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NBA Rookie Role Models: Is Jabari Parker the next Paul Pierce?

By HP Basketball Network

Feb 18, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker (1) shoots a basket over Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets forward Robert Carter, Jr. (4) in the first half at Hank McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker (1) shoots a basket over Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets forward Robert Carter, Jr. (4) in the first half at Hank McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 3, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack forward T.J. Warren (24) handles the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. The North Carolina State Wolfpack won 74-67. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack forward T.J. Warren (24) handles the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. The North Carolina State Wolfpack won 74-67. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

T.J. Warren, this could be you: Alex English and/or Adrian Dantley

By Kris Fenrich  (@dancingwithnoah)

Take your pick T.J., there’s a gaggle of small forwards from the 1980s that scored the basketball with single-minded dedication and believe it or not, you’ve been created in their mold. The basketball gods gifted you with the prototypical height, build, and offensive sensibilities of your forefathers, men like Alex English and Adrian Dantley, men who made habits of torching opponents for 25-35 points on any given night. Does that not sound fun?

Listen T.J., the foundation is being laid for your supreme attacking success. Your new team plays at a fast pace and scores a crapload of points. Several of those points can be yours. If you can tolerate the dry desert air and urban sprawl of Phoenix, you can easily play into your 40s. Alex English found a high octane home in Denver playing for Doug Moe’s run and gun Nuggets of the 80s and becoming the mustachioed face of the franchise. You’ve got a mustache and a glorious arsenal to match. Seize your opportunity, TJ.

People will tell you to become well-rounded, to play hard on both ends of the court, but this is nonsense. Adrian Dantley, one of the great scorers in league history, was allergic to defense. He made millions and scored thousands of points and offers a perfect model of post-play dominance which you can add to your game.

It’s not enough that your facial hair is similar to Adrian and Alex and that you play the same position with a score-first approach. Dantley and English were able to crack the secret of the scorer’s code: the free throw line. Dantley is one of the most prolific free throw shooters in league history and made it to the line nearly nine times per game over the course of his career. He made over 80% of those opportunities. English wasn’t nearly as prolific, but hit over 83% of his free throws for his career. TJ, you made some nice improvements from the line between your freshmen and sophomore seasons, but if you want to realize your ceilingless potential, you’ll need to make Mailman-like strides at the line.

The models are there TJ, waiting for you to take the torch and let the flame of the mono-dimensional scoring small forward burn brightly in the valley in of sun.

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