Tony Parker Is Better Than Russell Westbrook

[JohnMax]

http://airalamo.com/2014/05/21/tony-...ell-westbrook/

1. Tony Parker has more control than Russell Westbrook.

Man, let me tell you Spurs fans something: Russell Westbrook is possibly the fastest end-to-end point guard in the NBA.

When he goes to the basket, he’s so explosive; It’s a sight to see.

That’s the problem. When have you ever seen him control?

As a point guard, you must have more than one gear. Westbrook can get to the basket anytime he wants and can get any shot he wants, but there’s a phrase that applies here: Sometimes you have to slow down to speed up.



Tony Parker has plenty of gears in his arsenal, and this is what makes him the best point guard in the league. He is complete control of how he controls the tempo of his game, and it shows in the efficiency of the Spurs offense. This is a tribute, obviously, to Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.

When Parker came into the league, he had only one gear—kind of like Westbrook now, and it led to turnovers. Now, TP plays fast without being in such a hurry. Westbrook has not learned that aspect to the game, yet, and that is an important advantage Parker has going into this series.

Maybe the reason Tony Parker is in so much control is because of…

2. Tony Parker has a better offensive system.

Mar 26, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) talks with head coach Gregg Popovich during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

There’s a reason why the San Antonio Spurs always goes deep into the playoffs even though most think that they are too old. There’s a reason why the Spurs are so successful even though most think they are boring.

The reason is because the Spurs nave a motion-offense system that is executed extremely efficiently.

As this series goes on, pay attention to how all the players on the floor move in unison and how the ball moves on offense. The reason why the shooters are so wide open is because the ball moves so quickly, the defense can’t catch up to them.

Naturally, all of this starts with Tony Parker who is the engine to this offense. His hamstring issues will affect the fluidity of the offense but not by much.

Remember, San Antonio sent the Portland Trail Blazers packing, and Tony Parker didn’t even score a point. The Spurs are one of the only teams in the NBA that doesn’t have to run the pick-and-roll offense every single damn time down the floor in the half court.

Oh, and if all else fails, they have that Tim Duncan dude. I heard he’s fundamentally sound, too.

3. Tony Parker makes his teammates better.

Feb 19, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) looks to pass against Sacramento Kings power forward Jason Thompson (34) and small forward John Salmons (5) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Sacramento Kings 108-102. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Westbrook is an amazing talent, but he’s not a good point guard.

What do I mean by that?

It means that your point guard shouldn’t be shooting the ball 30 times a game. Parker reads the defense and runs the offense both efficiently and effectively.

He took Damian Lillard to school in the last series by running him through screens and knocking down the mid-range shot. Understand that Parker did all of this within the frame of the offense.

Westbrook is a shoot first, second and then look at Kevin Durant to pass if he is double teamed, and then look for the ball back. In a series where Serge Ibaka is out, the Thunder will struggle to score at times. Also, the Spurs will try to eliminate all of the scorers that are a threat, like Reggie Jackson coming off the bench.

If the Spurs are smart they will use Westbrook’s lack of ability to run a half-court offense against the Thunder throughout the series. With Ibaka gone, the Thunder must speed up the tempo with the lack of a low-post scorer.

If that happens, Westbrook will look for his shot and freeze out his teammates.

[navy]

Smarter than Westbrook. Hell yes.

[Gotterdammerung]

Also, the Spurs will try to eliminate all of the scorers that are a threat, like Reggie Jackson and James Harden coming off the bench.

[Akrazotile]

Someone thought this needed to be explained??

[brooks_thompson]

Duh, based on the first two reasons alone combined with his experience.

I do think Westbrook doesn't get enough credit for making his teammates better through sheer will and energy. I don't think I've ever seen an all-star/superstar player quite like him in that respect. He's like a fan-favorite 'energy guy' big coming off the bench while being an elite guard playing 40 minutes.

[oarabbus]

Westbrook is a shoot first, second and then look at Kevin Durant to pass if he is double teamed, and then look for the ball back.

That's absolutely dead on

I do love me some Westbrook, but lets be honest people. Tony Parker has outplayed every PG in every series of the playoffs thus far.

Not just the ones his team played, he's been the best point guard of the 1st and 2nd rounds, and currently in the Conference Finals round, of any PG to play. CP3 might have had better stats but

Parker reads the defense and runs the offense both efficiently and effectively.

He took Damian Lillard to school in the last series by running him through screens and knocking down the mid-range shot. Understand that Parker did all of this within the frame of the offense.

is how you win games. TP is the best at controlling pace bar none. Push the break, slow the pace, take jumpers, put crazy pressure on them in the paint, he does it all. Parker > CP3

[russwest0]

Give Tony Parker Scott Brooks from day 1 in the league and give Russell Westbrook Gregg Popovich from day 1 in the league.

Who is better?

[toxicxr6]

Give Tony Parker Scott Brooks from day 1 in the league and give Russell Westbrook Gregg Popovich from day 1 in the league.

Who is better?

obviously parker wouldnt be as good
but if that situation occured i dont believe russell would even be playing pg.. pop would have slotted him at sg... and i think russell could potentially be one of the best sg in the league

[imdaman99]

Westbrook has good vision, he is capable of dropping big assist numbers and controlling the game.

He is averaging 15 assists a game in his 2 game 7s in his career. So the potential is there. The problem is, there is really only 1 capable scorer against the Spurs with Ibaka gone for Russ to pass to. The Spurs are that good defensively. If Russ passes to Perkins or Sefolosha, the Spurs are daring them to try to score and they can't. Ibaka being out ruined the 2 man game he would have going with him. Of course Tony Parker is playing well, but he is replaceable. Did they even need him in the first 2 games to beat OKC comfortably? No.

Russ needs to get out of the tunnel vision mode where he is putting his head down and has his mind made up he is going to put a shot up. I fully expect him to do this in games 3 and 4... but Scott Brooks needs to do some coaching out there as well. He shitted on game 1 by taking out the lineup that was doing well in the 3rd quarter and in game 2, he let Russ go retard without calling timeout.

[russwest0]

exactly. pop would be starting players who can hit open shots and score. thabo and butler pumpfake out of open looks and do something stupid with the ball. from russ's perspective why not just shoot a pull up 3 then?

[miggyme1]

tony parker is the tom brady of the nba...a player that was plugged in a system tailored made for him that lauched him into greatness.


if tony parker had of ended up on any other team besides the spurs dude would be irrelevant.

still has a spotty offensive game as far as shooting goes.

first step isnt elite..still nba level..but its not "unguardable"

court vision isnt elite...id say slightly above average..def not on rubio,rondo,cp3,nash level

defense???? ill just skip that

when its all said and done cp3,westbrook,damian lillard,and steve nash will go down as better pgs than parker.

[Akrazotile]

Give Tony Parker Scott Brooks from day 1 in the league and give Russell Westbrook Gregg Popovich from day 1 in the league.

Who is better?

Parker, because Pop would quit and figure out a way to go coach Parker.

[Gotterdammerung]

Parker, because Pop would quit and figure out a way to go coach Parker.

Ether

[FKAri]

tony parker is the tom brady of the nba...a player that was plugged in a system tailored made for him that lauched him into greatness.


if tony parker had of ended up on any other team besides the spurs dude would be irrelevant.

still has a spotty offensive game as far as shooting goes.

first step isnt elite..still nba level..but its not "unguardable"

court vision isnt elite...id say slightly above average..def not on rubio,rondo,cp3,nash level

defense???? ill just skip that

when its all said and done cp3,westbrook,damian lillard,and steve nash will go down as better pgs than parker.

You're saying it was never elite?

[tpols]

Someone thought this needed to be explained??