Parker quite a find for Spurs

By Joe Kaiser Sports Central Columnist

Do you remember what you were doing two days before your 21st birthday? Probably something simple, right, like hanging out with friends or partying your way through college? Don't feel bad, that's what 99 percent of kids that age were doing.

But not everyone takes that path.

Tony Parker, the San Antonio Spurs' speedy point guard, is the classic example. On May 15, just 48-hours before his 21st birthday, Parker was the starting point man for the team that put an end -- albeit a possible short-lived one -- to the Los Angeles Lakers' dynasty. The young Frenchman poured in 27 points and dished out five assists to send the Lake Show home, 110-82.

Not bad for a 20-year-old.

I must admit, when the Spurs chose Parker with the 28th pick in the first-round of the 2001 NBA draft, I snickered a bit. The guy looked like he was 13-years-old in his picture displayed on the television and, being a foreigner, I figured he wouldn't be able to come in and be an immediate difference-maker.

Two seasons later, Parker has made a fool of me. In watching him throughout the Lakers' series, he showed abilities rivaled by only one other point guard in the league -- Jason Kidd.

Before you laugh, let me explain. What Parker did was push the ball continuously, and in doing so, prevented Los Angeles from ever building long stretches of momentum at any time in the six-game series (except at the end of game five). The importance of that, as the television announcers stressed, couldn't be overlooked.

Just as Kidd can take over a game by pushing the tempo and keeping it in his team's favor, Parker did the same.

Parker's standout performance shouldn't have come as a complete surprise, however. The second-year player averaged 15.5 points per game in the regular season, up 6.3 points per game from his rookie season.

What matters more, though, was his ability to step up when the team needed him most. Once the Lakers tied the series at 2-2, Parker took it upon himself to take some of the scoring load off teammate Tim Duncan's shoulders.

He put up 21 points in the classic Game 5 victory as the Spurs held off a late Lakers' charge. Then, he came up huge to help clinch the series in Game 6.

I take back my snickers from Draft Day 2001. This kid can play. And not only can he play, he's here to stay.

At the tender age of 21 -- he celebrated his birthday May 17th -- he's already been deep into the NBA playoffs twice and helped knock off a three-time defending champion. Imagine what he'll be doing in his prime. My guess is he'll be one of the best point guards that the league has to offer.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.