Tag: the NBA

Parker: It’s France or nothing

If Tony Parker is going to play anywhere overseas during the NBA lockout, it’s going to be his native France. after a Les Bleus exhibition in London on Tuesday.

that Parker was in discussions to play in China should the lockout linger. Though Parker acknowledged informal talks with teams in China, he says his focus is on France, where he is part owner of the French League powerhouse ASVEL.

He tells ESPN.com he won’t make a decision about a lockout landing spot until after the Eurobasket tournament ends in September. A lot will depend on his health.

“I want to see if I’m healthy, if I’m hurt and by then we will also know a lot more what is happening with the situation of the lockout,” Parker said.  ”If I play (abroad), I will definitely play in France, for my fans, for my team, ASVEL.”

Parker is one of a handful of NBA stars to have his name linked with China.  The most notable is Kobe Bryant, the Lakers’ former MVP.

Due to wrangling with the Chinese Basketball Association, which is seeking to prohibit NBA players coming to that nation on a rental basis during the lockout, Parker says “it looks like China is not going to happen for any players.”

Speaking of his lockout plans, Parker said, “it’s more an emotional decision.”

“It’s not enough for me just to play for the money, stuff like that, because I am a student of the game,” Parker said. “I am passionate about the game. It would be great for my family, my friends, to see me in France.”

TP enjoying ‘La Vida Loca’ in Vegas with Smirnoff during lockout

Spurs guard Tony Parker appeared to have few worries about the NBA lockout or the upcoming FIBA European championships during a recent visit to Las Vegas. 

Parker was pictured at the Tao nightclub in Las Vegas with ‘Dancing with the Stars’ alum and recent Playboy model Karina Smirnoff in a recent post on the .

The couple appear to be enjoying a magnum of one of Parker’s favorite French champagnes, Veuve Clicquot.

The sultry Smirnoff has been a staple on Dancing with the Stars during its long run. And she’s been just as busy away from the ballroom after being linked romantically with Mario Lopez and Dancing with the Stars dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy before she became engaged to Detroit Tigers pitcher Brad Penny last October.

The NBA season appears to be far away from any thoughts for Parker — at least in the picture.

And considering who he’s with, can we really blame him?

Delonte West ready to take his talents to Home Depot during lockout

Boston guard Delonte West is facing many of the same financial hardships of other NBA players during the lockout.

But West, who has made $14,083,519 during his seven-season NBA career, is doing something about making ends meet while he can’t count on a regular paycheck.

The Big Lead.com reports that West hashoping for work while he can’t play in the NBA.

West has already been told by a judge thatto pursue an overseas career during the lockout because he can’t leave the country.

You will remember that Westand was sentenced by a Prince George’s County (Md.) judge to eight months of home detention, two months of probation and 40 hours of community service in a deal that allowed him to retain his NBA career.

West had been charged with six weapons offenses and two traffic violations. He pleaded guilty to carrying a dangerous weapon — an eight-inch bowie knife — and illegally transporting a handgun in the incident in suburban Washington.