Parker didn't want farewell tour with Hornets
As was the style of his former San Antonio Spurs teammates Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker did not give a year's notice of his retirement with a seemingly endless procession of jerseys swaps and halftime ceremonies.
Instead, with all eyes turned to Monday's potential series-clinching Game 5 of the NBA Finals, the 37-year-old quietly announced he's calling it a career after 18 seasons.
Parker says he doesn't regret his low-key departure from the game.
"Not at all, not at all," Parker told The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears. "It's funny because my brother asked me that: 'You don't want to do like Dwyane (Wade) and Dirk (Nowitzki)?'"
"And I said, 'No because it's not (in) the Spurs jersey.'"
To many, the thought of Parker playing for a team other than San Antonio was unimaginable. After 17 seasons and four championships, the six-time All-Star seemed destined to be a Spurs lifer like Duncan and Ginobili.
Then, he signed a two-year, $10-million contract with the Charlotte Hornets last summer.
"So, for me, it's different," Parker continued. "Dwyane did it with the Miami jersey, Dirk was a Dallas jersey, so it was a nice way to end their careers. But for me, it was kind of different because I was in there with Charlotte, so I didn't feel like the need of having a goodbye.
"For me, the goodbye will be when my jersey will be retired (in San Antonio) or I make the Hall of Fame."
Though his final year didn't have the same resonance it might have had in San Antonio, Parker was clear in his appreciation of his lone season with the Hornets.
"No, I'm glad I went to Charlotte. It was a great experience," Parker said. "I met some great people, and I really appreciate Michael (Jordan) giving me the opportunity and (general manager) Mitch Kupchak and (head coach James Borrego). It was a great, great time. The guys were great.
"So no, I don't regret anything because I really wanted to play and I really wanted to show that I can still play. I had a good season. I was healthy. I don't regret anything."