Tony Parker: Spurs Guard Proves Dedication by Playing in France for Pennies

Tony Parker obviously loves the game of basketball. He is going to play basketball in France for less than $2,000 a month. That is roughly equivalent to what his NBA salary pays him for a single minute of an NBA game.

Parker has been driven to this decision by the NBA lockout. With the start of the NBA season very much in the air, the All-Star point guard is taking his game overseas.

Parker will join ASVEL in France. In fairness to the situation it is worth mentioning that Parker has more to gain from this move than his salary.

He is vice-president of the team. This still shouldn't diminish the fact that the dude clearly loves basketball. 

He shed a little insight on his motivation to French magazine L'Equipe, and that was conveniently translated for us by ESPN. Parker:

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"I''ll be playing nearly for free. ...If I play the entire season, we'll go for the title."

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It is a rarity to see an athlete with the skills and resume of Parker to offer his services for such a low salary. Parker could easily command more money from other European teams. 

However, Parker has decided to help lead the team he has committed to help building.

In a time when it is easy to feel that everyone involved in professional basketball is only involved in it for the money, it is refreshing to see Parker playing for his dedication to the sport.