Harris knows this isn’t the same Parker he once faced

Back when the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs’ rivalry was at its apex, Tony Parker and Devin Harris used to have fierce battles on the court and often, Harris would get the best of Parker.

However, that was then, this is now.

Since then, Harris moved on to play with New Jersey and now with the Jazz while Parker has been leading the Spurs to the best record in the Western Conference, and has garnered NBA MVP talk.

But for Harris and Parker, they will once again face each other in the NBA playoffs this Sunday in San Antonio but Harris knows this isn’t the same Parker he once faced while in Dallas.

“The circumstance is different,” Harris said. “He has more range on his jumper now. He is hitting that 18-footer with more regularity. It opens up his entire game and makes him more difficult to stay with defensively.”

The last time these two faced each other in the playoffs was in 2006 when the Mavs and Spurs met in the West Finals and Harris got the best of TP.

But as Harris mentions, Parker has improved in every facet of his game. He isn’t the young player, upped his assists this season, and is not the leader and focal point of the Spurs.

And as many will be focusing on Utah’s size advantage over San Antonio, the series could turn on these two point guards.

Check out how Parker and Harris fared against once another this season (via nba.com).