Spurs ripe for upset

By Bill Ingram Sports Central Columnist

When the San Antonio Spurs selected Tony Parker in the 2001 NBA Draft, Gregg Popovich said he felt that one day Parker and Tim Duncan would go together like Stockton and Malone.

Through the summer of 2001, the Spurs carefully rid themselves of any contracts that extended beyond the 2003 season, making sure that only Parker would remain on the books when the negotiations with Tim Duncan begin. Parker was a little shaky at first and never quite found a comfort zone offensively, but his ball handing was solid from day one and he had a knack for distribution that earned him the confidence of his coaches and his teammates.

When the playoffs started, Parker knew he was facing a huge challenge in the person of Gary Payton. Parker responded by leading the Spurs in scoring with 21 points in Game 1 as they took the first game of their best-of-five series with the Sonics. Payton came back strong in Game 2 and lifted the Sonics to a tie. Parker stepped up again in Game 3 and scored 23 points on 10-15 shooting and held Payton to 20 points on 9-21 shooting.

It couldn't come at a better time. The Sonics were confident that they could stop a San Antonio team that was without the services of David Robinson, who appears to be out for the season due to a sore back, but Parker stepped up and helped Tim Duncan blow out the Sonics and regain their advantage in the series. Now, however, Parker and the Spurs are facing an even bigger problem.

The Spurs learned late Tuesday night that they would be without Tim Duncan as they take on the Sonics on Wednesday night. Duncan, who had to take a leave of absence due to a death in the family, is the Spurs' leader in scoring, rebounds, and blocks.

Without Duncan and David Robinson, the Spurs are ripe for an upset. The Sonics will unquestionably take Game 4 easily, setting up a Game 5 on Saturday. If Duncan has not rejoined the team by then, the Sonics will travel to L.A. to take on the Lakers.

Can Tony Parker rally the remaining troops and take out the Sonics in Game 4? Will Tim Duncan be back to save the day in the event of a Game 5? Tune in tonight for the next exciting chapter in the Tony Parker story!

Article courtesy of Sports Central.