Tony Parker opens up on firing his brother TJ, negotiations with Gordon Herbert / News - Basketnews.com

ASVEL president Tony Parker is hopeful for Gordon Herbert's arrival: "With Gordi, we agreed on the duration of the contract and the salary. We agreed on everything. We are just waiting for the federation's agreement."

Credit: AP - Scanpix Credit AP - Scanpix

After seven defeats in the last eight games and a series of 17 consecutive losses in the EuroLeague spanning two seasons (last win on January 26 vs. Fenerbahce), LDCL ASVEL Villeurbanne are going through a transition period at the start of the 2023-24 season.

Tony Parker

Position:PGAge:41Height:188 cmWeight:84 kgBirth place:Bruges, BelgiumProfileNewsStatistics

In an effort to reverse the team's fortunes, ASVEL president Tony Parker made the tough decision on Friday to dismiss his brother, TJ, with the hope that this move will generate an "electric shock."

In an interview with Luc Paganon of Le Progres, Tony Parker expressed the urgency for a shift to a new direction.

"I think it's time for a change. The results are catastrophic," Parker underlined. "I have always said that I will do what I think is best for the club. I have always been rather patient with the coaches, whether it was Pierre Vincent or J.D. Jackson. Zvezdan Mitrovic is the only one for whom it only lasted a year and a half, but it was because all the players wanted to leave. When you feel that the coach is losing the locker room, that's really not good."

However, he clarified that this wasn't the case with his brother, as the players and team leaders completely supported TJ Parker.

"It was even the opposite [with my brother]. The players, the team leaders, whether Nando De Colo, Charles Kahudi, or Joffrey Lauvergne, supported him fully. The locker room was to keep TJ," Parker emphasized.

"You saw how they reacted against Anadolu Efes Istanbul. We could easily have lost by 30 if the team had no longer wanted to play for my brother."

The decision to part ways with his brother, who spent a decade with the club, was undoubtedly difficult for Tony Parker. However, as the president and majority shareholder, the NBA legend felt it was time to prioritize the club's interests.

"I think it's time. It's my decision, and the shareholders trust me. I thank my brother for everything he has done," he said. "We still won four trophies with him: two French championships (2021, 2022), a French Cup (2021), and a Leaders Cup (2023).

3-pointers this season

31%8,0Points made:8,0Accuracy:31,1%Place in standings:13Record max:10Record min:4Most made 3FGs:Nando de ColoTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"We experienced unforgettable moments, with the highlight being Game 5 against AS Monaco in the 2022 French League Finals. It was perhaps one of the most beautiful finals in French basketball. I am the president, the majority shareholder, and it's my choice. The team has great potential and a good roster, and now we are not playing to our full potential."

Credit IMAGO/Seskim Photo - Scanpix

Despite the professional parting, Tony Parker expressed confidence in the enduring strength of his relationship with TJ.

"I always said I would have no regrets and do what was good for the club. And now, I think it's time. I didn't think it was time earlier," he pointed out. "Yes, it's never easy when it's someone from your family. I had a long discussion with my brother, and he understood my decision. I talked about it to my parents and my little brother Pierre, who is in San Antonio. I warned them all, and they all understood my decision.

"With TJ, we knew very well what we were getting into. That's the life of a coach. You can't be in the same club for thirty years. Perhaps only Gregg Popovich and Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United are exceptions to the rule. It's very rare.

"I don't worry about the future of my relationship with my brother. He will always be my brother, and we will always love each other," Parker stressed.

Regarding the tipping point that led to the decision, the ASVEL president pointed to "unacceptable performances," particularly the defeats against Saint-Quentin, Partizan Belgrade, and Nanterre.

The subsequent search for a replacement led to the interim appointment of Pierric Poupet and Jean-Christophe Prat, with the expectation that German national team head coach Gordon Herbert would take over.

"Pierric Poupet and Jean-Christophe Prat [TJ's assistants] will coach on Sunday, and I hope that on Monday, Gordi Herbert will be with us."

Herbert emerged as the preferred choice for the head coaching position, but complications arose due to the German Basketball Federation's reluctance to give its approval.

Parker outlined that negotiations with Herbert were successful, pending the federation's agreement.

"The only discussions I had were with Sergio Scariolo and Gordi Herbert. Andrea Trinchieri, I never spoke with him," Parker said. "It's true that Gordi is the frontrunner, and I hope we can find an agreement with the German Basketball Federation for him to become the new coach of ASVEL.

"With Gordi, we agreed on the duration of the contract and the salary. We agreed on everything. We are just waiting for the federation's agreement."

If that approval is not granted, Tony Parker expressed readiness to explore other coaching options.

"We will look for another coach," he said. "There aren't many choices, but there are a few nonetheless. Gordi is my preference, my No. 1 choice. I am hopeful that he will join our team."

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