Jabari Parker didn’t really explore other options after the Celtics waived him last week, writes Brian Robb of MassLive. Parker was cut loose so the team could avoid paying a $100K guarantee that would have taken effect with the season opener. He re-signed with Boston after clearing waivers and said it’s where he wants to play.
“I just knew (Boston) was the right place to be. I knew that,” Parker said. “This is a winning team and iron sharpens iron, so if anything, I’m going to get better here playing against the guys every day, being around true competitors, and obviously get a chance for me to learn. So this is just a great situation just because I’m just grateful for it and I’m counting my blessings.”
Parker didn’t play in the team’s first three games, but he got a chance Monday night with Al Horford sidelined by injury. He scored 13 points in 17 minutes and made a case for a larger role providing instant offense off the bench. No matter what happens, Parker is happy to get a second chance in Boston after three years of bouncing around the league.
“It’s the journey that I chose, so definitely appreciative of the Celtics organization, just my teammates always being supportive,” he said. “Regardless of anything, I’m around good people, I’m around a great team, and I’m just grateful for the moment.”
There’s more from Boston:
- Horford has been providing more than just veteran leadership since rejoining the Celtics, notes Justin Leger of NBC Sports Boston. The 35-year-old big man is averaging 14.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.0 blocks in his first two games. “I love everything about Al,” Jayson Tatum said. “How he plays the game, how he goes about his duties on a day-to-day basis. He’s a true professional. I’m sure everyone’s going to say the same thing about him. He’s just a great teammate and a great person to be around.”
- An MRI on Romeo Langford‘s left calf didn’t show any damage, tweets Tim Bontemps of ESPN. Coach Ime Udoka said there’s hope that Langford won’t have to miss much time.
- Aaron Nesmith is off to a rough start in his second NBA season, going scoreless in his first three games and missing all 10 of his shots, but Udoka told reporters that he hasn’t lost confidence in what Nesmith can do, tweets Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston. “We told him to take his time, slow down, and play like he did in the summer,” Udoka said. “… With Romeo being out, there’s opportunity for him there. So just got to slow down and take the shots that he always has.”
I’m happy the Celtics kept Parker. I think he could become a valuable depth piece in the playoffs.
I hope Parker gets more playing time especially over doofus Danny’s trash picks Langford and Nesmith
If Langford gets a paper cut he’s out 6 weeks dude’s soft but it’s his career he’s ending
Imagine calling someone soft that worked infinitely harder than you and accomplished way more than you in life because he gets injured.
Pretty rich calling someone out for not knowing a person’s life when your doing the same thing about me clown
Parker played well Celtics. He deserves to be there. He is giving them offense off the bench. Horford is giving them what I always said he would. Solid big game. More important team play and leadership. He tightens their team play. Especially on D. Having a solid yr so far.
Celtics lost to Wiz tonight. Dinwiddie 22 pts tonight. I’m really happy with Knicks two headed PG. But I still take Dinwiddie as my starting PG.
Celtics rotations are similarly bad as last year…Changing coaches was supposed to help
We saw Jabari Parker practicing his 3-point shot late last season to add to his well known low post game. And thus so far Jabari’s made 4 of his 5 three pointers! He’s earning minutes!
I’d prefer Denis Schroeder starting over Al Horford. Let Al run with, lead, the 2nd unit.
Give 6’9″, 240 Bruno Fernando some minutes! We should have tried him out there battling Wizards tough guy 6’7″, 240 Montrezl Harrell, who killed us!