It's the end of an era for the San Antonio Spurs - or at least, one of the final vestiges of the team's dynastic, multi-decade run near the top of the NBA - as Tony Parker has reportedly left the organization to sign a two-year pact with the Charlotte Hornets.
The weight of the moment wasn't lost on Gregg Popovich, the only head coach Parker has ever known since arriving stateside in 2001.
"It's difficult to put into words how important Tony Parker has been to the Spurs franchise over the past two decades," a statement from Popovich begins, according to the San Antonio Express-News' Jeff McDonald. "From his first game in 2001 at age 19, TP has impressed and inspired us - day after day, game after game, season after season - with his passion, dedication, and desire. We are grateful to Tony for 17 years of truly amazing memories."
Parker leaves the team second in games (1,198) and minutes (37,276) played for the Spurs behind only Tim Duncan, and is the franchise's all-time leader in assists (6,829).
"While the four championships, six All-Star appearances and four All-NBA selections highlight his resume, the biggest joy for me has been to have the pleasure of watching TP grow up before our eyes," Popovich concluded. "All of us in the Spurs organization will miss having Tony in our program and wish him and his family the best as he continues his remarkable career in Charlotte."
If Parker gets homesick during his time with the Hornets, at least he'll see a familiar face behind the bench; James Borrego was hired as the team's head coach earlier this year after spending the past three seasons on Popovich's staff in San Antonio.
