Behind the Bucks Pass
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Jabari Parker And The History Of Top Picks Recovering From Injury

By Jeff Herrmann

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Nov 26, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) smiles with guard Kendall Marshall (5) during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Bucks defeated the Timberwolves 103-86. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Jabari Parker, Forward, 2014 #2 Pick

Jabari Parker remains the Bucks’ most prized asset. Above the likes of even Giannis Antetokounmpo and light years from anyone else.

He’s everything to the future of this team. If he does not become the All-Pro the Bucks expect him to be then the franchise may be waiting to re-join the NBA championship party for even longer.

Though Jabari Parker posted solid all-around numbers in his painfully short rookie season (25 games) it should be noted that his production immediately prior to the injury was on a major uptick.

In six of his seven games before the injury he scored in double digits (while shooting well over .500%). At this point in Parker’s career there’s no reason to think he won’t become an outstanding player (remember, he is only 20).

Pre-Injury Stats: 12.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, .490% shooting.

Now for the fun part: projecting!

Post-Injury Projection: 16.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.9 apg, .473% shooting.

If Parker played in a different system you could go ahead and jack the scoring number well above 20 points per game. But since he plays for the Bucks and they play team-ball (coupled with Giannis’ continued growth) he likely won’t put up otherworldly scoring numbers.

On the flip side, Brandon Knight handled the scoring load when Parker was active last season. It would be hard to argue that Knight is a better scorer than Parker. Therefore, it will be interesting to see if Parker takes on a much larger role in the offense next season. Scoring, after all, was a major achilles heel for the Bucks last season.

Parker can fix that.

Let’s hope he does.

Next: 2014-15 Season Review: Miles Plumlee

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