The Spurs have always been known for team first basketball and not about the individual player, and that seems to be the case again with Tony Parker and Dejounte Murray.
In a move most expected would come at some point, Murray took over the starting point guard job from Parker on Jan. 21.
Parker had this to say about the move:
“When he told me he thought it was best for the team, me coming off the bench and play with Manu, maybe we’ll bring some energy and stuff like that, I believe him. I trust him. And if he thinks we can do something even better with for team, I’m fine with it”
Although he doesn't seem to be exactly thrilled with the idea of playing off the bench, he seems to understand that this is the best move for the team.
He has also seen this move done with others throughout his career with the Spurs. He has seen the likes of Tim Duncan and Manu Ginóbili move to the bench for the betterment of the team.
For Murray, he seems very appreciative of the veterans guards willingness to come off the bench:
It just shows how much of a pro he is, how much he’s willing to sacrifice for the team..I just try to motivate him to keep going. I always tell him, out of everything you did — winning championships, all the points you scored, anything — the thing that surprised me and shocked me the most and made me respect him even more was when he got hurt last year. To see him in here every day, coming in on crutches, trying to get to running and shooting, he was dedicated to get back. He said he was going to get back to play again, and that was the best thing that I’ve seen from him”
For both of these guys, it's key that they keep good team chemistry this year, and both perform up to their highest potential as the Spurs try to get yet another NBA title.
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