Should Jabari Parker Follow the Carmelo Anthony Blueprint at Power Forward?

The Carmelo Anthony comparisons were inevitable. Jabari Parker shares that wide, strong 6'8" frame and confident face-up scoring arsenal. 

Given the success Melo has had as a pro, at least individually, Parker should really think about following his lead—right into the post.

Over the last few years for the undersized New York Knicks, Anthony has played some of his best minutes at power forward. It's a spot on the floor that calls for a shot selection better suited for his strengths and one that helps diminish his weaknesses.

Parker's NBA position has been up for debate since his days in high school. Though he always had the polished offensive game that allowed him to play away from the rim, he's just not fueled by the same quickness, bounce or blow-by explosiveness of your traditional NBA wing. 

And those athletic limitations had always weighed on his defensive outlook as a small forward. We saw it at Duke. He's just not a guy who's built to play with his butt low to the ground while seamlessly sliding from side to side. 

The NBA small forwards could eat him up in isolation. 

"

Sometimes it looks like Jabari Parker's feet are stuck in cement on defense. Just doesn't move at all.

— Conrad Kaczmarek (@ConradKazNBA) February 9, 2014"

Parker will be a lot safer defending slower but bigger forwards closer to the basket. There's a lot less lateral movement down there. Plus, he's got the size, length and mass to bang with most 4s. 

He's also a strong rebounder, having led the ACC and averaged 8.2 a game in Las Vegas Summer League. 

Despite the difference in size up front moving from one level to the next, Parker should be able to hold his own down low from a physical standpoint.  

But playing the 4 isn't just about masking his weaknesses as a defender. It could also help him exploit some of his offensive versatility that would hopefully lead to a more efficient output. 

Parker's bread and butter is his post game. Between the fadeaways, spin moves and power moves, he shot 55 percent on post-ups last season, according to Synergy Sports Technology via ESPN's Ryan Grace.

As a 4, Parker's game would start in the post, which he can complement with opportunistic perimeter scoring. That's a better formula for Parker than starting at the wing, where his shooting range remains a work in progress and quickness is below average for a 3.

Sure, Parker can stick the pull-up, step-back and spot-up jumper, but he hasn't shown he can with any consistency. You don't want him leaning on those shots early on. At this stage, he's a shot-maker—not a shooter. Even though he's capable from 15-25 feet, it's ultimately a win for the defense if it can keep him firing away from outside. And he'd be more vulnerable to falling into that trap as a wing.

It's no different for Anthony, who tends to get jump-shot happy when handling the ball too much around the arc. 

While Parker has the skill set needed to play small forward, he's going to have a tougher time executing against NBA-level 3s.

Morry Gash/Associated Press

He's got an average first step. He lacks that turn-the-corner burst, which ultimately led to a number of low-percentage jumpers his freshman year. If I'm Parker, I don't want those quick NBA wings covering me. Hopefully the Kawhi Leonards and Trevor Arizas of the world end up guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

If I'm Parker, I want to be matched up with slower power forwards who he'll have a much easier time exploiting as a scorer in face-up situations. And given his ability to knock down outside shots and create off the dribble, the Bucks will likely use him as a stretch 4—a position that lets him play outside as well as in the paint—where he's now an offensive mismatch against those heavy-footed bigs. 

Parker talked to Nancy Lieberman on Sirius XM NBA Radio (via Charles F Gardner, Journal Sentinel) regarding his feelings for the power forward position. 

"

As of right now I'm more comfortable with the 4 position. That's where I played previously, before getting drafted, at Duke. I played a lot of 4. Even in high school. I know this is a different level.

But in coach's style of play, it's more a stretch 4. That's where I like to play my game, even though I like to post up a little. Just being on the perimeter, setting screens and popping, that's what we've been doing so far. That's what coach Kidd has been anticipating me playing that role.

"

Sticking Parker at the 4 ultimately allows him to play to his strengths as an interior scorer and rebounder and away from his weaknesses as a perimeter defender and shooter. 

The obvious hope is that he can hang with the big boys down low and school them from outside. 

At the end of the day, it might be foolish to lock Parker in as strictly a 3 or a 4. It's not a black-and-white debate. Against a team like the Wizards, the Bucks may be better off playing John Henson against Nene Hilario at the 4 and letting Parker do battle with the slower Paul Pierce on the wing. 

Or maybe small ball works for the Bucks, as it typically creates more spacing by having a guy who can stretch the floor playing alongside the center. 

The beauty of Parker's versatility is that it should allow Milwaukee to pick and choose how to use him. 

Still, long term, it's the power forward position that should lead to higher-percentage looks and less defensive trouble for Parker.