FRA – Parker insists his ASVEL coach Collet is calling the shots for France

PARIS (EuroBasket 2009) - Tony Parker may be Vincent Collet’s boss at ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, but he insists Collet is his boss with the France national team.

Parker, who bought a stake in French top flight side ASVEL earlier this year, will team up with Collet this summer when Les Bleus attempt to claim the lone remaining spot for EuroBasket 2009 in Poland via the Additional Qualifying Round.

"I have known Vincent for a long time,” Parker said in L’Equipe.

“He was my coach in 2003, assistant coach of France.

“He will be my coach and I his vice-president at ASVEL but that means nothing. I will be, above all, his player in the France team."

Parker is excited about the task ahead for France. They will have to finish top of a group that includes Italy and Finland and then beat the winner of the other pool – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium or Portugal – to qualify for Poland.

"There are going to be big games and I am really motivated," Parker said.

The point guard had hoped to be playing in the NBA post-season but he and his teammates were eliminated by Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in the first round.

"It's a good and a bad thing for the Spurs to have been eliminated as I will be in form,” he said.

“Everyone will be motivated and I cannot imagine not making it to the EuroBasket.

“Otherwise, the holidays will be too long!"

FIBA