Maybe it's time for Bulls to restart the Parker experiment
A few weeks ago, it seemed possible Jabari Parker had played his last game for the Bulls.
On Friday against the Clippers, he might have been their best player.
After a slow start by the Bulls, Parker brought them back by producing 12 points, 3 assists, a block and a steal during a 13-minute stint in the first half. He hit 5 of 7 shots from the field and the Bulls outscored the Clips by 12 while he was on the floor.
As ridiculous as the Parker saga has been, it's time to admit he can help the Bulls. Teammates have been tiptoeing around the issue for weeks.
"The dude's special," Zach LaVine said after Friday's loss. "He's one of the only dudes on the team that's averaged 20 points a game in the NBA. So he's one of the most talented dudes on the team. I'm happy for him."
Here's a brief recap: After signing Parker as a free agent with what amounted to a one-year, $20 million deal, the Bulls said they planned to start him at small forward. Former coach Fred Hoiberg ended that experiment after two preseason games and decided Parker's best role would be coming off the bench.
The South Side native ended up starting 17 games at power forward when both Lauri Markkanen and Bobby Portis were injured. After Jim Boylen was promoted to the head coaching job, Parker was demoted from the rotation. He played just once from Dec. 15 to Jan. 11.
Since returning, Parker has averaged 13.3 points and shot 60 percent from the field in just 18 minutes. The victim of two ACL surgeries, he looks more athletic than he did early in the season.
"I thought he played well," Boylen said after Friday's game. "I thought his defensive energy was good. I think sometimes when you get lost in the game defensively, your offense comes around. I thought he was very good offensively as well."
Boylen was never very specific about Parker's banishment to the bench, but it was believed to be about practicing well and giving a better defensive effort. It's possible Parker came back from the benching a better player, but difficult to prove either way.
The Bulls probably could have traded Parker a month ago if they had been willing to take a two-year contract in return. Apparently, that's not in the plans, so they might as well push back the calendar and start the Parker experiment over again.
"We know he's a good player, for sure," Kris Dunn said. "Tonight he definitely showed it. He can do multiple things for his team, he can create for others, he can create his own baskets and when he's doing that, he definitely helps the team."
To his credit, Parker hasn't gone out of his way to be a distraction. He seems to have the respect of his teammates. Early in the season, it seemed like Parker could still have a promising NBA future as a sort of overqualified role player. As long as this season has gone so poorly, the Bulls should keep an open mind about Parker's future as well.
"It's a tough situation but he's handling it well," LaVine said.
Asked if he'd like to see Parker play more minutes, LaVine said, "That ain't my spot. Obviously, I wish he could, but that's not my job on the team. I know Jabari's one of the most talented dudes on the team, for sure."
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls
Bulls game day
Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 2:30 p.m. at the United Center
TV: WGN; Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Outlook: The Bulls may be sorry to say goodbye to the Cavaliers. They're 3-0 against Cleveland and have a chance to sweep the season series today. ... The Cavs (9-41) have lost six in a row and 18 of 19. During Friday's 100-94 home loss to Miami, they did get PF Larry Nance Jr. back after he missed eight games with a knee injury. C Tristan Thompson (foot) and PF Kevin Love (toe) are still out. ... SG Jordan Clarkson is Cleveland's top scorer at 16.5 ppg, followed by rookie PG Collin Sexton (14.5) and SF Rodney Hood (12.4).
Next: Brooklyn Nets, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Barclays Center
- Mike McGraw