National Basketball Association

Parker can't get a table in Memphis

Published May. 25, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Tony Parker probably can get a table at any restaurant in San Antonio, but not in Memphis.

The Spurs star was turned away from Restaurant Iris, a trendy Memphis eatery, on Friday and the chef, Kelly English, wasn't shy about it. But he says it wasn't because Parker plays for the Spurs, who lead the Grizzlies 3-0 in the West finals.

Confirmed MT @ memphisacp: Tony Parker tried to eat dinner @ restaurantiris and was denied service by @ kelly_english. Can you confirm or deny?
— Kelly English (@kelly_english) May 25, 2013

@ danwolken @ kelly_english Clearly racist.............. No, just stupid and petty.
— Michael Cronin (@TMichaelCronin) May 25, 2013

To be booked with no availability to take a table? Yes that is smart business. RT @ 33mjay: @ danwolken @ kelly_english is that smart business?
— Kelly English (@kelly_english) May 25, 2013

The initial tweet confirmed by @ kelly_english said "denied service," which was probably a bad choice of words b/c it framed the story.
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) May 25, 2013

@ kelly_english oh Jesus Christ and if you sat the dude, you'd have these same people pissed you gave a richy special treatment.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) May 25, 2013

@ kelly_english Tell TP to be sure and make a reservation.....for when they're back in town for GAME 6!
— J. Williams (@Rocker2) May 25, 2013

The restaurant even released a statement:

"At Restaurant Iris we pride ourselves on the service we provide to our guests. From the moment you make a reservation, to when you walk out of our door, it’s our job to ensure you experience both incredible food and service.

"That experience begins with a reservation. Due to the size of our restaurant, there is currently a two week delay for a weekend reservation. We would not cancel a reservation that a guest made-and waited two weeks for — in order to make room for someone else without a reservation — celebrity or not. We respect our guests and their time, and appreciate their choice to dine with us."

Think the Frenchman Parker was turned away by a snotty French maitre d'? OK, the chance of a guy like that working in Memphis isn't great, but this guy still is:

Wonder if Parker tried telling them he's the sausage king of San Antonio.

Parker said he stayed in his hotel Friday night and had dinner from room service. Hopefully he got some good Memphis BBQ. But if it seemed like he played with a (wood) chip on his (pork) shoulder in Game 3, scoring 24 points in a backbreaking 102-93 overtime win, we all know why.