In light of Jason Kidd being fired by the Milwaukee Bucks, forward Jabari Parker has come forward to deny reports about a bad relationship between himself and Kidd. From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal:
“With those reports, I take it that they are using me as a scapegoat,” Parker said at Menominee Nation Arena. “I’m not a threat right now, so they target me because I am an easy piece. With where my life is, I try to focus on myself. I have enough problems in trying to get back. That’s not me to put my energy to wish bad upon others.”
As far as his relationship with Kidd, Parker said the two talked every day, conversing “every time in the gym when I crossed paths with him.”
“He was my coach for four years and it’s always been a good relationship,” Parker said, mentioning that he was surprised to hear the news Monday. “Any coach in a head position, we’re going to have disagreements, but most importantly he helped me. That’s what I look at. I was saddened to hear the news because that’s the only guy I’ve known so far (as head coach). I reached out to him (Monday).”
Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports & Entertainment, Parker’s agent, said something similar, and added the following:
Were there times where there was frustration? Yeah. “But that goes on with every team in every locker room at all times. Jason was tremendously supportive of Jabari in getting healthy and his rehab and encouraging him. I know Jabari greatly appreciated that. There was no rift between Jabari and Jason that had anything to do with this decision. This was just a decision that the Bucks organization made for whatever reasons they made it. It had nothing to do with Jabari, I can tell you that.”
Sidelined with a torn ACL, Parker has yet to play this season.
Back in May, Parker said he was targeting a return around the All-Star break. All-Star Weekend is in less than a month. Parker seems to be in good shape to meet that timeline; he’s currently practicing with the Milwaukee Herd, G League affiliate of the Bucks.
in 51 games last season, Parker averaged 20.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
