SAN ANTONIO (NBA) - France international Tony Parker blamed San Antonio's failure to retain their NBA crown on the Spurs' worst first-half performance in his five years with the team.
The Spurs, who also won the title in 2003, lost their Western Conference final - the NBA semi-final - following a heart-stopping 119-111 overtime defeat to the Dallas Mavericks. Parker poured in 24 points as the defending champions clawed their way back from 58-38 behind to lead 104-101 with 32 seconds remaining before Dallas levelled and won in the extra period.
"It is very disappointing to finish that way," the point guard told his official website,
http://www.tp9.net/. "We had the opportunity to win the encounter with (Manu) Ginobili's three-point shot just 30 seconds from the end.
"I really thought we controlled the game. We completed a tremendous comeback by fighting back from a 20-point deficit but then we stumbled in overtime.
"Losing that way is hard to cope with."
The best-of-seven semi-finals had already seen the Spurs bounce back from a 3-1 series deficit to level the series following a 91-86 victory at the weekend.
"We came back from well and we did it again in the final game," added Parker. "I guess it was not our year. I have a lot of regrets over that final match.
"We had never played such a bad first half since I've been with the Spurs, we were truly coming back from nowhere and our defence was like a colander.
"But there is no need to think about the match. That's life, that's basketball."
Parker, who won bronze with France at EuroBasket 2005, is now relishing the prospect of travelling to Japan with Les Bleus for the FIBA World Championship, which take place between August 19 and September 3.
"I am going to go on holiday at the end of June and won't change my plans," added Parker. "But in July, there is a new challenge awaiting for me with the French team."
France are in Group A with Argentina, Lebanon, Nigeria, Serbia & Montenegro and Venezuela.
By PA Sport, Exclusively for FIBA