Parker starting to deliver some positive results for Bulls
Zach LaVine remembers the old Jabari Parker, the guy who made a strong case as the greatest high school player in Illinois history.
"Yeah, we're the same (class). We all went to the same camps," LaVine said. "He was like a man among boys because he was the same size. He was just going down the lane and rising over the top of people."
These days, Parker certainly has the physical appearance of an NBA veteran, even though he's actually just 23.
"He's got the old man's game, but he's still one of the most athletic dudes out there," LaVine said. "He's got big hands and he's explosive and strong when he gets to the basket."
When the season began, Parker was almost a complete mystery. How would he fit in with the Bulls? How good can he be after enduring two ACL surgeries? What type of player is he now?
There were plenty of doubts early, as Parker tried playing small forward, shifted to power forward, took on a reserve role during preseason, then moved back to the starting lineup.
The ultimate answer is still not clear, but there is something good happening. Parker might have played his best game as a Bull during Wednesday's 124-116 victory over Phoenix at the United Center. He finished with 20 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists, nearly completing his first triple-double as a pro. He got to the foul line 10 times and led the Bulls in plus-minus with a plus-14.
Parker's stats haven't changed a lot since the season began, but they are improving. Over the last nine games, he's averaging 16.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
"Just trying to get better. I'm far away from where I want to be," Parker said after the game. "Still a long way and just trying to get better each and every day."
The former Simeon star, who was chosen with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 draft, has never been very talkative with the media. Even after a strong performance on Wednesday, he gave short answers.
Asked how the first couple of months playing in his hometown of Chicago has gone, he said, "It's been good, everything is good and the experience itself. It's still early. I feel like the way we're going, it can get better and that's what I'm looking forward to."
On dealing with criticism already this year: "I don't care about that. Long season."
Parker is also a guy who doesn't fit into a traditional NBA role. He's clearly more of a power forward, but is undersized at 6-foot-8. He has that old man's game, like LaVine mentioned, but can explode at the rim for a dunk as well as anybody.
He's also got all the offensive skills. He can shoot 3s, score in the post, sees the court well, is one of the Bulls' better rebounders and handles the ball well enough to play point forward. Wednesday provided another example of Parker going coast-to-coast, this time sidestepping Suns rookie Deandre Ayton at center court.
"He causes a mismatch because he's quick and can shoot the ball," LaVine said. "They're going to have to double eventually and that's what (the Suns) started doing, he started spraying it out and making plays for us."
LaVine wanted Parker to get the triple-double and referenced two plays that could have made the difference. LaVine botched an alley-oop pass in the first half and Antonio Blakeney couldn't knock down an open 3-pointer after a pass from Parker late in the game.
Defense has been an issue, but the key seems to be Parker and other Bulls getting back in transition. When he starts from a good defensive position, Parker has shown he can hold his own when switched onto smaller guards.
More changes are in store. Lauri Markkanen could be back in about a week, which will likely push Parker back to a reserve role. Eventually, Parker will probably play with Bobby Portis in a center-less second unit.
At least Parker has given the Bulls reason to be optimistic about his fit here. LaVine invented a new word to describe Parker's progression.
"I think it's just comfortablility," LaVine said. "It's a whole new team, whole new system, new players, new coaching staff for him. It takes time. Everything isn't going to be perfect right away. We all know how good Jabari is."
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls
Scouting report
Bulls vs. Miami Heat, 7 p.m. Friday at the United Center
TV: WGN • Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Outlook: The Heat (6-11) has struggled, losing six of seven and five straight at home. Dwyane Wade (13.4 ppg), making his final trip around the NBA, recently missed seven games for the birth of his daughter, but returned to play in Tuesday's 104-92 loss to Brooklyn. ... SG Josh Richardson is Miami's top scorer at 20.1 ppg. C Hassan Whiteside leads the NBA in blocked shots (3.1 per game) and ranks second in rebounds with 14.9. ... PG Goran Dragic missed the last two games with a knee injury and is not expected to play. ... The Heat ranks 28th in the league in field-goal percentage at .435. ... The Bulls went 1-3 against Miami last season.
Next: Minnesota Timberwolves, 7 p.m. Saturday at the Target Center
- Mike McGraw