ORLANDO, Fla. — After finishing dead last in two previous stints in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, Spurs point guard Tony Parker came into this year’s competition with an odd kind of confidence.
“I knew I couldn’t do any worse,” Parker said.
Instead, Parker went out and won the thing.
Outlasting a collection of some of the NBA’s top point men, Parker finally claimed a Skills Challenge trophy Saturday night at the Amway Center.
In the final round, Parker finished the obstacle course in 32.8 seconds, beating Boston’s Rajon Rondo and New Jersey’s Deron Williams.
In doing so, Parker erased bad memories from 2003 and 2009, when the field lapped him.
“The first time I did it, it was the first time they did the event,” Parker said. “I was with Jason Kidd and Gary Payton, and I was nervous.”
Parker offered no excuses for his last-place finish in 2009.
“I was just bad,” he said with a chuckle.
The third time was a charm for Parker. He had one hiccup in the final round, getting temporarily stuck on the bounce pass, but still beat Rondo’s time of 34.6 seconds.
When Williams missed five consecutive top-of-the-key jumpers, the trophy was Parker’s.
“For me, the bounce pass is key,” Parker said. “You can make the bounce pass, you’re good.”
Parker says he has a place for his new hardware reserved in his trophy room, right next to the prize he earned as the 2007 Finals MVP.
Before the Skills Competition trophy can settle in to its new home, Parker has other plans for it.
“I’m going to take it in on Monday and put it on Pop’s desk,” Parker said, referring to coach Gregg Popovich.
Added motivation: Parker’s victory in the Skills Challenge earned a $25,000 scholarship for 12-year-old Keyaria Smith from Kissimmee, Fla., courtesy of Taco Bell.
Smith met Parker before the event and was on the interview podium with him afterward.
“She was my motivation today,” Parker said.
Big Apple over Lone Star: The Team Texas contingent that included the Silver Stars’ Sophia Young lost a heartbreaker and came in second in the Haier Shooting Stars competition.
The New York team of Landry Fields, Allan Houston and the WNBA New York Liberty’s Cassie Pondexter scored a quick victory with a final-round finish of 37.3 seconds. The New Yorkers defeated Team Texas, which also included Houston Rockets rookie Chandler Parsons and former Rocket Kenny Smith, by more than 10 seconds in the finals.
Honorary citizen of Lob City: The Skills Challenge over, Parker is looking forward to tonight’s All-Star Game.
He has high hopes of sharing the floor with high-flying L.A. Clippers forward Blake Griffin.
“I’ve got one game to throw some lobs,” Parker said. “I cannot throw a lot of lobs in San Antonio.”
jmcdonald@express-news.net
1 of 45 | Share
2012 NBA All-Star Saturday Night
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) participates in the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) participates in the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Former New York Knicks guard Allan Houston (20), New York Liberty guard Cappie Pondexter and Knicks guard Landry Fields (2) hold the NBA All-Star Shooting Stars basketball competition trophy in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
New York Knicks guard Landry Fields, right, hugs former Knicks guard Allan Houston (20) after winning the NBA All-Star Shooting Stars basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving (2) participates in the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
New Jersey Nets’ Deron Williams participates in the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
New York Knicks guard Landry Fields, right, celebrates with former Knicks guard Allan Houston (20) after winning the NBA All-Star Shooting Stars basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Pantatonix performs during the NBA All-Star basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Pantatonix lead singer Scott Hoying performs during the NBA All-Star basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr, left, and performer 50 Cent sit courtside during the NBA All-Star Shooting Stars basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving (2) participates in the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) participates in the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) participates in the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. Parker won the event. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Boston Celtics’ Rajon Rondo participates in the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) holds the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge basketball competition trophy after winning the event in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) holds the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge basketball competition trophy after winning the event in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade, left, and Lebron James sit courtside during the NBA All-Star festivities in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade, left, and Lebron James sit courtside with James’ sons, LeBron Jr. and Bryce, during the NBA All-Star basketball festivities in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Miami Heat’s Mario Chalmers shoots during the NBA All-Star Three-Point Shootout basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Miami Heat’s Mario Chalmers gestures during the NBA All-Star Three-Point Shootout basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love shoots during the NBA All-Star Three-Point Shootout basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
New Jersey Nets’ Anthony Morrow shoots during the NBA All-Star Three-Point Shootout basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant shootss during the NBA All-Star Three-Point Shootout basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Orlando Magic’s Ryan Anderson shoots during the NBA All-Star Three-Point Shootout basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Miami Heat’s James Jones shoots during the NBA All-Star Three-Point Shootout basketball competition in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love holds the NBA All-Star Three-Point Shootout basketball trophy after winning the event in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Utah Jazz’s Jeremy Evans jumps over teammate Gordon Heyward during the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in Orlando, Fla. Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Indiana Pacers’ Paul George jumps over two teammates during the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in Orlando, Fla. Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Jeff Haynes, Pool) (AP)
Indiana Pacers’ Paul George jumps over two teammates on his attempt during the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Minnesota Timberwolves’ Derrick Williams jumps over a motorcycle during the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Utah Jazz’s Jeremy Evans jumps over teammate Gordon Hayward during the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Jeff Haynes, Pool) (AP)
Houston Rockets’ Chase Budinger follows through on a blindfolded dunk in honor of former Phoenix Suns’ Cedric Ceballos, who performed a blindfolded dunk in 1992, during the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk contest, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Minnesota Timberwolves’ Derrick Williams jumps over a motorcycle during the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Indiana Pacers’ Paul George dunks during the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk contest, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Houston Rockets’ Chase Budinger (10) performs his attempt during the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Utah Jazz’s Jeremy Evans jumps over teammate Gordon Hayward for his attempt during the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. Evans earned 29 percent of 3 million text message votes cast by fans to win the competition. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Minnesota Timberwolves’ Derrick Williams performs his attempt during the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk contest, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Utah Jazz’s Jeremy Evans hangs onto the rim after his attempt during the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. Evans earned 29 percent of 3 million text message votes cast by fans to win the competition. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Houston Rockets’ Chase Budinger finishes a blindfolded dunk in honor of former Phoenix Suns’ Cedric Ceballos, who performed a blindfolded dunk in 1992, during the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk contest, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Utah Jazz’s Jeremy Evans holds up the trophy after winning the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk contest, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
P. Diddy gestures during the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
P. Diddy gestures during the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Filmmaker Spike Lee, left and singer P. Diddy, right, enjoy the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
Lead singer Tramar Dillard of the group Flo Rida perform during the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (AP)
Lead singer Tramar Dillard of the group Flo Rida perform during the NBA basketball All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)
