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Milwaukee Bucks: Player of the Week (Jan 29 – Feb 4)

By John Heffernon

Jan 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is congratulated by guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) after scoring the game winning basket at the buzzer against New York Knicks during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Bucks won 105-104. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is congratulated by guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) after scoring the game winning basket at the buzzer against New York Knicks during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Bucks won 105-104. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 3, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) drives to the basket against Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) drives to the basket against Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Milwaukee Bucks Player of the Week Rankings

  1. ???
  2. Jabari Parker
  3. Malcolm Brogdon

Major Cat played in all three games this week and averaged 32.5 minutes, 20.7 points (on 54.8 percent shooting), 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.0 block per game. He led the team in rebounds, was tied for the lead in points, and tied for third in steals.

This was the version of Jabari Parker the Bucks need, besides the poor three-point shooting. Parker scored effectively, rebounded often, and provided a bit of defense in the form of both steals and blocks. In fact, if Parker could have shot a bit better percentage from outside he would have stolen player of the week honors from Giannis.

Parker might have just compiled his most complete week of the season. He delivered well-rounded basketball performances that provided 2014 draft evaluators with evidence that they know what they are doing. As a prospect Parker was supposed to be able to do two things well: score and rebound.

He did both of those things very well in week 15. Only six players in the NBA, including Jabari, were able to maintain averages of 20 points and 9 rebounds over their past three games. Nine rebounds per game might be a bit high for Jabari going forward but he could easily hover around the 7.5-8.5 rebound range for his career. Pair that with elite scoring totals and he will be a consistent participant in the NBA All-Star game in the years to come.

Get this – only DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, and Jabari Parker averaged at least 20 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block per game this week. That’s some elite company for the third year pro out of Duke. Parker can maintain this company too, this isn’t just a one week fluke.

The points are the easiest part for Parker. The rebounds have been the hardest to come by for him so far in his career. The defense has been surprisingly solid for Parker this season. He hasn’t been elite but he has hovered around average and has had a plethora of games where he performs above average on defense.

This week wasn’t Parker’s best defensively but his counting stats were nice. The benefit he gives by forcing a steal here and a block there is enough to help the Bucks, especially given the fact that they aren’t expecting much contribution from him on that end of the floor anyway.

Jabari deserved to be the best player on the Bucks this week. He got edged out by a Freak, and there is absolutely no shame in that. Parker is getting better all the time. In the past couple of weeks he has upped his assist totals. This week he bumped up his rebounding. He has been able to do all this while scoring at a solid clip. If he can keep this going he will continue to give Giannis a run for his money.

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