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The end of an era. After 17 seasons and four NBA titles, Tony Parker leaves the San Antonio Spurs for the Charlotte Hornets, where he will meet his compatriot Nicolas Batum. They were already partners in business, since they are both shareholders of Villeurbanne, they are partners in the club: Parker, who signed for two seasons and ten million dollars, and Batum will wear the colors of the Hornets for the season 2018- 2019.
Moreover, 'Batman' had sold the wick a little earlier in the day, with a transparent tweet, accompanied by two French flags: «Number 9, I'll see you soon in Buzz City, my brother.
"My love for the Spurs"
"It was not an easy decision to make. I really hesitated, that's why I took my time. Everyone knows my love for the Spurs, my club. But I am excited also by this new challenge with Charlotte, "said Tony Parker in the daily newspaper L'Equipe .
In Texas, 'TP' will leave an indelible place after having formed a" Big Three Legendary, four-time NBA champion (2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014), alongside Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan
Parker even became, in 2007, the first European ever to win the MVP title
However, in the group set up by Gregg Popovich, the "Frenchy" had recently seen its importance diminish in favor of the young Dejounte Murray (21 years). It must be said that at 36, 'TP' is not so sovereign: he has even signed the worst statistical season of his career (just over 7 points per game) while the Spurs have been eliminated in the first round of the play-offs by the Golden State Warriors, future champions.
With Batum and Jordan
Nevertheless, San Antonio was willing to keep Parker, drafted in 28th position in 2001, and discussions had even been open in this direction. Given the interest of the Denver Nuggets and Hornets, therefore, the French has long hesitated before joining Michael Jordan, owner of Charlotte's franchise and idol of youth. "I feel like I'm closing the loop. It was he who inspired me to become who I am today, "he explained.
And then the opportunity to find his buddy Batum and James Borrego, former deputy of Popovich Spurs , was too beautiful. "Jordan, JB and Nico tipped the scales. Nico, it's like my little brother. I'm super excited to play NBA with him! Parker, who arrives in the rotation of the Hornets with a role already written, that of back up the leader and captain Kemba Walker.
Absent from the playoffs since 2016, the Hornets rely on the experience of 'TP' to take a step up to a franchise that had finished a very pale 10th place (36-46) in the East. Charge to the French N.9 to show that, at 36, he always has under the sole. Before, no doubt, to see his jersey rise to the ceiling of the AT & T Center in San Antonio.
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