Suddenly, San Antonio Spurs Look Deep and Dangerous

Tony Parker is back from an ankle injury that kept him sidelined and his team sputtering. Parker distributed the ball, finished plays with cuts and weaves in the paint and perhaps more importantly, he created some great movement and momentum when he was on the floor.

"It's always very important to get your best players back into the fold," Gregg Popovich said after the game. "Tony did a great job during rehab, as did Manu and we're slowly getting back in with their minutes. That will continue." 

Parker joined Manu Ginobili, who himself returned from an extended stay off the court two games ago, on the active roster in San Antonio. With both players coming in off the bench, the Spurs bench players outscored the Grizzlies' reserves 62-4.

The level of consistent play and offense was on display all night across the entire team. Even as fans were digesting Tony Parker's first game back, one thing became obvious right away. This Spurs team suddenly looks like the deepest squad in the league.

The ball movement was nearly flawless and the ability to finish plays with penetrating drives and far-out jump shots was enough to send shivers through anyone who had written off this team earlier this month.

When Memphis began to make a run, the Spurs kicked up their defense and second chance rebounding. It was enough to take away any confidence from the young Grizzlies.

The real test for this team comes tonight when the Spurs play the second contest of a back-to-back against the division-leading Rockets in Houston.

Roger Mason took over in the third quarter with 14 points during that 12-minute stretch. Finishing with a total of 20 points for the night, Mason moved well without the ball and shows that he has quickly integrated into the Spurs offensive system by not only hitting shots, but creating opportunities for others. He destroyed Memphis' defense almost single-handedly.

This was easily the most balanced game the Spurs have played all year. Ten Spurs players played at least 13 minutes and the Spurs had six players in double figures. The only player who didn't score against Memphis was Bruce Bowen.

It begs the question: What will Popovich do to keep all these talented players happy and productive?

For the first time in many years, Popovich will have the ability to reach deep into his bag of tricks and put all kinds of different line-ups in the game as adjustments are needed.

Popovich, who is known among other coaches for his ability to make in-game adjustments, now has an arsenal of player weapons to choose from.

"Right now, we have no idea," Popovich said. "As far as who should start, who's coming off the bench, what the minutes are going to be."

The Spurs suddenly go from a team who were just trying to keep things together when Ginobili and Parker were out, to one that will be playing for their Division's first-place standing against the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.

Look out, NBA!

[video highlights of Parker's first game back here]