It was 2007, a simpler time, and the city was a buzz from the fresh Spurs championship win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Together, we basked in the magical Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili era, the special basketball epoch when there wasn’t a season San Antonio wasn’t sweeping the playoffs. And in my head, there never would be.

Being the Catholic school child that I was, I often found myself trailing my mother at H-E-B for some post pick-up groceries. It was through the metal bins near the entrance — the ones that usually house the discount lotion, flip-flops, and movie theater candy — that I first noticed something very strange was happening.

I quickly realized two things: first, the bins were all filled with the same CD, and two, the person gracing the cover, clad in a white tank-top and a backwards cap, was none other than my favorite basketball player: the one, the only, Tony Parker.

I couldn’t believe it. A basketball player?? Making music!!? And it’s Tony Parker?! At the time, I felt like something like this was impossible. But I knew it was him for sure because he was gripping his natural totem — a basketball — and standing in the foreground of a grey-scale Paris skyline, Eiffel Tower in view. I mean who else is from Paris?

I then realized a third thing: My mom HAD to buy the CD.

Listening to the album — mostly during carpool on the way to soccer practice — was like putting Pop Rocks in my brain. Ten-year-old me went crazy for it. The best crossover episode imaginable.

I felt cool showing it off to my friends. I’d turn to my teammate, “Hey, have you heard Tony Parker’s French rap CD?” And then, “Play track one — ‘Balance Toi!’” I’d shout to my exhausted mother, lacing my cleats in the back seat, ignorant to any aspect of the French language.

Before we could hear “Balance Toi” though, the CD contained a dumbfounding intro that is forever seared into my brain.

“Ladies and gentleman, prepare to bear witness… to history in the making,” called out the sports announcer at the top of the album, drumming hype for the young basketball star.

“He is…Mr. Break Your Ankles… the Teardrop Specialist…the Crossover King…aka Tony Pizzle..aka TP the machine…you know what time it is…it’s game time!”

Lol.

“Now off your seat and on your feet for the one, the only Tony Parker!”

“Tony P whatsupp!”, shouted what appeared to be a pitched up child’s voice. As it cut through the air, it signaled that it was finally time for “Balance Toi.” Suddenly and all at once, Tony Parker began to rap — in French. It’s the only track with an accompanying video.

Mr. Break Your Ankle. I wondered what Coach Gregg Popovich would think, and if he was embarrassed (he probably was). Did the Spurs listen to “TP” in the locker room?

There were other good songs on the album too, with most featuring a soulful, R&B English refrain. Honorable mentions include track five, “La Famille (featuring Eddie B)” in which Parker appears to be thanking his family for everything they’ve done for him (how sweet!).

Another favorite is the swaggering, “Bienvenue Dans Le Texas” (featuring some rascal called Booba), along with track three, otherwise known as “Premier Love (featuring Rickwell)” about Parker’s unwavering love for Eva Longoria (it was very romantic at the time — alright, maybe it’s still giving me goosebumps as I pen this).

The final song on the 11-track album, “Gametime,” was a natural precursor to any game. You can imagine what it was about (it was about the fact that it’s game time).

As I ponder the passage of time on Parker’s big day, I can’t help but wonder how he feels about his stint in the music industry.

I’m sure he laughs — and Popovich likely chuckles along. For me, the album itself is a profound relic from the past. I’m not sure what happened to that CD, but I can say that in the time between 2007-2009, it had a glorious run.