Chicago Bulls forward Jabari Parker reacted to the news of his exit from the day-to-day rotation under new head coach Jim Boylen, which took fans by storm after the Chi-town native was given a two-year, $40 million deal.
“Everybody is telling me the truth — to stay ready,” said Parker, according to K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. “They’re not telling me things I want to hear. They’re not pointing fingers. And personally, I know I’ve done my job to embrace Jim as the head coach. I’ve been nothing but welcoming of him. I'll continue that.”
“It is a surprise because I did everything I could in the time I was given. But it is what it is. You can’t pout. You just gotta keep moving.”
When asked for the root of his demotion, Parker said there was “no reason, just (Boylen's) wishes,” yet a team source said Boylen told Parker his defensive effort must improve — something that has become evident through his 29 games for The Windy City in this young season.
Parker was given the opportunity to play in his preferred power forward spot, but was often outmatched by craftier big men and blown past by faster wings. His foot speed, ability to recover, close out, and/or recognize weak-side help also proved a major headache when played at small forward — an experiment that quickly sunk shortly after giving him the nod.
The Bulls brought in their homegrown talent in hopes to rescue a once 20-point scorer, but they got a player that regressed with his 3-point shooting ability and one that has struggled to remain effective on the floor, all while being a defensive liability.
Parker doesn't see this demotion as a permanent one, but it looks like unless he's able to massively improve his defense and his effort, Boylen surely is looking at it that way.
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