HoopsHype.com Rumors

In an interview with Le Progres, Tony Parker confirmed that he is still involved with ASVEL Villeurbanne. The PG of the Spurs strongly criticized the signing of Chace Stanback, a newcomer in Villeurbanne. "He is null. He is not the player we had thought. We have a genius as scout. I don't want to criticize Bob Sudre, but when you watch players, there are more that are better than him. Personally I told him: 'Who is that guy?'" said Parker who confirmed that Stanback is still in the roster of ASVEL. Sportando

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, France, ASVEL 

Mike Monroe: Spurs Tony Parker in great shape after return from playing for ASVEL in France. 'I'm ready to go. I played my last game last week.' Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, France, ASVEL 

For those of you wondering about Ronny Turiaf’s debut with Asvel Basket, well, it was a bit of a mixed bag of results on Sunday. After resolving insurance issues, the locked-out New York Knick started for Asvel as Tony Parker’s side hosted defending LNB champions/ Euroleague team SLUC Nancy. Turiaf looked good enough in his first game since injuring his hand in a friendly match leading up to the 2011 EuroBasket tournament, going for nine points (including one effusive dunk early on; see below Asvel-based YouTube clip), eight rebounds (four offensive), three assists and five fouls drawn in 25 minutes of court time. Ball In Europe

New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Ronny Turiaf, Lockout, France, ASVEL 

Emiliano Carchia: Ronny Turiaf insurance saga close to end. The big man will likely debut in the weekend with ASVEL in the big match vs SLUC Nancy and Batum Twitter

New York Knicks, Ronny Turiaf, Lockout, France, ASVEL 

Emiliano Carchia: Ronny Turiaf, as reported by Le Progres, landed in Villeurbanne but he still cannot play in France due to insurance problems. Twitter

New York Knicks, Ronny Turiaf, Lockout, France, ASVEL 

Emiliano Carchia: Tony Parker said that Ronny Turiaf landed on Monday in Lyon trying to find a solution for his insurance. Via @Laurent Sallard Twitter

New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Ronny Turiaf, Lockout, France, ASVEL 

Emiliano Carchia: Ronny Turiaf said that he will take the plane on Wednesday and Thursday will be in France. He hopes to have his first practice with the team Twitter

New York Knicks, Ronny Turiaf, Lockout, France, ASVEL 

Ronny Turiaf, the Knicks oft-injured center, may take his cranky knees overseas to France to play for Villeurbanne during the NBA lockout. The French League team announced it on its website yesterday, but agent Mark Bartlestein said the deal isn't done as they look into insurance. "There's definitely a lot of insurance things that have to be worked out," Bartlestein told The Post. New York Post

New York Knicks, Ronny Turiaf, Lockout, France, ASVEL 

"I will be on the plane on Wednesday and I hope to take part in my first training session by the end of the week," Turiaf was quoted on the club's website. Bartelstein, however, said no plane reservations have been made Turiaf would join All-Star point guard Tony Parker on the club. Turiaf has a French heritage, growing up in Martinique. He was given a huge ovation during the Knicks' preseason game in Paris last October. New York Post

New York Knicks, Ronny Turiaf, Lockout, France, ASVEL 

ASVEL made official in its website the signing during the NBA lock out of Ronny Turiaf. The french team member, which couldn't play at the Euro because of its broken left hand, joins Tony Parker under the green Jersey. The New York Knicks center never played in Pro A as he went to to the university of Gonzaga, before joining the NBA and the Lakers, the warriors and then the Knicks. Yahoo! Sports

New York Knicks, Ronny Turiaf, Lockout, France, ASVEL 

ASVEL Villeurbanne is in advanced negotiations with Ronny Turiaf and everything could get done early this week. L'Equipe

New York Knicks, Ronny Turiaf, Lockout, France, ASVEL 

According to Catch-and-Shoot, Ronny Turiaf might be announced today by ASVEL Villeurbanne. The big man agreed to terms with the team where also Tony Parker is playing during the lockout. Turiaf could make his debut next weekend in the game against Gravelines. Sportando

New York Knicks, Ronny Turiaf, Lockout, France, ASVEL 

Parker said he turned down rich offers from China and elsewhere to play for Asvel. French sports newspaper L'Equipe reported that his playing insurance cost Parker $250,000 for three months. Parker wouldn't give a figure but said: "I'm not going to make my own club pay for my insurance.'' "For me it wasn't at all a question of money,'' he said. "If it was a question of money, I would have gone to China or to Barcelona. What was most important to me was to give back to France everything that it give to me. SI.com

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Lockout, France, ASVEL 

He will play for minimum wage: $2,000 a month. But he'll also get valuable hands-on front-office experience working alongside club president Gilles Moretton. Asked if this was something of a business internship for him, Parker said: "Exactly, exactly.'' "I always said that after my career I wanted to be the president of a club and manage a club,'' Parker said at a news conference at a luxury Paris hotel on Thursday. "With Gilles, I have the perfect president to learn from. He can train me so that I am ready in 10 years when I retire. "I'm learning marketing, how to speak to sponsors, how to push projects forward and all that. I want to learn.'' SI.com

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Lockout, France, ASVEL 

Parker said he wants to grow Asvel into "one of the biggest clubs in Europe'' and build an academy there for young players, too, next to its planned new arena. In sneakers and ripped jeans, Parker didn't look like a typical suit - but he does talk the talk. "First meeting, Monday, 8:30,'' he said, looking ahead to next week. Then, he joked: "We are going to have to change the hours.'' "There are always projects. There are always things to do, managing people and different personalities. I like the development side, watching the young players, recruiting them, choosing who we are going to sign. All aspects of managing a club,'' he said. SI.com

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Lockout, France, ASVEL 

In Parker the player, Parker the general manager got quite a steal. The three-time All-Star, slated to earn $12.5 million in the NBA this season, will play for $1,995 per month in France. “I’ll be playing nearly for free,” Parker told the French daily L’Equipe. “If I play the entire season, we’ll go for the title.” Whether the 29-year-old Parker actually appears in an ASVEL uniform at all largely will be determined at the collective bargaining table, where NBA owners and its players union face a Monday deadline to settle their dispute before regular-season games must be canceled or delayed. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Lockout, France, ASVEL 

Tony Parker signed in Asvel (Lyon, France). He will not play this weekend but the next against Paris Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Lockout, France, ASVEL 

What have you decided regarding playing or not vith ASVEL ? Tony Parker: Today I can tell you: Yes, I will play with ASVEL during the lockout. I made my decision Monday. It’s a huge joy for me to come back to France. It’s natural to land in Villeurbanne. RMC Sport

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Lockout, France, ASVEL 

Why did you decide to come back to play in France? Tony Parker: I must admit that at the end of the NBA season, I couldn’t picture myself playing with ASVEL. But during the summer, I started talking with French National Team teammates: Boris Diaw, Batum. Starting from there, the idea of playing in France became real. Then, coming back from the Eurobasket, when I noticed all the passion surrounding our silver medal, I figured it would be a good idea. My family, my friends, wouldn’t stop telling me, "Come on, come back, we’ll be able to see you play." I realized there may not be another opportunity to come play in France. RMC Sport

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Lockout, France, ASVEL 

What are the financial terms? Tony Parker: I reached an agreement for my insurance two days ago. I will play in France for the minimum salary. I am going to earn 1,500 euros a month. I will pay for my insurance. I didn’t want ASVEL to pay anything. Hadn't I received my insurance, I would have stayed in San Antonio. I had big offers from China, a nice one from Barcelona. But I said from the beginning: It’s in France and nowhere else. RMC Sport

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, FC Barcelona, Lockout, Spain, France, ASVEL