Jabari Parker has definitely been a victim of the injury bug in his brief NBA career after being the No. 2 pick for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Parker has now suffered two torn ACL injuries in 3 seasons, and for any player to overcome that sort of obstacle early in his career with all of the grueling physical rehabilitation and mental rehabilitation as well, requires a very strong-willed person.
Jabari Parker is that guy.
Parker clearly took a step forward this season, averaging 20 points and six rebounds per game and looking more explosive than he had ever been after recovering from his first ACL injury before tearing it again after falling to the floor while driving to the hoop in a game against the Miami Heat on February 8.
Parker says he is ready for the challenge of recovering from another severe injury and will return as an even better player than he was as he told the Associated Press, citing his faith.
“I love challenges, I love being in the position that I am in … It feels like God’s given me this for a reason, because he knows I can handle it. I take that burden because I know that a lot of people can’t go through this.”
According to Bucks Head Coach Jason Kidd, Parker will stay engaged and around the team and be involved with coaches meetings, they expect him back in a Bucks uniform next February.
You can’t have a much better attitude about the situation than Parker does, evidenced by this reaction when asked if the recovery process would be arduous:
“No, it’s going to be fun to tell you the truth, I know I can be better.”
Here’s to hoping Parker keeps his word and returns an even better player than he was in 2016-17, forming a super duo with the Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks large pool of young and athletic talent.
