The San Antonio Spurs recently received good news. Franchise star Tony Parker is going to join them in this year's training camp. In an interview with L'ÉQUIPE, Parker shared that he was given clearance by doctors last Friday following an MRI. The veteran guard suffered a quadriceps tendon tear in May during the Spurs' semifinals series against the Houston Rockets.
However, Parker will not return immediately to action when the 2017-18 season opens. According to the 35-year-old, he still needs time (two months) for him to regain his old form. Parker's goal is to be playing for the Spurs by November.
He may miss some games, but this is already great development for him since he was expected to be out until January.
Parker finished the 2016-17 regular season averaging 10.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per contest. In San Antonio's run in the playoffs, his scoring (15.9 ppg) and rebounding (2.5 rpg) numbers improved.
Point guard scenario
Parker remains the projected starting point guard for the Spurs despite the injury. Since he joined the organization in 2001, he has been their top playmaker. Though in his absence, Patty Mills is likely to take the starting job. Mills' backup will be Dejounte Murray.
Mills is an excellent temporary starter for San Antonio because like Parker, he is an NBA veteran.
Meanwhile, Murray can benefit from being a second-stringer. The 21-year-old will get more minutes from head coach Gregg Popovich, which is going to help him in his development and growth.
Draymond Green respects Spurs
In other Spurs news, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green considers the team as their toughest rival in the Western Conference.
In an interview on ESPN's The Jump during the Warriors' media day, Paul Pierce asked Green which team in the West he thinks will give them the "biggest challenge." The All-Star forward said it is San Antonio.
Green mentioned the likes of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, and the Oklahoma City Thunder, franchises that improved their rosters drastically this offseason.
But for him, the Spurs are still the team to beat in their conference. The reason to this is San Antonio's consistency. Each year, the Spurs are legitimate playoff contenders and are among the favorites to win the NBA championship. In the previous season, they were the ones who challenged the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.
