In today's NBA landscape, it has become almost routine to compare former stars to determine whose legacy or impact stands taller, and the latest example came on the "To The Baha" podcast, which debated whether they would rather build a team with Tony Parker or Steve Nash as the starting point guard.
While the obvious pick for many would be two-time MVP Steve Nash, Raymond Felton explained why he would undoubtedly choose the Frenchman, citing how well he adapted his game during the San Antonio Spurs ' championship runs.
From a statistical standpoint, TP doesn't drastically outshine Nash in any category. Across his career, the Spurs legend averaged 15.5 points and 5.6 assists per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field, 32.4 percent from the three-point line and 75.1 percent from the free-throw line. Nash , on the other hand, put up 14.3 points and 8.5 assists per game (ranking sixth all-time in assists list) while shooting 49.0 percent from the field, 42.3 percent from deep and an excellent 90.4 percent from the charity stripe. Stats that clearly indicate how Nash was the superior force on paper to Parker.
Any while that's an undeniable truth, for Felton, Tony's value goes beyond numbers. What impresses him most is how Parker adapted his style to the Spurs' needs throughout their four championship seasons. Felton argued that while Nash was brilliant, his approach often felt predictable - teams would know his prime value was in orchestrating the offense. Parker, meanwhile, constantly shifted gears to fit what San Antonio required to win.
"TP - because he got four rings. I'm taking rings over MVPs. If I can have four rings, rather than have two MVPs? F–t that! The four rings? That's gonna last forever. MVP? That's just a trophy I got from the NBA, cool. These rings? Just priceless, " Felton said .
"For me personally? I want those rings. You may say, 'F–k that, I want the MVP.' That's cool… He's ( Tony Parker ) not as good as Steve Nash as far as that (shooting)... that's how Tony Parker made him money - midrange and floaters and finishing at the rim," the retired guard added.
Safe to say that Felton's point also ties into a broader discussion about how individual accolades like MVP awards don't always reflect a player's ability to elevate a team to a championship level.
Parker's scoring trends during the Spurs' title runs perfectly highlight his adaptability: 15.5 points per game in the 2002-03 season, 18.6 points per game in 2006-07, and 16.7 points per game in the 2013-14 campaign. Each run featured a different version of Parker.
That may be where championship success often outweighs MVP discussions. History repeatedly shows that while MVPs honor the best individual performer, championship rings demonstrate a player's ability to contribute to the highest level of team success. It's part of the reason why the likes of Kevin Garnett may be ranked higher in the all-time rankings than someone like Charles Barkley, who earned an MVP award but never a championship.
Related: "Don't get too cute" - Steve Nash warns Spurs against resting Wembanyama before playoffs
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Apr 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
