Dorian Finney-Smith's Salute: A Gesture of Respect and Resilience

Tony Parker wasn’t the biggest or strongest player on the court, but he had a deadly weapon that made him one of the best finishers ever—his signature floater!
What made Parker’s floater so unguardable? Let’s break down the hidden secrets that helped him torch defenses for years!
A floater is a high-arching shot taken before reaching the rim, perfect for:
✅ Scoring over taller shot-blockers
✅ Avoiding getting blocked at the rim
✅ Quick, unpredictable finishes in the paint
Tony Parker MASTERED this move and used it to dominate defenses year after year!
Most players take a floater deliberately, but Parker’s was:
π₯ Quick & explosive off the dribble
π₯ Didn’t need extra time to gather
π₯ Surprised defenders before they could react!
By the time shot-blockers tried to contest, the ball was already in the air!
Parker had perfect touch on his floaters, and here’s why:
✅ Used his fingertips, not his palm, to control the shot
✅ Gave the ball extra backspin for a soft bounce
✅ Adjusted his release depending on defender’s position
His soft, high-arcing shot made it nearly impossible to block!
Unlike most players who set their feet, Parker could:
π₯ Float the ball up while moving sideways
π₯ Launch his floater at full speed in transition
π₯ Make tough shots look EASY!
His ability to stay balanced while floating mid-air made his move unguardable!
Parker combined his floater with elite footwork:
✅ Used quick euro-steps before launching
✅ Timed his steps to create maximum space
✅ Could finish with EITHER hand!
His footwork made it impossible for defenders to predict where he’d go!
It didn’t matter if it was:
π₯ A towering shot-blocker like Dwight Howard
π₯ A quick defender like Chris Paul
π₯ Double-teams collapsing in the paint
Parker’s floater was unstoppable because he could get it off anytime, anywhere!
Most small guards struggle in the paint—but not Parker!
✅ Elite speed let him get to his spots first
✅ Could stop & pop before help defense arrived
✅ Used angles & spin to avoid shot-blockers
This is why Parker was one of the best inside scorers EVER among guards!
Tony Parker’s floater was a key weapon in the Spurs’ championship runs!
π 4x NBA Champion (2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
π 2007 NBA Finals MVP (Dominated LeBron’s Cavs!)
π Career 15.5 PPG & 49% FG (Elite Efficiency!)
Without his deadly floater, the Spurs’ pick-and-roll offense wouldn’t have been as dominant!
Parker’s quick release, soft touch, and footwork made his floater one of the deadliest moves in NBA history!
What do YOU think? Was Parker’s floater the best EVER? Drop your thoughts below! ππ₯