Tony Parker: Is the San Antonio Spurs Point Guard Currently Best in the NBA?

In a league overflowing with talent at the point guard position, it is hard for all of the rising stars and seasoned veterans in the game to get their fair share of ink in the daily paper. 

This inability of NBA headlines to discuss and address all the new, developing stories has become increasingly evident with the emergence of one Harvard grad taking the NBA landscape by storm. 

Everyone, even those lacking the slightest “linterest” in basketball, has become aware of Jeremy Lin and his on-court exploits by now, and rightfully so. 

The second-year stud has managed to carry the Knicks to an 8-1 record on the back of his 25 points and 9.2 assists a night. 

He has revolutionized the game through his inspirational story and electrifying play, which has resonated with so many different individuals and groups across the globe. 

As great as Lin’s accomplishments have been, though, another point guard in the Western Conference is quietly boasting more efficient numbers, on a better team and in the midst of a better run—a Frenchman by the name of Tony Parker. 

Parker’s recent success shouldn’t come as a surprise to anybody, considering he has proven repeatedly his ability to knife through opposing defenses, knock down mid-range jump shots and orchestrate the Spurs offense, but should the man be receiving more recognition?

To go even further, is he currently the best PG in the game? 

Before you get up in arms about the question, let’s take a look at the facts. 

In the month of February, Tony Parker is averaging 25.8 points, 7.9 assists and only 2.4 turnovers a game. To try and put that into perspective, when comparing Parker’s numbers to the rest of the league averages, he is the only player in the top 10 of both points and assists (fourth in points and seventh in assists). 

Parker has had outbursts of 42 points and nine assists, 37 points and eight assists, 34 points and 14 assists and, most recently, 30 points and 10 assists. 

Despite taking more shots, playing more minutes and being entrusted to handle the ball more, Parker’s field-goal, free-throw, turnover and efficiency numbers haven't suffered in the least. 

Lastly, the Spurs are on an impressive 10-game win streak, and have six wins over above-.500 teams including the Grizzlies, Thunder and Clippers. 

To again put this into perspective, and to point out how ludicrous it is that Parker hasn’t been featured in his fair share of headlines, it’s only right to compare him to the hottest topic in basketball right now: Jeremy Lin. 

Jeremy Lin is averaging less points (albeit with a marginally better field-goal percentage), a worse free-throw percentage, significantly more turnovers (nearly three-and-a-half more a game) and has only one win against an above-.500 team. 

None of this is meant to deter the basketball world from Jeremy Lin’s meteoric rise to stardom, nor is it meant to knock him off his well-deserved pedestal. The man is worthy of all the fame and attention that he is receiving. 

What this should make you wonder, though, is why little to no attention has been directed towards Parker. 

Not only is he playing better than Lin, I would go as far as to say that there is an argument for him playing better than any other point in the game right now. 

Several names came to my mind for this season’s best PGs, but only four stuck out above the rest: Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook and Tony Parker. 

Derrick Rose has been hampered by injuries all month long, so to compare him to the likes of Tony Parker at this point in his career would be unfair. The former MVP has been absent nearly all of February, although he no doubt belongs in the conversation. 

Chris Paul, who has been repeatedly mentioned as a legitimate MVP candidate, is averaging a little over 18 points and 8.5 assists a game. He has managed to turn the Clippers into a title contender, but I believe that his impact has been over-exaggerated when considering the supporting cast he has.

Parker has had noticeably better numbers with a less-significant cast, which has resulted in a better record. 

The last person in the argument is Russell Westbrook, who probably has the greatest case as of recently. 

He is putting up 26.5 points, five assists and five rebounds a game. His 40-point outburst last night is just a sample of his potential on the offensive end. Westbrook has managed to help lead the Thunder to the best record in the West.

My only issue with Westbrook is that he is undoubtedly Robin in OKC, and strays farther than any of the aforementioned players from the true definition of point guard. 

While Rose, Paul, Westbrook and recently even Lin have been given the spotlight as far as point guards go, Parker might currently be the best of them all and deserves far more praise and acknowledgment than he is presently receiving.