After seven months of inactivity, Tony Parker made his return to the Spurs lineup this week and the veteran’s presence was quickly felt. As ESPN’s Michael Wright reports, Parker’s return boosted the squad on an emotional level.
“Big lift, especially emotionally more than anything,” Spurs shooting guard Danny Green said. “Just to see him warming up with us. I think everybody’s just happy for him, just to see him go through that process — the injury first, then taking that process of six to seven months of being out and not being able to play — and what he’s meant to us and this organization.”
Parker followed up his debut in the Spurs’ Monday night victory over Dallas with a 10-point, five-assist showing on Wednesday.
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- The Rockets can use P.J. Tucker in the starting lineup or off the bench. Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle writes that the versatile veteran will fill the same role regardless of how he’s utilized. “I’m going to go out and do my job,” Tucker said. “It doesn’t make a big deal. You’re going to play the same amount of minutes. And the way we play, it doesn’t really matter.“
- With an increased commitment to contributing in ways other than just scoring, Dwight Powell has found a way to ramp up his production for the Mavericks. As Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News writes, the 26-year-old’s rebounds, steals and blocks are all up this season despite playing a similar amount of minutes.
- If the Mavericks are to ever become a coveted free agency destination, they’ll need to build themselves a young core, Kevin Sherrington of the Dallas Morning News writes. With Dennis Smith Jr. and Harrison Barnes, they’re off to a good start.