Day 255

Fresh Start_255: Trouble in San Antonio
With the news that Tony Parker is out for the remainder of the playoffs with a ruptured left quadriceps tendon after collapsing on the floor following a running layup attempt late just about midway through the 4th quarter in last night’s 121-96 win over the Rockets. This totally changes the makeup of the series, because without Parker in the lineup for San Antonio the burden falls solely upon Kawhi Leonard.

I know that this is the Spurs and Pop has a system in place that is the epitome of “next man up.” However, with the way this team plays offense, Parker is the conductor that guides this beautiful orchestra for about a decade now. Leonard will now have the ball in his hands more and the Spurs will have to map out a game plan that is heavily centered around with Leonard being the majority ball handler for the offense. Patty Mills will most likely start and see a spike in minutes. As will rookie guard Dejounte Murray; who will be the backup point guard for the second unit. Murray played 9 minutes in Game One, scoring 4 points (all of free throws), and played 4 minutes in Game Two not scoring one point or taking a shot.

Murray will most likely see a work load of about 15-18 minutes with Manu Ginobili taking the scraps of the 26 minutes that Parker will no longer occupy. The Parker injury also puts more of a spotlight on LaMarcus Aldridge who has been the palest of ghosts you possible can be in a Playoff Series. Aldridge must be the 30 and 15 guy that we all know we can be; and if he isn’t you can put the nail in the coffin for the Spurs.

What James Harden and the Rockets showcased in the 126-99 stomping of the Spurs in Game One, will be the main thing to stop as the series shifts to Houston. If Houston is even 65-70% of what they were in Game One; San Antonio will not see a Game Six in this series. Parker will turn 35 next week, and his ability to play at the level he has been playing at in this postseason is nothing short of amazing—and slowing down Harden was something they will miss. Parker didn’t slow Harden down that much, but what he did in this series, will be missed—possibly detrimental. I think it’s time to hit the panic button in San Antonio because even if you get passed Houston, how do you get past Golden State without Parker?
Sources:(espn.com, bleacherreport.com)

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