Desire to ‘finish career the right way' pushed Tony Parker past intense rehab

SAN ANTONIO – Tony Parker walked up to the podium at Spurs media day on Monday looking like his old self.

The future hall of fame point guard was in a good mood, smiling and joking with the media.

It was as if he had not just undergone what he described as, “the toughest thing I’ve ever had to do in my whole career.” 

What Parker was referring to was an intense rehab over the summer after he suffered a rupture of the quadriceps tendon in his left knee. 

The injury occurred during last season’s playoffs. The initial diagnosis had Parker out for eight to 10 months, but there were many who believed that the injury would be career-ending. 

On Monday, Parker confirmed he plans to be ready by November, two months ahead of schedule. 

He credited his surgeon and the Spurs training staff for working tirelessly with him, and said his body reacted well to the treatment.

He ate well and stayed disciplined, and patient throughout the recovery process. 

It was frustrating many times for the six-time NBA All-Star, but he knew he did not want his career to come to an end with him having to be carried off the AT&T Center court.

“In my mind, I just wanted to make sure I come back and make sure I finish my career the right way,” Parker said. “The discussions I had with Pop and the medical staff is that when I come back, I want to come back like the way I was playing during the playoffs.”

Parker said he could not move for three weeks after surgery, but remained positive, taking what he described as "baby steps" during rehab. 

In the end, it was something he's always taken for granted that was the strongest indication he would be back this season to help the Spurs make a run at a sixth championship. 

“I was obsessed to bend my knee the first two months, I figured if I could do that I would be OK,” Parker said. “When I saw my doctor’s face that he was surprised I can do that, I was like, ‘I think I’m on the right path.’”