San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker moves to France - NBA Update
The NBA Lockout has compelled most of the players to pursue overseas opportunities. The likes of Kobe Bryant and Deron Williams have set precedents and now the latest to join the bandwagon is Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs.
Parker had indicated earlier that he would go back to France if the NBA lockout continues to linger on and the team for which he has decided to play for is ASVEL Villeurbanne. This does not come as a surprise as Parker is the vice-president of ASVEL and holds twenty percent stake in the club. He is likely to miss the first game of the French season, but will join the team next week for their game against Paris-Levallois.
Parker told the sports daily L'Equipe that the decision is "logical".
"I'll be playing nearly for free ... If I play the entire season, we'll go for the title," Parker said.
This makes Parker the third player from San Antonio Spurs to sign overseas during the NBA lockout. Before him, Danny Green and DeJuan Blair had signed in Slovenia and Russia respectively.
Tony Parker is considered as one of the elite point guards in NBA. During the last decade, he has been the integral part of the San Antonio Spurs. Together with Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, he forms the big three and has led his team to three championships in last ten year career.
Last season, he finished with an average of 17.5 points and 6.6 assists per game. He was at the top of his game in the regular season; however in the first round of playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies, he put up inconsistent numbers, which became one of the main reasons for the Spurs first round exit.
On the issue encompassing his insurance, it is believed that Parker will be paying the insurance money from his own pocket. The contract details have not been made public yet, but it is believed it will contain an opt-out clause ensuring Parker’s return to Spurs once the deadlock ends.
Also in the overseas loop is Parker’s teammate Manu Ginobili. Rumors have it that he will be heading to Italy to represent Virtus Bologna, the same team that is pursuing Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant.
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