“We opened up the game to the world, so that’s why all these guys are playing in the NBA today.” In June, Magic Johnson stated how the 1992 Dream Team consisting of him, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and others helped foreign players enter the NBA. Even Nikola Jokic said in 2016 that he watched the highlights of Magic and Jordan while growing up. Recently, the 4x NBA champion stated that the impact of two legends was so profound that he decided to change sports.

“And then when I saw the NBA Finals with Magic and Jordan, I decided to switch sports. And I finally, the first time I saw Michael play, it was in 1992 during the Olympics.” Tony Parker spoke to NBA veterans Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles on their podcast.

The Spurs legend also saw the pre-season game before the Dream Team’s run in the Olympics. Interestingly, those games were happening in Monaco, so Parker got to witness his idol hoop for the first time.

“They played the pre-season game in Monaco. You know, the famous, the hard practices that Magic was talking about. All that happened in Monaco. And so I went to see France against the US, they lost by 50. That was my first time watching Michael Jordan play.”

When he witnessed the Dream Team live, Tony Parker was 10 years old. He was passionate about soccer too, but ultimately decided to choose basketball to follow in his idol’s footsteps. And to be closer to MJ, Parker even left his connection with the Spurs.

For his final NBA season, the point guard left his beloved Spurs team where he won 4 championships. Parker never regretted that decision, as he stated in another interview about the reasons for leaving the San Antonio franchise.

“It was like a full circle to me. It was awesome to spend some time with Michael Jordan.” His Airness was part of the ownership group at the Hornets, where Parker played only one season before retiring. But that’s not the only time he felt surreal because of MJ.

Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan’s epic France moment recreated by Tony Parker

The 6x All-Star returned home after his first championship victory and it was the point guard’s first game in France since joining the NBA. The Spurs would beat the Grizzlies 105-93 in Paris, where Parker contributed with 19 points.

They were not the first team to visit France, a feat that teams like the Lakers, Warriors, and even the Bulls had achieved before. The teams would also click a photo in front of the Eiffel Tower, a tradition that continued when Paker and Spurs did the visit.

“It was the first time in Paris and I was 21. Just won my first championship, and it was crazy to be in París to play in front of my friends, family and do that iconic picture in the Eiffel Tower.”

During the Spurs and the Pacers’ recent game in Paris, Parker was a guest broadcaster, where he recalled those memories. “Because I was watching Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson doing it, and now it was me. It was kind of crazy surreal.” 

For that 10-year-old Parker, he didn’t know that a change of sport would lead him to four championships and a Hall of Famer career. So, not only did Magic and MJ help him choose a sport, but they also created a bond with him, which not many get a chance.