Parker admits having mixed feelings on eve of returning to Milwaukee
In 2014, the Milwaukee Bucks held Jabari Parker's introductory news conference in front of a cheering crowd at the Milwaukee Public Market.
Bucks General Manager John Hammond said it was great that Parker was a guy who wanted to be in Milwaukee. Coach Larry Drew said watching Parker's workout gave him chills, the same feeling he had watching pre-draft Kobe Bryant work out.
"I don't look forward to leaving anytime soon," Parker said that day, prompting cheers from the fans.
Hammond and Drew left the Bucks long ago. Now just over four years later, Parker is headed back to Milwaukee as a member of the Bulls. The Bulls and Bucks will play the first NBA preseason game Wednesday at the new Fiserv Forum.
Looking ahead to the Milwaukee reunion, Parker made it clear he's still a little sad about how things didn't work with the Bucks. The No. 2 pick of the 2014 draft, Parker was a restricted free agent this summer, but convinced the Bucks to rescind his qualifying offer so he'd be free to sign with the Bulls.
"Some great memories being there, some great experiences, met some great people," Parker said Tuesday at the Advocate Center. "Pretty much bitter how it all ended, but most importantly, I had a sweeter moment being here. So that kind of like ... I forgot all the bad memories I had with them."
Bitter memories didn't get a mention when Parker returned to his hometown in July, and held a nonpublic news conference in the United Center atrium.
"I wasn't planning on leaving so soon, especially like being there four years," Parker said. "I love that group and all the training staff, medical staff. It just made it home. Every moment that I had ... really involved in the community ... was always out. But they went in a different direction, which I understand."
For most of the last four years, Parker thought he'd be part of the Bucks' promising young nucleus that still includes Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Thon Maker, Malcolm Brogdon and others. Parker chose to join the Bulls, but only after the Bucks made it clear they weren't interested in a long-term deal, instead spending money on Ersan Ilyasova and Brook Lopez. So the mixed feelings are understandable.
"It's going to be fun just to see my guys again," Parker said. "I miss that group."
On the bright side, Parker is now part of a different young nucleus with the Bulls, although this group is just getting off the ground. Milwaukee has been in the playoffs three of the last four years.
Parker's tenure with the Bucks will always be a "what if" scenario. When he first arrived, he talked about being in a perfect situation, both with a promising young team and living in a place that felt like a northern suburb of Chicago. But two ACL injuries spoiled whatever chance he had at becoming a second star to pair with Antetokounmpo.
Parker's preseason debut with the Bulls went well. He didn't shoot great (5-for-14), but finished with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in Sunday's win over New Orleans.
"I think it went pretty good," Parker said. "(Wearing a Bulls jersey) hasn't quite sunk in. But in due time, I hope I can make it more relevant, you know? ... Have more pride behind it in building something."
In his United Center debut, Parker was introduced as being "from Chicago," continuing a tradition the Bulls used with Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade.
"No (the team didn't ask his preference), but I'm glad that they did," Parker said. "It's good being back home."
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls