Laker’s Looking To Continue Tough Defense On Spurs’ Parker

Apr 21, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) puts up a shot over Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol (16) during game one of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at AT

This past Sunday the San Antonio Spurs opened up their ‘drive for five’ campaign by taking game one of the first round of the NBA playoffs by dispatching the Los Angeles Lakers 91 to 79.

This game had many headlines, with the return of Manu Ginobili, Tracy McGrady being inactive, and Steve Blake’s lock-down defense on Tony Parker.  Say what?

Steve Blake not known for his defensive ability had the task of trying to halt Parker during game one.  I am not going to lie one bit here, Blake did do a good job on Parker.  You could tell he was one that studied the film tapes and the scouting report on Parker.

Blake did his best impersonation of a shot blocker as he threw back two of Parker’s attempts.

Parker did manage to put up 18 points.  Those though came at 21 attempts.  Blake told Project Spurs that he felt good about their performance on Parker.

“I was pretty pleased with that (defense on Parker),” Blake said. “We did a good job as a team sticking to our coverages. When he got into the lane I was able to contest and get some deflections on the ball. We did a pretty good job on him.”

It is only one game.  They came out and showed Parker they were going to be aggressive with him and force him into the paint where Gasol and Howard will be waiting.

Believe that Parker and the Spurs will come out with a different game-plan to exploit the defense to draw out Gasol and Howard away from the rim so Parker can do what he does best, score in the paint.

What are your thoughts. Can Blake continue his lock-down defense on Parker?