It is 11:22 p.m. on July 12 in the LDLC, “his” LDLC Arena when Tony Parker accompanied by his two children and his partner Agathe enters the court. A little earlier in the evening, the Serbian Nikola Jokic himself had offered him a Denver Nuggets jersey with his name on it. A tribute from the NBA MVP to the MVP of French basketball.
Like five years earlier in San Antonio with the Spurs, his number 9 jersey is now hanging from the ceiling of the hall. It will be in every hall where France plays from now on. No one in Blue will ever again be able to wear this number inherited from Magic Johnson’s Dream Team 1992 version.
But first there were speeches, more or less moving, from the president of the federation Jean-Pierre Suitat, then from TP’s teammates and friends, Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw, two captains of the French team who take him back in time to rewrite the main lines of his immense career. “Tony, it’s him and his generation who launched French basketball to where it is now, congratulates Batum. He has done so much by winning in the NBA, and by bringing that back to the French team.”
At that moment in the new hall, “Thank you Tony” in illuminated letters go around the stands. Then Boris Diaw reminds him of his famous speech at half-time of the Euro 2013 semi-final against Spain which fuels a thunderous applause. It is late but no one has moved from their seat.
“Tony, Tony, Tony…” come down from the stands when the hero of the end of the evening takes the floor. “Wow, that’s very emotional, it’s powerful.” He thanks in turn. The previous speakers, then Vincent Collet “the best coach of the French team in history”, but also his trainer Lucien Legrand, his buddies from Insep and the Blues Antoine Diot, Ronny Turiaf, and even his wife and two sons…
For 16 years, until the 2016 Games, Parker wore the blue jersey 181 times and won a European gold medal in 2013. “It was important for me to play every summer for the French team. When Jean-Pierre (Siutat) asked me to retire my French team jersey, I felt very emotional and proud. I said “wow!” It’s a crazy thing because it doesn’t exist in French sport. I’m really honored. We did it in Lyon, in the new Asvel hall. It’s the last time we’ll celebrate my playing career. I’m closing the book on this life.” It’s midnight, Tony Parker’s blue jersey rises into the sky. Forever.
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