"I can not be Tony Parker anymore" – The Undefeated

SAN ANTONIO – Smiling as he sat in a suite at the "Alamo City" hotel, Tony Parker looked at the peace. After 18 NBA seasons, it was quite fitting that he make an important announcement in San Antonio, where he grew from a teenager to a man after his arrival from France in 2001.

"I'm going to retire," Parker told The Undefeated. "I decided not to play basketball anymore."

The 28th pick of the San Antonio Spurs in the 2001 NBA Draft, Parker had previously said his goal was to play 20 seasons. He was shy in the face of this goal, but the future Basketball Hall of Fame member ended his career with many accomplishments.

Parker has formed one of the largest trios in the history of sports with Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. Under coach Gregg Popovich, they won four championships together in San Antonio, and Parker became the first European player to win the honors of the MVP final in 2007.

Parker played six times in 1,254 games and finished with a career average of 15.5 points, 5.6 assists and 2.7 rebounds. His only season with another NBA team was 2018-19 with the Charlotte Hornets under former Spurs assistant coach James Borrego. In what would ultimately be the last game of his career, Parker scored 11 points in 17 minutes on the bench in a 93-75 loss to the Miami Heat on March 17th.

Parker, 37, told The Undefeated that he felt physically well enough to argue for two more seasons, but that he thought it was time to leave.

"Many different things have finally led me to this decision," Parker said. "But at the end of the day, I figured if I can not be Tony Parker anymore and I can not play for a championship, I do not want to play basketball anymore."

Parker plans to live in San Antonio after retirement, but will remain in France as owner and president of ASVEL, a professional French men's and women's basketball club. He will also open the Tony Parker Adequat Academy, an international school in his home town of Lyon, France, later this year.

The following is a transcript of Parker's retirement interview, which has been modified to improve length and clarity.

When did you realize you could not be Tony Parker anymore?

Last season was very different for me. I had a good time in Charlotte. It's very different for me after 17 years with the Spurs. I knew that the weather had changed and that I was very nostalgic.

And being away from the family in San Antonio too, it played a small role [in retiring]and I came to the conclusion that it was time to move on. I have a lot of good things in my life. A beautiful family Beautiful children. And so I wanted to spend more time with them.

Was there a match, a time when you started to think that, okay, is the moment?

At the end of the season, I knew the time had come.

How did you come to peace with her?

It's funny because my family more than my friends, they say, "Oh, come on! Do one more. Make one more. & # 39; I? It has been a long time since I was at peace with this decision because I prepared myself for that too, with all that I do, the two teams I own in France and my international school inaugurated in September. . I have so many things to do that I've always been at peace with this decision.

When that's the case, I'll be ready to leave it to the younger guys. The basketball game is for young guys. That's why, for me, I understood very early that when the time came [retire], It's okay with me.

A few years ago, you were quite categorical: you were going to play 20 seasons. What's changed?

Yes, of course, and I wanted to play 20 seasons and I still think I can play. I had a good season with the Hornets and I was in good health. But at the same time, I see no reason to play 20 seasons.

What was the difference between playing with the Spurs and playing with the Hornets?

For 17 years, every year that I started with the Spurs, I really thought we had a good chance of winning the championship. So it was very strange to arrive on a team and we thought, "There is no way to win the championship." And even though I had a good time – and the Charlotte players, they were great with me and they were great guys – at the end of the day, I play basketball to win something, and that was like that with the [French] national team when we try to compete for a gold medal or with the Spurs to win a championship.

And if I do not play for a championship, I feel like I know why we play? That's why it was very different for me mentally to concentrate and motivate myself to play a game I love, because I want to win something.

The NBA and its fans have been able to say goodbye to Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade this season after their illustrious career. Would you like to have a goodbye season?

Not at all, not at all. It's funny because my brother asked me. "You do not want to do like Dwyane and Dirk?" And I said, "No, because it's not on the spurs jersey." So for me, it's different. Dwyane did it with the Miami jersey, Dirk was a Dallas jersey, so it was a good way to end their career. But for me, it was a little different because I was with Charlotte, so I did not feel obliged to say goodbye. For me, the goodbyes will be when my jersey will be removed [in San Antonio] or I'm doing the Hall of Fame.

What do you think about your resume now and what you could do?

I feel very lucky to have played for great teams with teammates and an excellent coach. What we had was very special. And it's funny because all this year in Charlotte, I realized even more than we had [in San Antonio] was very, very special. We were so close as teammates. And even today, like two days ago, I was playing tennis with Timmy and Manu. We were talking about the good old days and you realize how special it was. It's 17 years together and all the winnings, and being the best in terms of historical victories and the best trio, all records. Now, I'm starting to realize a little bit of everything we've accomplished.

Have Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili retired in recent years?

It had a small impact, but at the same time I thought, as I told you in many interviews, that I was going to play my 20 seasons with the Spurs. But talking with Timmy and Manu helped a little, like, "OK, I'm ready for that. Timmy and Manu do not play, it's not the same thing. "

What did Tim and Manu say when you told them you were retiring?

They were like, "Are you sure?" And me, style "Yeah, I'm sure." And they're like, "If you're sure, man, I'm so happy for you, we've had a good race and we're looking forward to fighting tennis and spending more time together."

So you told them during a tennis game?

No, I told them at lunch. We talked on the phone, then when we played tennis, I told them (after).

How do you think we will remember you three?

We will always remember all of us together. But it was great to share this moment with them. It's crazy. We come from three different backgrounds and came together. And seeing Timmy's jersey retire, then Manu … it was very moving to retire from Manu's jersey, and you go through every moment and think about what you're going to say. It was nice to share this moment with them.

What will your retirement jersey day look like? Have you thought about that a lot?

Not really. I do not know. It will be difficult to imagine. But this will be the last time we can celebrate the Big Three at this time, so I hope it will be a special night for everyone.

Did you say coach Popovich?

I told Coach Pop, yes. I went to see him.

So, Pop did not try to trade for you and bring you back?

Nah, nah, nah.

How did the conversation go with Michael Jordan, the owner of the Hornets and basketball legend?

It was good. He understood. For everyone, they are just happy for me. When I told coach JB, he was just happy for me because I had a good career and I was in good health most of my career. And so they asked me, "Are you at peace with this decision?" And: "Yes, I am at peace with this decision." I am very happy with this decision and I know that I will not miss basketball.

How does your body feel?

Awesome. I can easily play another two years. Easy Easy. Physically, I feel good, and especially with the role I play as a substitute, and JB has managed this season. I can easily do two more years. But for me, I do not want to play just to play, and I never play basketball like that. I have never played basketball for money and I have never played basketball just to entertain myself. I want to win.

So what does retirement look like for you?

I will be busy. My women's team with ASVEL in France has just won, so we are celebrating our first championship. My men's team, I hope we go to the finals. ASVEL is in Lyon; It is the second largest city in France. I have owned the team since 2014, so this is a big project and we are going to join EuroLeague next year with ASVEL.

And then my academy will open in September, so it will be my international school. So it's my way of giving back to my country, to give back to the younger generation. I am very excited about the new project.

Is the academy a basketball school?

No, it can be anybody. This can be any who comes to school.

Did you leave the United States?

No, I'm going to live in San Antonio. We live in San Antonio. It will be the house; it will always be home. I will definitely stay in San Antonio, then I will travel.

What does the city of San Antonio mean to you?

This is the house. I arrived here at the age of 19 and they kissed me. They treated me like their son, and it will always stay at home. It's the family.

What about fans here in San Antonio?

I will always have good memories, you know. When I got back, I still remember the day, January 14, when I came back with the Hornets, it was amazing the love that they showed through this game. I felt like my jersey was retired. It was incredible. I can not wait for the real date to see them again and celebrate them. I always say that they are the best fans of the NBA, and we won four championships together and I will always remember them.

Looking back, are you happy to have gone to Charlotte or would you have signed again with the Spurs?

No, I'm glad I went to Charlotte. It was a great experience. I've met great people and really appreciate that Michael gives me the opportunity and [general manager] Mitch Kupchak and JB. It was a great time. The guys were great. So no, I do not regret anything because I really wanted to play and I really wanted to show that I could still play. I had a good season. I was in good health. I regret nothing.

And it's funny, in a way, I feel like I've been to Charlotte, I feel like in San Antonio, they love me more.

There are not many people of color who run or own teams in the NBA. With the experience you've gained in France, would you see yourself coming back to the NBA, perhaps as CEO, president?

It's one of my dreams. Right now, I'm focusing on ASVEL and have a great experience. We are building a new arena at the moment and we are going to join the EuroLeague, and the EuroLeague is growing very fast. But the ultimate goal is to own property in New Brunswick one day. That's why I already have interviews with different people and they look at what I do in France.

I definitely have the experience and I love to do it. It takes a lot of work, but I like that. So maybe one day, if it's the right opportunity and it's something I want to do, I'll wait for the right opportunity.

What does it mean to own a professional basketball team?

I like that. I do not want to play basketball. I also love the business side, marketing, how to put people in the arena, work with the digital team and find ways to improve the experience fans and that kind of thing in the arena.

And I also love basketball: track down, find the young man. As at this moment, the leader of my team, Theo Maledon, will be one of the top 10 picks in the repechage next year. It flourishes and so it's part of the thing, I love it too. But I like the overall vision.

In hindsight, going from the 28th pick of the first round to a starting goalkeeper of four championship teams, would you have even dreamed of that? What were your expectations when you arrived in the league?

My career was better than all the dreams I had when I was a kid. When I first arrived in the NBA, I was like, "Man, if I can be a good little player, be a good substitute, I'll be happy about that." I was just happy to be in the NBA. I never thought I would be a starter or the youngest NBA playmaker or the first European to be the most valuable NBA finals player. I have never dreamed of that.

What impact do you think you have on France and Europe?

I hope I had a good impact with Dirk and Pau [Gasol]. After our arrival, he exploded. You now have more than 80 international players, including 12 French NBA. I've always taken this seriously, my role as ambassador of French basketball.

Can you explain the life of which you came? I think people assume that you had a silver spoon because your father was a professional basketball player.

People do not realize that I grew up with nothing. We had not grown anything and it was hard times. But I think that's what motivated me to succeed in life because I wanted my family to have a better life. And I think Pop saw it very early when he interviewed me for the first time. I think that's why Pop was so hard on me because he knew he could go to me because he knew I would stay motivated and wanted things to go well. And he always threw me, and I was always there and ready to go.

What were the most difficult things you experienced in your childhood?

Do not have food in the fridge. Get people to your house and take TV because we did not pay the bills on time. All of this stays in your head and you remember it, and you never want it to happen to you.

What is your biggest memory of your basketball career? And your biggest disappointment?

My biggest memory? I will obviously say the four championships and the gold medal with the French national team, because it was the first time in the history of French basketball that we won a gold medal. [in the 2013 EuroBasket Championship].

The biggest disappointment? I will talk about the sixth game against Miami in 2013. Then, with the national team, I will say 2005 against Greece. We were seven with 40 seconds and we lost the match. That would be – it could have been, you know, my first gold medal in the day. It would be the two most difficult defeats.

Can you talk more about this heat loss?

Yeah, it's painful. We came back in 2014 and we won it. We compensated, sort of. It was perhaps an excellent opportunity to do it back to back. This shows a lot of character, the way we lost in 2013 and come back like that and play against the same team. We destroyed them in 2014 playing the beautiful game.

What could people learn from the Spurs dynasty?

We do not have ego and we have not let the money affect our dynasty.

What will you miss the most?

Winner. Winner. She never gets old, so it was nice to win with my women's team because winning a championship is hard to explain to anyone. As a player, it was great to win the championship, and now, as an owner, when you build from scratch, I'm happier for them. It is invaluable to see their faces. But it never gets old. The winning championships never get old.

What will you do now that you are retired and you will not do it because you are a player?

Many things. I think that one of the first things: skiing. I want to ski

In the French Alps?

French Alps, yes. Yes, I want to ski.