When Tony Parker left San Antonio Spurs last summer to join Charlotte Hornets, we thought we will see him on NBA courts for at least couple of more years. That won’t be the case, however, as Parker announced he is retiring from basketball after playing 18 seasons in the league.

“I’m going to retire,” – Parker told ESPN’s The Undefeated. “I decided that I’m not going to play basketball anymore.”

Parker later confirmed the decision on his Twitter profile.

After being told that he won’t have a prominent role with the Spurs anymore, Parker decided to sign on a two-year deal with the Hornets in July 2018. He ended the regular season playing 17.6 minutes on average with Charlotte while averaging 9.5 points and 3.7 assists per game.

“A lot of different stuff ultimately led me to this decision,” – Parker added. “But at the end of the day, I was like, if I can’t be a Tony Parker anymore and I can’t play for a championship, I don’t want to play basketball anymore.”

Tony Parker entered the NBA in 2001 when San Antonio Spurs took him 28th overall in the draft. He immediately took over the starting point guard position and went on to form a legendary trio with Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, which ended up winning the Spurs four championships in 12 years.

Parker’s other career highlights include NBA All-Rookie First Team honors, winning NBA Finals MVP in 2007, making six NBA All-Star appearances and being selected three times to All-NBA Second Team. During his time in the league, he averaged 15.5 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game.

The post Spurs’ Great Tony Parker Retires from NBA appeared first on SportzBonanza.

It’s an end of an era. After 17 years with the San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker is moving on. Parker has agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with the Charlotte Hornets. Spurs wanted to keep the 36-year-old but in a reduced role. Hornets, on the other side, offered Parker more significant role as Kemba Walker’s primary back-up.

“Tough decision. Tough three days. Tough communicating it all to Pop,” – Parker told The Undefeated. “But I had to move on. It was a very emotional conversation with Pop and [Spurs general manager] R.C. Buford. I will always love San Antonio. I will always be a Spur. My family and house are in San Antonio. But I’m excited to play for my idol in M.J. [Hornets owner Michael Jordan], coach J.B. [James Borrego], who I played for in San Antonio, and with my little brother Nicolas Batum.“

Tony Parker’s production slipped in the past season, as he struggled with injuries and was relegated to the bench. He had posted career-lows in almost all statistical categories, averaging 7.7 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.7 rebounds per game. Taking this into consideration, alongside his age, Spurs wanted to give their young point guards more room to grow, and keep Parker in a mentorship role. Still, Parker obviously feels like he has much more to give, and is now on a mission to bring back the Hornets to playoffs.

San Antonio Spurs drafted Tony Parker as the 28th pick in the 2001 NBA Draft after he impressed coach Gregg Popovich during the team’s pre-draft summer camp. Parker became Spurs’ starting point guard during his rookie campaign and never looked back. During his 17 seasons with the team, Parker won four NBA titles while also collecting numerous individual honors.

“It’s difficult to put into words how important Tony Parker has been to the Spurs franchise over the past two decades,” – said Popovich in a statement. “From his first game in 2001 at age 19, TP has impressed and inspired us — day after day, game after game, season after season — with his passion, dedication, and desire. We are grateful to Tony for 17 years of truly amazing memories.“

The post Tony Parker Agrees to a 2-Year Deal with the Charlotte Hornets appeared first on SportzBonanza.

When Tony Parker left San Antonio Spurs last summer to join Charlotte Hornets, we thought we will see him on NBA courts for at least couple of more years. That won’t be the case, however, as Parker announced he is retiring from basketball after playing 18 seasons in the league.

“I’m going to retire,” – Parker told ESPN’s The Undefeated. “I decided that I’m not going to play basketball anymore.”

Parker later confirmed the decision on his Twitter profile.

After being told that he won’t have a prominent role with the Spurs anymore, Parker decided to sign on a two-year deal with the Hornets in July 2018. He ended the regular season playing 17.6 minutes on average with Charlotte while averaging 9.5 points and 3.7 assists per game.

“A lot of different stuff ultimately led me to this decision,” – Parker added. “But at the end of the day, I was like, if I can’t be a Tony Parker anymore and I can’t play for a championship, I don’t want to play basketball anymore.”

Tony Parker entered the NBA in 2001 when San Antonio Spurs took him 28th overall in the draft. He immediately took over the starting point guard position and went on to form a legendary trio with Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, which ended up winning the Spurs four championships in 12 years.

Parker’s other career highlights include NBA All-Rookie First Team honors, winning NBA Finals MVP in 2007, making six NBA All-Star appearances and being selected three times to All-NBA Second Team. During his time in the league, he averaged 15.5 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game.

The post Spurs’ Great Tony Parker Retires from NBA appeared first on SportzBonanza.

It’s an end of an era. After 17 years with the San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker is moving on. Parker has agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with the Charlotte Hornets. Spurs wanted to keep the 36-year-old but in a reduced role. Hornets, on the other side, offered Parker more significant role as Kemba Walker’s primary back-up.

“Tough decision. Tough three days. Tough communicating it all to Pop,” – Parker told The Undefeated. “But I had to move on. It was a very emotional conversation with Pop and [Spurs general manager] R.C. Buford. I will always love San Antonio. I will always be a Spur. My family and house are in San Antonio. But I’m excited to play for my idol in M.J. [Hornets owner Michael Jordan], coach J.B. [James Borrego], who I played for in San Antonio, and with my little brother Nicolas Batum.“

Tony Parker’s production slipped in the past season, as he struggled with injuries and was relegated to the bench. He had posted career-lows in almost all statistical categories, averaging 7.7 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.7 rebounds per game. Taking this into consideration, alongside his age, Spurs wanted to give their young point guards more room to grow, and keep Parker in a mentorship role. Still, Parker obviously feels like he has much more to give, and is now on a mission to bring back the Hornets to playoffs.

San Antonio Spurs drafted Tony Parker as the 28th pick in the 2001 NBA Draft after he impressed coach Gregg Popovich during the team’s pre-draft summer camp. Parker became Spurs’ starting point guard during his rookie campaign and never looked back. During his 17 seasons with the team, Parker won four NBA titles while also collecting numerous individual honors.

“It’s difficult to put into words how important Tony Parker has been to the Spurs franchise over the past two decades,” – said Popovich in a statement. “From his first game in 2001 at age 19, TP has impressed and inspired us — day after day, game after game, season after season — with his passion, dedication, and desire. We are grateful to Tony for 17 years of truly amazing memories.“

The post Tony Parker Agrees to a 2-Year Deal with the Charlotte Hornets appeared first on SportzBonanza.