- Jabari Parker recently signed with Barcelona after eight seasons in the NBA
- Parker claims Barcelona can compete in the NBA
- Parker cited the players with NBA experience among their ranks
Jabari Parker believes Barcelona has what it takes to compete in the NBA. Parker recently headed over to Spain to continue his professional basketball career and thinks his new team has the experience needed to play in the NBA.
“Definitely,” Parker said. “We have several important players who have been there like me, (Tomas Satoransky) or Willy (Hernangomez)… Our experience is there after having played at the highest level for years. I think we could compete.”
Barcelona does deserve a lot of respect. They are the reigning Spanish champions and finished fourth in the EuroLeague as well. Also, Parker, Satoransky, and Hernangomez aren’t the only former NBA players within their ranks. Alex Abrines and Jan Vesely also played in the NBA, so Barcelona certainly won’t be completely out of their depth.
How Well Would Barcelona Do In The NBA?
With all that being said, I can’t imagine Barcelona doing very well in the NBA. Sure, the talk of the basketball world right now is how the rest of the world is catching up after Germany beat Team USA, but in an NBA setting, I just don’t see Barcelona being able to compete very well.
Just as the NBA players struggle with FIBA rules when they head over, they would have a tough time adapting to the NBA game. There is a clear talent disparity as well, as none of the players I mentioned earlier were close to being stars in the NBA. All of that gives me no reason to believe Barcelona would fare well.
Jabari Parker’s NBA Career
When Parker entered the NBA as the second pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, he probably didn’t think he’d be playing overseas in 2023. He was supposed to be a star in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks, but injuries ensured that wouldn’t happen.
Parker first tore his ACL in his left knee during his rookie season and then tore it again in the same knee in 2017. He was having his best season in the NBA at the time, having averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game in the 2016-17 campaign.
Following the second ACL tear, Parker was just never the same. In 2018, he signed with the Chicago Bulls, as the Bucks let him walk in free agency. The Bulls gave Parker a two-year $40 million deal but traded him mid-way through the 2018-19 season to the Washington Wizards.
Stints with the Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, and the Boston Celtics followed, but he was unable to make much of an impact. Parker then returned to the Bucks for the 2023 Summer League but skipped the tournament due to a family matter.
The Bucks then decided against a reunion, which led to the 28-year-old heading to Spain. Hopefully, he ends up reviving his career with Barcelona and perhaps someday, he might be able to return to the NBA.
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