Parker not chosen for East all-stars
Young forward averaging 20.5 points
Toronto — Jabari Parker is part of the new wave of frontcourt players making a big impact in the NBA this season.
The Mil- waukee Bucks forward was not chosen as an all-star reserve by Eastern Conference coaches on Thursday, but the 21year-old certainly put himself in the conversation.
Indiana’s Paul George, Atlanta’s Paul Millsap and Cleveland’s Kevin Love were the East frontcourt picks, while the other East reserves were Charlotte guard Kemba Walker, Boston guard Isaiah Thomas, Washington guard John Wall and Toronto guard Kyle Lowry.
Parker, who ranked 10th among East frontcourt players in the final fan voting for the NBA All-Star Game, was hoping to join teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo as an all-star for the Feb. 19 game in New Orleans.
But the Chicago native also understood some of
the players he was competing with had more experience and longer résumés.
“It can teach me something about life,” Parker said. “When I’m done with my career, I don’t need to validate it but just let other people have the decision.
“If I’m in the conversation, that’s all I care about.”
The 6-foot-8 Parker has made a big jump in his third season while averaging 20.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He is shooting 39.1% from three-point range and is tied for second on the team with 63 made threes.
“We have a lot of talented players in this league,” Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. “There’s always someone who is left off who should have made it.”
In addition to Parker, Philadelphia 76ers rookie center Joel Embiid, New York’s Kristaps Porzingis and Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns are emerging frontcourt players but not yet allstars.
It may not be long before they are forcing their way onto the allstar scene and taking the place of some of the current all-stars.
“They’re on the tip of everybody’s tongue,” said 76ers coach Brett Brown. “How can they not be?
“I think when you really pay attention to Jabari — and I studied him a lot because there was a chance he may have been ours in the (2014) draft — his breakaway, opencourt gifts (are special).
“He’s a big man that can get from one end to the other in two dribbles.”
Parker was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 draft and Embiid went No. 3 to Philadelphia. Two surgeries on his right foot kept the 7-foot Embiid out of action for two years (hence his rookie status), but he is fulfilling his promise this season despite playing restricted minutes to protect his health.
Parker’s defense is improving although he still has plenty to work on while guarding everyone including big point guards to small power forwards. He did a decent job on Monday against league MVP candidate James Harden, guarding him for much of the game.
“He has improved a lot,” Kidd said, “and he’s going to continue improving on the defensive end and the offensive end.
“He now has stretched it out to the three. He knows how to get to the free throw line, knows how to finish with the best of them. Jabari has the total package.
“The more he plays, the more confidence he gains, the better he gets and the better the team gets.”
Parker produced his 26th 20-point game of the season on Wednesday night in the Bucks’ 114109 loss to Philadelphia.
Parker has confidence in his ability, something every player needs in a league with so much talent. He believes he belongs in the all-star game.
“It’s just politics,” Parker said. “Pound for pound, I’d take myself over them.”
Parker said he wasn’t going to stress too much about the all-star selections. Just two years ago he was on the sidelines while making a long recovery from anterior cruciate ligament surgery.
“I live life,” he said. “I’ll be happy.
“I came from the bottom. I’m still working from the bottom and I’m going to gradually get there, where I want to be as a player.”
Formidable foe : The Bucks (21-24) have lost six of their last seven games and will be facing a Toronto team that has lost five in a row.
But the Raptors (2818) have held a recent mastery over Milwaukee, winning the last six meetings and 12 of the last 13.
All-star starter DeMar DeRozan, who has missed the last two games with a sprained right ankle, is listed as questionable for Friday’s game at the Air Canada Centre.