Parker had made an impressive start to life in the NBA…
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Milwaukee Bucks rookie Jabari Parker has insisted that he is remaining optimistic despite seeing his first year in the NBA cut short with a torn ACL.
The 19-year-old suffered a complete tear as he buckled on a drive to the basket during the Bucks’ win over the Phoenix Suns on December 15. It came in the third quarter as he collided with PJ Tucker, and he spoke to the media for the first time on Tuesday since suffering the injury.
“One of the positive things is I get a brand new knee,” Parker told reporters Tuesday before the Bucks lost to the Charlotte Hornets 108-101.
“You’ve got to look at longevity. Hopefully this will just be a short thing and I’ll be able to return for the career I want to have.
“I didn’t know it was this serious. Even though it happened, I wasn’t in agony. I just felt the twist and I thought it was hyperextended.
“It was just a clean break (tear).”
Parker, the second overall pick in the 2014 Draft, insisted that he isn’t frustrated about the recovery process ahead, but he is keen to use it as an opportunity to learn and challenge himself each day.
The Bucks star had emerged as a top rookie of the year contender as the franchise made an impressive start to the season, with Parker averaging 12.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in 29.5 minutes in 25 games.
Parker gave himself a C grade for his performances in the NBA so far and he is ready to learn about the game during his spell on the sidelines and use it as an opportunity to look outside of the mistakes and get better.
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