Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale sees great things ahead for newcomer Chandler Parsons.
Fizdale told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon that he likens Parsons’ role on the team to that of LeBron James in the Miami Heat offense.
When I said I want to play him like LeBron, I do. I really do want to use him, because there’s not many guys in the league at that size that have that skill set, and there’s no reason why I should put a cap on his abilities because his name isn’t LeBron James.
I just see the same skill set. He’s not a high-flyer like LeBron obviously, but he can pass it, he can shoot the three, he’s huge, he can post guys and he moves great without the basketball, so I can move him around in a lot of different spots.
Fizdale believes Parsons is more than capable of handling the point forward position, and has shown in the past he has the skill set to do it. He notes that Parsons at 6’9 can handle the rock, can make plays off the dribble, and shoot from beyond the arc at a rate dangerous for opponents.
The “Grit and Grind” Grizzlies personality doesn’t quite fit the exact style that he brings, but it is something the team has needed for quite some time. Parsons however is not in the same ballpark skill-set wise as James, but he can be exactly what this team needs.
I do not want to put a ceiling on him. I want to see how far we can go with him and put him in a role that is positionless. I think all it takes is a coach showing that he has the confidence in a guy to do it and develop him according to the system and then it can take place.
Granted Parsons has been injured often enough, if this works out as Fizdale envisions, then Parsons has found a new, long-term home in Memphis.
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