MIAMI -- Outside of Canada and maybe Israel, Anthony Parker is best known for being the second most famous basketball player in his family. And that's not a knock on him.
Parker's younger sister, Candace, is the star of the Tennessee women's basketball team, which just won the national championship. Candace gained plenty of attention as the best player in the country and for having dunked at least six times, which is the most by any female in the NCAA.
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| Anthony Parker is enjoying a breakout season with Toronto ... (Getty Images) |
"When she gets good enough to beat me, I'll retire," Parker said of his sister.
Parker has a chance to gain notoriety by helping the Raptors make a run in the playoffs. Toronto currently is the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, and Parker is one of several new players who have made a difference this year.
General manager Bryan Colangelo, who joined the franchise in February 2006 after 15 years in the Phoenix Suns organization, rebuilt the Raptors around budding star Chris Bosh. Before the season Colangelo brought in a host of new players, trading for point guard T.J. Ford and center Rasho Nesterovic, signing free-agent swingmen Jorge Garbajosa, Fred Jones and Parker and drafting forward Andrea Bargnani with the No. 1 pick.
Colangelo then dealt Jones to Portland for Juan Dixon in February, which has proven to be a valuable trade. With injuries to Bargnani (appendectomy) and Garbajosa (broken leg), Parker and Dixon have been essential to the Raptors' playoff run.
Toronto, which clinched its first playoff berth in five seasons and is on the verge of winning the Atlantic Division title, would not have survived without Parker and Dixon.
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| ... but as impressive as his sister Candace's season with the Lady Vols? (AP) |
Parker, 31, is enjoying his first year back in the NBA after three frustrating seasons early in his career. After being drafted out of Bradley at No. 21 overall by New Jersey and then traded to Philadelphia on draft night in 1997, he spent two years with the 76ers and one year with the Orlando Magic before being released.
Parker then became an international star in five seasons in the Israeli League with Maccabi Tel Aviv before signing with the Raptors. At 6-foot-6, Parker is a solid scorer, and he finally found a home in the NBA.
"It's been a great journey for me," said Parker, who is averaging 12.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists. "Basketball has taken me all over the world. I've made friends all over the world. I've had some great experiences overseas. To finally come back to the states and play in the NBA and be a contributor has been a very rewarding experience. It's been a great lesson."
Dixon's path to Toronto was more direct. After helping Maryland win an NCAA title in 2002, he was drafted No. 17 overall by the Washington Wizards. Dixon spent three years in Washington before signing with Portland in 2005.
Dixon was thrilled about the trade because the Trail Blazers weren't close to making the playoffs this year.
"I landed in a great situation," Dixon said. "I'm very, very lucky. I came to a team that's getting better each day. When I got here, they welcomed me right in. They were patient with me. They worked with me to get all the sets down. I'm really blessed to be here in Toronto and with a team in the playoff race."
Dixon has been a role player during his NBA career. His job has been to provide energy and be a scorer off the bench. But since Garbajosa went down, Dixon has been in and out of the starting lineup.
He's averaged 13.2 points in March and 12.4 points through five games in April. That's up from his season average of 9.8.
"I'm playing the same role here," Dixon said. "I try to provide a scoring punch. I want to play good defense on the ball. And I want to be a leader and have a good attitude out there. I just want to continue to take advantage of my opportunities."
Said Raptors coach Sam Mitchell of Dixon: "He's played well for us. He's done a lot of good things for us. He knows how to play. He comes from a winning program, a winning background."
This is a great opportunity for Dixon and Parker. Dixon has only been to the playoffs once with the Wizards in 2005, and Parker has never played in the NBA postseason.
Parker is looking forward to the playoff atmosphere.
"It's just continuing to reach the next goal," he said.
With a good showing in the playoffs, maybe then it will be, "Candace Parker who?" Oh, she's Anthony's sister.
