Just recently got back from Paris and confirmed Tony's fame

[GrandeDavid]

I kicked of the New Year in Paris this year and had a great time, but in being true to the contents of this particular forum, I'll spare you all the photos and restaurant critiques. The Buddha Bar is a blast - excellent wines, cuisine (of course) and they have a nice cigar selection for an after dinner chill moment, and CD collections I'd highly recommend purchasing. OK, that was the only tip.

Anyway, occassionally it would possess me to ask the nearest person to me, be it a cab driver, a waiter, a hot tail waitress, a manager at Cartier or wine connoisseur what their thoughts were on Tony Parker. I assumed I needed not ask if they knew of him. I figured they'd ask me if they didn't.

I'm pleased to report back that of the dozen or so Parisians I asked, encompassing diverse walks of life, all of them not only knew of Tony, but they liked talking about him. I think around 10/12 of them were excited about him marrying Eva Longoria and think it'll help grow his fame in America, make him into a brand. While I don't see Tony Parker becoming a rival of Brand David Beckham, Tony's name is getting out there.

Anyway, here's the fun Tony Parker story. I went to the Adidas Megastore on Champs Elysees (by the way, service in virtually all Parisian stores is exceptionally friendly and professional, so is my experience). The store was rocking with the latest trends. As I tried on my new A3 running kicks so I could get in a few 10 and 15K runs while in town, I asked the dude helping me out the Tony Parker question. The guy was psyched. When I told him I'm originally from San Antonio and that I've rapped with Tony's Dad a few times and met Tony once, he freaked and told me I was his "hero". He says he's trying to go pro in France. Then he introduced me to the store manager and within a minute, the manager and about six salespeople are standing around me asking me my take on Tony's growth in the NBA, if he'll reach Jordanesque hype, what his American Dad is like, etc. etc.

It was fun! Props to Tony for all the love he gets in Paris. He wouldn't get it if he treated people poorly, so that shows me he's got real game, which means not only on the court, but much, much, much more importantly, he has humanity game. He's a good guy. Then again, maybe its the vanity that gets the people so excited.

[JPB]

He's also an example for young pro players who are dreaming about the NBA. TP showed that it's not an unreachable goal if you work hard (and if you has the talent of course).

The fact that he's not a big headed egocentric guy and that he's in a classy team is important because he has some influence on these young players.

He and Boris Diaw send a message : work ethic and respectful behaviour.

Concerning his overall celebrity, well... it has a lot to do with his presence in the media and the tabloïd press with Eva, which is much less interesting me, well not at all in fact. I wouldn't say I'm particularly appreciating this side of TP.

[ShoogarBear]

I think this was just an excuse for GrandeDavid to post about how he gets to go to Paris for New Year's and can speak French.

[koopa]

He's also an example for young pro players who are dreaming about the NBA. TP showed that it's not an unreachable goal if you work hard (and if you has the talent of course).

The fact that he's not a big headed egocentric guy and that he's in a classy team is important because he has some influence on these young players.

He and Boris Diaw send a message : work ethic and respectful behaviour.

Concerning his overall celebrity, well... it has a lot to do with his presence in the media and the tabloïd press with Eva, which is much less interesting me, well not at all in fact. I wouldn't say I'm particularly appreciating this side of TP.

the he ain't, ever since he met eva, and made the all star team, he has only cared about his points, he has gone from an up and comming point guard to a wanna be kobe bryant, he no longer looks to get his teammates involved, he is always starring at the hoop trying to figure a way to get his points first.........he'd much rather get a hard lay up with a bunch of ppl on him then pass the ball to an open teammate for an easy dunk or layup.....

[TDMVPDPOY]

french partizans comparin tp+eva to the beckhams? hahhahahahahahah

beckhams>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.tp+eva

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I think this was just an excuse for GrandeDavid to post about how he gets to go to Paris for New Year's and can speak French.

Great minds post alike. I just had the same thought!

*Umm, how can I post about chillin' in Paris aaaannndd make it Spurs related to keep it out of the Club so more people can marvel at the phenomena that is...Grande David? Tony Parker...that's it! I'll pretend to ask some shmoes about Tony! Heck I can even throw in something about running in some marathons. Not only will people know I've got bling, but they can marvel at my incredible physique as well! Magnifique!*

[Kori Ellis]

the he ain't, ever since he met eva, and made the all star team, he has only cared about his points, he has gone from an up and comming point guard to a wanna be kobe bryant, he no longer looks to get his teammates involved, he is always starring at the hoop trying to figure a way to get his points first.........he'd much rather get a hard lay up with a bunch of ppl on him then pass the ball to an open teammate for an easy dunk or layup.....

That might be the worst post ever.

[MannyIsGod]

Is th IP on that post from Argentina?

Jesus.

Tony Parker is the best player in the NBA. I'm going to start going Sequ on you ers.

[JPB]

the he ain't, ever since he met eva, and made the all star team, he has only cared about his points, he has gone from an up and comming point guard to a wanna be kobe bryant, he no longer looks to get his teammates involved, he is always starring at the hoop trying to figure a way to get his points first.........he'd much rather get a hard lay up with a bunch of ppl on him then pass the ball to an open teammate for an easy dunk or layup.....

That might be the worst post ever.

I'm glad I didn't have to post it myself...

[T Park]

Grande that sounds like my recent european experience.

Checking in to customs in Switzerland wearing my spurs hat the guard smiled and said

"Spurs, Tony Parker wi? I said Wi, and he smiled and in heavily accented english said "Favorite player in world"

Was funny, here the guy is from SWITZERLAND, and he knows Tony Parker.

Its unreal.

[JPB]

I guess you mean "oui"

It's not that surprising. People in the the "french" swiss can catch the french TV channels and share part of France culture.

I think there's a swiss guy in Chicago with an unprounoncable name.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

"Spurs, Tony Parker wi? I said Wi, and he smiled and in heavily accented english said "Favorite player in world"

Was funny, here the guy is from SWITZERLAND, and he knows Tony Parker.

Its unreal.

I think he was asking you if Tony had a wireless internet connection at his house.

[JPB]

I think he was asking you if Tony had a wireless internet connection at his house.

That was my first reaction too.

Wi ?...... Oh right.
French people make jokes about swiss people accent but I didn't know Tpark was aware of that

[Slomo]

Is th IP on that post from Argentina?

Jesus.

Tony Parker is the best player in the NBA. I'm going to start going Sequ on you ers.

Just because of our Argentinian friends and to save Americans from venturing into another ill advised foreign agression of the Sequ type, the answer is no.

[koopa]

That might be the worst post ever.

that's probably cause you are to bias to realize it, parker only cares about his points, getting assist is last on his mind.......

[spurschick]

that's probably cause you are to bias to realize it, parker only cares about his points, getting assist is last on his mind.......

[1Parker1]

Just recently got back from Paris and confirmed Tony's fame

Does anyone else find the le of this thread slightly humorous?

[JPB]

[Bob Lanier]

URGENT UPDATE

I printed out a full-page image of Tony (this one) and showed it to six people on my way to work this morning. Nobody recognized him

My scientific survey proves that Brand Parker hasn't penetrated to Singapore yet. But - he's young.

[JPB]

damn Tony,

you should shave more than just your head !

[Shelly]

I heart the Chopster!


I think Tony's more famous for his rapping skillz.

[Borosai]

Damn, now I need to go to France too.

[Kori Ellis]

that's probably cause you are to bias to realize it, parker only cares about his points, getting assist is last on his mind.......

04-05 season - before he was a big headed All-Star, he shot 14.0 times a game and averaged .18 assists per minute.

05-06 season - when he was a big headed All-Star, he shot 14.2 times a game and averaged .17 assists per minute (He also shot 55% from the field - oh the horror of having a 55% FG shooter upping his shots by .2 shots per game.)

In the 05-06 playoffs, Pop asked him to shoot 20-25 times per game.

This season, he's still averaging .17 assists per minute, less turnovers than in the previous two seasons, and he's averaging 15 shots per game.

So where is the big indicator of selfish play, ballhogging and not dishing?

[T Park]

koopa will have no answer im sure

[Kori Ellis]

koopa will have no answer im sure

He'll have an answer. He'll say something like "Watch the game, you'll see he never passes." And then he'll say I'm bias again.

I've never denied that Tony has tunnel vision on occasion (and those occasions are less and less as he matures). But to say that since he met Eva and became on All-Star, he's a selfish prick and doesn't care about the team (which is basically what he's saying) is ridiculous.