Memphis Grizzlies News: Chandler Parsons Progressing Through Rehab

Great news for the Memphis Grizzlies: Chandler Parsons is through with rehab, and he’s working out both on and off the court.

Last season, if you asked Memphis Grizzlies’ fans who their least favorite player was, the answer was probably Chandler Parsons. With his off-court lifestyle, the All-Star break trip to Chancun and his lack of production on the court, fans were frustrated. Some even booed him in the FedEx Forum.

Now that he’s getting to experience his first real off-season in three years, Parsons is ready to remind everyone what he could do for this team.

Yesterday, Chandler surprised a camp at Memphis Athletic Ministries, showing kids basketball drills and giving them free gear from Adidas. Before all that, he spoke to the media in regards to his rehab process, last season and the Grizzlies’ free agency.

Progressing through Rehab

Every time Chandler says “rehab,” his trainer tells him that “it’s just workouts now.”

Since his latest knee injury, Parsons has been in Los Angeles, rehabbing and working out with some of the best trainers in the game. While he received harsh criticism for not being on the bench during the playoffs or available for exit interviews, the team knew that it was best for him to fully recover and prepare for next season.

While he’s not playing pick-up basketball right now, Parsons is staying in shape by shooting jumpers (as seen on Instagram), boxing, yoga and pilates.

For the first time in three seasons, he’s actually had an offseason to work out and not just rehab:

"It’s awesome. I feel like, the past couple years, I’ve been rushing through camp. [I’ve been] rushing through the season. Not practicing, not having a full training camp. [And] it’s just been difficult. As you can see in my play, I haven’t been myself. I feel like with this time I’ve been able to put in and eating on a straight diet and doing all the right things … It’s definitely helping, and I think it’s definitely improving everything. It’s to the point now where I don’t think about my knee. I just go to the gym, and I work out to get better."

Last year, after rushing his return, he felt “clicks” and swelling in his knees even during the season. Now that these things aren’t happening, the Grizzlies and the fans should feel optimistic.

Rehabbing in Los Angeles

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Many people were frustrated with the fact that Chandler Parsons was rehabbing and working out

in Los Angeles, and not Memphis. There was a notion that he chose to stay there to continue his lavish lifestyle. However, it’s not the case.

When asked if he needed time away from Memphis after a grueling season, Chandler expressed his love for Memphis but said he lives in Los Angeles during the offseason:

"I got great trainers out there. Our team doctors and trainers check in with me all the time. Every player in the league has their own place where they live and train during the offseason. Mine happened to be Los Angeles."

He even mentioned that Zach Randolph bought a house a street away from his adobe in Los Angeles.

Will GM Parsons make an appearance?

Even in Los Angeles, Chandler Parsons has been connecting with his teammates and coaches. He’s been working out with Zach Randolph out West, and talking to Marc Gasol and the young players constantly. He’s also had dinner with Mike Conley and Dave Fizdale over the past week.

In the past, he’s served as a recruiter. He helped Houston land Dwight Howard, who was the league’s best center at the time. He nearly persuaded DeAndre Jordan to sign with Dallas, until an emoji-filled Twitter saga and a hostage situation changed his mind.

The Memphis Grizzlies may not have the money for a top-flight free agent, but don’t be surprised if Chandler Parsons recruits Zach Randolph the hardest:

"He’s one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever played with. Just spending some time with him in LA, he got a house actually one street over from me for the summer in LA. He’s an awesome dude, man. A lot of people are scared of him, but he’s a big teddy bear. I was one of those people terrified of him."

If Parsons is in charge of recruiting, Grizzly fans shouldn’t worry about where Zach Randolph ends up.

Next: Chandler Parsons is a big part of the Grizzlies

Message to the fans

As previously stated, a lot of people in Memphis may not be fans of Chandler Parsons. It was evident when his gear was the last one up in their end-of-the-year blowout sale where jerseys were $20 and shirts were $6. The great philosopher Joel Embiid has said time and time again: Trust the process.

Amidst the booing and tasteless videos, Parsons continues to love Memphis and has a special message to the impatient fans out there:

"Just stick with me. I signed a four-year deal, not a one-year deal. It didn’t go the way I wanted it to go. And trust me, they’re not more upset than I was about it. I understand that fans are going to be fans, and they’re going to have high expectations. I have the same for myself. Next season will be different. Just roll with me."

Over the years, he’s showed how good of a basketball player he really is. Yesterday, he proved that he genuinely cares about the Memphis community.

Grizzly fans, just roll with Chandler Parsons.