Jabari Parker “More Comfortable” Playing The 4 For Milwaukee
The no. 2 overall draft pick in this year’s NBA Draft, Jabari Parker, will partake in his first NBA practice and training camp with the Milwaukee Bucks this Tuesday morning. The Bucks and new head coach Jason Kidd will have their media day on Monday.
As reported by Charles F. Gardner of the Bucks blog on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Parker was interviewed by Nancy Lieberman on Sirius XM Radio on Wednesday, where he was asked about his position preference between small and power forward:
As of right now I’m more comfortable with the 4 position. That’s where I played previously, before getting drafted, at Duke. I played a lot of 4. Even in high school. I know this is a different level.
It was Parker’s versatility that allowed him to play the primary four-spot last year. Opposing players at the position were hardly skilled or quick enough to guard him, and he made his offensive presence felt on all areas of the floor. He added,
But in coach’s style of play, it’s more a stretch 4. That’s where I like to play my game, even though I like to post up a little. Just being on the perimeter, setting screens and popping, that’s what we’ve been doing so far. That’s what coach Kidd has been anticipating me playing that role.
Parker is more than a good enough shooter to stand as a stretch 4, and upon his development he can create similar match up advantages for himself that he could in college. He’ll still be considered a hybrid forward with guard skills. Head coach Jason Kidd has plans for plenty of experimenting with the likes of Parker and also the “Greek freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo.
