Tony Parker struggling, yet striving to still be effective.

In five games so far, Tony Parker has only scored 9 points.

Despite the Spurs 6-0 win streak to begin the season, Tony Parker--the former star of the Spurs, head of the old guard--went scoreless in the season opener versus Minnesota in 13 minutes. He played just 6 minutes against the Bulls, scoring 3 points, didn't play the Raptors, went scoreless again in Miami, shot 2-10 in Orlando for only 4 points and went 1-8 in Indiana.

No drastic measures need to be taken, and the Spurs organization is arguably the most patient one in the league, but Parker knows he can contribute more, even as he enters his 19th season in the NBA--all with San Antonio.

"I'd probably take any third-string point guard over me right now," Parker subjected himself to criticism, admitting that his poor play has not been motivating. Once a quick, wily guard Tony has definitely declined--but he'll have to do just a little bit more, even if inconsistently--to help the Spurs this year. Backup prospect Dejounte Murray has not wowed the Spurs just yet on a reliable basis, and even Patty Mills hasn't gotten off to the best start.

Early season rust only accounts for so much.

"He'll find his way," Coach Popovich spoke of Parker. "He's almost as old as me, you know! Cut Tony some slack. He's a champion, a leader, one of our best players ever. He's got my support."