Dennis Rogers
drogers@vegassummerleague.com
March 26, 2007
Soon after entering the league, Paul signed an endorsement deal with Nike and, ironically, his Nike representative also worked with Parker.
"Tony told me at the time that he would like to help Chris out in the NBA," Paul's Brand Jordan rep, Dale Allen, said (Paul moved from Nike to Brand Jordan midway through this season). "When Tony came into the league, he had a couple guys that helped him out by giving him advice on how to succeed in this league."
So, Tony did just that. He called Chris and the two instantly hit it off. Today, they are two of the best young point guards in the NBA.
"When I came into the league I was young and it was important to have someone there to teach you and show you the ropes of how it is as an NBA player on and off the court," the Frenchman Parker said. "I wanted to be that guy for him."
Parker, an All-Star in 2006 and 2007, is just 24-years-old and already has two Championships under his belt with the San Antonio Spurs. The five-year NBA veteran is averaging close to 19 points, six assists and three rebounds in 33 minutes of play for the 49-20 Spurs (second place in the Southwest Division).
Paul, the reigning Rookie of the Year, is proving that there is no such thing as a "sophomore slump" by averaging 18 points, nine assists and four rebounds in 37 minutes of play for the playoff-hunting Hornets.
"Tony has really helped me. He is one of the best point guards in the league and one who I have patterned some of my game after," the 6-0, 175-pound Paul said. "He gives me great advice and at the same time, is one of my closer friends."
When each player's respective team travels to play each other, they spend time together.
"When he comes to San Antonio he comes over to my house and when I am in Oklahoma City, I go over to his house," Parker said.
Paul will be quick to tell you that Parker's house is a lot bigger and nicer than the three-bedroom, two-bath house Paul rents in a suburb of Oklahoma City, plus when they are in San Antonio, Tony's girlfriend, actress Eva Longoria, joins the crowd.
"Eva is a great girl, Tony definitely got a wonderful fiancee," Paul said of the recently engaged couple. "We just hung out together at the Jordan Party during All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas."
When it comes to critiquing the other's games, there is no shortage of compliments from each.
"Chris is a great young point guard, one of the best in the league," Parker remarked. "There isn't much else to say, he is a great guard and he has many good years ahead of him."
And Paul has nothing but praise for his mentor. "Tony is one of the best in the league and is still only 24 years old," Paul said of the All-Star. "He has won a couple championships, been to the All-Star game two times, that is the level I am trying to get to."
While they play in the same division in the Western Conference, Parker and Paul are fierce competitors on the court, but off the court, they are great friends and hope that one day, maybe next season in New Orleans, they can be teammates on the Western Conference All-Star team.