Jabari Parker’s 2014-’15 rookie season with the Bucks didn’t go as planned, with the No. 2 pick unexpectedly tearing his ACL two months into the campaign, sidelining him for the rest of the season.
The following year, last season, was an opportunity for Parker to regain his footing at the pro level. Parker, a Duke product, appeared in 76 games with Milwaukee, averaging 14.1 points in 31.7 minutes per game.
With Jabari Parker now feeling both comfortable and healthy, this upcoming season is a big one for the 21-year-old.
“I feel like this is my year to really show what I can do and be a main guy on the team,” Parker said (via slamonline.com). “I want to be able to step up as a leader this year.”
Coming out of the draft, Parker was touted by many to eventually become one of the league’s top-10 players. With a bumpy start to his career in the rear view mirror, Parker now focuses on the overall agenda: Winning.
“I feel good. [This season] is really something I look forward to”, Parker continued. “I feel like the challenge itself is just the game-by-game process because it’s all about remaining consistent. That’s the challenge I want to take up—individually and for my team. Last year, we didn’t really get into a streak of winning games—so we have to take it game by game and just take advantage of the health I have now.”
Once the explosive 6’8″ Parker settled in, he was quite the force to be reckoned with. After the All-Star break, Parker averaged 18.9 points per game, getting it done on both ends of the floor.
Besides putting on a dunk show for his campers in Chicago, Parker has mostly spent this summer improving his jump shot, hoping to become a better three-point shooter this season.
With the Bucks sporting a young nucleus of Parker, Antetokounmpo, and Michael Carter-Williams, along with adding players such as Michael Beasley, Jason Terry, Matthew Dellavedova, and Mirza Teletovic, Milwaukee will not be taken lightly by its opponents this year.
Parker will have an expanded opportunity this season, as sharpshooter Khris Middleton will likely be sidelined until the All-Star break.
