When San Antonio Spurs’ veteran point guard Tony Parker went down with a leg injury during the Spurs 121-96 postseason victory over Houston back in May, fans and fellow professionals all feared the worst. It was clear that the injury was a serious one, and it cast a shadow over the entire game.
When the news came later that Parker had suffered a ruptured left quadriceps tendon, the mood did not get any lighter. This was seen as confirmation of many people’s fears that Parker’s career could be over. Sure, players have recovered from this sort of injury in the past, but they seldom return quite the same as they were, and at 35, Parker does not have age on his side.
The immediate press release stated that Parker would be out for the rest of the season, but most felt that this was just putting off the inevitable retirement announcement that would surely follow in the off season. However, rumors from an unlikely quarter suggest the star is not quite ready to hang up his boots just yet.
What do the bookmakers know?
Let’s be clear about one thing from the start – the Brits love their online sports betting. Part of the whole experience when it comes to enjoying a sporting event is to log on to one of the new football betting sites and place a bet. The other thing you need to understand is that these sites talk about more than just the results and more than just soccer.
Who will or will not be playing for a professional team is, after the results themselves, one of the most popular things for people to bet on. It gives a chance for fans to show their deep knowledge and understanding of their chosen sport, and rewards them with a cash payout if they are right.
For this reason, the bookmakers’ odds are becoming an increasingly reliable place to look to get an idea of what is likely to happen in the coming season – and where Parker is concerned, they are strongly indicative that he is not finished yet.
From the Horse’s Mouth
The suggestion from those who accept a sporting bet that Parker could be back is one thing, having the man himself confirm it is another, but that is exactly what went on to happen in the most recent chapter of this compelling story.
In an interview with Argentina TV station LPG TV, he told reporters that the injury is healing better than he could have hoped and that he has already started running. He said “It’s OK. It’s getting better and better.”
Training camp for the preseason will open next month, and Parker is eyeing up a return to action in December, a month earlier that the initial tentative projections.
Of course, whether he will be the same force that he was is something that only time will tell. As he enters his late thirties, it goes without saying that he is not the dynamic playmaker that he was five years ago, but he is still an enormously important part of the team.
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