Parker excited to face Bucks after not-so-fond farewell in Milwaukee
Four years ago, the Bucks introduced No. 2 pick Jabari Parker at Milwaukee’s Public Market, part of that city’s identity and fabric. It appeared to be the start of a committed marriage, and Parker embraced his role within the franchise and community accordingly.
Instead, Parker tore his left ACL twice, Giannis Antetokounmpo emerged as one of the NBA’s best players and the Bucks went in a different direction this summer. They rescinded their qualifying offer, which allowed Parker to sign a free-agent deal with the Bulls.
Preseason game or not, Parker
“Some great memories being there, some great experiences. Met some great people,” Parker said of Milwaukee and the Bucks. “Pretty much bitter how it all ended, but most importantly, I had a sweeter moment being here. So I kind of forgot all the bad memories I had with them.”
Parker averaged 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2 assists over 183 games for the Bucks. But he also missed 145 games because of his knee injuries.
In an April interview with a Milwaukee radio station, Parker answered “I wish” when asked about the Bucks reportedly being prepared to offer a three-year, $54 million deal in October 2017. He aired frustration with his role after playing sparingly in the first two games of the Bucks’ first-round series with the Celtics.
Parker’s minutes increased, and the Bucks played the Celtics to seven games before losing.
“I wasn’t planning on leaving so soon, especially being there four years,” Parker said. “I love that group. I love the training staff, the medical staff. I just made it home, every moment that I had. I was really involved in the community, always out. But they went in a different direction, which I understood.”
Asked if he ever sought an explanation from Bucks management, Parker shook his head.
“Things happen. It’s the business. A lot of stuff wasn’t on me. Management went in a different direction. I always was prepared,” he said. “I don’t think it’s my responsibility to create all type of different scenarios in my head. I just take it for what it is. It eliminates my confusion. And I just move on because it’s not so important right now.”
Parker now has other challenges.
With Lauri Markkenen sidelined six to eight weeks with an elbow injury, Parker is not only learning coach Fred Hoiberg’s system, he’s doing so at two positions. And while Hoiberg said Parker will start at power forward in place of Markkanen on Wednesday, the Bulls coach also will get Parker some minutes at small forward.
“I was really impressed with Jabari the way he adjusted as quickly as he did,” Hoiberg said.
Hoiberg also lauded the leadership Parker displayed at Monday’s practice.
“Jabari was the catalyst as far as hearing his voice and getting on guys and making sure we were going hard, even though it wasn’t a contact practice,” Hoiberg said.
Parker didn’t shoot well in Sunday’s preseason opening win over the Pelicans but displayed strong ballhandling and unselfishness, finishing with 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists. As expected, the Bulls introduced Parker “From Chicago . . . ” instead of “From Duke . . . ” during lineup introductions, a local angle the franchise also took for Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade.
“I’m glad that they did. It’s good being back home,” Parker said. “I hope I can make (wearing the Bulls jersey) more relevant and have more pride behind it in building something.”
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