Parker wants MVP honor, but title top priority
CLEVELAND, Ohio: Tony Parker could become the first European player to be named Most Valuable Player of the National Basketball Association Finals, but he will have to dethrone teammate Tim Duncan to do it.
The 25-year-old guard from France is averaging 24.7 points a game for the San Antonio Spurs, who lead Cleveland 3-0 in the best-of-seven title series and could claim their fourth crown in nine years by winning here yesterday evening local time.
Winning an NBA Finals MVP award from votes by a media panel would simply be icing on the cake for Parker.
"That would be unbelievable," Parker said. "If it happened I would be the first one to be very happy. If we win the championship I will be very happy with that."
Parker, who will marry actress Eva Longoria next month, can claim his third NBA crown in five years with the Spurs. But after disappointing performances in prior finals, Parker's playmaking has been impressive in this title series.
With swift moves to the hoop and solid outisde jump shooting, Parker has looked at moments like childhood idol Michael Jordan and is one win shy of having half as many titles as Jordan did in his career with the Chicago Bulls.
"I feel very lucky. Coming from France I never expected that," Parker said. "Getting up at 3 in the morning to watch Michael Jordan, I never dreamed one day I would be kissing that trophy."
Parker might pucker up to the NBA Finals MVP award as well, but Spurs power forward Duncan has won the honour in 1999, 2003 and 2005 when San Antonio has taken the NBA title and Parker likes his chances of claiming the honor again.
"It would be nice but Timmy is going to get it because he's our franchise and he's a superstar," Parker said. "If they want a change why not? I'm joking.
"This is Timmy's team. It has always been Timmy's team. I don't even think about that. I just go out there, try to be a difference, try to be aggressive and just play my game."
Only two players from outside the United States have won the NBA Finals MVP award, including US Virgin Islands native Duncan and Hakeem Olajuwon, the Nigerian-born center from the Houston Rockets' 1994 and 1995 championship club.
Duncan is averaging 20.3 points and 10.3 rebounds a game for the Spurs and his work inside helps create the open areas that Parker exploits for drives to the basket or precision passes to open teammates.
When it comes to taking another MVP honor, Duncan said he would vote for Parker but was more concerned about taking a fourth victory over the Cavaliers to clinch a fourth NBA crown.
"Sure. It doesn't matter," Duncan said. "As long as we get to four, that's all that matters."
But beyond that, Duncan had great praise for Parker.
"Tony has been unbelievable," Duncan said. "He is so confident right now. He is feeling so good about his jump shot. He has been great."
Parker sank a late 3-pointer to help the Spurs win game three on Tuesday 75-72, the lowest score by a winning team in a finals game since 1955, the first year a shot clock was used in the NBA.
In the playoffs, Duncan is averaging 22.7 points and 11.3 rebounds a game while Parker has 20.6 points and 6.0 assists a game.
AFP
(China Daily 06/15/2007 page23)
