Tony Parker Returns to Practice

Feb 19, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) drives down the court against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Sacramento Kings 108-102. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Dan McCarney of Spurs Nation got word from Head Coach Gregg Popovich and reported that Tony Parker did return to practice, which marks his first full practice since going down with a grade 2 ankle sprain.

This has been seen as an ‘encouraging’ sign for not only the fans of San Antonio but also the team themselves.  Parker, before going down, was having the best year of his career.  He is the focal point of the Spurs and has heard his name being brought up in the MVP talks.

He is one of not the best point guards in the league.  Cole Patty over at King James Gospel, which is apart of the Fansided Network, recently ranked the top 10 point guards in the league, and with the injury, it left him to rank Tony Parker second, behind Chris Paul.

Popovich did rule Parker out for Wednesday’s game against the Golden State Warriors but he did give some encouraging words to McCarney.

“I think it will be sooner than four weeks, but it won’t be tomorrow,” Popovich said. “He did everything today. It’s very encouraging.”

What is also encouraging is knowing that you can count on your team to pick up the void that was left with your star player going down.  Since the injury, San Antonio is 5-2.

Encouraging to Popovich, but what are others saying about seeing TP on the court.  Ginobili quickly chimed in.

“We need him, there’s no mystery in that,” Manu Ginobili said. “It’s great to see him close to being back. I haven’t talked to him, but he looked good.

“He’s a little out of rhythm, but that’s the hardest part to resolve, the details. It’s going to take him a few days. But he looked fast as always, he looked confident. I just have to ask him how he felt.”