During the Free Agency period before this years NBA season began, the Memphis Grizzlies signed Small Forward Chandler Parsons to a whopping 4yr/$94 million contract, or to be exact, $94,438,523, which is 100% guaranteed might I add. Now that wouldn’t be a problem if Parsons was still playing to the potential he showed back while he was still a member of the Houston Rockets.
While a member of the Rockets, Parsons started 207 /213 games and all 12 of their playoff games between 2012-2014. During the regular season, he averaged 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals while shooting .473% from the field, .370% from three and .705% from the line. In the playoffs, his averages per game were 18.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists, shooting .444% from the field, .382% from three and .690% from the line.
Fast forward to now, and his stint in Dallas, Parsons is having the absolute worst season of his career by a large margin. Recently, Parsons was quoted on how he viewed his lackluster performance this season. “I suck right now. There’s no sugar coating it. It is what it is. I’m just going to continue to work, continue to grind.” Harsh words, but they don’t come without reasoning.
Only playing in 32 of the teams 63 games this season, Parsons is averaging 6.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists while tossing up more bricks than a bricklayer. His current shooting averages sit at .335% from the field, .250% from three while his free throw percentage is actually at an all time high at .795%.
With injuries nagging at him throughout the entire season so far, it’s really no surprise his stats are down in the dumps. But in the NBA there is no room for excuses and everyone (granted maybe a few names) is replaceable.
If Parsons wants to continue playing for the Grizzlies, let alone any other team in the league, he will have to step up and prove he can be the knock down shooter he was in the early stages of his career.
