After years of incompetence and losing, the Milwaukee Bucks are suddenly one of the most talented young teams in the NBA. Their star of the future is undoubtedly Jabari Parker, the number two overall pick in this past June’s draft.
There have been plenty of questions of where the high-scorer will be playing. While Parker played mostly the four at Duke, his size and skill-set are much more in tune with a small forward at the professional level. If it were up to Jabari, the rookie says he would like to be a stretch four in Milwaukee.
“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 perimete, 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.”
While defensively Parker may have issues at the four, odds are he was going to have even more issues at the three guarding the likes of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant. Playing a stretch four gives the Bucks more options on offense as well as giving Parker a mismatch when he touches the ball.