NBA: Tony Parker sees bright future for Spurs with Wembanyama, young core

MANILA – After reaching the NBA finals last season, Tony Parker believes it’s only a matter of time before the San Antonio Spurs win it all with the new generation of talent led by towering Frenchman Victor Wembanyama.

The Spurs legend expressed confidence and optimism in the youth laden team which included Wembanyama, Filipino-American Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle.

“I’m super excited. It was nice to see the Spurs back on top and competing for an NBA Championship. Wemby is maybe the best player in the NBA right now and we’re super lucky to have him with the Spurs and the French national team,” Parker said during his visit to the NBA House Philippines last August.

“Dylan Harper is another one. I love the way he played. He had a great rookie season. I love how fearless he was and being super aggressive, going to the basket, had great Finals. I think he has all the tools to become a great all-star in this league,” he added.

Parker believes the Spurs have done a good job putting together a team that can win an NBA championship sooner rather than later.

“With Castle, that Big 3 can be good for a long, long time. Now it’s just a matter of time before they win an NBA championship and hopefully they can win a lot of championships,” he said.

The four-time NBA champion and former finals MVP put the spotlight on Wembanyama, who has been making waves both as a member of the Spurs and the Les Bleus.

Earlier this year, Wembanyama made history as the youngest team captain for the French national men’s basketball team since Parker in 2003. 

“Yeah, about Wemby, he’s got all the tools to be one of the best ever, that’s for sure. If he stays healthy and all that kind of stuff, he’s already proving. At 22 years old, bringing a team all the way to the NBA Finals, that’s very, very hard to do,” Parker said.

“He’s got a chance to be one of the best, that’s for sure. I’m super happy that he’s French. I can’t wait to see how many championships he’s going to bring for the Spurs and how many gold medals he’s going to bring for the national team,” he explained.

Parker said with added experience and having a great team around him, Wembanyama will definitely be raising a trophy of his own whether it be in the NBA or FIBA.

“I think it’s just a matter of time that he wins a championship. Now it’s going to be how many. That’s the biggest thing for him. I think the Spurs did a great job surrounding him with the right players, with Castle and Dylan Harper. The future is bright for him,” he said.

More than winning NBA championships, Parker is glad to see a fellow French basketball player bringing pride to their country and putting the spotlight on French basketball.

“I feel very proud to see my country going that high and having all those great players, great French players. We’re on a super positive wave right now. We have a lot of great ones. And obviously, Wemby, you can argue, but maybe he’s the best player in the NBA right now,” Parker beamed at Wembanyama.

“I think he’s doing everything good. He’s doing everything right. His approach to the game and the mental side of it, everything that he’s doing is super positive, and I think it’s just a matter of time that he starts winning a lot,” he added.

The Spurs will be opening their NBA season against the former champions the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, Philippine time.