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"They don't joke over there" - Tony Parker reveals how Chicago playgrounds shaped his toughness
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- "They don't joke over there" - Tony Parker reveals how Chicago playgrounds shaped his toughness
Chicago basketball is known for its gritty, physical and competitive style of play, fueled by hometown pride. These qualities have helped make the city one of the leading breeding grounds for basketball talent in the United States.
Over the years, the Windy City has produced countless players who have gone on to enjoy successful professional careers in the NBA and overseas. Among them was the late Tony Parker Sr., father of San Antonio Spurs legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Tony Parker Jr .
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The elder Parker was born and raised in Chicago and was a hoops legend known for his explosive, electrifying scoring and versatility. He starred for Loyola University in the early 1970s before playing professionally in Europe for 15 years.
Parker Sr. eventually settled in France with his European wife, Pamela Firestone and raised their three sons, Tony Jr., Terrence and Pierre.
Learning to be tough-minded
Although he did not grow up in Chicago, Parker absorbed the tough, competitive mindset associated with Chi-Town from his father. He further honed that edge during visits to his dad's hometown, where Tony had opportunities to play on the town's playground courts.
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The four-time NBA champion discussed this influence in a conversation with former Chicago Bulls player Joakim Noah for an NBA Take-Two Media feature, explaining how his ties to Chicago helped shape him into the player he became.
"People sometimes have a tendency to forget that I'm 50-50. My other half is American and my dad was born and raised in Chicago. And if I had that toughness and competitiveness, it really came with him because he shaped me mentally to prepare me to play against the Americans," TP said .
"He was, like, they don't joke over there. And so as a kid, when he brought me to the Chicago playgrounds, that's when I started, like, wow, it's going to be physical. They talk trash and all that kind of stuff. And so that's how I started. I was like, 'Okay, if I want to get to that level, I'm going to have to be ready for this.' And for that, I can definitely say thank you to my dad," he added.
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Hall-of-Fame career
Parker played professional basketball in the French league before taking his talents to the NBA. He was the 28th pick by the Spurs in the 2001 NBA Draft and delivered for the Silver & Black right from Day 1 after Gregg Popovich entrusted him with the starting point guard role.
TP played 17 years with the Spurs, becoming an integral part of their highly successful run. Apart from winning four NBA titles and one Finals MVP award, Parker, who also played one season with the Charlotte Hornets , was a six-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA Team member. Tony's No. 9 jersey was retired by the Spurs, and in 2023 he was enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
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Still involved with basketball
In retirement, Parker continues to be involved with basketball through coaching and team ownership. The now 44-year-old NBA legend is coach of France's U17 team as well as the French professional club, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, where he also serves as president.
Coaching is something Parker is proud of, as it was one of his father's dreams for him.
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"When I went through his notes after he passed away, one of his notes was top 10 goals for his kids. And when it came to me, it was coaching in the NBA and coaching the national team. That's what he put on goals for me. So, it gives me a great inspiration and great motivation to follow this dream," shared Parker, whose father died in October last year at the age of 70.
Although Parker grew up in France, Chicago remains a part of him, and he would not have it any other way.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Oct 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
