Jabari Parker Has Inside Track for 2014-15 NBA Rookie of the Year Award

The second overall pick in the most recent NBA draft should be the No. 1 rookie by the time the 2014-15 season ends.

That's because Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker has the perfect storm of circumstances to make the biggest impact in a draft class filled with intriguing first-year talents.

Parker boasted the most complete offensive game among the top-tier prospects, which is a big reason why he was chosen to be the new face of the Bucks franchise. During a recent scrimmage, the young star out of Duke got to show off his skills:

What stands out about Parker is that he is able to handle the ball so well for his 6'8" size, has the power to finish at the rim when he beats opponents off the dribble and does effective work off the ball.

The combination of basketball IQ, staying in motion as a constant threat, natural instincts, physical tools and athleticism make Parker a force to be reckoned with right away. It should translate to instant success.

Adjusting to game situations in the regular season is a different matter, but Parker is now confident about the chemistry he's developed with the players on his side, per the Journal Sentinel's Charles F. Gardner:

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At the beginning of training camp I was a little lost. But I think everything came full circle for me today. It's been real special for me, being thrown in the fire so early. I just love it that I'm being able to be around some good guys, real veterans. The experience is helping me go fast. I'm able to catch on a little better because I have good teammates.

"

New Bucks head coach Jason Kidd has plans to deploy Parker as a stretch 4. Not only does the prodigy have the range to fill it up and keep defenders honest from the perimeter, but he's also going to be far better in terms of quickness than almost anyone who lines up to guard him.

These words from Parker, via FoxSportsWisconsin.com's Andrew Gruman, ought to ring true by season's end:

Milwaukee has some intriguing personnel to complement Parker, featuring fellow teenager Giannis Antetokounmpo, a 6'11" dynamo who can play point guard. The backcourt also features savvy two-way player O.J. Mayo and talented youngster Brandon Knight.

There ought to be plenty of opportunities for Parker and the Bucks to get out and run in transition, which is where Parker will be nearly impossible to stop with a full head of steam.

FOX6 sports director Tom Pipines tweeted in August his high praise for Milwaukee's decision to draft Parker:

As for the other potential top rookie candidates, Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Andrew Wiggins' beginnings will feature a lot of highlight-reel plays, but his jumper is still a big concern. Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders hadn't committed to Wiggins in his starting five as of September.

It is worth noting, though, that Wiggins put up 18 points in his preseason debut starting at the 3.

Wiggins doesn't have the developed game on offense to put up the numbers Parker will be capable of in his starting role with the Bucks.

Before being traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Wiggins shot a meager 40.5 percent overall and 15.4 percent from three-point range in the Las Vegas Summer League. He should be a tremendous perimeter defender from the start. It's that offense that will hurt his Rookie of the Year campaign.

And that is Parker's best competition other than Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle, whose face-up game, rebounding and will all serve him well.

However, with Lakers legend Kobe Bryant nearing the end of his career, along with point guard Steve Nash, L.A. figures to build its offense around that duo for as long as possible. Randle won't be integral enough to produce like Parker can from the 4 spot, particularly if he's coming off the bench to back up Carlos Boozer.

More than all the other top rookies, Parker has a lack of viable veteran experience around him—to the point where he can be a leader right away. There is also the proper mix of young talent that can blend well with his strengths.

The Bucks have some strong building blocks to contend sooner than might be expected, with Parker more at the epicenter than Wiggins and Randle are in their squads' immediate plans.

Wiggins will grow with draft classmate Zach LaVine, but he will play a complementary role to the likes of Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Martin. The role Randle plays will be secondary to L.A.'s more experienced stalwarts.

Another element that sets Parker apart among the rookies is that his coach, Kidd, has experience deploying a perceived small forward at the 4. He did it with Paul Pierce on the Brooklyn Nets when Brook Lopez went down with a foot injury, and that sparked Brooklyn to a playoff appearance.

It is scary to think about what the results could be if Kidd can put a superior athlete in Parker into a similar niche, with capable ball-handlers in Knight, Mayo and even Antetokounmpo flanking him.

What it should result in to start is Rookie of the Year hardware for Parker.