBA game long before he ever played in one, Spurs center Tiago Splitter spent many a night in Spain watching whatever film from America he could get his hands on.

It’s a practice he continued last season after coming over from the Spanish League.

Finally a fixture in coach Gregg Popovich’s rotation in his second NBA season, Splitter is learning something that he long suspected about the American game: Playing it is more beneficial than watching it.

“You learn more when you play,” said Splitter, the 27-year-old Brazilian who appeared in just 60 games as a rookie. “You learn from what you see every day and get a feel for the game.”

A trip around the league has made Splitter more comfortable and confident on the court, particularly in the low block. He is learning how certain defenders — such as Houston’s Luis Scola and Jordan Hill on Saturday — want to attack him, and, as importantly, how to counterattack.

With Tim Duncan out of the lineup for a 105-102 loss to the Rockets, Splitter exploded for a career-high 25 points off the bench, going 11 of 13 from the floor.

Heading into tonight’s game at New Orleans, Splitter is averaging 8.6 points and five rebounds — up from 4.6 points and 3.4 boards as a rookie. He has already logged seven double-digit scoring nights, after posting nine all of last season.

“He basically didn’t play last year, so it’s all new to him,” Popovich said. “He’s a student. He watches film, he understands players. He’s a quick learner.”

No pressure: Duncan earned his first day off of the season Saturday against the Rockets, benched by Popovich for rest reasons. The Hornets are unlikely to be as lucky tonight.

Looking to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season, Spurs players disputed the notion that the loss to the Rockets created added pressure to beat the 3-13 Hornets once Duncan returns.

“We’ve got 49 games left,” said Matt Bonner, who started in Duncan’s spot at power forward. “Every night we come in trying to win. I wouldn’t say we’re putting any extra pressure on ourselves because we lost one game.”

Rest for the weary: In light of Duncan’s DNP, Popovich admitted the lockout-compressed schedule, with few natural breaks built in, has made resting players a difficult chore.

“It’s more difficult to manage than usual,” Popovich said. “You have to constantly filter in how many minutes your players are playing, how many games you just played, and when’s the last time you had a day off.”

The Spurs have not had more than one day off between games this season, and won’t until the middle of next month’s rodeo trip, when they go Feb. 9 and 10 without a game.

“It’s a little easier with the regular (82-game) schedule,” Popovich said. “You get some breaks here and there, and it kind of takes care of itself to a large degree. This year, you don’t have any of those respites that help you manage.”

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Pop to Spurs’ Blair: ‘Just be who you are’

By Jeff McDonald

DALLAS — For Spurs center DeJuan Blair, the American Airlines Center will always be home to fond memories.

At All-Star Weekend here in 2010, he had 22 points and a record 23 rebounds in the rookie-sophomore game, punctuating his performance with a dunk off the backboard glass.

Later that year, with Tim Duncan sitting out the final game of the regular season, Blair detonated for 27 points and 23 rebounds in a loss at Dallas.

Somewhere deep inside him, Blair believes, the free-spirited player responsible for those moments still exists.

“I’ve just got to find him,” Blair said. “Be DeJuan Blair again.”

That was precisely the message coach Gregg Popovich was trying to impart when he dispatched the struggling Blair into a recent game with the instructions: “Just be who you are.”

“All players are different,” Popovich said. “If Tiago Splitter tried to do what Kevin Love does, he’d probably be pretty unsuccessful. If we tried to get DeJuan Blair to play like Tiago, he would be unsuccessful.”

As the Spurs return to Dallas today for a matinee against the NBA champion Mavericks, the 22-year-old Blair remains on a path of self-rediscovery.

Blair sums up Popovich’s “just be who you are” order in two words: “Energy and rebounding.”

At times, Blair’s play has become a tad too conventional, as if he is attempting, at 6-foot-7, to play center like a 7-footer. The joy that once garnished his game is gone.

In his third NBA season, Blair is averaging a career-best 10.4 points, but his rebounding numbers — once the best aspect of his game — are down to 5.8 per game.

The Spurs’ two most recent games provide stark contrast of good Blair and bad.

In a 105-83 win over Atlanta on Wednesday, Blair erupted for 13 of his 17 points in the second half, scoring on putbacks and pick-and-rolls and finishing fast breaks for his highest-scoring night since New Year’s Eve.

Two nights later, in a 87-79 loss at Minnesota, Blair went scoreless in 15 minutes, 22 seconds, ceding playing time to the 6-foot-11 Splitter, a more traditional NBA big man.

“The thing with DeJuan, we just want him to be consistent,” point guard Tony Parker said. “Some nights, he has it. Some nights, it looks like he’s having a hard time. When you’re young, that’s the hardest thing, to be consistent every night.”

Popovich, in part, blames himself for Blair’s ongoing identity crisis. He believes he has given Blair too much information, too much coaching, paralyzing his formerly freewheeling center with the fear of making mistake.

“You try and coach him, and you screw him up,” Popovich said.

In that, Popovich compares Blair to Manu Ginobili, a non-traditionalist who also balked at being bridled earlier in his career.

“After a while, I had to learn to be quiet and let him play,” Popovich said. “With DeJuan, he’s an instinctive player. He’s not going to play placing his feet in certain spots, and this is your move. It’s better to let him play and you get his full effectiveness.”

Though Blair acknowledges a tendency to over-think things on the court, he won’t say he’s been over-coached.

“I don’t believe in that,” Blair said. “You can never take too much in. I’m still young. I’m still learning.”

However it comes, Blair is seeking to revive the unorthodox, bull-in-a-china-closet playing style that hallmarked his All-American collegiate career at Pittsburgh, as well as his first two seasons in the NBA.

“I’m just going to play,” Blair said. “I’m finding my groove. I’m going to get there.”

The player who more than once turned the American Airlines Center into his own personal playground is still in there, somewhere. Blair just has to let him out.

jmcdonald@express-news.net