Tony Parker shares thoughts on Tim Duncan's retirement, future of Spurs

Parker says Spurs will still have good team, will do their best to keep winning

SAN ANTONIO – When the Spurs hit the court for the 2016-17 season, Tony Parker will be the most senior member on the roster.

It’s a thought not lost on Parker as the Spurs begin life without Tim Duncan and continue a transitional summer that saw the losses of key veterans such as Boris Diaw and David West, but also included an infusion of youth on the roster.  

“Definitely going to be a big change, definitely going to miss them and it’s definitely going to be a different season next year,” Parker said. 

Parker spoke to the media Tuesday after making an appearance at his youth basketball camp. It was the first time Parker had spoken publicly about Duncan’s retirement.

Parker said he was not surprised Duncan called it a career, but added “Duncan could have played forever.”  

“For me he was the best power forward ever, of all time,” Parker said. “He made my job easier every night.”     

Parker, in turn, will now be asked to make the post-Duncan era easier for incoming players. 

His leadership role will expand as the Spurs welcome several new faces next season. Parker said he knows it will take some time to gel.

“Just try to be a good leader and welcome all the new guys, and try to help them as much as I can to show them the Spurs culture and what we do here,” Parker said.

The loss of Duncan after nearly two decades with the franchise is a tough blow, but his departure was somewhat softened by the return of Manu Ginobili and the addition of All-Star center Pau Gasol.

“He’s (Gasol) just a great basketball player, lot of knowledge, a perfect fit for our team,” Parker said.

Parker said has been playing against Gasol internationally since he was 14 years old and knows he could face him again next month when the Olympics begin in Rio de Janiero.  

Parker said he is enjoying his final Olympics experience and it has been the perfect punctuation to his national team career. 

Parker and the French national team open the Olympics against Australia on Aug. 6.

Despite the busy schedule, Parker said attending Tuesday’s camp was important and seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces is always priceless.

Before Tuesday’s media session came to an end, Parker was asked another familiar question, one that he’s had to answer many times. What will the future hold for the Spurs?

For the first time in years, Parker’s response was different, knowing Duncan will not be alongside him on the court next season.

“We still have a great team, obviously we will miss him a lot, can’t replace a guy like Timmy,” Parker said. “But we’ll try to do our best to keep the Spurs going and keep winning.”


About the Author:

RJ Marquez is the traffic anchor/reporter for KSAT’s Good Morning San Antonio. He also fills in as a news anchor and has covered stories from breaking news and Fiesta to Spurs championships and high school sports. RJ started at KSAT in 2010. He is proud to serve our viewers and be a part of the culture and community that makes San Antonio great.