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With Tony Parker‘s and Gregg Popovich‘s induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the 2023 class, the San Antonio Spurs will go down as one of the greatest organizations in NBA history. In 2021, Tim Duncan was inducted, and Manu Ginobili followed him in 2022. Now, the entire core will be in the Hall together.
Parker is a four-time NBA champion, a six-time NBA All-Star, a four-time All-NBA player, and the 2007 NBA Finals MVP. And with his induction, Parker will become the first French player enshrined into the Hall of Fame. It’s an enormous honor, but Parker will have to share it.
During his press conference on Friday afternoon, Parker was asked about what it’s like to enter the Hall of Fame alongside Popovich, and he poked fun at his long-time coach.
“I just can’t get rid of him,” said Parker. “Really, you have to put Pop in the same Hall of Fame [class] as me?”
Tony Parker on entering the Hall of Fame with coach Gregg Popovich:
“I just can’t get rid of him.”
Talked about Pop throwing him into the fire and being a “second dad.” pic.twitter.com/djEbJm4gDu
— SpursWire (@Spurs_Wire) August 11, 2023
Parker spent nearly his entire career playing under Popovich, and while he made sure to crack a joke at his expense, the former point guard also spoke highly of his coach.
“Pop meant so much to me for my life and my career,” said Parker. “He was like a second dad. And at the end of the day, he threw me into the fire. After five games into the season, he was like, ‘You’re our starting point guard at 19 years old.’ And the rest is history. I feel very lucky and blessed to go in with Coach Pop.”
Now, Parker and Popovich will join Duncan and Ginobili in the Hall of Fame, cementing that era of Spurs basketball in history forever.
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