Tony Parker’s rookie season in the NBA was anything but easy, and part of that challenge came from earning the respect of Tim Duncan, the San Antonio Spurs’ undisputed leader. Recently, Parker revealed on the Knuckleheads podcast that Duncan did not speak to him at all during his first year with the team, as he had doubts about whether the young French point guard could lead the franchise.
“The first time I saw Timmy, I was like, man, I was kind of impressed. Obviously, I knew he was a superstar—multiple All-Star, MVP of the All-Star Game—I knew he was the franchise, basically. And so, I knew that if I wanted to have a chance to be the point guard of that team, I had to earn Tim’s respect.”
“And he made it tough on me like the whole first year—people think I joke when I say this, but it’s true—he didn’t talk to me the whole first year. I don’t think he believed that a little Frenchie could be his point guard for the next 10 years, you know and it’s not until I played great against GP in the playoffs that he finally talked to me.”
“He was like, ‘Man, if he can play good against Gary Payton, I think we have something but I didn’t back down. Mentally I was ready, my dad did a great job to to prepare me and I was ready for my rookie season and my first year with the Spurs, Timmy won MVP of the NBA.”
Parker, determined to prove himself, worked hard to gain the respect of his star teammate. He played in 77 games as a rookie, starting in 72 of them, and averaged 9.2 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game while shooting 41.9% from the field and 32.3% from three-point range.
While his numbers weren’t spectacular, they were solid for a young point guard learning the ropes in a system that emphasized discipline and execution.
On the other hand, Duncan was in his absolute prime, dominating the league in what was his fifth season. He averaged 25.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 50.8% from the field, leading the Spurs to a 58-24 record, the second-best in the Western Conference.
His incredible performance earned him the first of his two MVP awards. However, despite their strong regular season, the Spurs were eliminated in the Western Conference Semifinals by the Los Angeles Lakers, who were led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
The turning point in Parker’s relationship with Duncan came during the first round of the 2002 NBA Playoffs against the Seattle SuperSonics. Facing one of the toughest defensive guards in NBA history, Gary Payton, Parker elevated his game when it mattered most.
He averaged 17.2 points per game while shooting 50% from the field, helping the Spurs secure a 3-2 series victory. His strong showing finally convinced Duncan that Parker was the right player to run the Spurs’ offense. After the series, Duncan finally spoke to Parker, telling him that if he could perform at that level against Payton, he could be the point guard the team needed for years to come.
Once Parker earned Duncan’s trust, the duo became one of the greatest partnerships in NBA history. Together, they won four NBA championships in 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014, helping establish the Spurs as a dynasty. Parker became a six-time All-Star and won the 2007 NBA Finals MVP, while Duncan added five total championships and three Finals MVPs to his legendary career.
Despite Duncan’s initial skepticism, he and Parker built an unbreakable bond, playing together for 17 seasons under Gregg Popovich. Their journey from an awkward rookie season to multiple championships defined the Spurs’ culture of hard work, trust, and sustained excellence, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered forever.
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