Home

NBA

Seconds After Exposing What He Feared the Most, Tony Parker Breaks Down on Hall of Fame Stage

Published 08/13/2023, 12:51 AM EDT

Follow Us

via Imago

NBA legend Tony Parker stood on the Hall of Fame stage after an amazing journey. His witty and heartfelt speech touched everyone’s hearts. Among the cheers and applause, Parker showed a different side of him that not many knew. He even revealed how his former teammate, the legendary Tim Duncan, gave him the chills during his early days in the league.

Let’s dive into the surreal moment and check out the intriguing story shared by Tony himself.

Tony Parker, the family man

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

As soon as Tony Parker mentioned his parents, his voice started breaking, as he couldn’t control his emotions. He revealed how he grew up with two cultures, as his dad is from Chicago and his mom is from the Netherlands. With tears in his eyes, he added, “Dad, I love you. To my mom, she was a health doctor. Helped me a lot for the longevity of my career. I love you very much.

via Imago

Furthermore, he acknowledged the pillars of his life–his two brothers, TJ and Pierre. With sincerity in his voice, Parker expressed his immense appreciation for their unwavering support. He said, “Thanks for everything to my two brothers TJ and Pierre. Those guys will do anything for me I love you guys.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Watch This Story: How Much Will Victor Wembanyama Earn During His Rookie NBA Season at San Antonio Spurs?

But Parker’s love didn’t stop with his brothers. He turned his attention to his two sons, Josh and Liam. He looked toward their future with a mix of anticipation and pride, voicing his belief that their paths will be remarkable.

Parker’s speech wasn’t all tears, though, as there were moments of laughter, too. He playfully reminisced about his time with Steve Nash, mentioning that his kids share Nash’s affinity for the camera. Tony also showed a lot of gratitude to coach Gregg Popovich. He even credited his success to the NBA legend. However, just moments before he emotionally thanked his family, Parked also revealed the teammate he feared the most.

Facing the unexpected fear

While Parker’s speech was marked by gratitude and love, he didn’t shy away from admitting his own vulnerabilities. He confessed to a surprising fear that once gripped him: none other than his own teammate, Tim Duncan. Parker said, “He has a special power, a superpower, with his eyes.”

The 41-year-old added, “He never talked to get the ball. Never. He’ll just look at me. And when you’re 19 years old coming from France, it’s very scary when Tim Duncan looks at you.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

He also jokingly said that Tim doesn’t like French people. However, it was all said in good fun as he also said, “To me, he is the best power forward ever.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

In a world where athletes are often seen as larger than life, Tony Parker’s Hall of Fame speech brought him back to the realm of the relatable. His tears, touching words, and candid admissions showcased the humanity that exists beyond the court. While his basketball career was remarkable,  his ability to express love, gratitude, and vulnerability truly left a mark on that stage.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Yusuf Khan

295Articles

One take at a time

Yusuf is an NBA content writer at EssentiallySports. Yusuf has been an NBA fanatic since his childhood days. NBA experts such as Chris Haynes and Shams Charania are his go-to sources to stay updated about all the inside scoops from the hoop world.
Show More>

Edited by:

Pragya Vashisth