By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
Since Tony Parker was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 28th pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, there has always been a special bond between the Texan franchise and France. The new era with Victor Wembanyama on board proves it.
Guest of the new episode of the SKWEEK Show presented by the 41-year-old former player and current ASVEL president, Victor Wembanyama shared some words with Tony Parker regarding his beginning in the NBA.
“That’s what I dreamed since I was a child”, the 19-year-old center opened. “I see it, looking at the way you play I have the feeling you’ve been there for 15 years. You’re comfortable and Pop does it well, calling ISO plays for you. So it’s perfect to start like that. They have to get you as much comfortable as possible”, the former Spurs playmaker replied.
Later on, they started speaking about Gregg Popovich more in detail. “I think you haven’t seen the angry Pop yet. How was your first meeting with him?”, Tony Parker asked. “He doesn’t want to take too much space. The first time I saw him was when I came here. He told us we were going to eat together the next day with my whole family. He came to the restaurant and said “I’m leaving, just enjoy: you haven’t spent time together in a month”. And he wanted to pay”, Wembanyama revealed.
Knowing the big boss for quite a long now, ASVEL’s president felt like remembering the old days, “He always does like this”, Tony Parker followed. “I haven’t seen him angry yet, but I think it will happen soon. He has shown authority at the team two or three times”, the French rookie stated. Debuting in the NBA with a loss against Dallas, he scored 15 points with 5 rebounds and 3/5 from three.