Don't take things so literally. He can obviously guard people. The way Hardin and Boozer "guard" people. But you'd be hard pressed to find a credible source who doesn't question Parker's ability and effort on defense. I think he will struggle to contain SF's in the NBA. His length helps him in the paint, but he doesn't battle and gives up too much ground too easily. Sometimes he looks like he doesn't care about defense and is just going through the motions. I really don't know what position he's going to guard. Hence the tweener label. If you have watched him play you know there are good reasons why people talk about his defense.
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You may find it laughable, but few people use the words Jabari Parker and explosive in the same sentence. There's no doubt he is athletic and will be a great offensive player in the league, but please don't try to tell me he's explosive based on a pre-draft, one-on-none video. Gordon is explosive. Parker is not, and it's not a secret. Here's what Draft Express has to say:
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"very mobile and agile but isn't an explosive athlete"
"doesn't get a ton of lift around the rim"
"can get up when he has time and room to load up his jump but plays below the rim from a standstill"
"Struggles getting to a lot of shots around the rim because of his vertical limitations"
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He's going to be a very good, maybe even great player, and I'd love to have him. But that doesn't mean there aren't negatives. Feel free to post links to any respected souce who describes Parker as explosive or anything more than a below average defender. His agent doesn't count.
I wouldn't take it so literally if the comments weren't so out there. I just didn't agree one bit, is all. Again, you haven't seen him in the pro's, you (or I) have no clue what he is focusing on while preparing himself for the big time, he may be working his arse off on his defense, or he may not. But that is why I try to avoid ruling things out for players this young and this in-experienced.
Yes I understand most question his D and I acknowledge that, I get it. Like I said, he was battling against bigger dude's at times, this isn't an excuse for his effort, just putting it out there.
Compared to others he isn't explosive, but he still has an edge to him. All I said was in that video he looked explosive, I didn't say that was going to translate to the league, like you said he was against nobody out there, but what, you disagree that he looked explosive in that workout?
People can say what they want, but how many times have legit sources been wrong about players? Time and time again players prove doubters wrong. I'm just saying, a lot of my thoughts on Jabari come from watching many games and many highlights. And "struggles to get a lot of shots around the rim because of his vertical limitations"? Really? He flat out bullied guys in college at times. Some games he got to the rim at will. Again, obviously NBA is different.
There are negatives to every single player.
And I'm not going to do that because there won't be much or any out there. Like I've said, I'm not denying his lack of D.
Feel free to watch full games of Parker's at Duke though, I feel they would help out here
