The NBA is full of talent, personality and suspense. During the offseason, It’s easy to forget how wonderful the league can be. So, I’ve assembled 67 Reasons I’m Excited For Next Season (67RIEFNS). They’ll be presented in no particular order.
Here’s a list of everyone who has posted as many win shares as Chandler Parsons during the last two seasons:
- LaMarcus Aldridge
- Carmelo Anthony
- Chris Bosh
- Mike Conley
- Stephen Curry
- Anthony Davis
- Goran Dragic
- Tim Duncan
- Kevin Durant
- Marc Gasol
- Paul George
- Blake Griffin
- James Harden
- George Hill
- Dwight Howard
- Serge Ibaka
- LeBron James
- Al Jefferson
- DeAndre Jordan
- David Lee
- Damian Lillard
- Robin Lopez
- Kevin Love
- Kyle Lowry
- Joakim Noah
- Dirk Nowitzki
- Tony Parker
- Chandler Parsons
- Chris Paul
- Dwyane Wade
- David West
- Russell Westbrook
- Deron Williams
Let’s narrow that list by eliminating anyone who has made an All-Star game or All-NBA team in that span:
- Mike Conley
- George Hill
- Serge Ibaka
- Al Jefferson
- DeAndre Jordan
- Robin Lopez
- Kyle Lowry
- Chandler Parsons
- David West
- Deron Williams
Finally, let’s trim it to players 25 and under:
- Serge Ibaka
- Chandler Parsons
No, Parsons is not a star on the level of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh or Dirk Nowitzki – players the Rockets chased this summer. But Parsons fits into a sub-group of definitely productive and potentially overlooked players, and he’s young enough that it’s still possible for him to develop into an All-Star. Ibaka is certainly not bad company.
I don’t blame Houston for pursuing upgrades over Parsons. He’s not infallible. And that the Rockets failed to land anyone better than Trevor Ariza does not prove they took the wrong strategy. Sometimes, playing the odds correctly renders a bad result.
But once the chips were on the table and LeBron (Cavaliers), Melo (Knicks), Bosh (Heat) and Nowitzki (Mavericks) had all chosen their teams, Houston still declined to match the Mavericks’ offer sheet to Parsons. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey explained it’d be easier to get a third star by saving that money now.
Morey might be right.
But he might not be.
Two years ago, Parsons was the second best player (to James Harden) on a playoff team. Last year, Dwight Howard pushed him to third banana, though Parsons played even better than he did the previous season.
Parsons is a quality shooter who can get to the basket and either score or distribute, a skill set that does wonders for floor spacing. Parsons will allow the Mavericks to overcome their downgrade at point guard from Jose Calderon to Jameer Nelson. Defensively, Parsons is only passable, but Rick Carlisle can make that work.
Parsons could become Dallas’ second-best player behind Dirk Nowitzki, even though Houston never saw him as a good-enough third option.
There’s a chance Houston uses the freed money to acquired a third star. There’s also a chance Parsons becomes that third star. I would have bet on Parsons, but it’s a close call.
In Dallas, Parsons has a chance to prove himself.