Jabari Parker started his NBA journey with the Milwaukee Bucks as the number two overall pick in 2014. Despite being praised by many experts for his outstanding abilities and skills, the forward could not make a huge impact due to his constant injuries. After spending 8 years in the league, bouncing around with six different franchises, he had to move miles away from his family to join his new home, FC Barcelona.
Following a 3-0 series loss against their arch-rivals Real Madrid in the semis of the Spanish League, when the forward was asked about his experience in the first season overseas away from home, Parker broke down into tears.
During the post-game interview, the former Celtics player answered multiple questions, but when it came to his family, he couldn’t hold back. As there was a sudden flush of uncontrollable emotions about his homesickness, the reporter asked whether he was doing okay. Even after trying, Parker could not answer the question.
After the series loss, the season ended for Barca with the 29-year-old averaging 12.3 PPG in the Spanish ACB League and 10.6 PPG in the EuroLeague season. Though Parker couldn’t express how he feels coming far away from home, he understood how different it is in the NBA and EuroLeague.
One fan wrote, “damn my goat going out sad”
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Another wrote, “What’s wrong boy” is diabolical”
Others commented, “What’s wrong boy” got me weak”
Another humorously says, “Man heartbreaking to watch”
Another fan shows no mercy, “damn bro he’s torn”
Jabari Parker Compares NBA to EuroLeague
During an interview with Eurohoops, Jabari Parker was asked about the different atmospheres in the NBA and European league and whether the former could benefit from the latter. The 6-foot-8 forward said, “I don’t know what the environment is out there. But I know for here [in Europe], people come to watch basketball. It’s just different. Maybe in the NBA, people just watch [attend] games to socialize and to network and to eat a lot of food but you don’t see the fans leaving their seats here.”
He further added, “A lot of times in a Game 4 or Game 3 whatever, you’ll get blowouts because of homecourt advantage. But even when they played us at Barca the games were very close. And that’s the level of competition. Everybody can play, everybody is smart and very strategic. European basketball is great basketball,” while talking about the how the NBA varies from EuroLeague.
Parker mentioned in the interview that career-wise he was happy and enjoying his games in Europe. However, living far away from his hometown clearly aches his heart. Now that the season is over, he does not have to miss his home anymore.
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