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The case for Jabari Parker

Chris

Chris

Well-Known Member
Obviously, a flat out tank is the first part of any discussion involving Parker, or Wiggins, for that matter. You find a way to get that top 2 pick and take Jabari Parker. Though Wiggins is an excellent talent and I don't doubt that he will be a superstar, if you're Utah, your pick is Parker. If you somehow land the number 1 pick, you trade down and position yourself to gain assets, while taking Parker for your squad at the 2.

We need to realize who we are and how we acquire (and KEEP) talent. Year after year, free agency is out of the question when it comes to premier talent, which is what I assume we are seeking after all.

Parker is LDS -- that's no mystery. But on top of that, there is no doubt that this is a fine young man who clearly has his priorities in order. He values his faith over basketball, which some may assume is just BS, but I doubt it. This is the kind of guy that will be a superstar who will be worshipped in, be extremely comfortable in, and would potentially play out his career in, Utah. You find me anyone else in the League that these traits apply to.

Wiggins will be great, but so will Parker. I liken what I see out of these two guys in the future to Carmelo and Kevin Durant. Wiggins = Carmelo -- he'll need to be the focus/star of whatever team he's on, won't be happy in a small market, will eventually seek the bright lights in free agency, and still won't be happy. He will have a great career, but would never be down with settling in Utah -- as a home or as a team.

Parker, however, I see as a Durant type of player and person. He will be an all-around great player who scores a lot, but loves to get his teammates involved too. Parker, like Durant, strikes me as a loyal player who would quietly re-up with his small-market team -- albeit for good money -- without drama or fanfare. He would be the face of the franchise for years to come and would make us a good team very quickly. We've needed a legit 3 for...well, ever since I've followed the Jazz.

I don't know if David Benoit is available, but Parker WILL need a backup, after all.

2014-15
PG: Burke, Neto
SG: Hayward, Burks
SF: Parker, _______
PF: Favors, Evans
C: Kanter, Gobert
 
Ok. You sold me. I am on board.

Three wing rotation with Hayward, Parker and burks would be awesome.
 
I'm all for taking Parker, which is why I am hoping the Jazz get the second pick. I don't want them to pass on Wiggins and him to be the next Jordan. But if he's the next Jordan, there's almost no chance we have him any longer than 7 years. I also think Jabari's style will fit in with the current Jazz players, and we may be able to keep him around longer.
 
Chris said:
Parker is LDS -- that's no mystery. But on top of that, there is no doubt that this is a fine young man who clearly has his priorities in order. He values his faith over basketball, which some may assume is just BS, but I doubt it. This is the kind of guy that will be a superstar who will be worshipped in, be extremely comfortable in, and would potentially play out his career in, Utah. You find me anyone else in the League that these traits apply to.

Wiggins will be great, but so will Parker. I liken what I see out of these two guys in the future to Carmelo and Kevin Durant. Wiggins = Carmelo -- he'll need to be the focus/star of whatever team he's on, won't be happy in a small market, will eventually seek the bright lights in free agency, and still won't be happy. He will have a great career, but would never be down with settling in Utah -- as a home or as a team.
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As a non LDS person, who is in the 50% of non-LDS people living in Utah, that bold statement is exactly how I view Utah LDS people viewing themselves...self righteous. This comes off as, if you're not Mormon, you have no ethics or values, which couldn't be further from the truth. I wan't the BEST college basketball player in the nation if we have the #1 pick...as long as that person is not a head case. Don't get me wrong, I respect the teachings of the LDS church as far as the values and WoW are concerned. I'm guessing you moved from Utah to Mass, because that statement was very Utah LDS.

Give me the best player, leave the religion at the door.
 
Hax0rs said:
As a non LDS person, who is in the 50% of non-LDS people living in Utah, that bold statement is exactly how I view Utah LDS people viewing themselves...self righteous. This comes off as, if you're not Mormon, you have no ethics or values, which couldn't be further from the truth. I wan't the BEST college basketball player in the nation if we have the #1 pick...as long as that person is not a head case. Don't get me wrong, I respect the teachings of the LDS church as far as the values and WoW are concerned. I'm guessing you moved from Utah to Mass, because that statement was very Utah LDS.

Give me the best player, leave the religion at the door.
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Read the opposite to me. I thought he was saying " in spite of being lds, he is just an all around high character guy". Read what you will though. I do think that Jabari would be a good fit in Utah because Utah, regardless of being Mormon. Or non Mormon, is a hard working state with a hard working culture, and we generally value those type of celebrities as well.
 
Hax0rs said:
I'm guessing you moved from Utah to Mass, because that statement was very Utah LDS.

Give me the best player, leave the religion at the door.
Click to expand...

You assume too much. First of all, I am not Mormon -- even one iota. Never lived in Utah either. I just happen to love the Jazz. I was not making any of the claims that you pointed to. I just know how appreciative the Utah fans are (who are largely Mormon) and Parker being a Mormon and seemingly a good standup guy would go a long way with the fans. And obviously he still would have to produce...and his talent is through the roof.
 
As a Jazz fan who is LDS all I can say is this is complete nonsense. If Wiggins is better you take him. End of story.

Idc about his faith or how good of a guy he is. That mentality is for losers. I want a champ team. A contender. If wiggins is better you can't pass because you are worried about keeping him lmao. You have him for 8 years at minimum if you want him.
 
Lattimer said:
As a Jazz fan who is LDS all I can say is this is complete nonsense. If Wiggins is better you take him. End of story.

Idc about his faith or how good of a guy he is. That mentality is for losers. I want a champ team. A contender. If wiggins is better you can't pass because you are worried about keeping him lmao. You have him for 8 years at minimum if you want him.
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It's funny cause I'm not a Mormon but I feel opposite. Part of winning a title is keeping talented, championship caliber players on your team for an extended duration. Think about the Mavs... Dirk was dominant for so long, and their supporting casts were never too shabby either, but he only got it once. Lebron's first several years only had one finals appearance, despite his dominance... and he didn't win the title until after he left his first team because the time they had control over keeping him there had ran out.

Something feels so storybook about a devout Mormon superstar. And this is coming from a non-Mormon. lol.
For the Mormons here looking for a feel good story, here you go:https://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20131112/jabari-parker/

He could have his cake and eat it too here.

Of course, if Wiggins truly is just transcendent then I concede your point. Lets see how college season shakes out.
 
I simply don't agree that it is impossible for the Jazz to get FA talent.

If you're saying we can't get LeBron, okay, point conceded. There are 28 other teams who also can't get LeBron.

This idea that absolutely no one wants to come here has to die. Players will go where the opportunity and the money are. If that's Utah they'll come to Utah.
 
Hax0rs said:
As a non LDS person, who is in the 50% of non-LDS people living in Utah, that bold statement is exactly how I view Utah LDS people viewing themselves...self righteous. This comes off as, if you're not Mormon, you have no ethics or values, which couldn't be further from the truth. I wan't the BEST college basketball player in the nation if we have the #1 pick...as long as that person is not a head case. Don't get me wrong, I respect the teachings of the LDS church as far as the values and WoW are concerned. I'm guessing you moved from Utah to Mass, because that statement was very Utah LDS.

Give me the best player, leave the religion at the door.
Click to expand...

I agree religion should be left at the door and the Jazz would be stupid if they selected him for marketing reasons if he isn't the best player. I don't think the Jazz work that way but you never know.

However, Jakari is playing like a stud tonight. He can play the 3/4 in the NBA. Heck I think he can run some of the offense through him. The thing I like the most is if the Jazz drafted him they could play favors, kanter, and parker, hayward and burke together. That would be a big line-up. I hope the Jazz pick the best player for their team. Right now it is a toss up between Randle and Parker with Wiggins being third. However, it is a long season and each player will have a chance to make their case to be #1.
 
Sneakers said:
It's funny cause I'm not a Mormon but I feel opposite. Part of winning a title is keeping talented, championship caliber players on your team for an extended duration. Think about the Mavs... Dirk was dominant for so long, and their supporting casts were never too shabby either, but he only got it once. Lebron's first several years only had one finals appearance, despite his dominance... and he didn't win the title until after he left his first team because the time they had control over keeping him there had ran out.

Something feels so storybook about a devout Mormon superstar. And this is coming from a non-Mormon. lol.
For the Mormons here looking for a feel good story, here you go:https://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20131112/jabari-parker/

He could have his cake and eat it too here.

Of course, if Wiggins truly is just transcendent then I concede your point. Lets see how college season shakes out.
Click to expand...

I guess I just think that if you have a good team around that player he's staying. If leBron had any semblance of support he would have stayed.

That why I wouldn't worry about that.

But to your point, depends on their separation.

My main problem was the notion that even if it is obvious that Wiggins is better, we pass because Jabari is Mormon. I think that's crazy. I honestly think that it is going to be a very hard decision. A good problem to face.
 
Lattimer said:
I guess I just think that if you have a good team around that player he's staying. If leBron had any semblance of support he would have stayed.

That why I wouldn't worry about that.

But to your point, depends on their separation.

My main problem was the notion that even if it is obvious that Wiggins is better, we pass because Jabari is Mormon. I think that's crazy. I honestly think that it is going to be a very hard decision. A good problem to face.
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I hope we face that problem. Per my new buzz-killing signature, the odds make it far from certainty
 
After tonight, I'm sold on Parker. He's the guy I want to cheer for. He's dominant, has charisma, plays team ball, and makes you hold your breath every time he has the ball. I deal with Wiggins or Randal if they are what falls to us, but as of now I'm prepared for an entire season of JL3 ball if it gets us Jabari. I just can't see any downside for selecting Parker, even if there is a chance that Wiggins or Randle have a slight chance of being better. That chance is not worth giving up the entire package Jabari brings. Also, besides being the probable BPA, he fills an immense need.
 
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