Jabari Parker prefers EuroLeague over NBA: 'You don't see fans leaving their seats here' / News - Basketnews.com

Even if his first season in the Old Continent is far from over, Jabari Parker has turned into an avid advocate for European basketball. The US forward laid out the ways in which his EuroLeague experience has been more than gratifying by comparing EuroLeague and NBA fans.

Credit: Rodolfo Molina/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Rodolfo Molina/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Jabari Parker wasn't one of the main contributors to FC Barcelona extinguishing Olympiacos Piraeus' late 6-point lead (69-63) when two minutes were left in regulation of their Game 3 at the Peace and Friendship Stadium on Tuesday night.

Player of the Game EFF 20 Tomas Satoransky Points 13 Accuracy 5-7 Rebounds 4 Assists 5

Yet, the former NBA forward managed to add the finishing touch to a dreamlike finale for the guests, who snatched an 82-80 overtime win that gives them a 2-1 lead going into Game 4.

As the overtime in Piraeus was running out, Parker attempted a 3-point shot, which Filip Petrusev tried to contest.

The referees indicated a foul on the Serbian big man that sent the American player to the free-throw line. Parker hit two of three and signed the Catalans' victory. Now, Barca have the chance to qualify for the Final Four, which would be their fourth in a row.

Olympiacos' head coach,Georgios Bartzokas, questioned the refs' last call.

"It's not my job to criticize other people's work when someone jumps and travels through the air, and you decide the game with that call, it's other people's responsibility to decide whether it is a good or a bad decision," the Greek tactician commented.

"From my perspective, it was a foul," Parker argued in his team's locker room talking to the media.

"I don't know, right? What I know is that I couldn't get my shot off and they gave me free throws."

The 29-year-old made the difference for another game by nearing a double-double of 13 points and 9 rebounds, in addition to making the couple of free throws that decided the game (80-82).

For him, those were the most important free throws in his career.

"Yeah, for real," he affirmed. "Right now, this is the most important time of my life in basketball because I'm here in the moment. Itwas enjoyable just being here."

Points this season

48%82,3Points made:82,3Accuracy:48,4%Place in standings:8Record max:101Record min:64Best scorer:Jan VeselyTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Parker paid his respect to Olympiacos as well.

"You got to tip you hat off to the other team; they did played one hell of a game. They wouldn't get this type of atmosphere and we wouldn't get this type of competition but with a team like them. They're a great team and we enjoyed the game's competitive nature," he added.

Anyone who has watched the three games of this series has noticed the intensity, the physicality and the battles on the court. However, Parker wants his team to look even more competitive to make it to the Final Four in Berlin.

"We got another game coming up. Regardless of the outcome, we're going to have to play a Game 4. We have to play with the same intensity and try to get it one more time," he said.

Parker carries 9 years of NBA experience having played several 7-game post-season series on the other side of the Atlantic. He knows as much as anyone how important these games are and even if it is his first year in the EuroLeague, his experience helps him to stand out.

"Well, it was everybody," he pointed out when asked about the elements that kept Barca afloat in regulation.

"We just stayed locked in. As far as myself goes, I stayed focused. I wasn't involved for a while, but I didn't let that get to me."

Barca's last continental title came in 2010, when the current GM Juan Carlos Navarro led the squad against Olympiacos in the Paris final game. For years, Barca have tried to return to winning ways, but have fallen short in the process. Their goal is clear, but the path is paved with thorns.

"I don't get that feeling of unfullfillment," Parker clarified.

"I'm just focusing on Thursday's game and then we'll see. We're not in the Final Four yet. We're playing a team that can win two in a row. We're seeing their capability. As soon as we make the Final Four, maybe the point of emphasis will get there."

In Game 1, Parker scored 13 points along with 7 rebounds, even if Barcelona were defeated. In Game 2, he was the leading man with 24 points and 5 rebounds, while in the Game 3, his shot decided the result.

However, the EuroLeague playoffs is all about competition and atmosphere. As an NBA veteran, Parker maintains that the Old Continent's perks can't be compared with what the NBA has to offer.

"How can I compare it?" he wondered.

"Well, from my knowledge, the games are a lot closer here. I haven't watched the NBA at all this season. A lot of times, in a Game 3 and 4, you'll get blowouts because of the home-court advantage. Even when they play us in Barca, the games were very close. That's just the level of competition. Everybody can play, everybody's smart and very strategic. That's why European basketball is great basketball," he opined.

Parker believes that the NBA would benefit from crowds like the one in Pireaus. In fact, the fervent fan presence makes EuroLeague players on both sides play to their full potential and also upgrades the quality of basketball.

"We got to give these fans their money's worth. They paid big money to watch these games and it's up to us as an organization to show that," he stressed.

"I don't like when a team takes off nights or sits out players. It happens, but in the EuroLeague, this is high competition. We play for every game. I don't know what their environment is out there, but I know for here that people come to watch basketball.

So, it's just different. Maybe in the NBA, people just watch games to socialize, to network and to eat a lot of food. But you don't see the fans leaving their seats here."

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