“We would have had more championships and more success if it wasn’t for him being selfish" - Stephen Jackson exposes the most selfish player he played with

Stephen Jackson exposes future Hall of Famer, Tony Parker as the most selfish player he played with.

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Future Hall of Famer, and a 4 time champion, Tony Parker has recently received some backlash for his attitude on and off the court. While Dejounte Murray recently criticized the Frenchman for his sudden departure from Spurs , another former teammate joined the criticism. In the most recent episode of All the Smoke Podcast, co-host Stephen Jackson made harsh accusations against Parker, calling him one of the most selfish teammates he has shared the court with. Both players are former Spurs who played alongside Parker at different points of the guard’s tenure in San Antonio therefore these accusations speak volumes.

The most selfish teammate

Jackson was teammates with Parker when the French star was a rookie in 2001 until 2003 and then again once Parker had already won titles between 2012 and 2014. Although Parker won four titles with the San Antonio Spurs , and was the Finals MVP in 2007, Jackson believes that the golden generation of the Spurs would have won even more titles if it weren't for Tony's selfishness. And even though he was a very good player during his career, Jackson still seems to resent his way of play.

“I know the type of person Tony is. Great player, going to go down in the Hall of Fame. But he’s very selfish. He’s been selfish. We would have had more championships and more success if it wasn’t for him being so selfish.”

Reality check for Parker

Jackson attributed his style of play to the fact of his elevation and popularity before coming to the NBA. Prior to joining the league, Parker played 2 years in the French championship (1999-2001) for the Paris Basket Racing team, where he attracted many college and NBA scouts with his game. But, as Jackson points out, Tony had a reality check when he felt the rhythm of the NBA.

“He was told as a 16, 17-year-old in France that he was this. He came to the NBA, start as a 19-year-old. But he had a rude awakening, because once we got to the playoffs, it was Stephon Marbury, it was Jason Kidd, he couldn’t handle them, so we had to play Speedy Claxton. I know the real Tony. He can fool everybody else, but he is one of the most selfish players I have ever played with.”

What surprises Jackson the most is the fact that such a selfish player stayed so long in the system they value and implement in San Antonio. It is no secret the Spurs organization respects the culture of inclusion and selflessness among players and the fact is that Tony Parker was one of the key players in that era, and he wouldn’t be there for so long if he was selfish as he was. Therefore, it is possible that the quarrel between Jackson and Parker is deeper than it seems at first glance.

“I don’t know how he made it in that system for so long, because it is a system for everybody.”