Milwaukee Bucks in mid 2010s was filled with promise and young talent through the tandem of Giannis Antetokounmpo and their former no. 2 overall pick Jabari Parker.
Jabari Parker, Giannis Antetokounmpo
Nov 19, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) positions for a rebound between Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Unfortunately, that promise was not fulfilled, no thanks to the unfortunate series of season-ending injuries to Parker.
The Canadian forward is back playing at a high level again in Barcelona, Spain, and became a trending topic on X after a clip of his highlight plays was shared.
Some people still see him as a bust or much harsher, a tragic story.
The 30-year-old doesn’t see himself that way. He believes his story is still a story of success if you put things into perspective.
“People say I’m a tragic story. What’s tragic about me? I made millions of dollars, I fed my family, I brought my family out of the ghetto. Those same people who probably wrote those stories haven’t even achieved 1% of what I’ve done,” Parker said in an interview with BarcaOne.
Milwaukee Bucks
Apr 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), forward Jabari Parker (12) and guard Tyler Ennis (11) during the game against the Chicago Bulls at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Chicago won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Parker played four seasons with the Bucks and averaged in double digits in all of those. His career season was in the 2016-2017 when he averaged 20.1 points per game.
However, it was cut short when suffered a season-ending ACL on February. It was the same knee that he rehabbed for almost one whole season the year before.
Jabari Parker admits he wanted to become an NBA star
Parker was drafted no. 2 for a reason. He has the strength and the bag to punish any defenders. The injury took away from him what could have been a great NBA career.
In the interview, he admitted that he dreamed of becoming one of the NBA’s best players. Despite, he insists that he is happy with where he is now.
Jabari Parker
Nov 21, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) goes under the basket before passing as Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) watches him at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Bucks 124-83. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
“I’ve fulfilled my dream; that’s all that matters to me. Of course, it would have been nice to be one of the best players in the NBA, but for me, playing here is the same,” he said.
“My life here is wonderful, and that’s why I keep my feet on the ground—nothing is guaranteed. I could have quit basketball at 14, and now, at 30, I’m still playing the sport I love, competing in the EuroLeague, in a spectacular city and club.”
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