NBA Rumors: 10 Reasons Why Tony Parker Will Stay a San Antonio Spur in 2011-12

One of the main rumors that won’t die this offseason and preseason is that San Antonio Spur guard Tony Parker will be moving away from the Alamo City after his contract expires at the end of this season.

With Knicks forward Amare Stoudemire claiming that Tony wants to join him, and tabloids insisting that Tony’s wife, actress Eva Longoria Parker, has hinted that Tony is looking to continue his career possibly elsewhere, it seems this story isn’t going to die soon. As a long-time NBA and Spurs fan, I can say with confidence that, if Parker returns to his old self, the Spurs will absolutely do everything in their power to hold on to him.

Here are ten reasons why I believe Parker will remain with the Spurs after the 2010-2011 season.

No. 10: He's Still One of the Fastest Guards in the League

You really think the aging Spurs would let a quick-footed guard like Parker escape? Sure he's been hindered by injuries recently, but no one will deny that he is still one of the quickest guards in the league. His quickness was what made him so special in the 2007 NBA Finals, as he torched the Cavaliers left and right, which eventually led to him winning the Finals MVP award.

You haven't heard as much about his quickness recently, but part of me feels like you'll begin to hear about it regularly once the Spurs regain their consistent winning form during the season after a somewhat lackluster season last year.

No. 9: Eva's a San Antonio Girl

Many Spurs fans, myself included, have been afraid that Eva's acting career would eventually pull Tony out of the city. But Eva's from Texas. She's a huge Spurs fan. She met Tony because she saw him on the court during a game and wanted to meet him afterwords.

Also, no offense to Eva, but in terms of her acting career, it appears to have stalled after a short streak in 2005-2006 (sure, she's still got "Desperate Housewives," but according to IMDB.com, everything else she's working on is really nothing of relevance). So all signs point to her wanting to stay in San Antonio, since L.A. isn't exactly calling for her services consistently right now.

No. 8: He's Spent His Whole Career with the Spurs so Far

He's only 28 years old, but almost unbelievably, Parker is going into his 10th season with the Spurs. In fact, you could make the case that if the Spurs hadn't trusted him at the young age of 18 he might have not developed into the player he is today. He has to have a lot of love for the city, coach and star (Tim Duncan) who trusted in him when he was just a kid coming over from France. Well, more so than LeBron proved to have for Cleveland this past off season.

No. 7: He's Going Into His Contract Year

Parker regressed significantly this last season, as he saw his ppg average slip from 22.0 from 08-09 to 16.0 this past year. He definitely wants to up his game and become that smart-shooting mid-range threat that made him so lethal, especially during the playoffs. It's no secret that players play well in their contract years. The Spurs have proved in the past that they are not shy about offering contract extensions when their players deserve it.

No. 6: We Faced the Same Exact Situation with Manu Ginobili Last Year

This kind of runs with the whole contract year thing, but the same sort of rumors were floating around last year when Manu was entering his contract year. These rumors only increased when Ginobili got off to a slow start last season. However, when he turned it on and basically drove the Spurs to the playoffs single-handedly, the team rewarded him with a contract extension a couple months before the season concluded.

Why can't the same happen for Tony? Especially considering that he's been here longer than Manu and has had his seasons where you could make the case that he was the best player on the Spurs.

No. 5: His Floating Jump Shot is Still Coveted

Ever since he was young, Parker possessed one of the quickest and most unique floating jump shots in the league. While we haven't seen as much of that shot lately, whose to say that does not appear again?

It's hard to block because it's so fast, and if Parker can keep getting in the lane and tossing that shot up and having it fall, he's going to be just a little more deadly than usual. The Spurs love that shot and have encouraged him along the way with it. Anyone who possesses a unique kind of shot isn't just going to be let go of easily.

No. 4: He's Well Rested

After a couple seasons battling nagging injuries, Parker took it easy this offseason. That means no international play whatsoever, which is good news for Spurs fans. Here's hoping that Tony doesn't have the same luck this year that he had last year, as he was constantly in and out of the lineup. George Hill even started ahead of him in the playoffs because of the way the team was playing.

No. 3: George Hill Isn't Ready Yet

Now lets be fair, Hill proved last year, especially in the postseason, that he might in fact be a star one day. However, part of me insists that he's not ready to become that player yet. There's some mind-control act going on in San Antonio, as every player constantly states that he's happy with whatever role he's given.

The thing is, you believe them. If this wasn't true Manu would've been long gone by now. Hill appears to be under the same spell, graciously accepting whatever role he's given. That's always a good sign.

No. 2: He Still Has Popovich's Trust

Just like every season during the last decade, Parker still has head coach Gregg Popovich's trust despite his relatively disappointing turn last year. Popovich has admitted in the past that he has been hard on Tony, maybe too hard, and the fact that Tony took this verbal abuse and became more motivated due to it is what made him such a well-liked player by his teammates and coaches.

Tony probably has some Hollywood elements added to his life now with the marriage, but his work ethic is what made him such a special player in the league. I don't think that has worn off whatsoever.

No. 1: He Won't Walk Away from Tim and Manu

If it comes down to Tim convincing Peter Holt to give Tony an extension like he did the last time then so be it. The mere fact is I can't wrap my head around a picture of Manu and Tim here for at least another two to three years while Tony up and "LeBron's" them (see, I'm starting a new catch phrase).

Even if Tony isn't given a contract extension close to year's end and goes into free agency, you better believe that Tim and Manu want their complete Big Three intact for at least a few more title runs before retirement eventually rears its ugly head.