Memphis Grizzlies All-Star Break Review: Chandler Parsons

As the Memphis Grizzlies approach the All-Star break, let’s review each player’s season at this point. How’s Chandler Parsons been this year?

Chandler Parsons’ run with the Memphis Grizzlies has been a disappointment, to say the least. Injuries have plagued him throughout, and last season was a disaster. However, this season — despite the knee troubles — he’s bounced back to become a positive contributor.

Granted, he’s not the Dallas Mavericks or Houston Rockets Chandler Parsons — and it’s tough to say he’ll ever get back there. Despite this, he’s been solid for the Grizzlies this season.

Before last night’s game, Parsons was averaging 8.8 points on 41.1 percent shooting from deep, 2.8 rebounds and two assists in 26 games.

The stats don’t tell much of the story though. Because of his high basketball IQ, he simply makes the right plays on the court. He finds himself open on timely cuts. Even though he passes up on some shots, he moves the ball with precision. What’s gone under the radar is his defense.

In the past couple seasons, he’s been a liability on defense. And you’d think his knees would hinder his ability on the less glamorous end of the court. Nope. He’s holding his own out there and has been a solid defender for this team.

In fact, at the start of the season, Fizdale threw out there that Parsons would mainly play the 4 position. Because of his development on the defensive end of the court, he shifted back to his usual position — the 3.

Though he’s not the Chandler Parsons of old, he still delivered a vintage performance — something Grizzly fans have been dying for.

So far this season, he’s had 11 double-digit scoring games, up from the seven he had in this prior year.

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It’s a shame that we’ll never know what could’ve been with Chandler Parsons, but it’s the little things now. The improvement on the defensive end of the court. 12-13 point games. High-IQ basketball. A sporadic dunk. Efficient 3-point shooting — goodness, his form belongs in an instructional video.

As your prior expectations waver away, appreciate the little things Chandler Parsons brings to the table.