Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways From Loss To New York Knicks

Where’s The Closer?

Jabari Parker needs to assert himself more in games like this. Giannis is the one with the All-Star buzz and the Sports Illustrated covers and the one who hit the last buzzer-beater, but he’s not alone in Milwaukee.

Parker is a hell of a scorer, and one who was outscoring Giannis heading into the fourth quarter. Jabari took just two shots in the final period, a deep three and a blocked layup. That’s it. He played for the final eight and a half minutes or so.

Again, this loss is not Jabari’s fault alone. But in games like this, he should be taking more than two shots in the fourth quarter. Much of the time, Jabari is set up for a great shot when there’s any space around him to build up a head of steam.

Although hero ball can be predictable and ineffective late in games, the Bucks should still be working to get Jabari Parker a few touches in crunch time. He looks nearly unstoppable when he drives sometimes, and he’s come through in these situations before. Jabari not getting enough touches late might’ve been Milwaukee’s worst mistake on Friday.