San Antonio Spurs | SAN ANTONIO SPURS TICKETS

Up 2-0, Spurs on edge despite favorable history

By Jeff McDonald

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Spurs departed San Antonio International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals in their pocket and the past on their side.

Throughout the Spurs’ postseason history, such a deficit has been hemlock to playoff opponents. Find yourself facing it, and summer vacation soon follows.

One player on the Oklahoma City roster knows better.

“I think we can beat this team,” Derek Fisher said.

What might otherwise be dismissed as a show of unwarranted bravado from a 38-year-old backup guard comes with a side of been there, done that.

When it comes to winning a best-of-7 series after taking a 2-0 lead, the Spurs are 18-1 all-time. Fisher was there for that one time.

In the 2004 conference semifinals against the Lakers, the Spurs carried a 2-0 edge into Los Angeles before coming undone. Eight years later, Fisher’s miracle 18-footer in Game 5, launched with 0.4 seconds left, remains the signature moment of one of the Spurs’ most disappointing playoff collapses.

As the Spurs prepare for Game 3 against Oklahoma City tonight at Chesapeake Energy Arena, Fisher’s shot — much like the shot-maker himself — is ancient history.

“That happened like 30 years ago,” Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said.

Yet the lesson it imparted endures in those who lived it. A series is not over until one team wins four times.

The Spurs take the floor in Oklahoma City with numerous reasons to feel confident. Their franchise-best winning streak of 20 is climbing the charts, equaled or surpassed by only three teams in NBA history.

They haven’t lost in roughly the length of a Kim Kardashian marriage (50 days) and have won 10 in a row to start the playoffs, one victory shy of the NBA record.

“It’s pretty incredible what they’ve done,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. “To win a game is hard. To win 20 in a row and 10 of them in the playoffs, it’s quite an accomplishment.”

To wary Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, the series could just as easily be 2-0 in Oklahoma City’s favor.

In Game 1, the Spurs trailed by nine heading into the fourth quarter before exploding for 39 points and a 101-98 win. Two nights later, they squandered nearly all of a 22-point lead before locking up a 120-111 victory in the final minutes.

In Game 2, the Spurs survived an 88-point eruption from the OKC trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden, in part thanks to 34 points from Tony Parker and the team’s highest-scoring playoff game in six years.

“Our offense saved us,” Popovich said. “We scored, and that’s the only reason we won. Because our defense wasn’t very good.”

Oklahoma City would kill for such problems now. In order to avoid elimination, the Thunder must win four out of the next five against a team that has beaten them eight out of the last 10.

Then there’s this: Only three teams in NBA history have fallen into a 2-0 hole in the conference finals and recovered to win the series.

“What we’ve done up to this point doesn’t matter,” Spurs forward Stephen Jackson said. “If we lose tomorrow, it all goes down the drain.”

If the Spurs ever had any doubt about the fragility of a winning streak or playoff edge, Fisher stands as a living reminder.

In 2004, the Spurs had won 17 in a row heading into Los Angeles, matching their longest winning streak until this season. A 2-0 series lead quickly became 2-2, and 0.4 seconds followed in Game 5.

Two nights later, the Spurs’ season was over.

“We did not assume that we’d win four games in a row, which is basically what we ended up doing,” Fisher recalled. “We just focused on winning Game 3.”

Beginning tonight, Fisher hopes to play Sherpa on another such climb. The Spurs aim to keep that part of history from repeating.

jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

SPURS VS. THUNDER
Western Conference finals
(Spurs lead best-of-7 series 2-0)

Game 1:

Game 2:

Game 3: Thursday – Spurs @ Thunder, 8:00 p.m. TNT

Game 4: Saturday – Spurs @ Thunder, 7:30 p.m. TNT

*Game 5: Monday – Spurs vs. Thunder, 8:00 p.m. TNT

*Game 6: Wednesday – Spurs @ Thunder, 8:00 p.m. TNT

*Game 7: Friday June 8 – Spurs vs. Thunder, 8:00 p.m. TNT

– All times Central
*If necessary

Spurs in a haircut? Too cool.

By René A. Guzman

A lot of passion goes into showing Spurs love on your scalp. Just ask Joe Barajas, better known as Joe Barber.

The Razor Sharp Cutz master barber at Ingram Park Mall has turned plenty of heads with his sporting hair designs. He recently made, ahem, headlines after shaving the likeness of Spurs forward Matt Bonner into the head of 12-year-old Patrick Gonzalez.

For Barajas, such a work of art is just another in a long line of buzz-worthy buzz cuts.

“I’ve been doing this for a long time,” Barajas said, noting he started cutting famous faces into not-so-famous heads in 2005 with a depiction of Spurs point guard Tony Parker, though he found viral video fame with a Michael Jordan clip he did in January.

Barajas has also made hair designs of Spurs stars Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, as well as the Miami Heat’s LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant. He’s even done depictions of Ray Charles and Marvin Gaye.

“It’s whatever that fan wants,” Barajas said. “I try to meet their needs.”

For a Spurs fan like George Renteria, that means maintaining the Silver and Black on his head every week. Barajas just gave the telemarketer his regular Friday touch-up of a shaved, black-dyed Spurs logo outlined with silver dye.

“If the Spurs are playing, I’m here to get this haircut,” Renteria said, wearing a Duncan jersey and Spurs earring.

Barajas usually takes two hours to complete such cuts. He starts with an image hunt on his iPad, then uses grayscale shading with hair dye and pattern clipping with various clippers, plus a handheld razor blade broken in half to etch in those extra-fine details.

Since Patrick and Bonner are both redheads, Barajas used Patrick’s own hair color to depict Bonner and black hair dye for the image’s outlines.

That hairdo ultimately cost the Woodlake Hills Middle School student a one-day suspension. Patrick reluctantly shaved the $75 haircut to go back to class, but netted tickets to Game 2 against the not-so-coincidentally named Los Angeles Clippers, along with a meet-and-greet with Bonner and a signed jersey and shoes.

Mike Rios at Knockout Cuts says cutting such designs into kids’ hair be tough due to the smaller canvas. That may explain why the barber is especially proud of a full lion he cut into a boy’s head for a zoo trip.

“It’s just really good for one event,” said Rios, who cuts his share of boxers like Manny Pacquiao into fans’ heads as well as more kid-friendly art like Angry Birds and Transformers logos.

Rios says such cuts grow out in about a week-and-half, so there isn’t too much time for buyer’s remorse. And one can always go back to edit or eliminate the hair art, as Rios notes many New England Patriots fans did after the team lost the last Super Bowl.

As Barajas says, a haircut isn’t just a haircut, it’s a representation of one’s self. And that goes well beyond wearing passion on one’s sleeve.

“I’m nothing but Spurs,” Renteria said. “Spurs is in my blood.”

And always on his mind.

rguzman@express-news.net
Twitter: @reneguz

Parker travels to another place, and with a friend

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Target: Tony Parker

FOR SPORTS – Spurs’ Tony Parker loses control of the ball between Thunder’s Kevin Durant (left) and Jeff Green during first half action Monday Oct. 18, 2010 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Sports adv – San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker wipes away blood from a scratch he received during the loss to the Dallas Mavericks, 103-94, Friday, Nov. 26, 2010. BOB OWEN/rowen@express-news.net (BOB OWEN / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ Tony Parker gets blocked by Minnesota Timberwolves’ Michael Beasley (08) at the ATT Center on Friday, Dec. 3, 2010. Spurs defeated the Timberwolves, 107-101. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (KIN MAN HUI / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs is fouled by Xavier Henry of the Memphis Grizzlies during first-half NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.netMemphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs (BILLY CALZADA / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, left, talks with Spurs’ Tony Parker, of France, during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010, in San Antonio. (Darren Abate/Special to the Express-News) (Darren Abate / Darren Abate/Special to the Expr)

Spurs’ Tony Parker (09) scrambles to the floor for a loose ball against New York Knicks’ Ronny Turiaf (left) and Shawne Williams in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 21, 2011. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (KIN MAN HUI / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker, of France, reacts after turning over the ball in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 77-71. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (Matt Slocum / AP)

Tony Parker (9) of the San Antonio Spurs is fouled hard by Nick Collison, right, of the Oklahoma City Thunder as Russell Westbrook (0) defends during first-half NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011. A shoving match ensued after the play, with technical fouls being called. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.netOklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs (BILLY CALZADA / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Nick Collison of the Oklahoma City Thunder (4) is held back by an official after he committed a hard foul on Tony Parker (9) of the San Antonio Spurs during first-half NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011. Antonio McDyess of the Spurs, right, approaches Collison. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.netOklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs (BILLY CALZADA / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

FOR SPORTS – Spurs’ Tony Parker lies on the floor after being injured against the Grizzlies during first half action Sunday Feb 27, 2011 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol, of Spain, right, and referee Olandis Poole, middle right, watch as San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker, of France, is helped up by Spurs’ Tim Duncan, left, after suffering a left calf injury during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (Darren Abate / AP)

FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) drives around Miami Heat guard Mike Bibby (0) during first half action Friday March 4, 2011 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ Tony Parker (right) attempts to steal the ball against Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh (left) in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 4, 2011. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (KIN MAN HUI / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) goes flying after being fouled in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 4, 2011. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (KIN MAN HUI / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

SPURS — San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker keeps the loose ball away from Detroit Pistons Greg Monroe in the second half at the ATT Center, Wednesday, March 9, 2011. The Spurs won 111-104. JERRY LARA/glara@express-news.net (JERRY LARA / San Antonio Express-News)

FOR SPORTS – Spurs’ Tony Parker loses control of the ball between Kings defenders during first half action Friday March 11, 2011 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Tony Parker (9) of the San Antonio Spurs reacts to a call against him as the Spurs face the Houston Rockets in the first half of their game on Saturday, March 12, 2011, in Houston, Texas. (George Bridges/MCT) (George Bridges / MCT)

FOR SPORTS – Spurs’ Tony Parker is fouled by Bobcats’ Dante Cunningham during first half action Saturday March 19, 2011 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

FOR SPORTS – Spurs’ Tony Parker looks for room between Warriors’ Stephen Curry (left) and Warriors’ Dorell Wright during first half action Monday March 21, 2011 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8), from Italy, fouls San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9), from France, as Nuggets center Nene (31), from Brazil, looks on during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 23, 2011, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) (Jack Dempsey / AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker, right, towels off during a time out in the second half during their NBA basketball game with the Portland Trail Blazers Friday, March 25, 2011, in Portland, Ore.The Trail Blazers defeated the Spurs 98-96. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) (Rick Bowmer / AP)

SPURS — San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker gets hit in the face by Sacramento Kings Tyreke Evans during the first half at the ATT Center, Wednesday, April 6, 2011. JERRY LARA/glara@express-news.net (JERRY LARA / San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9), of France, talks with coach Gregg Popovich, left, during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Wednesday, April 6, 2011, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Eric Gay / AP)

SPURS — San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker loses his balance as Memphis Grizzlies Marc Gasol defends during the second half of game one in the NBA Western Conference First Round at the ATT Center, Sunday, April 17, 2011. The Grizzlies won 101-98.JERRY LARA/glara@express-news.net (JERRY LARA / San Antonio Express-News)

SPURS — San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) reacts after contact near Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) and San Antonio Spurs forward Matt Bonner (15) during the second half of game five of the Western Conference First Round at ATT Center, Wednesday, April 27, 2011. JERRY LARA/glara@express-news.net (JERRY LARA / San Antonio Express-News)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) tries to call a timeout while tangled up with San Antonio Spurs forward Richard Jefferson (24) and San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoff at the ATT Center on Wednesday, April 27, 2011. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (KIN MAN HUI / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ Tony Parker looks toward the Spurs bench after getting tripped in the first half against Memphis Grizzlies in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoff at the FedEx Forum in Memphis on Friday, April 29, 2011. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (KIN MAN HUI / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

SPURS — San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker looks down as they go on to lose to the Memphis Grizzlies 99-91 ib game six of the Western Conference First Round at FedExForum, Friday, April 29, 2011. JERRY LARA/glara@express-news.net (JERRY LARA / San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9), of France, loses the ball while driving to the basket during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, in Houston. The Rockets won 105-85. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (David J. Phillip / AP)

SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker passes under the bucket around Devin Harris as the Spurs play the Utah Jazz at the ATT Center on December 31, 2011 Tom Reel/Staff (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker shoots around Phoenix Suns’ Marcin Gortat during second half action Sunday Jan. 15, 2012 at the ATT Center. The Spurs won 102-91. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker sits on the bench during first half action against the Phoenix Suns Sunday Jan. 15, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks to point guard Tony Parker (9) and guard Daniel Green (4) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. The Spurs won 104-102. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert / AP)

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, left, talks to Spurs’ Tony Parker, of France, during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, at the ATT Center in San Antonio. San Antonio won 105-83. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (Darren Abate / AP)

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs (9) shoots a layup as Emeka Okafor, left, of the New Orleans Hornets, and Trevor Ariza, right, defend on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / 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 (TOM REEL / 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 (TOM REEL / 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 (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley, bottom, and San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker, top, of France, scramble for control of the ball during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, April 12, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Eric Gay / AP)

FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker drives to the basket under Memphis Grizzlies’ Gilbert Arenas as Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol looks on during first half action Thursday April, 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker looks for room under Memphis Grizzlies’ O.J. Mayo during first half action Thursday April, 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker lies on the floor after getting fouled by Memphis Grizzlies’ Gilbert Arenas during first half action Thursday April 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, from France, works against Golden State Warriors guard Charles Jenkins as he drives toward the basket during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (Jeff Chiu / AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) drives as teammate Tiago Splitter (22) sets a pick on Los Angeles Lakers’ Ramon Sessions (7) during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (Jason Redmond / AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker, of France, falls to the floor as he chases a loose ball during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Monday, April 23, 2012, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 124-89. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Eric Gay / AP)

FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker looks for room around Utah Jazz Al Jefferson during second half action of Game 1 of the Western Conference first round Sunday April 29, 2012 at the ATT Center. The Spurs won 106-91. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker is fouled by Utah Jazz Enes Kanter during second half action of Game 1 of the Western Conference first round Sunday April 29, 2012 at the ATT Center. The Spurs won 106-91. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker waits to enter Game 1 of the Western Conference first round with the Utah Jazz Sunday April 29, 2012 at the ATT Center. The Spurs won 106-91. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Column by Buck Harvey

Tony Parker won’t travel to Oklahoma City up 2-0 as he once traveled to Los Angeles up 2-0.

This time, Parker is bringing his best friend.

The trip won’t be easy; Tuesday said as much even as the Spurs continued a historic streak. But if Parker and the Spurs keep this up, and if he continues to be the force of his fourth title team, then Parker will travel somewhere else eventually.

It’s in Springfield, Mass.

Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili are already slotted for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and Tuesday offered a few more lines to their résumé.

Duncan threw down a windmill dunk, and his four blocks put him behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in NBA postseason history. Ginobili, meanwhile, tossed in the kind of tense, game-changing 3-pointer that he’s known for.

Still, Ginobili will someday be in the Hall of Fame for more than his NBA successes. How he played in Europe and his gold medal in Athens with Argentina will make him a lock.

Parker’s national team never had the same success and, until this season, he hadn’t either. Even after All-Star seasons and a Finals MVP, he was seen as the last leg of the Spurs’ Big Three on their best teams.

Good, but a Hall of Famer? The 2004 postseason told of that. Then, Parker zipped by the same Derek Fisher who was on the floor Tuesday, and the Spurs took a 2-0 lead on the road to Los Angeles.

Phil Jackson tweaked his defense, packing the lane and forcing Parker to take nervous jump shots. Most remember what Fisher did later to swing the series.

But Parker kept working, with Chip Engelland at his side, until he added the element that has changed him. Moving to his left with a dribble, slightly leaning that way, Parker shoots a jumper that has become the Spurs’ most reliable option.

The Thunder weren’t convinced. They went to the podium Tuesday repeating the same phrase, that Parker took “tough twos” and that they preferred this.

“Those are things that we’re giving,” coach Scott Brooks said.

Parker was taking. The Spurs have multiple options, especially when they are making 11 of 26 threes. But it begins because Parker’s jumper makes the pick-and-roll work, and that sets up everything else.

Combined with smart decisions that bordered on artistic, the Spurs were on their way to throwing a perfect game in the third quarter. When Ginobili went behind his back with a pass, and Parker swished an atypical three for a 20-point lead in the third quarter, it had the feel of a clinic.

Then the Thunder changed the feel with physical defense and their own Big Three. As the mood changed, Gregg Popovich did what he’s done from the start with his French point guard; he screamed at him.

Parker barked back. Maybe that’s a Hall-of-Fame qualification in itself.

But the Thunder’s ability kept chipping away, and they were on the cusp of breaking through with about four minutes left. Then, Kevin Durant took dead aim with an open three that would have cut the Spurs’ lead to five points.

The shot didn’t fall, though. And when Russell Westbrook clanged one of his 14 misses, Parker went the other way, exaggerating his left lean this time, arcing his jumper even higher.

All of it might not be enough in Oklahoma City, even though the Spurs have won 24 of their last 25 road games in which their starters have played. The Thunder showed signs, even in the loss, of making this a series.

But Parker won’t be going alone as he did in 2004. This time he’s taking a dependable jumper and, sorry, Boris Diaw, the shot is Parker’s best friend.

It provided 34 points on Tuesday, and it has put Parker on another level. He’s become the relentless power behind the league’s best team and, if he keeps it up, Oklahoma City is just a stop to another destination.

bharvey@express-news.net
Twitter: @Buck_SA