Describe your time in Chicago.
Jabari Parker: It was personal growth for me. It was a situation I was very foreign to. But in all reality, everything is meant for us to grow. I was just grateful to grow from that situation.
Do you feel like athletes from Chicago who play for the Bulls are treated differently than non-Chicagoans?
JP: Yeah, I say that the proof is there. I can’t comment on things I don’t know — I’m only saying things that are facts. With Derrick [Rose], his situation ended pretty bitter. With [Dwyane Wade], his situation ended pretty bitter. For myself, it wasn’t how it was supposed to be.
What would you have liked to have seen done differently?
JP: I feel like if they can just be patient and take chances. This isn’t even about myself. This is about just people in general. People are going to have ups and downs, but it’s just about taking a chance and really seeing them grow.
Do you feel like they weren’t patient enough with you?
JP: Not with me, I wouldn’t say that. Because I’ve done what I did. It’s just the name and nature of the game.
Describe your time in Washington.
JP: Man, my time in Washington was everything and more. It was like being in jail for a couple of months, and then when you’re free, you just want to be yourself again and catch up on lost times. Those guys in Washington are always going to be on the top of my list as far as my loyalty goes.
What was so great about your experience with the Wizards?
JP: I just wasn’t thinking. I was just out there. I didn’t have to deal with inconsistencies. I didn’t have to deal with mind games. I had coaches there that were very mature — they were players’ coaches. That’s one thing I really loved about them.
There’s a new Simeon guy in the league now — Talen Horton-Tucker from Iowa State, whom the Lakers selected with the No. 46 draft pick. How does it feel for you to see him in the league?
JP: It’s always good to have people from my school accomplish great things. It doesn’t necessarily have to be just basketball. I want to see more people do other things from my school.
What’s the best Harold’s in Chicago?
JP: The best Harold’s is probably the one near Congress — a little south of Congress. My teammate O.J. Mayo has one that’s near Ogden and Madison. I didn’t grow up around Harold’s much. My chicken shack was Leon’s on 79th and Stony Island.
What’s your favorite ’90s jam?
JP: There’s so many of them, but I grew up on a lot of Dr. Dre, Snoop and Warren G. Those West Coast guys, because my brother lived in California for a long time. Those are the dudes I like.
What’s your favorite pizza place in the city?
JP: Mainstream is probably like Gino’s East. The hole-in-the-wall pizza place is Italian Fiesta.
Deep-dish or thin-crust?
JP: Thin-crust because I don’t like too much cheese.
What’s a hobby of yours not many people know about?
JP: I think people know about my love for cars — my infatuation for cars. Specifically the old ones. I’m just always around my cars. My favorite brand is Cadillac. Those are the ones I collect the most.
What’s your favorite car you own?
JP: It’s a tie between my ’62 Cadillac Park Avenue and my ’64 Coupe de Ville.
What’s your next career move?
JP: It’s going to come real soon. It comes soon for everybody. I really want to be a philanthropist. I want to have a great career so I can do that and be involved with a lot of people from my neighborhood.