By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
After going winless in the first four games of this year’s EuroLeague Regular Season and having a 4-3 record in the LNB, sitting in the 7th position in the domestic league standings, ASVEL decided to make a change on its bench, parting ways with TJ Parker.
Opening up on this decision in an interview with Le Progres, ASVEL’s president Tony Parker commented on his brother’s departure. “It was time for a change. We got it with a disastrous result, there were unacceptable defeats. I am a patient person. I decided to part ways with [Zvezdan] Mitrovic after a year and a half, the players did not want to play for him anymore. This is not the case here”, he first said.
Then, he took all the responsibility for this decision. “All the players were behind TJ [Parker]. But the decision is mine. We need an electric shock, a new vision, a new coach. The team cannot show its potential. Chemistry doesn’t sit well. It was time to change to save the season. We have a talented squad, we just need someone to be at the wheel. I still believe in this team. Many players have not been able to play at their normal level since the beginning of the season”, the former Spurs player added.
He also touched on the emotional side of things. “Of course, it’s heartbreaking. But I always said I would make the right move for the club. Of course, it’s not easy, everyone knows how close I am with my family and my brother, but it was the right decision. TJ [Parker] was understanding, I talked to my family and they were understanding too. Everyone knows that it is difficult to stay in these positions for a long time”, Tony Parker also commented.
ASVEL’s president continued talking about his brother by bringing back good memories. “I want to remember the good times and championships we had with TJ [Parker]. These memories will be in our hearts forever. Now TJ [Parker] will stand on his own feet and build a career for himself. He received a lot of criticism and I really couldn’t understand such cruel comments. These have strengthened my brother mentally and will help him if he coaches in the EuroLeague or the NBA”, he said.
Gordon Herbert is on his way to the EuroLeague?
Talking about who will sit on the French club’s bench, Tony Parker admitted he spoke only with two head coaches. “I spoke with Sergio Scariolo and Gordon Herbert, who would be our number 1 option. I never spoke with Andrea Trinchieri”, he first said.
The German national team’s head coach is the frontrunner to take that spot, but ASVEL is waiting on Germany’s final decision. “We are waiting for the agreement of the German Federation, which is still under consideration. If all goes well, we hope Gordie will be there on Monday. I hope it will be positive and, if not, we will try to find another coach”, Tony Parker added.
Adding that former TJ Parker’s assistants “Pierric Poupet and Jean-Christophe Prat will coach on Sunday in the LNB”, the Canadian-Finnish head coach won’t eventually leave his role at the lead of Germany. “If Gordie comes, it is not to stop the German selection. The deal is to do both. We have already agreed on everything, now we are waiting for the agreement of the Federation”, he assured.