T. Parker: "I like our chances"

On his own show on French radio RMC, Tony Parker gives his impressions about the NBA season so far. The Spurs’ point guard knows his team isn’t among the favorites but still believes San Antonio can go deep in the playoffs, with or without Boris Diaw...

After winning 11 games in a row, the Spurs have slowed down lately. Are you worried?

Not really. Since the All Star Game, we haven’t been playing well. We’ve lost a couple of tight games, against Chicago and Denver. Games that we could have won... And then we’ve lost again, to the Clippers. It’s really disappointing, especially after our great road trip when we finished with 8 wins and only one loss. We need to get our rythm back. And we need Manu (Ginobili) to be healthy.

There are a lot of very good teams in the Western Conference this season. The playoffs’ race could be fantastic...

It’s crazy! Portland, for example, is a very talented team but if the season ended today, the Blazers wouldn’t be in the playoffs. We (the Spurs) would be playing the Mavs, the Lakers would be playing the Clippers. The West is really loaded and the playoffs should be exciting. There will be so many great matchups.

You played against New York recently. What are your impressions on Jeremy Lin?

It was nice to play against him. I don’t really know him so we didn’t talk a lot. Anyway, I’m really happy for him. His story is great, it’s the story of the season so far in the NBA. He has to keep working now, and continue to improve his game. 

The Knicks have lost their last five games. Currently, Boston is the team to watch in the East. Your thougths?

I’m not worried for the Knicks. They have so much talent on their team. They will bounce back. As for the Celtics, they are playing way better yes. They lost against the Lakers on Sunday but it really was a tight game. Boston will be a dangerous team in the playoffs. 

Which are the teams you fear the most this season?

Oklahoma City, Miami and Chicago are the main favorites in my opinion. Behind those three, there are outsiders, teams like us (the Spurs) or the Clippers. We all have our chance. I think that if everyone is healthy on our team when the playoffs begin, we can win it all. I really like our chances.

The Bobcats are having a really bad season. Could Boris Diaw be traded to the Spurs ? San Antonio needs another big man...

They are two solutions. Boris could be traded before the March 15th deadline. If not, he could buy out his contract and choose to leave for another team. He has to find an agreement with Charlotte. He is in great shape, the Spurs are very interested. But we are not alone. The Knicks want him too.

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