“I just knew (Boston) was the right place to be. I knew that,” Parker said per MassLive. “This is a winning team and iron sharpens iron, so if anything, I’m going to get better here playing against the guys every day, being around true competitors, and obviously get a chance for me to learn. So this is just a great situation just because I’m just grateful for it and I’m counting my blessings.”

After collecting three DNP-CDs as the C’s started the season, Parker played a huge part in the Celtics’ overtime win over the Charlotte Hornets. He finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds in only 17 minutes of action. His contributions in the game was a reflection of what head coach Ime Udoka told him prior to the game: be ready.

“Coach told me before the game just to be prepared,” Parker said. “But like every other game, every game, especially—I’m always keeping the same mentality, just staying ready, because I enjoy the game of basketball. So I just do what I do.”

3 triples & this for Jabari Parker in Q1!

He’s 4-4…tie game entering Q2

: https://t.co/V0kkYEEIkG pic.twitter.com/T0WBUCBh0v

— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2021

The post Jabari Parker on Re-signing With Celtics: ‘I Knew It Was The Right Place To Be’ appeared first on SLAM.

While scoring has never been an issue for the 6-foot-8 forward, who has a career average of 14.8 points per game, it’s been his defense and ability to stay healthy that’s kept him off the floor. In fact, before being waived by the Sacramento Kings earlier this season, Parker only appeared in three total games all year. 

Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens sees Parker as a piece to slowly help the team now, but also in the future, as reported by Sean McGuire of NESN.

“This is, as you saw by the details that came out, is a plan beyond this year. We’re going to be patient in bringing him along. We’re looking mostly at him as a guy who can play some four for us but also some small-ball five in some lineups.”

This goes to show that Parker wasn’t signed to just help down the stretch this season, but also to he a valuable piece of their future. 

With the Celtics being Parker’s sixth team in as many seasons, there’s hope that he fits in with the culture of the franchise in Boston. Now that he’s got a deal that’s more than just a one-year contract, Parker should have time to slowly integrate with the team and define a role. 

In his first game with the Celtics, Parker produced 11 points and four rebounds in 16 minutes. Still just 26 years old, he can be a huge contributor in the right situation. 

The post Celtics View Jabari Parker As More Than A Short-Term Piece appeared first on SLAM.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Parker has to officially clear the NBA’s health and safety protocols before he can join the team. To clear a spot on the roster, the team will waive Moritz Wagner, who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Washington Wizards.

The Celtics’ projected plan for Parker is to battle for backup minutes behind Jayson Tatum with Semi Ojeleye and Grant Williams.

This is an intriguing signing for Boston. Parker has played only 41 games over the past two seasons—including three this season for the Sacramento Kings averaging 2.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in only nine minutes.

The Sacramento era was marred with two extended periods away from the team in the league’s health and safety protocols and a missed game for personal reasons. The Kings tried to move him at the trade deadline but could not find a deal. He was waived on March 25th.

The former lottery pick out of Duke has averaged 14.8 points and shot .493 percent from the field for his career, but he has had a journeyman’s career playing for four teams (Sacramento, Atlanta, Washington, and Chicago) in the last three years. A pair of ACL tears in his right knee early in his career, as well as his defensive performance and inconsistency on offense, have also contributed to his struggles.

The Boston Celtics are banking on Parker’s performances similar to his 32 games in Atlanta, where he averaged 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds—or like how he played during the 2016-17 season when he averaged 20.1 points on .490 percent shooting with 6.2 rebounds per game for the Bucks. 

The post Boston Celtics Sign Jabari Parker to Two Year Contract appeared first on SLAM.

Parker, the No. 2 pick in the 2014 Draft, has struggled to stay healthy throughout his NBA career. He played just 6 games in a Kings uniform last season as he worked his way back from a shoulder injury and testing positive for COVID-19.

Sacramento acquired Parker in the trade with the Hawks in February.

With Parker opting in to a manageable contract, the Kings could choose to keep the 25-year-old on the roster. But they could also trade Parker or waive him using the stretch provision.

The post Jabari Parker To Exercise $6.5M Player Option appeared first on SLAM.

Below is a complete account of confirmed cases where specific players have been reported to have tested positive for COVID-19. Additional instances where cases of the illness were reported can be found at the bottom of this post.

NBA Players Positive For Coronavirus

Additional Coronavirus Cases In NBA

Related: NBA players who have opted out of Disney World games

The post List of NBA Players to Test Positive for Coronavirus appeared first on SLAM.

Parker announced his own positive test earlier in the day.

While Parker has played just one game for the Kings since arriving in town at the trade deadline, Hield is a prominent part of the team’s starting lineup. The 27-year-old has averaged 19.8 points per game in 64 contests so far this season.

Related: Malcolm Brogdon tests positive for COVID-19

It’s unclear at this point if Hield is symptomatic. Parker stated in his announcement that he is progressing in his recovery and feeling well.

As the Kings gear up for the unique challenge of trying to claw their way into the Western Conference playoff picture when the league resumes at Disney World next month, they’ll be eager to get both players back to full strength.

The Kings, who added wing depth with the addition of Corey Brewer yesterday, sit 3.5 games behind the No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies.

The post Buddy Hield, Jabari Parker Test Positive For COVID-19 appeared first on SLAM.

Dedmon had been clamouring to exit Sacramento of late, unhappy with his role after signing a three-year, $40M contract.

The move gives the Kings a replacement big man on an expiring contract in Len and a productive former No. 2 pick that’s been playing well on a discount contract. The move gives the struggling team both financial flexibility and a lottery ticket on a post-hype sleeper.

Parker looked productive during a brief run earlier this season when he was filling the shoes of suspended big man John Collins. On the year, the 24-year-old has averaged 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

Of course the biggest knock on Parker isn’t his ability to fill the stat sheet but his durability. Parker thrived over the course of his rookie contract when he was on the court and in game-shape but dealt with a series of knee injuries that derailed his performance.

This year Parker has already missed 20 games and is expected to be out at least another week with a shoulder ailment.

Also involved in the trade are a pair of second-round picks on their way to Atlanta, Houston’s 2020 second and Miami’s 2021 second.

While the Hawks may be happy to see a familiar face, the Dedmon that they’re acquiring isn’t necessarily the same one that they employed from 2017 to 2019. The 30-year-old stretch big has shot just .197 from beyond the arc, with a sub-.500 true shooting percentage.

The move frees up a roster spot for the Hawks (that they just recently filled after participating in a four-team trade earlier today) and it makes the Kings out at 15.

The post Kings To Acquire Jabari Parker, Alex Len In Trade appeared first on SLAM.

Parker had struggled with what was described as a shoulder impingement over the course of the past few weeks and had only seen time in one contest since Dec. 23.

Parker has enjoyed a solid 2019-20 campaign with the Hawks and filled in capably for the franchise when starting big man John Collins was suspended for 25 games early in the season.

In 32 contests this year, the 24-year-old Parker has averaged 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, the former of which is the second-highest of his career.

The post Jabari Parker Out Two Weeks With Shoulder Injury appeared first on SLAM.

Parker was dealt from Chicago to Washington at the trade deadline in a deal that sent Otto Porter Jr. to the Bulls. The move gave the Wizards some much needed flexibility to duck under the salary cap and, by turning down Parker’s team option, they’ll do just that.

According to Haynes, both sides remain interested in a new deal. The two parties could explore a contract with a lower annual cap hit but, perhaps, a longer term.

Parker put together a solid 2018-19 campaign, one you could argue was his second best as a pro, despite splitting it between two different squads. The 24-year-old forward played in 64 games and averaged 14.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

The Wizards currently have $90 million in guaranteed deals lined up for next season but have plenty of roster spots to fill before the end of the offseason. The decision to flush Parker’s $20 million team will give them an opportunity to do so without creeping back into luxury tax territory.

The post Wizards To Decline Jabari Parker’s 2019-20 Team Option appeared first on SLAM.

Parker says he kept his end of the bargain, and he’s saddened by the way things turned out after inking a two-year, $40 million deal last summer.

A reflective Jabari Parker opens up about his Bulls' demotion, via @KCJHoop https://t.co/aAfAwNCS7M pic.twitter.com/M9KjsXmVWY

— Chicago Sports (@ChicagoSports) December 29, 2018

Jabari simply wants to play “meaningful minutes” for his next team.

Per the Chicago Tribune:

“I will never point the finger. That’s not me. That’s not my career. That’s not Jabari,” Parker told the Tribune. “My Dad taught me better than that. I’m a God-fearing man. I would never bash somebody. I’ll tell you what I think is the truth. But making it personal and telling lies is not me and will never be me.”

Parker hasn’t played for [eight] straight games, a shocking and well-documented demotion for the Bulls’ premier free-agent signing. This obviously isn’t how Parker envisioned his homecoming playing out when the former Simeon High star signed a two-year, $40 million deal with a team option that won’t be picked up.

“It definitely isn’t. And I’m sad to say that,” Parker said. “I kept my end of the bargain.”

League sources indicated that teams interested in Parker are asking the Bulls to take on bad, long-term contracts. As of now, that’s a non-starter for the Bulls, who structured Parker’s deal the way they did for a reason.

“Honestly, I just want to play,” he said. “I’ve stayed ready. I want to play meaningful minutes — not 4 minutes and nothing for the rest of the game. I just have to wait for that chance and opportunity. There’s a bigger picture here, so I’m staying prepared and patient.”

Related
Report: Bulls Engaged in Trade Talks on Jabari Parker

The post ‘I Kept My End of the Bargain’: Jabari Parker Laments Bulls Tenure appeared first on SLAM.

According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Utah Jazz are one of the organizations that has expressed interest:

The Utah Jazz are one of the teams interested in Parker, according to multiple league sources. Derrick Favors is an awkward fit next to center Rudy Gobert, and his $16.9 million on the books for next season is non-guaranteed, meaning he could be one of the pieces involved. Favors can’t be traded until January 15, so Chicago would have to wait. Would it be worth it? The Bulls are loaded with young bigs, so it’s hard to see them taking back Favors unless additional assets are included. Utah has all of its future picks, except for a 2020 second-rounder going to the Cavaliers, and has two other seconds incoming.

Parker, the former No. 2 overall pick back in 2014, has averaged 15.2 points and 6.9 rebounds through 29 games. He’s being paid $20 million this season and has a non-guaranteed deal for another $20 million next year.

The Jazz are currently the 13th seed in the West with a 14-16 record.

RELATED
Report: Bulls Engaged in Trade Talks on Jabari Parker

The post Report: Utah Jazz Interested in Jabari Parker appeared first on SLAM.

Bulls have engaged in talks with several teams regarding Jabari Parker, per sources. There’s considerable interest in Parker the player. Finding right fit financially is next.

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) December 14, 2018

The return of Lauri Markkanen and Bobby Portis has created a log jam at the power forward position, and Parker appears to be the odd man out.

When Parker signed a two-year, $40 million deal this summer, he proclaimed that teams “don’t pay players to play defense.”

Issue is, they might not play you.

RELATED:
Jabari Parker: ‘They Don’t Pay Players to Play Defense’

The post Report: Bulls Engaged in Trade Talks on Jabari Parker appeared first on SLAM.

Jim Boylen, who recently replaced Fred Hoiberg as Chicago’s head coach, had only positive words to describe the one-on-one meeting he had with Parker upon his hiring.

“Jabari has been great,” Boylen said. “He understands. Jabari wants to make it about helping the team win. And that’s what I’ve asked him to do.”

Parker had started in 17 of his 28 games this season. If he remains out of the rotation, it’s likely that Bulls will look to find a new home for Parker via trade or buyout — Parker signed a 2-year, $40 million deal last summer, but the second year of that contract is a team option.

Before going to the bench, Parker was averaging 15.8 points, 7.1 boards and 2.3 dimes per contest.

RELATED: Jabari Parker says ‘They Don’t Pay Players to Play Defense’

The post Report: Jabari Parker Being Dropped from Bulls’ Rotation appeared first on SLAM.

Parker, however, allowed that he must “change with the times.”

One day after declining to address reporters about his demotion, Jabari Parker said coming off the bench would be "a huge adjustment." https://t.co/cD1DiqFmtL via @KCJHoop pic.twitter.com/8q1qrD8X4Z

— ChicagoSports (@ChicagoSports) October 11, 2018

The 23-year-old forward inked a two-year, $40 million deal with his hometown Bulls this summer.

Per the Chicago Tribune:

“It would be a huge adjustment for me,” Parker said of a reserve role. “But I just have to change with the times.”

[Coach Fred] Hoiberg wouldn’t confirm his starting lineup for Friday’s preseason finale against the Nuggets. But Parker began Thursday’s closed practice with the second group. And Hoiberg praised how both the first and second units performed in Wednesday’s preseason victory over the Pacers.

“I loved our energy and how we came out of the gate,” Hoiberg said. “We got off to a great start in the first quarter. We came out with a very good defensive mentality. And that translated to good offense.

“With the second unit — and I talked to Jabari about this — we used him in more of a facilitating role and put the ball in his hands as really kind of a point forward. I liked the look of it. We’ll continue to evaluate. But I did like the look of both groups.”

Related
Jabari Parker: ‘They Don’t Pay Players to Play Defense’

The post Jabari Parker: Bench Role ‘Would Be a Huge Adjustment’ appeared first on SLAM.

Parker will instead focus on what he does best in Chicago: getting buckets.

“I just stick to my strengths. Look at everybody in the league. They don’t pay players to play defense. There’s only two people historically that play defense. I’m not going to say I won’t, but to say that’s a weakness is like saying that’s everybody’s weakness. Because I’ve scored 30 and 20 on a lot of guys that say they play defense.

“If you know the game, you also know that everyone’s a pro, right? And you know that certain guys have an average. No matter what you do, they still get that average. They pay people to score the ball, and I would hope that somebody scores the ball on me if they pay them that much. So, I’m not saying that to cop out or nothing. It’s the NBA. We’re professionals. Everybody scores. It’s just about limiting them as much as you can, trying to contain them.”

Parker, 23, inked a two-year, $40 million deal with his hometown squad.

Back home and on a #Bulls team counting on him to step up, Jabari Parker is smiling once againhttps://t.co/3XxSUmfp6g via @CodyWesterlund pic.twitter.com/onGBSEUC6s

— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) July 19, 2018

Per 670 The Score:

“I felt like I wanted to a Chicago Bull as soon as they showed interest,” Parker said. “Because it’s always been a dream to me, especially to come back home.”

If the year-long experiment works, they can exercise the team option for $20 million or decline it and sign him to a new deal if Parker seeks longer-term security. In that latter case, the new deal could be for up to four years. If this doesn’t work out, Chicago can let him walk next summer and be a major player in free agency with ample cap space in July 2019.

“I don’t look at is as a lot of pressure,” Parker said of returning to his hometown. “I’m just looking forward to building new memories, especially with the young core that we have.”

The post Jabari Parker: ‘They Don’t Pay Players to Play Defense’ appeared first on SLAM.

In a story by ESPN’s Nick Friedell, Parker said Rose could retire from basketball now and still be a “legend.”

“He’s still a hero for a lot of people, including myself.”

“And his legacy is gonna be, it’s going to be with the tops and historically with the best no matter what. […]

“We embrace Derrick so much no matter what he does; he can stop playing now. He’s going to be a legend.” […]

“I always remember the good times. [Rose is] an MVP. Not many people can say they’re MVP of the league, and that’s all I remember is how he carried the city, who he was to us growing up, and that’s just going to be my hero.”

Derrick Rose is “still a hero” to Jabari Parker. As Parker embarks on his own homecoming with the Bulls, will he be able to find the joy at the end of his Chicago tenure that eluded both Rose and Dwyane Wade in recent years? https://t.co/K82Slayrjq

— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) July 16, 2018

RELATED:
Report: Jabari Parker Returning Home on $40M Deal with the Chicago Bulls

The post Jabari Parker: Derrick Rose Still ‘My Hero’ 🌹 appeared first on SLAM.

Free agent forward Jabari Parker has agreed to a two-year, $40M deal with the Chicago Bulls, league sources tell ESPN. Milwaukee rescinded Parker's qualifying offer moments ago, making him unrestricted.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 14, 2018

Parker entered July as a restricted free agent; however, the Milwaukee Bucks rescinded his qualifying offer, clearing the path for him to become an unrestricted free agent.

Parker, the No. 2 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, scored 12.6 points per game in 31 contests last season after returning from an ACL tear. The 2013 SLAM All-American is widely considered the be the most illustrious player in Chicago high school basketball history.

RELATED: 2018 NBA Free Agency Tracker

The post Report: Jabari Parker Returning Home on $40M Deal with the Chicago Bulls appeared first on SLAM.

Rumor has it that some in Milwaukee believe Parker is envious of superstar teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Worth noting that multiple coaches have told me the #Bucks are frustrated w/Jabari Parker’s immaturity around a perceived lack of touches. More importantly, they believe that Giannis’ rise has prompted Parker to develop an unhealthy dose of jealousy toward Giannis. https://t.co/cJZS8p8VMT

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 18, 2018

Jabari has scored a total of two points through the first two games of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics—both losses—and Milwaukee faces a must-win Game 3 at home tonight.

Per the Journal Sentinel:

One particular player whose intensity level has been in question after the first two games is Bucks forward Jabari Parker. Parker played in 31 regular-season games after returning from a torn left ACL, putting up solid numbers over the final six games to nearly average a double-double in April (19.5 points and 8.2 rebounds in 31.2 minutes).

“For myself, I just try to be a good teammate,” Parker said. “I’m not getting what I want right now but there’s a bigger picture. I think I did a better job the second game. Just to touch and harp on the first game, like, I’m human, right? I deserved to be out there, I earned it. Six games (to close the season) and to see that, like, I’m not going to handle it well.

“I have feelings. I’ve been waiting two years. I’ve been waiting all that time and to see myself get cut short — no one’s going to handle that the right way. I just felt like I was cut short, I wasn’t supported and I’m not going to react the right way. I’m human, I was wrong. But going forward, I’ll just try to be a better person, a better man and be there for my teammates.”

The post Report: Bucks ‘Frustrated With Jabari Parker’s Immaturity’ appeared first on SLAM.

Jabari Parker was very animated talking about his frustration right now with limited minutes. He mentioned the only way to see the floor more was to be on the “coach’s good side”. When asked if he was on Prunty’s good side, he smirked and said “I don’t think so.” #Bucks

— Stephen Watson (@WISN_Watson) April 19, 2018

Parker on limited playing time:

“I am human. I have a right to be frustrated. I’ve waited two years for this.”

— Stephen Watson (@WISN_Watson) April 19, 2018

Through Milwaukee’s first two playoff games (both losses), Parker has averaged 1 point in 12.5 minutes. He will hit restricted free agency this summer, and has expressed uncertainty about his future with the Bucks.

Game 3 against the Celtics is set for 9:30pm ET Friday at the Bradley Center.

RELATED
Report: Jabari Parker Was ‘Very, Very Close To Being Traded’

The post Jabari Parker Frustrated With Lack Of Playing Time appeared first on SLAM.

The 23-year-old forward, who recently returned from his second ACL tear, will hit restricted free agency this summer and does not sound that optimistic about remaining in Milwaukee, via the Washington Post‘s Tim Bontemps:

“Honestly, it’s uncertain,” Parker said after a recent practice, in regards to his future in Milwaukee and his restricted free agency this summer. “I know that, just looking from afar, [the Bucks] will be fine. But I just have to see what’s going to happen with my future, and that’s uncertain. But I know for them, they’ll be fine regardless. They’ve been doing well.”

“You just have to be prepared [for negotiations],” he said. “Prepare for the worst. Anything can happen. I’ve seen it happen a lot of times. So I just would like to keep that mentality because you never want to be comfortable in this business.”

Through 26 games, Parker has averaged 11.9 points and 4.3 rebounds in 23 minutes.

RELATED
Report: Jabari Parker Was ‘Very, Very Close To Being Traded’

The post Jabari Parker On Future With Bucks: ‘Honestly, It’s Uncertain’ appeared first on SLAM.

According to the Racine Journal‘s Gery Woelfel, the chances of Parker returning to Milwaukee next season are “slim to none” (H/T Paul Henning).

Take it for what it is. But, @GeryWoelfel is close to Jabari and the Parker family. This morning @1057FMTheFan he reports Jabari was "very, very close to being traded" at deadline, feels there is "slim to none" chances that Jabari is on Bucks next season. https://t.co/W4tmqz8hzf

— Paul Henning (@brewcitypaul) March 20, 2018

RELATED:
Report: Jason Kidd ‘Tried to Trade’ Jabari Parker

The post Report: Jabari Parker Was ‘Very, Very Close To Being Traded’ appeared first on SLAM.

In OKC, the Thunder’s play may have been disappointing in the team’s loss to the Lakers, but their kicks certainly didn’t disappoint. Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony both donned the “BHM” versions of their signature models, the Jordan Why Not Zer0.1 and the Melo 1.5 Retro, while Paul George wore a grey and yellow colorway of his Nike PG2.

Out in Brooklyn, we got a glimpse of Jabari Parker’s PE Jordan Super.Fly 2017 and Giannis Antetokounmpo continued to do his thing in his cream-based Nike Kobe A.D. Mid. C.J. Miles wore a pair of popular retros as he took the floor in the “Bred” Air Jordan XIIIs.

Peep the full gallery below.

Photos via Getty Images

The post NBA Kicks of the Night appeared first on SLAM.

Parker, 22, made the announcement himself last night during Milwaukee’s 107-95 win against the Philadelphia Sixers.

Jabari Parker announces he will return to game action Friday against the New York Knicks!! #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/AGUHIA7OFE

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 30, 2018

The Bucks’ training staff is confident Jabari—who tore the ACL in his left knee on Feb. 8, 2017—will quickly round into game shape.

Per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

“He progressed really quickly in the early phases of his rehab, which is really nice,” Bucks director of performance Troy Flanagan told the Journal Sentinel. “In the first ACL rehab, he had a fair bit of patellar tendinitis which slowed the whole thing down a little bit even though he did come back reasonably early. We saw a great progression early in this rehab that allowed us to really capitalize on his fitness.

 

“He’s faster than he’s ever been, he’s stronger than he’s ever been and he’s leaner than he’s ever been. I’m really happy with how he’s come back and his fitness levels. He’ll still need a little bit more game fitness, but we spent the past six weeks trying to give him as much game play as we possibly could. He’ll progress up in minutes fairly quickly.”

 

Parker’s teammates are thrilled to have him back.

 

“I’m really excited,” Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “I know the fans are really excited about that, too. He’s been through this twice in his career and just seeing him every day for the past year working hard and being focused toward his return I think it’s big for him and we’ve all got to embrace the moment. I know he’s really excited. I think when he comes back he’s going to take this team to the next level.”

Related
Jabari Parker Reportedly Seeking Max Deal

The post Jabari Parker to Make Season-Debut Friday appeared first on SLAM.

The relationship reportedly became toxic.

Kidd didn't do himself any favors: https://t.co/XbEmIjptw9

— Gery Woelfel (@GeryWoelfel) January 24, 2018

Giannis Antetokounmpo was devastated by the firing, and credited Kidd with helping him become a dominant NBA force.

Per the Racine Journal Times:

One former Bucks player told me Kidd was “really tough on Jabari when I was there and he shouldn’t have been. He had no reason to do that. Jabari is a good kid.” And another former Bucks player claimed Kidd threw Parker under the bus when, after Parker had talked publicly in general and non-critical terms about a team meeting, Kidd disciplined him by not starting him the next game. Kidd told reporters his decision came after the players voted on the matter.
 

When I asked a Bucks player a short time after the incident if he voted to have Parker sit at the start of the game, he replied, “What vote?” When I asked another player about the so-called vote, he replied, “Well … it must be true. It was in the paper and whatever you read in the paper is right.” He then started laughing. That incident, several people close to the Bucks said drove a Texas-size wedge between Parker and Kidd.

 

But don’t believe for a second Kidd had issues solely with Parker, whom sources said he tried to trade even before Parker suffered the first of his two ACL tears. Kidd also butted heads with other players, including [Greg] Monroe.

Related
Giannis Antetokounmpo Offered to Save Jason Kidd’s Job

The post Report: Jason Kidd ‘Tried to Trade’ Jabari Parker appeared first on SLAM.

Jabari Parker makes strides in recovery from knee injury. https://t.co/fSkISfd4rs pic.twitter.com/wUTPqv0iuU

— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) December 20, 2017

Parker practiced for the second time with Milwaukee’s G League squad Tuesday.

The 22-year-old averaged 20.1 points in 51 games last season before getting hurt.

Per the AP:

“Basketball is my sanctuary,” Parker said following a scrimmage at the Bucks’ practice facility. “I love that I’m getting the chance to play on the court again. That’s one blessing that I won’t take for granted.”

 

Parker expects to practice with the Herd again, possibly at the team’s facility in Oshkosh, about 90 miles northwest of Milwaukee. He is hoping to be ready for game action with the Bucks sometime in February.

 

“I’m at the end of the tunnel,” Parker said. “I’m seeing the light and it’s really nice.”

Related
Jabari Parker Says He’ll Come Back as a Better Player

The post Jabari Parker Targeting February Return appeared first on SLAM.

Bucks young star Jabari Parker looking for top-dollar contract extension: https://t.co/VROeqhU0Ov

— Gery Woelfel (@GeryWoelfel) September 8, 2017

Parker, whose name has appeared in trade rumors this summer, put up averages of 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists while shooting 49 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point land before tearing his ACL in mid-February.

October 16 is the deadline for rookie scale contract extensions, and the Milwaukee Bucks are on the clock.

Per the Racine Journal Times:

If the Bucks had a better record at the time, most observers believe the 6-foot-8 Parker – the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft – would have joined his teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo at the All-Star Game in New Orleans.

 

But Parker’s stellar season was prematurely cut short at 51 games when he tore the left anterior cruciate ligament for the second time in his young career.

 

Since then Parker has been diligently rehabbing and, by all accounts, is on target to returning to action this season, quite possibly in February. Parker and the Bucks have publicly expressed confidence he’ll return to old form and be as good, or even better, than he was prior to the second injury setback.

 

With salaries having skyrocketed over the summer, thanks in large measure to an extremely lucrative television contract, multiple sources claim Parker will be seeking a contract similar to the one he expected to receive prior to his latest injury – a max contract of five years for anywhere between $146 million (25 percent of the salary cap) to $175M (30 percent of the cap).

Related
Jabari Parker Says He’ll Come Back as a Better Player

The post Jabari Parker Reportedly Seeking Max Deal appeared first on SLAM.

The Bucks were reportedly approached to facilitate a trade, but ultimately, nothing progressed.

One name that came up in those (very) preliminary talks? Bucks forward Jabari Parker, per league sources.

 

It’s unclear which side — the Knicks or Bucks — brought up Parker’s name. What is clear is that Parker would have been part of an outgoing package that included a larger Bucks contract, such as John Henson’s or Greg Monroe’s.

 

If that deal had come to fruition, the Knicks would have received the type of return they’d long hoped for in an Anthony trade: a young player on a below-market contract in Parker.

RELATED:
Report: Carmelo Anthony Trade Talks ‘Fairly Dormant’ Between Knicks, Rockets

The post Report: Jabari Parker Discussed in Potential Carmelo-Rockets Trade Talks appeared first on SLAM.

Evan Fournier was also there, hooping with defending champions Yard-La Relève from France.

“Pari,” Jordan Brand says, “has a unique connection with Jordan Brand, evidenced by Michael Jordan’s visit to the city around the release of his first signature shoe in 1985, the opening of the Jordan Legacy Court in 2015 and the 2016 launch of Jordan Bastille, a pinnacle retail experience that celebrates the performance, style and soul of the brand and the first Jordan Brand store in Europe.”

Scroll through the gallery above to see how the weekend went down and the sneaker heat.

Photos courtesy of Nike

The post Jabari Parker, Kemba Walker and Victor Oladipo Visit the World Streetball Championship in Paris appeared first on SLAM.

And while it’s unfortunate that he went down with another ACL injury in the middle of his best season (20 points and 6 rebounds per game), we have no doubt that he’ll return next year with an evolved game and even more sneaker heat. Happy birthday, ‘Bari.

Related
Everything I Am: Jabari Parker Will Always Keep the Chi in His Heart

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Parker, 21, suffered his second season-ending knee injury last month.

Bucks' Jabari Parker will go through grind of ACL recovery again and believes he can be even better. https://t.co/eclLoiHkjO

— cfgardner (@cf_gardner) March 9, 2017

Jabari recovered strongly from a devastating injury in his rookie season, playing in 76 games in 2015-’16 and in 51 games this season.

Per the Journal Sentinel:

“Attitude is longitude,” Parker said. “That’s for everybody in life. If you think a certain way, you’re going to be down. But if you are seeing it that the glass is halfway full, things are going to work out.”

 

“It’s going to be fun, to tell you the truth,” Parker said of his recovery program. “I love challenges. I love being in the position I am. I didn’t really feel like talking, but I feel like God has given me this for a reason because he knows I can handle it. So I take that burden, because I know a lot of people can’t go through this.”

 

“I don’t want to be the same player,” Parker said. “I wouldn’t be myself if I don’t challenge myself to do better things, bigger things. I know I can be better.”

The post Jabari Parker Says He’ll Come Back as a Better Player appeared first on SLAM.

Jabari Parker underwent successful surgery today to repair his left ACL injury. #OwnTheFuturehttps://t.co/KRyznfc0qW

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 14, 2017

Parker, 21, tore his ACL last week. He’s expected to be out of action for a year.

From the press release:

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond announced that forward Jabari Parker underwent successful surgery today to repair his left ACL injury. The surgery was performed at The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo., by Dr. Robert LaPrade.

 

Parker will miss the remainder of the season with the recovery and rehabilitation period estimated at 12 months. A timeline for his return to basketball activity will be established at a later date. Parker suffered the injury in the third quarter of Milwaukee’s game vs. Miami on Feb. 8.

The post Jabari Parker Undergoes Season-Ending Knee Surgery appeared first on SLAM.

More from NBA.com:

Bucks forward Jabari Parker suffered a left knee injury during the third quarter of last night’s game vs. Miami at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. This morning, Parker underwent an MRI that revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. Parker will undergo surgery to repair the injury and will miss the remainder of the 2016-17 season. The recovery and rehabilitation period is estimated at 12 months.

Original Story: Jabari Parker went down Wednesday night with a scary-looking left knee injury.

Bucks’ Jabari Parker helped off the floor after going down with non-contact knee injury pic.twitter.com/HEoDcpN3p7

— AZ Finest Mixtape (@AzFinestMixtape) February 9, 2017

It’s the same knee that required surgery during his rookie season when he suffered a torn ACL.

An MRI is scheduled today to determine the severity of the injury.

Per the Journal Sentinel:

Asked about Parker’s injury, (Bucks general manager John) Hammond said, “To this point, our doctors are calling it a knee sprain. We’re going to have an MRI (Thursday).”

 

Bucks center John Henson said, “I’m very concerned, man. Jabari, just to see him go down with an injury, it sucks. We hope it’s just a sprain. That’s what we’re all praying for. When it rains, it pours, man. We’ve got to fight our way out of this.”

 

Henson and other Bucks players ran out on the court after Parker was injured, and Henson and Michael Beasley helped him get off the floor. […] “He was yelling the whole time, ‘I just hyperextended it. It’s cool. I’m good.’ Hopefully, that’s what the case is,” Henson said.

The post Jabari Parker Re-Injures Left Knee appeared first on SLAM.

According to the report, Milwaukee held a team meeting following their loss to Orlando on Friday. Parker allegedly spoke up and voiced his frustration about the team’s “lack of togetherness.” Parker said that he was “getting thrashed” during the team meeting:

“I spoke up for the first time, and it didn’t go my way,” Parker said to the media. “I was getting thrashed, but hey, as long as I give them another perspective, I did my job.”

The Bucks face the Rockets on Monday.

Related
Jabari Parker Dunks on the Wizards

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In the video above, he gives more proof that he’s one of the League’s most dynamically versatile players with his quick crossover and finish.

The post Jabari Parker Crosses Otto Porter appeared first on SLAM.

Either way, the certified athletic freak took to the sky against the Hawks tonight for a huge one-handed dunk. Watch the video up top.

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He has a dad hat with a washed cotton and the iconic deer head logo and brass enclosure. His second hat has a metallic gold braided rope and screen printed throwback Bucks logo paying tribute to the past.

Both of these are available to purchase now, for $40 each.

Related
Steve Novak Designs Two New Era Hats

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The high-flying Parker was back at it on Thursday night. After getting the outlet pass, Parker got past the Heat’s Josh Richardson with a quick behind the back move. Check out the video above.

The post Jabari Parker Goes Behind the Back for the Dunk appeared first on SLAM.

Things definitely got a little bit dusty during Dwyane Wade’s first game against the Heat. The franchise he spent 13 years with made a touching video tribute for D-Wade, who said it was “the weirdest game I’ve ever played in.”

https://twitter.com/SLAMonline/status/796887636308852737

Hassan Whiteside recorded his third 20-20 game, the most in Heat-history and Justise Winslow had his fingerprints all over the game with 15 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Jimmy Butler led the Bulls with 20, but was helped by a total team effort. Robin Lopez and Rajon Rondo each scored 16 points, and Doug McDermott and Wade contributed 13 a piece.

Pelicans 112 (1-8), Bucks 106 (4-4)

The Pelicans finally got their first win of the season behind 32 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks from Anthony Davis. Davis had to fend off a big night from Jabari Parker and his season-high 33 points. Tim Frazier had a strong game for the Pels, with 15 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds. By the way, Jabari has been flying lately.

Jabari! Now that's an alley-oop! https://t.co/zQJUV9VD44

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) November 11, 2016

Warriors 125 (7-2), Nuggets 101 (2-5)

Stephen Curry continued his hot start streak. After scorching the Pels for 46 in his last game, the Chef cooked up a 33 point effort. He and the Warriors were on the lookout for highlights. They filled the stat sheet up. Along with Curry’s 33, Klay Thompson had 19, Kevin Durant had 18 and Draymond Green had 13, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. The Dubs had 15 steals and 33 assists on 46 field goals. Rookies Jamal Murray and Malik Beasley led the Nuggets in scoring, registering 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Welcome to the NBA, Jamal Murray. https://t.co/zH25paEgsg

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) November 11, 2016

Lakers 101 (5-4), Kings 91 (4-6)

The Lakers made their run in the third quarter. Larry Nance Jr.’s energy and versatility was one of the driving forces in the purple and gold erasing a 19-point deficit. Then Lou Williams and Nick Young stepped up in the fourth to put the Kings away for good.

DeMarcus Cousins started off hot, but the Lakers repeatedly doubled him late in the game, playing him as physical as the refs would allow. He had 28 points and 9 ‘bounds, but as usual didn’t get much help.

The Lakers, meanwhile, continue to play as a team. With Timofey Mozgov controlling the paint, Julius Randle and Nance Jr. wreaking havoc, and D’Angelo Russell getting buckets, this was their fourth win out of their last five games. Luke Walton’s making a bid for Coach of the Month.

https://youtu.be/jvc1mOcNoQ4

—

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

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Check out what Jabari Parker, Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Joel Embiid, Jeremy Lin and more had to say about the 2016 Election above.

Related:
What Now? — How will NBA players respond to the end of Barack Obama’s presidency?

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Even through some of the most unforgiving pockets of Chicago, a consistent escape from the uncertainty of everyday life has been, and always will be, basketball. While the scars and scrapes attained from on-court battles give insight into the fearlessness needed to establish a rep, they often mask the internal wounds afflicted by life in a concrete jungle. On Chi-City courts, such as in life, nothing and no bucket is given. Everything is earned.

Defy City and Jabari Parker provides first-hand accounts into stories both told and untold from some of the most recognizable names in Chicago’s basketball community. It’s through these narratives that the historical and cultural impact of the game on the city is defined and its importance bared.

The post Jordan ‘Defy City’ Ft. Jabari Parker appeared first on SLAM.

In the team’s 125-107 win, Giannis went for 27 points, 9 dimes and 7 boards, while Jabari dropped 27 to go along with 8 boards and 3 assists.

“You could see right off the bat they were ready,” Kidd said after the game. “They took good shots. They shared the ball. If they had an open shot, they took it. If not, they got off of it. They made good, quick decisions. When you do that, you’re going to score a lot of points.”

The Pacers currently sit at 2-3 and Paul George is starting to feel the frustration of a slow start:

“I’m real frustrated,” he said. “I know how good we could be. I know how good we were. We’re nowhere close to it. It’s embarrassing the way we’re playing and we look on the floor right now.”

The Bucks are 3-2 and face the Kings tomorrow in Milwaukee.

Related
Jason Kidd Bought a World Series Ticket For a Lifelong Cubs Fan
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker Dunk All Over the Pacers

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The Bucks are using #OwnTheFuture as their hashtag this season. They might be on to something. The proof’s up top.

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker Dunk All Over the Pacers appeared first on SLAM.

Check out the 20 best jams from yesterday’s games above.

Related
Kyrie Irving and James Harden Square Off in Cleveland
WATCH: Stephen Curry Scores 23 in the Third Quarter

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Parker finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds in 34 minutes of action.

Prior to the game, the Bucks exercised the fourth-year option on the 21-year-old’s rookie deal.

Per the Journal Sentinel:

The 21-year-old Parker was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 draft and will be owed about $6.8 million in the fourth year of the deal. He will make about $5.4 million this season.

 

The Chicago native will be eligible for a contract extension prior to the 2017-’18 season, just as teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo was this fall. Antetokounmpo signed a four-year, $100 million deal.

 

Parker is leading the Bucks in scoring in the preseason while averaging 16.8 points. He came back from knee surgery last season and played in 76 games, including 72 starts. He averaged 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 49.3% from the field.

The post WATCH: Jabari Parker Crushes Monster Dunk on Myles Turner appeared first on SLAM.

Parker looked explosive as he dropped 21 on the Mavs. Check out the dunk above and his full highlights below:

Related
Everything I Am — Jabari Parker Feature From SLAM 202
Jabari Parker to Colin Kaepernick: ‘I Got Your Back Homie’
WATCH: Jabari Parker With Consecutive Poster Dunks at Chi League Classic

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This kid, though, is busy gasping as he looks up toward the balcony above the living room, eventually commenting on its impressive size. “Yeah, I want to live here!” responds another grinning youngster.

An older gentleman sitting on a couch smiles and nods softly. “Yeah, but you know what? It’s the people inside the house that matters—that’s what makes the home,” he tells them.

This house is big. About 5,000 square feet. And the outrageous ceiling height here in the living room makes it look even more spacious than it already is. We’re in Grafton, an affluent suburb north of Milwaukee. Bucks forward Jabari Parker bought this house for his parents after becoming the No. 2 pick in the 2014 Draft.

The kids? They’re just two of the eight campers who stopped by the house with their guardians after the culmination of Parker’s two-day summer basketball camp. They’re here for a family meal put together by the former Duke star’s parents. And the man offering those words of wisdom? That’s Parker’s father, Sonny, a fomer NBAer who played six years with the Warriors from 1976-1982.

The scene at the Parkers’ home on this Friday in August is just another reflection of what the camp aims to enforce. Dubbed the “Family Jabari Parker Camp” instead of the more grammatically correct “Jabari Parker Family Camp,” the emphasis was on the importance of placing family first—by doing so literally in the camp’s title.

Family, that is, beyond the blood definition. Old friends from back in Chicago and staffers from the Sonny Parker Youth Foundation are among those breaking bread with Jabari and company on this particular day.

At a time in American history when racial tension dominates the news, the camp decided to strategically choose its participants. Three buses brought kids up from the Boys & Girls Club in inner-city Milwaukee. Joining them were kids from the suburbs of Grafton. And a handful more came up from Chicago—just a two-hour drive up I-94.

“It’s really important that we integrate these kids, because without us trying to force it, they’re pretty much not going to ever get that whole experience,” says Jabari of his camp, which hosted 190 kids that week across two sessions. “It’s key that they get out of their neighborhoods and see a new environment because a lot of those kids, they just stay in their neighborhood for the summer.”

The camp actually took place less than a week after Milwaukee became the center of national news when riots broke out in the city following the fatal police shooting of an African-American man, 23-year-old Sylville Smith.

Gun violence, both from police shootings and within inner-city communities, was a topic Jabari openly discussed over the summer. A week after his camp, he appeared in an ESPN town hall discussion (and a First Take appearance) that focused on athlete activism, racial profiling and gun violence. The next day he hosted a “Pick Up for Peace” exhibition game in Chicago to advocate for peace in a city that’s riddled with violence, especially in the summer.

To a certain extent, Parker seems the voice most equipped for such matters. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago—often referred to as the murder capital of America, and sometimes as “Chiraq”—and now plays ball in Milwaukee, known as one of the most segregated cities in America. At 21, he’s already lived and experienced the cities that represent arguably the two biggest social issues in the country.

The free camp, which included lunches and some Jordan Brand/Bucks giveaways, was the second one Jabari hosted within a three-week period after holding one in Chicago earlier in the month. While hoops is what brought everyone together, it was the message of inclusion and understanding that he really hoped everyone would take away from it.

“What I told them is really to find these relationships and cherish them, because we have more similarities as humans that we don’t even think about,” says the third-year Buck. “But today they see the color of your skin and so they already portray each other as different. I wanted them to know that it doesn’t matter where you come from—you’re the same. It’s all about the enjoyment and excitement we bring together in life. To build these skills are important for kids this early.”

Experiencing the dire social issues first-hand in cities like Chicago and Milwaukee is only a fraction of what has driven Jabari to engage in the community so actively. He watched his father run the aforementioned Sonny Parker Youth Foundation in Chicago, a program that utilizes basketball to also provide life skills development and educational resources for kids and which is now in its 26th year.

“I wanted to make sure my kids felt the things I felt growing up, so they can get a feel for how it is,” says Sonny, a Chi-Town native himself, of raising his family on the South Side after his NBA career ended. “I didn’t want to overprotect my kids. I wanted to give them the sense of where I’m from. That’s why we stayed.”

So the baton and family legacy of community outreach has now simply been passed to the next generation. And with Milwaukee and Chicago just a couple of hours away by car, the Parkers don’t foresee any changes in their devotion to the Windy City.

“We still have our home there, we still continue to do our programs in the city,” says Jabari’s mother, Lola. “We want the kids to see that we’re visible. You can’t just start something and then all of a sudden say, ‘I’m not doing it anymore,’ because then how will the kids believe what you’re trying to preach? It’s not, ‘Oh, they already got money. They already left us and moved.’ We’ll never leave or stop what we’re doing. We know the impact and we’ve seen kids’ lives changed for the better. But basketball was always the hook to get them in.”

Jabari’s basketball career has blossomed with that foundation and support. Following a decorated HS and collegiate career in which he claimed multiple national POY accolades, his first two seasons in the League have seen their ups and downs. After being selected as the October/November Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month, Jabari suffered a season-ending torn ACL that cut his inaugural season short. A long rehab process lingered into last season, when his minutes were restricted during the first two months of the year. Slowly working his way back into the flow of things and looking to find his touch individually as well as his role within the team, he went into the All-Star break averaging just 11.3 ppg.

As a participant in the Rising Stars Game in Toronto, Jabari could have enjoyed all the fun All-Star Weekend brings. Except once Rising Stars was over, he was out.

“He left right after the game,” recalls Sonny. “We were all still there. But he ended up leaving early to Chicago to go back to our house. Wherever it started, he had to go back to that. I think he needed some me time, some personal time. He was able to refocus. That helped him reflect and set his goals. I think it made him get back to all the things that helped him along this journey and process.”

So when the Parkers say they’ll remain and always be a part of Chicago’s South Side, they literally mean pulling up mid-season, just ’cause.

The results? Jabari was the Bucks’ leading scorer after All-Star, averaging 18.9 points and 6.1 rebounds to close out the season. He looked like the prospect many expected him to be coming into the Draft. He carried that progress into the summer, too, showing some explosiveness at the Chi-League Classic Pro-Am.

“I feel like this is my year to really show what I can do and be a main guy on the team,” says Jabari of the coming season. “I want to be able to step up as a leader this year.

“I feel good. [This season] is really something I look forward to. 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.”

With the pressure of living up to expectations in 2014 and having to battle back from injury all in the rearview, his third NBA season offers a lot to be excited about. He’s been here before, having fought his way back from a broken foot his final year of high school, as doubts emerged, quickly making them evaporate with a record-breaking season at Duke.

“Back then the game was so much more difficult for me because I made it that way,” says Jabari of his early play as a rookie in the League. “I was doing a lot that took a lot of energy out. Right now, by just taking the time to learn the game, it has slowed down so much for me. I think that’s going to help me this year.”

—

Photos via Getty Images

The post Everything I Am appeared first on SLAM.

Parker says he backs Kaepernick in his very public protest against injustices in the U.S.

Never followed the wave but this one is necessary. I got your back homie @kaepernick7 @… https://t.co/z8TKfoKwMC

— Jabari Parker (@JabariParker) September 7, 2016

Kaepernick merchandise has been flying off the shelves ever since he began refusing to stand for the “The Star-Spangled Banner”—he pledges to donate proceeds from jersey sales to communities in need.

Per ESPN:

The San Francisco 49ers quarterback now has the best-selling jersey on the team, according to the team’s website. Kaepernick was sixth all year prior to his protest.

 

A source with knowledge of sales numbers confirmed that more Kaepernick gear was sold last week on the team site than the past eight months combined.

 

Kaepernick has not stood during the national anthem for the past two preseason games because he said he didn’t want to show pride in a flag of a country “that oppresses black people and people of color.”

The post Jabari Parker to Colin Kaepernick: ‘I Got Your Back Homie’ appeared first on SLAM.

Dellavedova is eager to learn from Bucks head coach Jason Kidd.

Dellavedova says leaving the defending NBA champion Cavs was tough, but he’s looking forward to stepping into a leadership role.

Per ESPN:

“Leaving Cleveland was tough because I had a great three years there and they gave me my first opportunity,” Dellavedova said.

 

“Winning the title is going to give you a bond with those guys for life, and the way the city embraced me made leaving even harder. […] But I’m excited about the opportunity in Milwaukee, especially to step into a bit more of a leadership role. Obviously at Cleveland we had Kyrie [Irving] being the point guard which puts a ceiling on what you can achieve.”

 

“We definitely want to get into the playoffs, that’s our main target,” Dellavedova said. “They made the playoffs two years ago and looked really good in the first round against Chicago. It was a bit of a down year for them last year with injuries, but the development of their young players is really exciting for the future.”

The post Matthew Dellavedova: ‘Main Target’ for the Bucks is the Playoffs appeared first on SLAM.

Parker recently held his second annual summer camp, and scrimmaged with the youngins.

Jabari Parker Family 2nd Annual Camp kicked off @questmultisport (Chicago) even included film sessions + life skills pic.twitter.com/L0SdrpgpHS

— Scott/Ballislife (@BallisLifeCHI) August 4, 2016

Per Ballislife:

Jabari Parker might be only 21 years old, but the Milwaukee Bucks forward is already giving back to his community. At the second annual Family Jabari Parker Summer Camp held at Quest Multisport in Chicago, Jabari was surrounded by his family and the coaches who made him who he is today.

 

Campers (grades 5-12) spent 2 days training at stations, listening to Jabari speak about his life lessons as well as breaking down NBA game film with the former Chicago Simeon star (4 x state champ).

 

The biggest highlights of camp came from Jabari himself when he scrimmaged against each team of campers. Jabari flashed his athleticism with a variety of dunks including alley oops, windmills and a 360 pump. […] There will be a Milwaukee-area Family Jabari Parker camp for grammar-high schoolers August 18-19 at Grafton High School (WI) in conjunction with The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee.

Related
WATCH: Jabari Parker Plays Streetball With Random Kids

The post WATCH: Jabari Parker Dunks on Children appeared first on SLAM.

Mills was gunned down in broad daylight on a Monday afternoon. Yet another entry in the Chicago gun violence narrative.

The week finished on a much different extreme with Dwyane Wade officially becoming a Chicago Bull, Team USA coming to the United Center for an exhibition game against Venezuela, and Nike’s Chi League Classic. If any city appreciates basketball in all forms, it’s definitely Chicago.

“It’s an amazing sports town that loves its athletes and its coaches,” USA head coach Mike Kryzewski—a Chicago native—said after a 80-45 victory on Friday evening. During pre-game introductions, former Bulls head coach and assistant coach Tom Thibodeau was met with a resounding round of applause from the fans.

“They should love Tom,” Coach K said. “He brought great basketball here when it was not going well. He’s the best as far as preparation and being a team player, and the fans appreciate it. I love the fact that my town acknowledged that he’s a guy who gave his heart and soul. That’s a great thing.”

That spirit was on display Saturday and Sunday at nearby Whitney Young High School for the Nike Chi-League Classic. What had been a popular summer-long pro-am tournament titled “Chi League,” was changed this year to a one-weekend showcase. But the turnout was no less. Same teams, same players, same atmosphere, all packed into two days instead of 20.

The Classic featured runs by current Milwaukee Buck Jabari Parker (whose team ultimately fell short) and other hometown favorites such as Will Bynum, Cliff Alexander, Jeremy Pargo, Jimmy Gavin, Osiris Eldridge and Keifer Sykes. Also in uniform were current college players like Billy Garrett (who won MVP) and out-of-town studs like Tyshawn Taylor. In the end, the Mac Irvin Fire won the title for the first time.

Nike and Jordan both made the most of the attention by showcasing several new basketball products including the LeBron Soldier 10 (no laces but fits like a glove), the Hyperdunk 2016 and the Jordan XXXI which doesn’t officially retail until September.

Mills’ death reminded all that we can’t take anything for granted, and to play and be around this game is even more of a privilege. With the gym as its sanctuary, Chicago was reminded of that fact this week.

Photos courtesy of Nike

The post Summer Vibes appeared first on SLAM.

This past weekend, Parker hammered home back-to-back jams in some poor defender’s grill.

Per Ballislife:

Jabari Parker made his return to Nike’s Chi-League tournament over the weekend, making his first appearance since the summer of his rookie season.

 

The young Bucks forward made his presence known, finishing his first game with 31 points, 10+ rebounds and showing off a inside-out game.

The post WATCH: Jabari Parker With Consecutive Poster Dunks at Chi League Classic appeared first on SLAM.

Peep the highlights above via BallIsLife.

The post Jabari Parker Drops 31 At Chi League Classic appeared first on SLAM.

Parker’s Milwaukee Bucks, led by Khris Middleton (36 points), took care of the Philadelphia Sixers 109-108 in overtime.

Parker added 15 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo had 14 for visiting Milwaukee.

Per the AP:

Middleton returned from a three-game absence and scored 36 points and John Henson had 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 109-108 overtime win over the 76ers on Sunday.

 

Middleton, who had been out with a left thigh injury, made 14 of 24 shots from the floor and all seven free throws.

 

The Bucks needed all 14 of his buckets against the plucky Sixers. […] Ish Smith hit a 3 and Hollis Thompson buried a 26-footer that pulled the Sixers to 109-108. The Sixers would miss three shots on their final possession.

The post WATCH: Jabari Parker Posterizes Nerlens Noel appeared first on SLAM.

Jabari Parker throws it down over Jason Smith!https://t.co/eLk56n1hA6

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) April 2, 2016

https://vine.co/v/ijnYviWDFP5

The post WATCH: Jabari Parker Dunks All Over Orlando Magic appeared first on SLAM.

Watch below as the young Buck takes control of Nikola Mirotic to make his way to the rim for a one-handed jam.

And another look:

The post WATCH: Jabari Parker Crosses Nikola Mirotic for Slam appeared first on SLAM.

Photos via Getty Images

Previously:
Week of February 20 – February 26
Week of February 6 – February 12

The post NBA Photos of the Week appeared first on SLAM.

Jabari Parker pumped in a career-high 36 points in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 128-121 win against the visiting Houston Rockets.

Amazingly, Parker made his first three-pointer of the season last night.

Per the AP:

Parker scored a career-high 36 points for the Bucks, who nearly blew a late 13-point lead after the Rockets pieced together a 9-0 run. Khris Middleton had 30 points, and Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his second career triple-double with 18 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists. […] Milwaukee’s young core stood up to the Rockets’ rush. Dwight Howard had 30 points and 13 rebounds for Houston, and Trevor Ariza finished with 20 points and 11 assists.

 

“Even though we gave up a lot of points tonight against a team that scores a lot of points, we got stops when we had to and we built a lead,” Bucks coach Jason Kidd said.

 

Parker, in particular, has been playing well of late, averaging 22.8 points since the All-Star break. He attended the weekend festivities to take part in the Rising Stars Challenge featuring the game’s top young players. […] Any lingering doubts about whether Parker was completely over a left knee injury that sidelined him for much of the 2014-15 season have been completely erased.

The post WATCH: Giannis Antetokounmpo Notches Triple-Double vs Houston appeared first on SLAM.

LeBron James finished with 33 points, and Kyrie Irving added 22 points in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ win over the Indiana Pacers after having dropped two in a row. The game between the two Eastern Conference teams was a close one, with 17 ties and 25 lead changes. But the Cavs came out on top by the time the buzzer sounded at the end of the night.

Wizards 116 (29-30), Sixers 108 (8-52) 

John Wall, though…

The Wizards’ star dropped 37 points on Monday night, with 16 coming in the fourth quarter, against the L’s worst Philly 76ers. He also dished out 7 assists. Marcin Gortat (18 points, 20 rebounds) and Markieff Morris (16 points, 13 boards) each added a double-double in the win.

Celtics 100 (36-25), Jazz 95 (28-31)

The win against the Utah Jazz on Monday night was the Boston Celtics’ 11th straight at home. Jae Crowder led the home crowd with 22 points, while Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley added 18 points each to overcome Utah’s six players in double-digits.

Bucks 128 (25-35), Rockets 121 (29-31)

So…how ’bout them Bucks? Jabari Parker scored a career-high 36 points against the Houston Rockets on Monday night.

Then on top of that, Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped another triple-double (18 points, 11 assists, 17 rebounds), which you can watch up top.

Khris Middleton added 30 points, as the Bucks held down the fort against Dwight Howard (30 points, 13 boards) and the Rockets.

Grizzlies 103 (35-24), Nuggets 96 (23-37)

Zach Randolph finished with 22 points to lead his Memphis Grizzlies to victory against the Denver Nuggets Monday night. Matt Barnes added 17, as the Grizz won five of their last seven games.

Thunder 131 (42-18), Kings 116 (24-34)

That’s triple-double No. 9 for Russell Westbrook this season—our latest cover subject. His 20 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists led the Thunder to victory after the team lost its last two games. Kevin Durant finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds himself, and Enes Kanter added 22 off the bench on a perfect 11-11 shooting. DeMarcus Cousins finished with the game-high 35 points and 12 boards for the Kings, but that wasn’t enough to silence the Thunder.

Clippers 105 (39-20), Nets 95 (17-43)

Chris Paul recorded 23 points and 12 assists, and Jamal Crawford finished with 26 to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a win on Monday night. The victory was the team’s second in a row as they shot just under 50 percent from the field. This dunk, though, was 100 percent solid:

Steve Ballmer​ DUNK ALERT!!!

The @LAClippers owner​ caught some SERIOUS air tonight!

(via @FoxSportsWest)https://t.co/XDB4PuOSdk

— FOX Sports: Hoops (@HoopsonFOX) March 1, 2016

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There were rumors swirling to be sure, including one that mentioned Dwight Howard.

Kidd, however, says the team’s young stars aren’t going anywhere.

Per the Journal Sentinel:

“Those guys are vault guys,” Kidd said. “They’re in the vault. You don’t start a conversation with Jabari or Giannis.

 

“There’s no conversation to be had, right. So word gets around that those guys are untradeable.”

 

Howard has an option worth $23 million next season but he and his agent have indicated they plan to file for free agency. So any team acquiring him would have been looking at a short-term rental while giving up huge assets. The Rockets reportedly wanted a front-line player and a first-round draft pick in exchange for Howard. […] “I think all 29 teams would listen if a name like that came up,” Kidd said.

The post Jason Kidd: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker are Off-Limits in Trade Talks appeared first on SLAM.

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Former Duke stars Jabari Parker and Jahlil Okafor faced off in Milwaukee on Wednesday. Parker threw down a friendly-not-friendly dunk over Big Jah on the break that Blue Devil fans (and Chicagoans) are surly talking about.

The post WATCH: Jabari Parker Dunks on Jahlil Okafor appeared first on SLAM.

Medical Update On Jabari Parker pic.twitter.com/LXNqQma6ZT

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 16, 2015

Parker, 20, had been showing flashes since making his season debut two weeks ago.

He has played five games since returning from left knee surgery.

From the press release:

A magnetic resonance imaging exam revealed a mid-foot (talonavicular joint) sprain. The Bucks announced Parker would undergo additional testing.

 

Parker was limited to 25 games last season when he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in a game at Phoenix on Dec. 15, and he underwent surgery on Jan. 5.

 

Parker had two spectacular dunks in the game against Cleveland and finished with 12 points. […] Parker suffered a fractured right foot in July 2012 when he was playing for Team USA in the FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Lithuania.

The post Jabari Parker to Miss Road Trip With Foot Sprain appeared first on SLAM.

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Parker will make his season debut tomorrow night against the Philadelphia Sixers.

A Message From @JabariParker!! Get Tickets NOW: https://t.co/ZDO6Lx353C https://t.co/9BQlVnjgPc

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 3, 2015

Parker’s promising rookie campaign was derailed last December by a devastating ACL injury.

Per the Journal Sentinel:

Parker will be at power forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo at small forward and Khris Middleton at shooting guard. Greg Monroe will be at center and Michael Carter-Williams at point guard. Those five — plus injured backup center John Henson — represent the young core of a promising Bucks future.

 

The 20-year-old Parker has worked diligently in his rehab from left knee surgery and was cleared to play Monday after a visit to surgeon David Altchek at his Manhattan office. Parker’s teammate, 21-year-old point guard Tyler Ennis, also received clearance to play after undergoing surgery in May for a torn labrum in his right shoulder. […] Parker, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 draft, was limited to 25 games last season before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament when he fell to the floor on the fast break during a Dec. 15 game in Phoenix.

 

Coach Jason Kidd said Parker will be limited to “15 to 20 minutes” per game at the beginning and likely will not play on back-to-back nights. […] “He’s done everything we feel a basketball player can do at a high level, and he’s excited,” Kidd said. “You can see his body has changed. He’s been in the weight room; he looks stronger. I think the weight room this summer has given him a voice. He’s talking more. He’s 20 years old. He was hurt doing something that he loved, and he wanted to get back out and help his team win.”

The post Jabari Parker Cleared to Make Season Debut appeared first on SLAM.

Bucks GM John Hammond won’t put a timeline on Parker’s recovery—a gruesome knee injury derailed the 20-year-old’s rookie season after just 25 games—but says the organization will take a very cautious approach with the 6-foot-8 forward.

Parker has been working out for weeks at the team facility in St. Francis.

Per the Journal Sentinel:

“We’ve never had a target date, per se,” Hammond said at the River Club of Mequon, site of the team’s event to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Wisconsin. “We’ve always said he’s making progress. […] Wherever he’s at, if we think he can play 30 minutes, we’ll probably have him play 15. Wherever it might be, I think we’re always going to be cautious with him.”

 

Bucks coach Jason Kidd said Parker has been meeting individual goals in the recovery process. […] “He looks extremely good,” Kidd said. “His body has changed and his spirits are extremely high right now, being on the court. We’ll see how it goes before training camp to see if he’s able to do things. We’re not going to rush him back. This is a bigger picture. We would love to have him on the floor as much as possible. Hopefully we get him on the floor in training camp and go from there.”

 

Bucks forward Khris Middleton has seen Parker’s daily routine as the former Duke player has built strength since undergoing surgery in January. […] “He’s put in all the work,” Middleton said. “He definitely wants to be one of the greatest out there. His work ethic is unbelievable right now.”

The post Bucks to Be Extra-Cautious With Recovering Jabari Parker appeared first on SLAM.

Photos via Getty Images

Previously:
Week of August 21 – August 28
Week of August 14 – August 20

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The Windy City native has been busy this summer working hard to recover from a devastating ACL injury that derailed an otherwise promising rookie campaign.

A rare look behind the scenes @JabariParker rehab journey!! #acl #rehabrocks pic.twitter.com/MXEzwpELhN

— Suki Hobson (@sukihobson) July 13, 2015

Jabari Parker going up!! #OwnTheFuture https://t.co/HUWpjpck42 — Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) August 25, 2015

The post WATCH: Jabari Parker Plays Streetball With Random Kids appeared first on SLAM.

Check out the video above to see how it all went down.

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After staying away for a few months, Parker began traveling with the Milwaukee Bucks as they took on his hometown Chicago Bulls in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, saying that he wanted to “witness it upfront.”

Jabari is working hard to get back on the floor and preparing his body for the rigors of pro ball, but his future plans don’t sound like those of your typical NBA stud: Parker’s dream is to teach history to middle-schoolers once he hangs up his Nikes for good.

Per the Chicago Tribune:

Shortly after tearing the ACL in his left knee in mid-December, Parker canceled his data plan. He received no text messages for nearly a month. […] “I turned off my phone,” Parker said earlier this week. “I didn’t want people to feel sorry for me. And I didn’t want to feel sorry for myself. (My friends), I told them I took a break. They understood.”

 

His father Sonny, who moved with wife Lola to Milwaukee before the season, hailed Jabari for his attitude. […] “He doesn’t question why it happened,” Sonny Parker said by phone. “He never got down or depressed. I’m really amazed by how he is dealing with it. He just turned 20; he’s so young. He’s putting in the work and will come back bigger and stronger.” […] “You can’t get around genetics — he’s Polynesian and African-American,” his father said. “He’s a big kid. When he got hurt he was fourth in the NBA in dunks. His body might not look athletic but his game is. He’ll fool you.”

 

Parker plans to return (to Duke) each summer to earn his degree, even if it takes seven or more years. […] “I have dreams after basketball,” he said. “I want to be a (middle-school) history teacher. I don’t aspire to be the richest man. I just want to give a piece of my knowledge to these kids one day.”

The post Jabari Parker Wants to Become a Teacher After Retiring from the NBA appeared first on SLAM.

Now they’ll cap off the campaign by re-releasing Jordan’s favorite Gatorade flavor, Citrus Cooler, and this final video. You”ll have the jingle stuck in your head for the rest of the day, so check out the video and let Gatorade know what #BeLikeMike means to you on their social media channels.

The post Gatorade Drops New ‘Be Like Mike’ Commercial (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

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Parker, 19, went down awkwardly on a fastbreak in the third quarter Monday night in Phoenix, as the Bucks escaped in overtime with a last-second 96-94 victory over the Suns.

Jabari, the leading NBA Rookie of the Year candidate, started in all 25 games, averaging 12.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in just under 30 minutes a night.

This is obviously an enormous blow for the Bucks, who have shown promise this season as they compiled a 13-12 record.

From the press release and Journal Sentinel:

Bucks forward Jabari Parker suffered a left knee injury during the third quarter of (Monday) night’s game in Phoenix. He returned to Milwaukee (Tuesday) afternoon to undergo an MRI that revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. Parker will undergo surgery to repair the injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2014-15 season.

 

So what do the Bucks do now with Parker out of the lineup? […] It could mean more small ball for (head coach Jason Kidd), who has used small lineups with success early in the season. And it should provide an opportunity for expanded playing time for veteran Ersan Ilyasova and third-year player John Henson when they return from injuries.

 

Veteran Zaza Pachulia said “the whole city counts on him” and that the team would be praying for his recovery. […] “He has a lot of years ahead of him for his great career,” Pachulia said. “It was tough to see your teammate going down and not being able to walk.”

The post Jabari Parker Out for the Season With Torn ACL appeared first on SLAM.

Photos via Getty Images

Previously:
Week of November 21 – November 27
Week of November 14 – November 20

The post NBA Photos Of The Week appeared first on SLAM.

Parker had 11 points and 7 rebounds in the road win, while Wiggins chipped in with 14 points and 8 boards.

The post Jabari Parker Wins First Showdown With Andrew Wiggins (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

The Milwaukee Bucks held off the visiting Detroit Pistons 98-86 Tuesday night.

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This isn’t to say that you should attempt an extreme roster makeover if you believe that everything went your way in the draft. If you believe in your team, stick with it. The two biggest mistakes fantasy basketball owners can make early in the season are falling in love with players exceeding expectations, or falling out of love with players failing to meet them, based on a bad box score or two. In both cases, there is a chance of progression or regression to the mean. Everything is magnified given a smaller sample size, and the owners who best decipher which players are a long-term solution will give themselves the best shot at a championship.

Times are Changing

Despite it being such a young season, we have already witnessed how destructive a new team structure can be to any player’s fantasy value. Who was bold enough to draft Kevin Love or Kyrie Irving high in the draft after witnessing the sacrifices made by Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in Miami? The Cleveland Cavaliers’ big three is still gelling, and it’s hard to make any firm determinations about Irving’s or Love’s value this early. All we know so far is that Irving is somehow averaging fewer assists now despite playing with Love and LeBron James. And on the other hand, Bosh and Wade are making more of an impact for their fantasy owners than they have in quite some time.

Meanwhile in Milwaukee, John Henson is struggling to find the court, thanks to new coach Jason Kidd, who for some reason doesn’t see value in a 23-year-old who averaged 11 points, 7 boards and 1.7 blocks in just 26 minutes last season. While Kidd would rather give veteran Zaza Pachulia additional minutes, eventually Henson (or the front office) is going to force Kidd’s hand. As of now, it’s probably hard to keep Henson on your roster, but keep a close eye on his minutes moving forward. His situation is an especially strong reminder that the circumstances surrounding a player can at times be as important to that player’s success as his abilities are, and that these circumstances can change in the blink of an eye.

The Phoenix Suns, for example, added guard Isaiah Thomas over the offseason, creating a trio of dynamic point guards. While the team looks to be benefiting from the move, fantasy owners are not. Goran Dragic is not playing any worse than last year, but his numbers are and will be down. If you own Dragic, it would be smart to see if you can get last year-level value for him in a trade. Thomas and Eric Bledsoe have seen a similarly expected numbers drop. It’s important to note that none of the three are bad options even as currently constructed, but owners need to keep their value (and expectations) in perspective.

Frigid Starts (Buy Low)

Several players already present an excellent buy-low opportunity. A couple rough weeks to start the season can be just enough to make an impatient owner worry about their investment. The most obvious buy-low candidate thus far is Andre Drummond, who is almost certain to return to last year’s form at the very least. His field-goal percentage currently sits 20 percentage points lower than the last two seasons, which is a strong sign of an impending rise. He’ll never hit his free throws, but this is without a doubt the time to make a move to acquire the big man. If you already own him, don’t panic and stick with him.

If commissioner Adam Silver is even making snide remarks about the Knicks, you know trouble is brewing. Carmelo Anthony probably should have gone to the Chicago Bulls if he wanted to win a Championship, but he stayed in New York and was nevertheless projected to continue to put up elite numbers. As it stands, Melo is off to the slowest start of his career as he learns a new system and familiarizes himself with new teammates. This won’t last, but owners will have to wait it out and deal with lower numbers than usual across the board for the time being.

When he has been on the court this season, Derrick Rose has definitely passed the eye test and showed flashes of being as explosive and quick as ever before. His value has taken a slight hit so far due to a couple minor ankle sprains, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Rose at a truly elite level by mid-season and for the fantasy playoffs. Try and pounce on him in your league and see if his owner is feeling overly nervous about Rose’s missed time and past. It is possible he could be had for a price you can live with. Sometimes, you really do need to take a risk to take a title, and in this case Rose might not be as much of an injury risk as it seems. If you drafted him, stick with him.

Oklahoma City is in a difficult spot with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook sidelined, and it has led to a somewhat slow start for Serge Ibaka. On one unexpected hand, Ibaka is lighting it up from three-point land, attempting over 4 per game and hitting 40 percent (compared to just 0.7 attempts per game the last two years). This is an impressive attempt to fill an offensive void, but it has actually hurt his overall field-goal percentage and the defensive statistics he was probably drafted for. It’s hard to believe that his rebounding rate and the blocked shots won’t get back to normal soon, but owners should keep this new Serge’s style in mind when managing their lineups.

Fool’s Gold

Darren Collison, the Sacramento Kings’ new starting point guard, is off to a red-hot start, but sometimes an ugly duckling doesn’t become a swan after five seasons. OK, maybe ugly duckling is a little harsh; Collison has always been a solid point guard, but that’s all that should be expected from him moving forward. If you have been the lucky benefactor of Collison’s increased numbers across the board, and aren’t a die-hard Kings fan, now is the perfect time to sell high.

Collison is just one of many players across the NBA who will tease fantasy owners with an explosive start, making them completely forget how early it is in the season. Brandon Knight has taken the reigns in Milwaukee under the guide of Jason Kidd, but if you are planning on counting on him to retain his current averages, you might end up disappointed. While Knight’s improvement is not a fluke, the rate of ascension seems too good to be true and he is bound to have some ups and downs as he continues to learn the game.

Remarkably, Tony Wroten is putting up fantastic stats so far, averaging over 21.9 ppg on 44.1 percent shooting, to go along with over 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals per game. The downside with Wroten has been his 63 percent at the charity stripe and an abysmal 4 turnovers per game. His value is nevertheless certainly at its apex. With Michael Carter-Williams returning, Wroten will be handling the ball a lot less and is guaranteed to see a drop in production. Try and sell high, and if you can’t get a return you are happy with, keep him on the bench as a backup.

Back on Track

Roy Hibbert was an obvious draft day value this season after suffering through the worst stretch of his career last season. Appearing both physically and mentally drained, Hibbert shouldered a lot of the blame for the Pacers’ late-season collapse. Whatever the problems were, previous seasons indicated a certain comeback to the norm, and that’s what we have witnessed so far. If you can find a way to acquire him from somebody fearing another Hibbert collapse, do it. It’s not going to happen this year.

Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders had a disastrous year, but there are clear indications that he is on track to return to the form that earned him a four-year, $44 million contract. His per-minute averages for blocks and rebounds are back up, and Sanders is a great piece for any fantasy owner, especially for those who drafted him in the late rounds this year and are feeling pretty smart right now.

Rookie Meter

There hasn’t been much to talk about from a fantasy perspective when it comes to the new rookie class. Nerlens Noel has impressed and is going to surpass his average draft position as he gains momentum. He has a leash as long as the Great Wall of China for the rebuilding Sixers, and is a great source of blocked shots. Jabari Parker seems to be worthy as a bench option on fantasy rosters, but his inconsistency and Jason Kidd’s minutes distribution for the Bucks will make him a risky play at times

Up in Minnesota, Andrew Wiggins has struggled to adapt to the NBA. While he remains very valuable in keeper leagues, you shouldn’t expect him to provide much value at all this season. Of more interest in Minnesota right now is Zach LaVine, who has been thrust into the spotlight and could be a useful play at times, at least until Ricky Rubio returns from his injury. His potential is additionally appetizing in all keeper leagues.

Quick Bits

Anthony Davis has reached elite status with emphasis, DeMarcus Cousins still doesn’t have a technical foul, Pau Gasol is rejuvenated in Chicago while Carlos Boozer is definitely not with the Lakers. Chris Bosh is reminding us all that he sacrificed a TON for Miami the last four seasons, Lance Stephenson is redefining the term “shooting” guard, Kobe Bryant is showing people that he can actually attempt even more shots than what was previously thought, and Kyle Korver is, in the immortal words of Marv Albert, on fire. It’s going to be a long and sensational season, and hopefully you’re in it for the long haul with a fantasy basketball championship on the horizon.

For advice on your fantasy team, post questions in the comments section.

Dan Hanna is SLAM’s weekly fantasy basketball columnist and a life-long Bulls fan. Follow him on Twitter @i_am_danhan.

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Photos via Getty Images

Previously:
Week of October 10 – October 16
Week of October 3 – October 9

The post NBA Photos Of The Week appeared first on SLAM.

We were able to chop it up with Jabari after his pre-season game against the Cavaliers, touching on his decision to sign with Jordan Brand, the position he’d prefer to play on the floor, and what he’s learned from Kidd so far.

SLAM: How disappointed were you when you found out that you weren’t going to be able to match up with LeBron tonight?

Jabari Parker: I wasn’t disappointed at all. I understand that we have to be able to play the game. We’re pros. Fortunately, someone else gave us a good game. You’ve always got to be prepared.

SLAM: In high school, you played anywhere from the 1 to the 5. At Duke, you played 2 to the 4. Tonight, you played the 3 and the 4. Where are you most comfortable on the floor?

JP: Anywhere, because I will always help my teammates. If I get a mismatch or a size advantage or if I get a taller guy on me, I’m going to take advantage of it.

SLAM: Since we last saw each other in L.A. for the Wasserman Media Group workout, you’ve made a lot of progress in your game. What do you think has been your biggest improvement over the last six months?

JP: My knowledge of the game. The terminology is very important. It is a lot different when you have the defensive three seconds. Definitely, my knowlege of the game.

SLAM: Have you been focusing on improving on the defensive end?

JP: Yeah, I played some defense in college. I had to do a lot last year. I still have to get better. If that’s one of my weaknesses, I have to make it my strength.

SLAM: What are the most important things that you’ve learned from Coach Kidd so far?

JP: Slowing down and reading the defense a little bit more. That is going to help me a lot. That is what he preaches.

SLAM: What made you decide to sign with Jordan Brand?

JP: There were a couple of things that went down, but personally, I thought that was the best fit for me. There aren’t a lot of players there and Nike has their guys. I felt like I could get a family environment with the Jordan guys and get the focus that I need on my feet.

SLAM: Speaking of family environments, you signed with Wasserman Media Group. At the pro day in L.A., it seemed like you guys had all developed a close bond. What type of relationship have you forged with the other guys in the agency?

JP: It was important to me to build a relationship with the guys. It also helped me think of longevity because maybe I can play with the guys in the future. Wasserman is doing the best. If you think that you’re the best, you have to have the best support for the future. That’s why I went with them.

SLAM: You’ve gotten your first couple NBA checks now. What have your first purchases been since you’ve been in the League?

JP: I haven’t done much on my own. I bought a house and have paid a few bills. I’m just glad that I got a chance to move my parents out of Chicago by buying them a house.

SLAM: Speaking of Milwaukee, you surprised a lot of people before the Draft by saying that you preferred to go to Milwaukee, despite the fact that they were picking No. 2. Why was that?

JP: I wanted to be where I was wanted. The Milwaukee Bucks said that they were going to pick me. Cleveland didn’t give me any answers, so I just went with the truth and that’s what it turned out to be.

The post Q+A: Jabari Parker appeared first on SLAM.

The San Antonio Spurs are heavily favored to repeat as NBA champs (by winning a Finals matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers), LeBron James is expected to take home his fifth MVP award, and Jabari Parker remains the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year.

Per NBA.com:

Which team will win the 2015 NBA Finals?
1. San Antonio — 46.2%
2. Cleveland — 15.4%
3. Chicago — 11.5%
L.A. Clippers — 11.5%
Oklahoma City — 11.5%
6. Golden State — 3.8%
Last year: Miami — 75.9%

 

Who will win the 2014-15 MVP?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland — 67.9%
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 21.4%
Also receiving votes: Carmelo Anthony, New York; Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers; Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers
Last year: LeBron James — 69.0%

 

Who will win the 2014-15 Rookie of the Year?
1. Jabari Parker, Milwaukee — 75.0%
2. Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota — 17.9%
Also receiving votes: Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia; Marcus Smart, Boston
Last year: Victor Oladipo — 80.0%

The post NBA GMs: Spurs to Repeat and LeBron James to Win MVP appeared first on SLAM.

With all the other-worldly skills of those athletes, there was previously no connection to the city that will always know Jordan as its own: Chicago.

That all changed on June 26, just hours before the NBA Draft, when Jordan Brand announced the signing of Jabari Parker, who would go on to be selected by the Milwaukee Bucks, a team just 90 minutes down the road from his hometown of Chicago.

Along with his on-court pedigree—Parker was a four-time state champion at Simeon, two-time Mr. Basketball of Illinois, and averaged 19.1 points, 8.7 rebounds while shooting 47.3 percent from the field in his one lone season at Duke—Parker brings a humble and selfless personality the Jordan Brand has had on its radar for quite some time.

Even with his quiet demeanor, Parker has the attitude and hunger to be one of the game’s next household names.

“It’s been a lot of second-pick busts and I’m just trying not to be that [next] bust,” Parker said. “So everyday that I step on the court, just remind myself that I have a long way to go. I want to be one of those guys on the front tier in the NBA, like LeBron, KD and Blake. I just have to have that mentality from the [start].”

The folks at Jordan Brand have also kept a vested eye on the violence amongst the youth of Chicago. Jordan Brand President Larry Miller said Parker’s signing comes at a good time because he can give insight as Jordan plans to find ways to get involved, address the issues and help be part of a solution. Parker would no doubt be one of the central figures if any Jordan strategy towards a solution in his hometown comes to fruition.

SLAM caught up with Miller recently to discuss what made Parker such a good fit for Jordan.

SLAM: What were some of the things you guys saw in Jabari that made you want him representing the brand?

Larry Miller: It’s what he was able to do on the basketball court. We know he has great basketball skills and has the talent to be able to be a great player in the NBA. But also, we like to look at who a player is off the court. Jabari clearly fits what we’re looking for, in terms of his character, his family life, his connection to his community. All of those things kind of came together, and Jabari is what we feel is a perfect fit for the Jordan Brand. And it just so happens that he’s from Chicago, which is a focus for us. It really kind of came together.

He got a chance to meet with Michael, and he was instantly, “This is a kid that should be a part of us.” When we sat down and talked about the (NBA) Draft and what players were coming into the Draft, Jabari was at the top of all of our lists, including Michael’s.

SLAM: What’s that brainstorming process like, in scouting what players you’re going to go after?

LM: We sit, talk about it and look at all the players—again, who they are on the court, but who they are off the court. MJ was really excited about Jabari from the beginning, and he was like, “That’s who we have to go after.” And we all agreed.

SLAM: With that process, you get a feel for the player and a bit of an understanding of their makeup. Did meeting with Jabari in Portland do anything to further strengthen all of your beliefs in who you were getting to represent the brand?

LM: It did. He and his family came to Portland to meet with us, and we were all just blown away. Not just by him, but his family and how they work together and support each other. We had an idea of who he was. When he came out and spent time with us, it just confirmed for us who we thought he was.

SLAM: It’s still early and there’s a lot of basketball to be played, but is there any sort of strategy with him as far as playing in Milwaukee, but having the Chicago connection and wanting to remain visible here?

LM: We’re going to let him develop and play his game. We’ll be there to support him, provide him with the best product we can possibly provide him with and just let his game evolve. We don’t want to put pressure on him. We want him to not feel like he’s pressured to do a whole bunch. Go out there and play and do what you need to do on the basketball court, and let us take care of the rest.

Photo via Getty Images

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Image via @bucks

The post Jabari Parker’s Air Jordan 12 ‘Bucks’ PE (KICKS) appeared first on SLAM.

Parker says Bucks head coach Jason Kidd will have him play as a power forward (a “stretch-4”) in the team’s offense.

Per the Journal Sentinel (via Sirius XM NBA Radio):

“As of right now I’m more comfortable with the 4 position,” he told interviewer Nancy Lieberman. “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.

 

“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.”

 

His reaction to being voted by his peers as most likely to be the NBA rookie of the year? […] “That’s kind of funny,” Parker said. “Because I just have a lot of friends, that’s why they nominated me. I don’t think so much it’s my talent or my skill set that’s so highly in my favor. It’s just because of the friendships I’ve made that they favor me.”

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“There’s been a lot of second pick busts,” Parker said Saturday morning, at the grand opening of the redesigned Jordan space inside Nike Chicago. “I’m just trying not to be that bust. Everyday that I step on the court, I just remind myself that I have a long ways to go. If I want to be one of those guys in the first tier of the NBA, like a LeBron, like a Kobe, like a [Blake Griffin], then I have to have that mentality starting off from the ground, and work my way up.”

The post Jabari Parker Trying Not To Be ‘That Second Pick Bust’ appeared first on SLAM.

Jabari Parker received the most votes overall. His peers think he’s the pick to win the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year and also the best bet to have a great career. The rooks also told us what will be the biggest adjustment as they join the NBA and who their favorite player is.

 

Worth noting: “He has a complete overall game,” one rookie said of Parker. “And he’s always in an attack mind set.”

 

1: Jabari Parker, Milwaukee — 52.8 percent
T-2: Doug McDermott, Chicago — 8.3 percent
Andrew Wiggins, Cleveland — 8.3 percent
T-4: Shabazz Napier, Miami — 5.6 percent
Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia — 5.6 percent
Elfrid Payton, Orlando — 5.6 percent
Others receiving votes: Aaron Gordon, Orlando; Rodney Hood, Utah; Julius Randle, L.A. Lakers; Marcus Smart, Boston; T.J. Warren, Phoenix
Last year: C.J. McCollum & Victor Oladipo — 24.2 percent

The post NBA Rookies Think Jabari Parker Will Win Rookie of the Year appeared first on SLAM.

The post Best Photos of Rookie Day appeared first on SLAM.

Beyond the typical mix of new Nike or adidas and retro Jordan sneakers were a few other sneaker storylines—like Hawks rookie Adreian Payne cluing us in on his new deal with K1X and Grizzlies rookie Jarnell Stokes wearing a pair of beat-up running shoes because “I left my basketball shoes at the hotel.” Lucky for Stokes, it was a good choice, since the rooks spent most of the day on their feet, doing interviews and posing for flicks.

No. 3 pick Joel Embiid didn’t make the list because, well, he was only wearing one shoe. Scroll through the gallery above to see a selection of our favorite sneakers from the day-long Rookie Photo Shoot, and let us know which were your favorites in the comments section below!

All photos via Getty Images

The post Best Kicks: 2014 Rookie Photo Shoot appeared first on SLAM.

The post A Barbershop Conversation with Jabari Parker (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

The post Polladaday: ROY? appeared first on SLAM.

The post Jabari Parker, Draymond Green and Will Bynum Show Out at Chi League Pro Am (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Photos via USA Today

Previously:
Week of June 13 – June 19
Week of June 6  – June 12

The post 10 Best NBA Photos Of The Week appeared first on SLAM.

https://twitter.com/JabariParker/status/482147870695374848

“We could not be more excited to have Jabari Parker officially join our Jordan Family,” said Larry Miller, Jordan Brand president via press release. “Jabari’s character and commitment to excellence makes him a perfect fit with Jordan Brand and we are looking forward to building a legacy with him.”

How far has Jumpman come? Parker was born in 1995, the same year the Air Jordan XI was originally released. We talked to Jabari about sneakers and more earlier this week at the SLAM x Foot Locker Draft Suite:

The post Jordan Brand Signs Potential No. 1 Pick Jabari Parker appeared first on SLAM.

Naturally, when SLAM got the opportunity to speak with the collegiate hoops wiz right before tomorrow’s Draft, we jumped on it. Below is an edited transcript from our talk.

SLAM: NBA TV will be conducting a mock draft on air tonight at 9 p.m. How will that work?

Greg Anthony: We’ll work off of David Aldridge’s mock draft that he released a few days ago. We’ll announce the picks and then give a breakdown. We have John Thompson to give a coach’s perspective, Stu Jackson, a former front-office person who also worked for the League under David Stern, and myself. We’ll just have some fun.

SLAM: Who would you draft first overall this year?

GA: With Embiid having the foot injuries, that does open up the door. I do think it’s between two guys, Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker. Parker is probably a little more polished at this stage, but Wiggins has some more potential. And I tend to lean toward a guy with a little more potential long-term.

SLAM: The top of the Draft is dominated by freshmen. Do you think that’s a bad thing?

GA: I’m not a fan of one-and-done; I think it should be a none-and-done. I don’t think you should shave to go to college in order to be drafted. We’re the only country that does it. That part of it bothers me. Look at the best players in our League—a lot of those guys didn’t go to college or only went for one year. But I see the argument from both sides.

SLAM: You played with a tremendous freshman at UNLV in Larry Johnson. Have you seen a more dominant freshman since?

GA: You think about Kevin Durant, just how great he was after his freshman year. Conversely, Michael Beasley was really good after his freshman year as well, but you see the differences in the paths that those two careers have taken. Carmelo Anthony was pretty damn good as well—won a National Championship at Syracuse as a freshman. So, you know, it’s really hard to say.

SLAM: The hype surrounding Andrew Wiggins entering his first collegiate season was insane. How do you think he handled it off the court? 

GA: I thought he handled it very well. I spent a lot of time with his coach, Bill Self, and one thing he raved about was that Wiggins allowed him to coach him—you know, he could get on him. And away from the court, he was a terrific teammate, and that’s really something that you wanna focus on when you’re looking at evaluating players, too. Character does matter. Most of these kids that are coming out early have proven to be really quality people.

SLAM: Julius Randle’s draft stock has seemingly taken a bit of a tumble in the last few weeks. How do you think he’ll fare in the NBA?

GA: If he’s healthy, I think he’s got a chance. He’s another guy who loves the game, is passionate about it, has worked extremely hard, and I love the fact that he’s set high goals for himself. That’s important because there are a lot of really good players who just want to be good, they don’t want to be great. I think that he wants to be great. I think that’s something that will serve him well on the journey. Foot problems aside—if everything checks out—I think he has an opportunity to be a terrific player.

SLAM: Every year there’s a player who goes outside of the lottery who, a few years later, we can’t believe slipped that far. Which player is that in this Draft?

GA: Cleanthony Early. He’s a terrific talent, explosive athlete, can really shoot the ball. Prototype size. He has a chance to be really special. I love Doug McDermott—focusing on seniors who stayed at school and let their games really flourish. He’s one of the great shooters I’ve ever seen in college, but he can also play really well without the basketball. Shabazz Napier I also love. One of the smartest basketball players I’ve seen on the college level in a long time. Mentally, has a complete understanding of how to play the game and play the position.

SLAM: Do you think we’ll see many trades involving high picks during the Draft?

GA: I absolutely do. There’s enough depth where teams might want to move down. Hypothetically, if you’re the Cavs, you could get the guy you want in the top-five without having to draft him No. 1, and pick up another pick or quality player. And that’s not the case every year. But this is a year where, because there’s so much depth, teams might be more willing to do that.

SLAM: There’s a lot of crap thrown out there by agents and teams leading up to the Draft. How hard is it to filter through that and find the truth?

GA: For me it’s easy because I’m just basing it off what I see. The only thing I wait to get are the measurables. I look at it from the standpoint of what system they played in and what their skill set is. I’ve gone through the process, I know what an agent is—they’re like politicians [laughs]. I get that aspect of it. It doesn’t make my job any more difficult. But it’s fun to hear all of the speculation. I love it.

The post Mocking The Draft appeared first on SLAM.

Related:
Andrew Wiggins Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO)
Dante Exum Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO)
Doug McDermott Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO)
Tyler Ennis Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO)
Nik Stauskas Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO)
Zach LaVine Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO)
Aaron Gordon Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO)
Noah Vonleh Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO)
Shabazz Napier Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO)
Gary Harris Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO)
James Young Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO)
Isaiah Austin Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO)
Adreian Payne Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO)

The post Jabari Parker Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

.@JabariParker just told us he thinks he will be the #2 pick #nbadraft

— Heather Cox (@heatherespn) June 25, 2014

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Chad Ford added that he believes Parker wants to play in Milwaukee, but that Cleveland’s front office has not yet made a decision.

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