Parker v Westbrook

VALENCIA (Jeff Taylor's London Calling) - Tony Parker received a nice little honor this week when he was named to the All-NBA Second Team.

What should be viewed as a compliment, though, might also be considered a slight.

Parker didn't only deserve to be on the First Team, but he also merited strong consideration for league MVP honors after being the season-long spark for a San Antonio Spurs team that is vying for the championship.

The team that could feel a Parker backlash is Oklahoma City, the side the Frenchman and San Antonio are meeting in the Western Conference Finals.

The Thunder are gunning for their first NBA title and their impending showdown with the Spurs makes mouths water.

Oklahoma City made the Los Angeles Lakers look ordinary in their 4-1 victory in the Semi-Finals.

The Thunder boast the 2010 FIBA World Championship MVP Kevin Durant, his fellow USA teammate from that gold-medal winning side Russell Westbrook, Spain's shot-blocking extraordinaire Serge Ibaka and the league's best sixth man, James Harden.

But San Antonio have Parker, who has flat out played the best basketball of his career this season and that's saying something when the point guard has already won three NBA titles and been the MVP of the Spurs’ 2007 NBA Finals triumph.

During this NBA Lockout-shortened regular season, Parker averaged 18.3 points and 7.7 assists.

In the playoffs, he's averaged 19.1 points and 7.1 assists.

Parker, 30, is a player who should be in the Hall of Fame one day.

He'll lead France this summer in their first Olympic appearance since 2000, when Les Bleus captured a silver medal.

Now is his time.

The same could be said for the fiery Westbrook, though.

He’s a dazzling player who at times is also brash.

Westbrook, too, was an All-NBA Second Team selection, an award that was richly deserved.

Averaging 24.1 points per game in the post-season, the 24-year-old has, perhaps, even more riding on this series.

Not only is he still seeking his first NBA crown, but also looking to enhance his credentials before USA Basketball name their Olympic squad.

Parker dropped 42 points on the Thunder when the teams met in early February and San Antonio won, 107-96.

In their next meeting on 16 March, Parker had 25 points and seven assists as the Spurs prevailed, 114-105.

When it comes to Oklahoma City, Parker does seem to elevate his game.

Knowing that Westbrook is on their team is the main reason why.

Westbrook was very good in their meetings with the Spurs, including a 36-point explosion in the March clash.

“He’s definitely the head of the snake on this team,” Parker said.

“Durant is obviously the best scorer in this league, but I think Westbrook is the one who makes them go.

“I’m definitely going to go at him.

“It’s not going to be like Dallas or the Lakers, where their point guards are not as aggressive.

"I’m going to go at him and make sure he works a little bit.”

France and the United States will meet each other on the opening day of Preliminary Round action on 29 July, and that means Parker v Westbrook.

San Antonio’s showdown with Oklahoma City could be a sneak preview of one of the more intriguing battles that will take place in London.

Jeff Taylor

FIBA

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