Coming into the draft, scouts were sure that Duke's Jabari Parker was incredibly talented. What they weren't sure of just yet, however, is what position Parker would be best suited for. Some argued he was a small forward, while others believed he projected as a power forward. Some even viewed him at both spots. Parker himself weighed in on the debate in an interview on Sirius XM NBA Radio on Wednesday, according to the Journal Sentinel.
"As of right now I'm more comfortable with the 4 position," Parker said. "That's where I played previously, before getting drafted, at Duke. I played a lot of 4. Even in high school. I know this is a different level. But in coach's style of play, it's more a stretch 4. That's where I like to play my game, even though I like to post up a little. Just being on the perimeter, setting screens and popping, that's what we've been doing so far. That's what coach Kidd has been anticipating me playing that role."
Coach Jason Kidd could employ a very young forward combination of Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo for long stretches of games. Antetokounmpo flashed elite athleticism in his rookie season last year and has many in the Milwaukee Bucks organization excited over his potential. Several experts around the league believe Parker and Antetokounmpo are solid building blocks for a young and talented Bucks core.
With Parker, the second overall pick in this year's NBA draft, most likely starting at power forward, Milwaukee may put John Henson or Ersan Ilyasova on the trade block given the logjam at the position.
To his credit, Parker is embracing his role as the Bucks hopeful franchise player and all of the comparisons that come with it.
"A lot of people say I do play like Carmelo Anthony," Parker said. "That's just a great saying of my game. I just want to take that success to another level. I'm just so grateful to get that compliment."
