The Top 50

#27 - Tony Parker
Mr. Longoria’s been a fixture among the association’s best point guards for a few years now. He came into the league an obscure late-first round draft pick, but as late-first round draft picks tend to do on San Antonio, developed into a solid player, eventually an All-Star and poised member of the league’s most feared threesome. His game’s almost as nice as his wife.

Formerly a league-leader in points in the paint (recall he’s roughly the size of a freshly baked baguette), Parker slashes without fear as one of the quickest ever off the dribble, and has developed a steady jumper inside 20 feet to keep defenders both honest and afraid. He may never be considered the league’s best passer, but he finds open men easily, often creating the space himself. An improving defender, he’s one of the league’s most dangerous all-around offenders.

True to form, the Spurs couldn’t cop a title in an “even” year last season, looking further away from their dominant selves than they have in a while. The squad’s old. They need some young legs to step up when age and injuries inevitably get the better of them. Which means, as much as Pretty Tony’s given them, they might need even more to win another ‘chip.