Based on the title alone, the viewers must have imagined that this will cover Tony Parker’s controversial closing season with the Charlotte Hornets, akin to Michael Jordan’s The Last Dance documentary, which focused more on his last campaign with the Chicago Bulls.
The Netflix documentary Tony Parker: The Final Shot, though, gravitated toward showcasing Parker’s journey from France during his teen years all the way to where he is now.
It’s certainly a treat for his countrymen and the San Antonio Spurs fans as he had a quiet final playing year with the Hornets during the 2018-2019 NBA season.
Imprint on the basketball landscape
Parker’s most recognizable achievement in his illustrious playing career might be helping the Spurs capture 4 NBA championships. The 18-year NBA veteran also popularized the use of the teardrop/floater in the league as he found a unique way to score over taller defenders.
But his lasting impression on the basketball landscape is definitely bringing hope and pride to his country. As shown in the documentary, Parker was able to win multiple medals while playing for the France national basketball team. His scintillating play also inspired a lot of young French players to at least give it a shot and follow their dreams of reaching the big stage.
The six-time NBA All-Star’s contributions to his homeland extends even outside the basketball court as his academy not only caters to basketball enthusiasts, but also gives out music and tennis training to aspiring youngsters. Additionally, he owns ASVEL, a professional basketball team in France, and has guided both its men’s and women’s teams to league triumphs under his leadership.
It was important for the film to touch on these because Parker’s accomplishments clearly go beyond what he has done in the NBA with the Spurs. His exploits with the Les Bleus (two gold medals from the European Championship with the juniors team and EuroBasket with the seniors), as some may say, even outweigh his 4 NBA titles.
Shortage of in-depth stories
For comparison’s sake, Michael Jordan’s The Last Dance, which was released last year during the early stages of the lockdown, was 10-episodes long with at least 49 minutes of running time. Parker’s The Final Shot, on the other hand, was only 98 minutes, all in one episode.
The Frenchman’s documentary could’ve been better if they dove deeper into Parker’s experiences with both the Spurs and Hornets. The rumors of him being replaced or being teamed up with Jason Kidd earlier in his Spurs career was never mentioned in the film.
Parker’s issue with Kawhi Leonard recovering slowly from the same injury that he suffered was not discussed as well, although the documentary provided the viewers footage of Parker’s recovery process and some behind-the-scenes of his first game back from a major quadriceps injury.
Clips during Parker’s final season in the NBA with the Hornets was limited too. The film did feature a few of his Hornets teammates and head coach, but these can be easily overlooked with a number of Spurs moments and guests.
Parker’s (now ex) wife, Axelle, and their two kids were highlighted in the film. It showed how supportive she was and how they all bonded together as a family.
But before he met Axelle, Parker was together with Eva Longoria. His relationship with the famous actress in the mid-2000s absolutely boosted his status as a must watch/follow player in the league.
Final verdict
Despite the few side stories and drama that could’ve made the documentary spicier and interesting, it is still worth watching whether you’re a Spurs/Parker fan or a casual sport junkie looking for more basketball action outside the ongoing 2020-2021 NBA campaign.
With a short running time, it was understandable that the filmmakers decided to compress the story and celebrate the success of Parker’s incredible journey, which will always be a welcome sight for a hardcore fan.
There was also no shortage of huge personalities in the documentary as they were able to get valuable insights from Thierry Henry and the late Kobe Bryant. Even Jordan made a cameo as well.
The film is available on Netflix and can be watched in 3 different languages (with a variety of choices for subtitles too), a major plus if you want to keep the French vibe going from the first to the last second. – Rappler.com
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