08/08/2023 Act. he 09/08/2023 left 10:15 CEST
Jabari Parker is already a new Barça basketball playerin what will mean his first adventure away from the NBA, an American league in which, a little less than a decade ago, came under the label of ‘generational talent’. Jabari even questioned the Milwaukee Bucks about who should be the face of the franchise: él o un tal Giannis Antetokounmpo.
To be chosen in position 2 of the Draft, you have to have a supernatural gift to play basketball, and that was exactly Parker when the doors of the best league in the world opened for him. It took him a year in the duke university to show that he was one of the best players in the country, with a physical overwhelmedr to which were added innate scoring skills. It was not strange that they compared him with Carmelo Anthony, one of the most effective scorers of the century in the NBA.
His first and only season in the ‘Blue Devils’ left records of 19.1 points, 8.7 rebounds in 35 games, In addition to earning a place in the All-American and stay in second place for the vote of Naismith College Player of the Year, which rewards the best college basketball player in the United States. The NBA knocked on their doors in May 2014, with the Miluakee Bucks betting on him in the second pick of the Draftleaving behind names like Joel Embiid, Aaron Gordon o Dante Exum.
In 2023 it seems almost implausible, but Jabari was destined to take Giannis Antetokounmpo’s spot as the Bucks’ franchise player. Now, one is looking for luck in the old continent, while the other is a 2-time MVP, NBA champion, best player in the finals, and already one of the greatest in history.
Jabari or Giannis, that was the question
The NBA is a league where individual hierarchies rule the teams. Everyone knows who is the leader of a franchise, and it is the same coaches and General Managers who take action when deciding the player that will lead them to glory. In the middle of the last decade, in Milwaukee a debate arose between its two ‘rising stars’.
Unlike Antetokounmpowho entered the NBA almost as an unknown in the draft of 15 ‘, Jabari did it big. The forward came from the prestigious Duke University, With the seal of approval of the team’s legendary coach, Mike Krzyzewski, and its projection was amazing. A man capable of score from any position and with intelligence to impose his physique inside, where he asserted his good skills to finish.
Parker’s rookie year was more than remarkable huntil he tore the ligaments in his kneeunfortunate that you would accompany his entire career, as we all know. He only played 25 games, but his 12.3 points already earned him to overtake Giannis, that in his first campaign he had signed 6.8 points. in the offices The doubts between the American and the Greek were already beginningbut both pointed ways as one of the Best future couples in the NBA.
Jabari improved his numbers in the second year, but the explosion came in the third. On 16/17, the former Duke player was averaging 20.1 points and 6.1 rebounds, roaming freely in the Eastern Conference and multiplying his scoring ability on the track, which was beginning to touch an All-Star level. It was at that time that Bucks management seriously doubted which of his two young talents should knead more ball and, therefore, assume more obligations. Parker seemed to have a higher ceilingGiven the difficulties of ‘Anteto’ in the shotwith some very poor percentages from the line of three (27%).
When the responsibility began to grow on Jabari’s shoulders, to the detriment of his partner, hebad luck bequeathed again in the form of injury. The one in Illinois, on February 9, 2017, was returned to tear the ligaments of the knee itself, which would mean a complete change in his career in the NBA. The beginning of the end began.
The star that could never be
What would have happened to Jabari Parker if not for his knee problems? We will never know, for that reason it is one of the great mysteries of the NBA this century.. The Bucks decided not to extend his contract in 2018and from there began his new life as a ‘globe’ in the league. Bulls, Wizards, Hawks, Kings y Celtics were the teams he represented until January 7, 2022, when the Massachusetts franchise he chose to cut him off.
What could have been a generational player, was simply a dream. Jabari was the perfect prototype of a scorer capable of leading a team until the last rounds of the playoffs, with mastery to score points and with some athletic skills that marry very well with the greats of today. Parker had nothing to envy Anthony Edwards, Tatum or Jaylen Brown, who dominate the current NBA and look to the future with shamelessness.
The 28-year-old, with a lot of basketball still on his hands, will try to relaunch his career in Europe, by the hand of a Barça that the figure of a leader needs after the march of Nikola Mirotic heading to Milan. If the injuries respect Jabari and he finds a quick place in the Euroliga, we can be before one of the most dominant forwards on the continent, capable of making a difference in moments of maximum importance. At the Palau Blaugrana they don’t expect less from him, and they are already rubbing their hands to see him on the field defending his colors.
2023-08-09 08:15:13
#Barcelona #Basketball #Jabari #Parker #talent #overshadowed #Giannis #Antetokounmpo
