Player's Tribune: Thank you, San Antonio by Tony Parker

[DMC]

Jesus ing Christ, Tony can't let it go.

"I came up to Pop one day, and I told him my thoughts: It was time for Dejounte to take over full-time as our starting point guard," Parker wrote. "I didn't want it to be a dramatic thing, or this ego thing, or one of these big media things, but I just wanted to get it out in the open -- for the good of Dejounte's development, and for the good of the team. Pop agreed, and thanked me. And then I went and had the same conversation with Dejounte. He was grateful."

So Tony, out of the goodness of his heart decided to play a bench role and informed Murray and Pop. Pop, known for being told how to coach by his players, was all for it because Tony knows best.

Tony is sore because no one really noticed he left. Sorry, but a great teammate doesn't need to point out to everyone how generous he is.

Vince Carter, who is long in the tooth but knows his role, had a message for Tony about his career now that he's in Charlotte:

[callo1]

Class act TP.

What a wonderful and well put together flow of thought. Excellent read. Shows off TP's maturity, humility, and intellect.

Tony entered the league as a scoring pg. Initially, TP struggled with finding that balance between scoring, and distributing. It was awesome to see him figure out exactly what he needed to be for the team.

I think it was around Tony's 5th or 6the season when he struck that perfect balance between a score first pg, and a distributing pg.

Many on the forums are unjustly critical of TP. From one game to another his role would change, based on matchup, injury, or a changing roster.

Tony gave it all for the franchise. He never complained about money, playing time, or coaching, he just did his work. Never even considered leaving to play for another team until now.

The greatest pg in Spurs history, and one of the most underrated point guards of his generation in the NBA.

D'rob poured the cement, TD leveled the slab and made it cure. Manu, TP, and TD built the house according to Pop's blueprint.

The synergy, harmony and humility between the big 3 was a sight to behold...the beautiful game.

I hope TP has an excellent season in Charlotte.

[spurs10]

Tony did have 17 amazing years with the Spurs! I'll enjoy being there when they hang #9 in the rafters! I'm sure the ovation he receives when Charlotte plays in SA will be deservedly off the chart!

[pgardn]

Don’t matter his intentions, he nailed Duncan with Pop.
Wont see this again.

[ElNono]

What a classy letter, tbh...
























































bye Tony!

[TheGreatYacht]

Lol that got DMC trying to be edgy as per usual.

[phxspurfan]

Great article. Not sure why he really is playing 2 more irrelevant years in random ass Charlotte instead of retiring as a Spur. I'm guessing he or his wife are grabbing for more money tbh. No reason to play 2 more years when u have a family, and have done as much in the sport as he has.

[Spur|n|Austin]

So sad to see the end of the era. Inevitable. So glad to have been there for every year. Never be another team with such a great story as the Duncan Spurs.

You got that right man.

[vander]

Great article. Not sure why he really is playing 2 more irrelevant years in random ass Charlotte instead of retiring as a Spur. I'm guessing he or his wife are grabbing for more money tbh. No reason to play 2 more years when u have a family, and have done as much in the sport as he has.

yeah I'm pretty disappointed about that too, but 10 million dollars is still 10 million freaking dollars. TP didn't make as much over his career as overpaid "stars" on other teams

[Spurtacular]

My favorite part of the article was TP talking about being a prototype for moving traffic cone technology.

[Spurtacular]

Great article. Not sure why he really is playing 2 more irrelevant years in random ass Charlotte instead of retiring as a Spur. I'm guessing he or his wife are grabbing for more money tbh. No reason to play 2 more years when u have a family, and have done as much in the sport as he has.

He can get pussy on the road easier, tbh.

[spurs10]

Even the whole Eva/Erin thing was likely overblown.

Obviously, we probably will never know the full truth, but the only thing that was ever substantiated from reports is that Tony and Erin were sexting while they were each going through their divorces with Eva and Brent, respectively.

Still a ty thing to do to your teammate (who was and, by all accounts, a great guy and one of my favorite Spurs ever)...but if that's really all it was, it sucks that Tony had to spend the rest of his career as "the guy who bangs his teammates wives".

Erin Berry eloquently addressed that and very convincingly said it was 100% untrue. She spoke about her devotion to her children and said it was preposterous that she would put them through that. Now Brent, who I think is badass, has never denied an affair with a young intern when he became an announcer and that just might be why he and Erin are divorced. I don’t know and I don’t care, I just believe Erin Berry.

[PrimeMinister]

That bit about Timmy is powerful man.

[Mr. Body]

Some subtle digs at Kawhi, who really dropped the ball. It's still stunning the guy never got it, but whatever.

God speed, Tony. We'll see you around. Thanks for all of it, every part.

[alpha_HaZE]

I was a grad student at the time, in LA and I clearly remember my friend, who is a big Lakers fan, telling how good Tony Parker is and he is only 21 years old.

Can you imagine how good this guy will be.

Tony had an amazing career, to be honest, I didn't think he was capable of surpassing Antoine Rigaudeau as a player, but he did. It is also a testament to the Spurs organization for drafting him and for teaching him basketball. Tony became pro at the age of 16, and not long after that he was the starting point guard for Pop, that's impressive.

By the way, If you guys enjoy basketball and it's history and how the game has evolved over the years, watch some games of Rigaudeau.

[Chillen]

So yes Parker is gone now but does anyone think he will come back to retire a Spur? I'd say there is a good chance of it.

[Namundy]

Great article TP. I still believe he should have re-signed in SA. I could care less about Ws at this point, we ain't ringing anytime soon.

[iGetbuckets]

Great article TP. I still believe he should have re-signed in SA. I could care less about Ws at this point, we ain't ringing anytime soon.

Why so he could take more mins from the young guys ? We needed to move on

[bklynspursfan]

So yes Parker is gone now but does anyone think he will come back to retire a Spur? I'd say there is a good chance of it.

I think this as well. he'll play years 18/19 in Charlotte, and play his 20th year (like he wanted) in SA to retire a Spur. Barring any injuries of course

[SpursDynasty85]

I think this as well. he'll play years 18/19 in Charlotte, and play his 20th year (like he wanted) in SA to retire a Spur. Barring any injuries of course

Doubt that. There is no room for him to play here. My guess is he retired in one of the next two offseasons and Spurs sign him to a 10 day contract to retire his jersey like Celtics did Pierce.

[MultiTroll]

"I came up to Pop one day, and I told him my thoughts: It was time for Dejounte to take over full-time as our starting point guard," Parker wrote. "I didn't want it to be a dramatic thing, or this ego thing, or one of these big media things, but I just wanted to get it out in the open -- for the good of Dejounte's development, and for the good of the team. Pop agreed, and thanked me. And then I went and had the same conversation with Dejounte. He was grateful."

So Tony, out of the goodness of his heart decided to play a bench role and informed Murray and Pop. Pop, known for being told how to coach by his players, was all for it because Tony knows best.

This. What false humility self serving noise.

First off, it's probably complete b.s.
2ndly, if it's not b.s. then we have player dictating to Crater who starts and assigns playing time.

Timmy Duncan you are missed. He gets better every year.

[MultiTroll]

Nonetheless thanks for numerous great games Parker and contributing to Dunker led Championships.

[bklynspursfan]

Doubt that. There is no room for him to play here. My guess is he retired in one of the next two offseasons and Spurs sign him to a 10 day contract to retire his jersey like Celtics did Pierce.

Well we gotta see what the roster looks like in 2 years... I don't mean playing much, if at all. I mean just being on the bench and spending his last season there, playing very little mins

[superbigtime]

Its funny how so many athletes, media members, and many others speak about Tony with hesitation b/c of the wife banging thing, but speak with such respect about other athletes who've done far worse like Kobe and Malone raping women.

Tell me about the Malone thing.

[bigfan]

Number goes to the rafters the day he retires. Best guard in Spurs history.