Jabari Parker And The History Of Top Picks Recovering From Injury
May 12, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) dribbles against the Houston Rockets in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Rockets won 124 to 103. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Blake Griffin, Forward, Los Angeles Clippers, 2009 #1 Pick.
In his sophomore season at Oklahoma, Blake Griffin swept all the major college season awards: National Player of the Year, First Team All Big-12, First Team All-American, etc.
He scored a whopping 22.7 ppg on a phenomenal .646% shooting while lighting up ESPN top-ten seemingly on a nightly basis with his highlight-reel jams. He was, truly, the very definition of a can’t-miss prospect.
After being drafted first overall by the L.A. Clippers, Griffin continued that streak of dominance into the NBA Summer League–garnering Summer League MVP honors along the way.
Griffin, sadly, wouldn’t make it through the preseason–injuring his knee in the last preseason game on the schedule.
Initially, doctors said that he had a stress fracture in his knee and should be able to return in a couple of months.
Griffin didn’t get better and ultimately required surgery to repair his broken patella. The ensuing surgery ensured that Blake Griffin, number one pick and high-flying extraordinaire, would be sidelined for his entire rookie season.
A blow to the Clippers community to be sure.
When Griffin finally made his NBA debut one season later fans were rewarded with an all-pro caliber forward that was every bit the hyped star that they drafted. He won rookie of the year, all rookie first team, and the slam dunk title while playing, and starting, in all 82 games.
His rookie numbers are the single most confidence-inspiring stats for young Jabari Parker.
Post-Injury Stats: 22.5 pgg, 12.1 rpg, 3.8 apg, .506% shooting.
There is no greater post-injury success story in recent NBA memory. If Jabari Parker can return from his ACL tear with the same ferocity that Griffin returned from his broken patella then the Bucks will have a perennial All-Star and NBA superstar on their hands. Their could be no greater outcome for the young Buck.
Parker Outlook: Bright lights, super-stardom, and (hopefully) many, many rings.
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