Tony Parker’s last year in the league was the only time he did not wear the Spurs jersey. He wanted to be closer to his idol. “It was like a full circle to me. It was awesome to spend some time with Michael Jordan.” Playing for the Hornets, where MJ was part of the ownership group, was a surreal experience. Parker’s affection was not only limited to Jordan but to Magic Johnson as well. As the 4x NBA Champion recently described, which he mimicked after the two legends. 

“It reminds me, like, 20 years ago, a little bit nostalgic, you know, like when I first came with the Spurs. It was the first time in Paris and I was 21. Just won my first championship, and it was crazy to be in París to play in front of my friends, family and do that iconic picture in the Eiffel Tower.” During the Spurs and the Pacers’ recent matchup in Paris, Parker was a guest broadcaster where he recalled the current atmosphere as of the time when he came back with his championship.

It was in 2003 when the Spurs won the championship and it was the point guard’s first game in France since joining the NBA. He scored 19 points helping the Spurs beat the Grizzlies 105-93 in Paris. The team would also click a photo in front of the Eiffel Tower, a tradition that the NBA teams have done for years.

“Because I was watching Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson doing it, and now it was me. It was kind of crazy surreal,” said Parker. In 1991, the Lakers, led by Magic Johnson, traveled to Paris for the McDonald’s Open at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy. After that, the Warriors and the Hornets also visited to symbolize the growth of the NBA.

But it was the Michael Jordan-led Bulls who showcased the league’s true stardom to the world. Even the local newspaper France-Soir was all in on the MJ hype and helped his stock climb toward the unofficial World’s Most Famous Person title.

Michael Jordan’s arrival in France was celebrated like a festival

There was a full-page photo of His Airness in front, with a headline that translated as ‘The idol of young people is in Paris. It’s God in person.’ The cover story read, ‘Michael Jordan is in Paris. That’s better than the Pope.’ The sponsors dubbed the event Le Grand Defi ‘the Great Challenge.’ Even the then-commissioner of the NBA made sure to add to the hype.

“He’s the most famous athlete of his time, and perhaps, with Muhammad Ali, of any time. Michael Jordan came along at the same time that sports marketing developed and that global television had extraordinary growth. There will never be a growth spurt like that again.” David Stern said to the local media. So, no doubt the press ran with it, and one of the journalists even called MJ ‘God’. But the Bulls legend politely declined any such narrative.

Even though he never wanted to push that narrative, the fans were truly on board. That’s why even Tony Parker recalled the visit, as that trip is very much still revered in the streets of France. Even today, people feel the connection because the Jordan brand partnered with France’s Basketball National Team during the 2024 Olympics.