New Life for Jabari Parker? Thread.

[doclinkin]

Easy to have a high energy successful debut with a new team against a bottom dweller in the LEASTern conference. But still. Welcome aboard Jabari Parker. The knock on you as a high lotto pick has been that you have never cared enough to play hard in any season. That you grow disinterested and fat and lazy and refuse to play defense and take for granted any success you have been granted. Murmurs from around the league are that you are on your last contract since no team wants a player who thinks they are too good to play. That as a 2nd overall pick you have never proven worth keeping by each of the last two teams you played for. Another hypertalent who thinks they are too good to play the complete game at both ends.


Fans of both teams considered your addition to the Wizards as a throw-in for the purposes of salary dump at the end of the year. And fans in DC were mourning the loss of the efficient skilled box score filling Otto Porter when you made your debut.

7 pts 9 assists 11 rebounds 3 steals 1 block in an efficient 23 minutes.


Nice start my friend. Lowered expectations and perhaps a humbled outlook mean that you may be able to take advantage of an opportunity in DC. Granted you were playing the Cavaliers. But this sort of effort and effect will endear you to coaches and players and fans alike and definitely earn you a role on a team and a potentially long career in the NBA when you were said to be playing out the string of your last 2nd chance.

23 years old and recuperating from an injury, means that you have significant reasons and chances to improve. THIS^^^ sort of result is exactly what you will need to gain another contract in the NBA. More than scoring or starring or highlight dunks. Effort, team oriented play, sacrifice of glory, these things will help you be embraced by a franchise from the guy scalping tix on the street to the owner smirking behind a keyboard. Keep your head down and work hard Mr Parker and all things will open to you. Anyway. Just saying you have a chance. Love to see you redeem that chance to a real change in the best direction. Here with the team that everybody else is happy to give up on too.

[doclinkin]

People getting excited about Parker... don't. He is a worse defender than Portis... let that sink in... ok. He also doesn't shoot as well. He also doesn't rebound as well. He also has worse intangibles - which he displayed by heaving the ball downcourt after getting called for a foul when the score was close and somehow didn't get called for a T. He also doesn't have a position - too slow to play 3 and gives up too many offensive boards at the 4.

Right, fair enough that has been his history and most times leopards don't change their spots. But there's an adage that says "You win, then you get good". If Parker sees his effect last night and gets positive feedback from it, and tries to add those wrinkles to his game, maybe the light goes on and he gives effort in that direction. And too, an ACL tear takes a while to recover from. Two ACL tears may be insurmountable. But still. If he does recover then you never know, he may be healing back into a quickness lost to injury. After one good game I am all too happy to give the guy props for effort in the right direction. Right?

[nate33]

At this point, Jabari's good play is found money. I had no expectations that he'll be at all useful, but seeing those 9 assists and 3 steals in 23 minutes makes me realize that he may have a better basketball IQ than I had realized.

But then I looked at his career stats. He's always been a lousy passer, a poor defensive rebounder, and has had a low steal rate. He has shown no signs of basketball IQ throughout his career. It really looks like last night's game was a total fluke. I remain skeptical.

[payitforward]

It's pretty simple; he doesn't give a sh#t. He never has.

I'm surprised a larger % of guys aren't that way. You're in your very early 20s, you don't know thing one about the world, & they're giving you millions & millions of dollars to play a game. Honestly, I'm amazed at the number of these guys who do keep their heads on their shoulders.

Right now, however, Parker is about to be on his way down. We're not going to pick up that option, & I question whether he'll even get a multi-year deal, but he'll be in the league next year that's for sure: someone will take a chance on him.

& someone should. & then it's all about what he does with that opportunity. If he accepts that he is the sole cause of his problems & that his future also depends on him & no one else, then maybe he'll be ok.

Hope so. But I hope he goes to a good team rather than being with our sh*ttrain next year.

[doclinkin]

At this point, Jabari's good play is found money. I had no expectations that he'll be at all useful, but seeing those 9 assists and 3 steals in 23 minutes makes me realize that he may have a better basketball IQ than I had realized.

But then I looked at his career stats. He's always been a lousy passer, a poor defensive rebounder, and has had a low steal rate. He has shown no signs of basketball IQ throughout his career. It really looks like last night's game was a total fluke. I remain skeptical.

He may very well be caught in the gravity of the Grunfeld Fluke Flux. There is a powerful field around our GM where, when his job is in jeopardy, he manages to pull off a wild card out of nowhere and land a player who for a short term period of time plays out of their mind. Saving Ernie's job, saving their career, earning fan acclaim, earning a big deal on the renewal. And then flaming out. Ruining our cap and future.

You know we are still paying Martell Webster this year?

[payitforward]

LOL -- how right you are.

Recall the late Rasual Butler.

Not to mention Paul Pierce who came here to have one last good year then faded out almost immediately thereafter.

[Ruzious]

Really, all Parker has to do is get traded every day and play solely against Cleveland. Too negative considering he's just 23? Maybe. I hope I turn out to be completely wrong - which has happened a time or 3,000.

[FAH1223]

He won’t be here long enough for an Amazingly Sucky Thread.

[doclinkin]

Caron Butler was the only one that has worked so far. Fans were furious at the loss of Larry Hughes, torches and pitchforks out. Ernie loved Big East basketball and managed to swap Kwame for the memory of UConn Huskies' Caron Butler. Lucked out.

But yeah. Rashard Lewis.
Became Emeka Okafor.
etc...

[Willie Colon]

At this point, Jabari's good play is found money. I had no expectations that he'll be at all useful, but seeing those 9 assists and 3 steals in 23 minutes makes me realize that he may have a better basketball IQ than I had realized.

But then I looked at his career stats. He's always been a lousy passer, a poor defensive rebounder, and has had a low steal rate. He has shown no signs of basketball IQ throughout his career. It really looks like last night's game was a total fluke. I remain skeptical.

He's had to come back from two ACL injuries. The first 25 or so games as a rookie, and his 3rd season when he fully recovered from the first ACL are closer to who he really is as a player. This year, for whatever reason, he came in overweight and had a miserable start to the season. Most Bulls fans never forgave him for that, but again, his numbers from when he actually got back into game shape are closer to who he is.

Yes, he's always been a very skilled passer. Last night's performance is certainly more sustainable for Jabari than Portis giving you 30 a night lol.

Also, Doclinkin's got it all wrong. Parker was heavily criticized entering the league because of his supposed lack of athleticism. He was thought of as being very well-rounded on offense but not athletic enough to ever be a superstar. Suddenly, after recovering from his first injury, it turned out that he could jump out of the gym. When fully fit, he has prime Amaury quickness, but with a guard's handle. He never gets enough credit for not only overcoming two devastating injuries that were thought to be career ending, but coming back more athletic than he ever was. Granted, he doesn't look as quick as his 2016 self, but it appears that he's refrained from playing above the rim and with the ridiculous Derrick Rose-like cutting moves that got him injured in the first place. He's way more grounded now.

Here he is at age 19 against LeBron James and the Cavs. Ironically, this is when he was known to be "fat Jabari". Yet he looks thinner than he is now. But check out how light he is on his feet for a 6'9" 260 guy. The game sense, awareness and intelligent passing is all there.

Watch on YouTube

Here he is fully healthy in 2016. Looked like a surefire superstar in the making.

Watch on YouTube

[DCZards]

At this point, Jabari's good play is found money. I had no expectations that he'll be at all useful, but seeing those 9 assists and 3 steals in 23 minutes makes me realize that he may have a better basketball IQ than I had realized.

But then I looked at his career stats. He's always been a lousy passer, a poor defensive rebounder, and has had a low steal rate. He has shown no signs of basketball IQ throughout his career. It really looks like last night's game was a total fluke. I remain skeptical.

I’m also skeptical about Parker’s rebounds and steals, but I’m far less skeptical about the assist #s. Some of Jabari’s assists last night were high-IQ passes which found open teammates when it wasn’t that apparent they were even open. (You also see 1 of those high IQ passes when you look at the video of Parker's 2018-19 highlights posted on the Wizards website.)

Doc is right when he says that the best thing that Jabari can do for himself is realize that he’s never going to be the high-scoring, high-flying star that he probably thought he would become when he was drafted #2 in 2014. But there’s no reason he can’t retool his game so that he has some value to NBA teams. He might even have the potential to be a decent point forward.

Parker’s defensive deficiencies aren’t going anywhere. And he needs to leave behind any prima donna mindset that he might have. Most of all, he needs to work his butt off to accentuate his positives.

At the right price, Jabari could be a nice piece off the bench.

[Kanyewest]

Caron Butler was the only one that has worked so far. Fans were furious at the loss of Larry Hughes, torches and pitchforks out. Ernie loved Big East basketball and managed to swap Kwame for the memory of UConn Huskies' Caron Butler. Lucked out.

But yeah. Rashard Lewis.
Became Emeka Okafor.
etc...

This trade for some reasons reminds me of the Caron Butler/Brendan Haywoods/DeShawn Stevenson trade that somehow turned into Josh Howard, James Singleton, and Al Thornton. The riot gear was equipped for that one. Those guys came out super hot winning 3 out of 4 games including a couple wins against playoff teams like the Nuggets and the Bulls. Unfortunately a knee injury derailed Howard and the rest of his career. I believe Gilbert Arenas also had 4 more years left on his deal like John Wall.

Also talk about a weird trade for the Mavs. They ended up getting bounced from the 1st round with a healthy Caron Butler and Haywood. But with Haywood/Butler injured, the Mavericks ended up winning a championship against LeBron with DeShawn Stevenson playing a significant role who was just a throw in for the Wizards to get under the luxury tax. Interestingly enough, the backup center that replaced Haywood was Ian Mahinmi.

[Axolotl]

I hope Parker resurrects his career, as I find him to be a much better basketball player than what his reputation seems to be now.

I hated his out-of-shape jogging and head-hanging attitude when he came in to play for the Bulls, but never quite understood why he was doghoused just as he was finding his stride and looking better. It kind of turned me from a hater to a supporter - he didn't deserve the cold treatment he received, and he remained professional through it all. That is something I respect, and a good sign of maturity on a young man.

There are three reasons why someone is a bad defender: can't, won't and don't know how. When Parker started his odd tenure with the Bulls, he wouldn't and didn't know how - but that changed, as he started trying. Still doesn't know how though. Towards the end of his stint with the Bulls, he was sharp on offence and passed well, adopting a role of point-forward of sorts.

I still don't understand what caused him to come into this season so badly out of shape and with a bad attitude, especially as he was on a one year guaranteed deal and there was another 20 millions waiting for him if he played well. Maybe he learns from that episode, and sees that playing pick-up ball in the summer (as that's what the scuttlebutt had him doing) just isn't enough preparation for a NBA-season. Especially if one wants to develop his game further and become a better pro.

[montestewart]

At this point, Jabari's good play is found money. I had no expectations that he'll be at all useful, but seeing those 9 assists and 3 steals in 23 minutes makes me realize that he may have a better basketball IQ than I had realized.

But then I looked at his career stats. He's always been a lousy passer, a poor defensive rebounder, and has had a low steal rate. He has shown no signs of basketball IQ throughout his career. It really looks like last night's game was a total fluke. I remain skeptical.

He may very well be caught in the gravity of the Grunfeld Fluke Flux. There is a powerful field around our GM where, when his job is in jeopardy, he manages to pull off a wild card out of nowhere and land a player who for a short term period of time plays out of their mind. Saving Ernie's job, saving their career, earning fan acclaim, earning a big deal on the renewal. And then flaming out. Ruining our cap and future.

You know we are still paying Martell Webster this year?

The Grunfeld Fluke Flux? Is that the principle that explains career scrubs having career games against the Wizards? Maybe it will elevate Porter to 50 points tonight against Parkport

[Clay Davis]

I'm trying to trade him off my fantasy team. The Wizards are in win-now mode so I don't think they will play him too much. Hoping to package him with someone else to get Harrison Barnes

[AWIZZINGBULLET]

Re-sign Jabari on a lesser deal, long-term deal.

[gambitx777]

CBA guys? since the last year of his deal is non guaranteed can you restructure that over 4 years if it becomes guaranteed ?

[nate33]

CBA guys? since the last year of his deal is non guaranteed can you restructure that over 4 years if it becomes guaranteed ?

You can't "restructure" it per se. But you can certainly decline the team option and then sign him to a new contract this summer. It would have to wait until July 1st though.

His existing contract cannot be extended because the original contract was for less than 3 years.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Easy to have a high energy successful debut with a new team against a bottom dweller in the LEASTern conference. But still. Welcome aboard Jabari Parker. The knock on you as a high lotto pick has been that you have never adapted your talent to the NBA or grown into a complete player. The critique was that like many athletic hypertalents, other than uncontested dunks due to athleticism you had no particular game. And therefore have nothing to fall back on when you tore your ACL and athleticism was no longer in the picture while you recovered -- if you ever did. No passing, no rebounding, no effort on defense, etc. means teams have no use for you.

Fans of both teams considered your addition to the Wizards as a throw-in for the purposes of salary dump at the end of the year. And fans in DC were mourning the loss of the efficient skilled box score filling Otto Porter when you made your debut.

7 pts 9 assists 11 rebounds [size=200]3 steals 1 block in an efficient 23 minutes.[/size]


Nice start my friend. Lowered expectations and perhaps a humbled outlook mean that you may be able to take advantage of an opportunity in DC. Granted you were playing the Cavaliers. But this sort of effort and effect will endear you to coaches and players and fans alike and definitely earn you a role on a team and a potentially long career in the NBA when you were said to be playing out the string of your last 2nd chance.

23 years old and recuperating from an injury, means that you have significant reasons and chances to improve. THIS^^^ sort of result is exactly what you will need to gain another contract in the NBA. More than scoring or starring or highlight dunks. Effort, team oriented play, sacrifice of glory, these things will help you be embraced by a franchise from the guy scalping tix on the street to the owner smirking behind a keyboard. Keep your head down and work hard Mr Parker and all things will open to you. Anyway. Just saying you have a chance. Love to see you redeem that chance to a real change in the best direction. Here with the team that everybody else is happy to give up on too.

Twenty-three, and a WHOLE LOT OF LIVING ahead. Dude CAN ball. Nice thread, doctorL.

And NOW, a song that's playing on my playlist for reasons unbeknownst to anything but my psyche, not to be confused with my psycho... (She in GA). But that's my chillun's Mom, and still love her. Hell if I know how or why...

Watch on YouTube

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

People getting excited about Parker... don't. He is a worse defender than Portis... let that sink in... ok. He also doesn't shoot as well. He also doesn't rebound as well. He also has worse intangibles - which he displayed by heaving the ball downcourt after getting called for a foul when the score was close and somehow didn't get called for a T. He also doesn't have a position - too slow to play 3 and gives up too many offensive boards at the 4.

Right, fair enough that has been his history and most times leopards don't change their spots. But there's an adage that says "You win, then you get good". If Parker sees his effect last night and gets positive feedback from it, and tries to add those wrinkles to his game, maybe the light goes on and he gives effort in that direction. And too, an ACL tear takes a while to recover from. Two ACL tears may be insurmountable. But still. If he does recover then you never know, he may be healing back into a quickness lost to injury. After one good game I am all too happy to give the guy props for effort in the right direction. Right?

Role
Fit
Synergy
Mindset

Situation

Timing

The bottom line is now's the time and Jabari can reinvent himself. He's a small ball five who's a damn site better than Mahinmi. He's a four? He's a three? Hell, the dude can play two guard IF you have a coach who's not stuck in checker-play.

DEFENSE? Who needs defense when there's this stat: BPM

If you're good enough that you're net positive, who gives a rats arse how bad you SUCK on defense?