Tony Parker Not Starting Point Guard for First Time in Nearly 8 Years

For only the 21st time in his 17-year career with the Spurs, Tony Parker is not the team's starting point guard.

According to reports from ESPN, the fan favorite met with Coach Gregg Popovich before Sunday night's game against the Indiana Pacers. Popovich told Parker that he "thought it was time" for another player to be in the starting position.

That other player is none other than Dejounte Murray, now in his second season with Spurs. He was the Spurs' pick in the 2016 draft, obviously to take the reins once the veteran player retires.

This is the first time Parker hasn't been the starting point guard since the 2010 playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks, according to ESPN. Despite it being almost a decade since he last found himself off the bench, Parker seems to be taking the news like a sport.



"Just like Manu, just like Pau, that day's going to come," Parker told ESPN. "And if Pop sees something that is good for the team, I'll try to do my best."

Parker is doing just that. No matter whether he's starting or not, the star player continues to come through for the team. Just check out these assists from Sunday night's game.
Popovich's decision comes after Parker's devastating quad injury last May, for which he needed surgery and months of rehab before returning to the court in late November. Since his return, Popovich has been very careful about how much Parker plays each game. Even Parker admitted that it may still be some time before he feels "100 percent."

"I support Pop's decision," Parker told ESPN. "I'll try to help out as best I can, and try to be the best I can in that second unit with Manu and Patty."