http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...r.359e8f9.html Spurs' Parker picks up pace, scoring 33 Web Posted: 11/12/2006 12:08 AM CST Mike Monroe Express-News Staff Writer Is Spurs point guard Tony Parker approaching a level of play where he can orchestrate his team's offensive dynamics? The Spurs' leading scorer in four of their first six games, including Saturday night's 100-92 victory over the New York Knicks at the AT&T Center, Parker spent the first half of the first quarter getting his teammates involved in the offense. Once Parker got Tim Duncan rolling in the low post, he took on the bulk of the scoring load in the final three periods himself. After scoring only six in the first quarter, he scored 27 in the final three, finishing with 33 points. It was the highest point total for any Spurs player this season. All six of Parker's assists came in the first quarter, five of them before he attempted his first shot. "Are you trying to say that in the last three quarters he had zero assists?" Spurs coach Gregg Popovich joked when asked about Parker's six assists in the first period. "It just happened. He does what he does." What Parker has been doing best of late is making good decisions on the high pick-and-roll plays that trigger much of his offense. He is pulling up for open jumpers when defenders focus on stopping his drives, driving when they leave him enough room to get to the basket. His 12-for-17 shooting in Saturday's victory pushed his shooting percentage for the season to 55.5. "He's playing great," Popovich said after Saturday's game. "He's really confident. He's worked hard on that shot and that's what's made him even a different player from last year, where on the midrange jumper people went under on the pick-and-rolls. He really makes them pay now. He didn't have that weapon last year. "Also the free-throw line. He loves going to the line and has been very successful. He's put in the work. I'm really happy for him." Parker's 9 for 12 from the free-throw line kept the Spurs from having their worst night of the season at the stripe. As it was, they made only 21 of 38 foul shots, or 55.3 percent. Parker's teammates made only 12 of 26 (46.1 percent). "It is what it is," said Duncan, who made only 4 of 12 free throws but managed 24 points and 16 rebounds.
