Parker comes off bench for 1st time since 2010
Change may be afoot in San Antonio.
Tony Parker did not start in the Spurs' loss to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, coming off the bench for the first time since the 2010 playoffs.
Parker said coach Gregg Popovich approached him before the game and told him "he thought it was time," according to ESPN's Michael C. Wright.
"I was like, 'Oh, no problem,'" Parker said. "Just like Manu (Ginobili), just like Pau (Gasol), that day's going to come. And if Pop sees something that is good for the team, I'll try to do my best."
Dejounte Murray started at the point for San Antonio, with Parker entering the game with 4:40 left in the first quarter. The 35-year-old played 20 minutes, scoring 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting.
Parker has slowed somewhat the last few seasons, in addition to dealing with injuries, but Popovich has resisted moving him to the second unit until now. Parker had started 496 straight regular-season games he was able to play in before Sunday.
Murray has shown some flashes in his season-plus in the NBA, and at times, others have called for Patty Mills to take Parker's starting spot.