For him, when times are serious, there is no question of compromising, even with family. Tony Parker, who became president of the Lyon-Villeurbanne basketball club after his brilliant career in the NBA, announced in quick succession, Friday and Saturday, that he is dismissing his brother TJ, coach of Asvel, and intends to replace him with the Canadian-Finnish Gordon Herbert, world basketball champion at the head of Germany in September.
The first act of this “sporting-family tragedy” took place on the evening of Friday October 20. In a press release, Asvel announced that TJ Parker, Tony’s younger brother and club coach, was sacked “following [a] start to the season below expectations” and “with immediate effect”.
TJ Parker, 39, arrived at Asvel in 2013. First assistant to Pierre Vincent and Canadian JD Jackson (French champion in 2016) then assistant to Zvezdan Mitrovic, he was promoted to head coach of the club in 2020 .
In three and a half years on the Asvel bench, he led the team to two French champion titles (2021, 2022), a Coupe de France (2022) and a Leaders Cup (2023). But his latest results fell short of his brother’s expectations. In its last eight matches, Asvel has lost seven times (three times in the French championship, and four times in the Euroleague). In this European competition alone, the Rhone club has suffered 17 defeats in a row, spanning last season and the current one.
“He understands my decision.”
Saturday, in L’Equipe, Tony Parker returned to this intra-family dismissal. “I always said that I would not have any qualms, that I would do what is good for the club,” explains the former leader of the San Antonio Spurs. Yes, it’s never easy when it’s someone in your family. I had a long discussion with my brother and he understands my decision. »
In the same interview, Tony Parker announces that he hopes to replace his brother with Gordon Herbert. Problem is, the 64-year-old Canadian-Finnish is also the coach of the German team, which he led to the world champion title in September. “With “Gordi”, we agreed on the duration of the contract, the amount. We agree on everything. We are just waiting for the agreement of the [German] federation,” said the president of Asvel.
As of Friday, informed of Tony Parker’s intentions, the German Basketball Federation (DBB) specified in a press release that “coach Gordon Herbert extended his contract until 2025 with the DBB, just before the start of the World Cup [in August last]. We are delighted that he will lead the team as coach at the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. The DBB text then makes no mention of a possible double hat as club coach and coach for Gordon Herbert.
The latter is not unknown in France. The technician coached three seasons in France: at Paris Basket Racing (from 2004 to 2006) then at Pau-Orthez (2006-07), with whom he won the 2007 Coupe de France. In Paris, during the season 2005-2006, he even had TJ Parker, then a beginner player, under his command.
Sunday, Asvel hosts Roanne in the French championship. The interim coach position will be handled by assistants Jean-Christophe Prat and Pierric Poupet.