Parsons sold Noah on Grizzlies
Both players come from U. of Florida
Chandler Parsons had five college visits scheduled when he showed up at the University of Florida as a highly-touted high school prospect in the class of 2007.
Fresh off a 2006 national title and back in Gainesville for his junior season, Joakim Noah proudly took charge during Parsons' weekend stay.
"He was my host," Parsons said. "I signed on Sunday and cancelled my other four visits. You can imagine how good of a time it was.”
Their playing careers at Florida did not overlap, but Noah wanted Parsons to play for the Gators anyway, and the two stayed close.
So close that, over a decade later, Parsons flipped the original script on their relationship and played the role of recruiter as Noah mulled his return to the NBA.
Even while dealing with his own persistent knee troubles, Parsons stayed on Noah about signing with the Grizzlies.
"I was like, ‘if you still love basketball, this is a great place to kind of get back on track and prove yourself,'" Parsons said. "It took a little convincing, but it was fun. I’m glad he’s here. He’s one of my best friends in the world. So I’m excited he’s here and we’re here together.”
Their relationship is paying dividends for the Grizzlies in multiple ways.
Noah is averaging 6.2 points and
3.8 rebounds in 16 minutes per game through five outings with Memphis. He is providing frontcourt depth, a needed rebounding boost and a blueprint for his old friend to follow.
Parsons and Noah share a Florida Gators lineage.
As of late, they also share the frustrations of successful NBA careers marred by the pressure of huge contracts and nagging injuries.
Noah, 33, is emerging on the other side healthy and hellbent on writing a new ending to his career. Parsons, 30, is taking note. “He’s taken me aside pretty much every day," Parsons told the Commercial Appeal.
"He’s been through the rehab process, he’s been hurt and counted out before. So he’s a great resource for me to have here."
Noah is bringing Parsons with him to pool conditioning multiple times a week for what Parsons called "offloading workouts" that include squat jumps with dumbbells.
After six surgeries of his own that disrupted his time on a massive contract with the New York Knicks, Noah knows better than most the frustration Parsons is feeling as he tries once again to recover from knee issues on the thirdyear of a four-year, $94 million deal with Memphis.
"I was in a similar position," Noah told the Commercial Appeal.
"I am in a similar position. I’ve been where he is. He was very supportive of me when I was down. And I want to be there for him. Even though he’s in good spirits, I know it’s tough to not be able to play. This is what we love to do and I know how bad he wants to be out there.”
Parsons, who hasn't played since Oct. 22, said it took some convincing to sell Noah on the Grizzlies. Noah said it didn't take too much. But it did take a little longer than when Noah convinced Parsons to sign with Florida and cancel his other college visits. How did Noah do it all those years ago?
"Some of those things are definitely better not talked about," Noah said.
"But I will say he was by my side right after the championships. He was in Gainesville celebrating with us, for sure.”
Over a decade later, they are at each other's sides again — as teammates for the first time — working to create a new cause for celebration.
"It’s just a great resource that he’s been in this situation before," Parsons said. "So just to kind of lean on him and have him here, it's been awesome.”
Reach Grizzlies beat writer David Cobb at david.cobb@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @DavidWCobb.