NBA: 20 Players Turning Their Seasons Around

Feb 3, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons (25) drives to the basket past Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons (25) drives to the basket past Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 29, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) attempts a dunk in the fourth quarter during the game against the Houston Rockets at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Parker scored 36 points as the Bucks beat the Rockets 128-121. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Jabari Parker

The Milwaukee Bucks may be 25-35 on the season, and they may have some major questions to answer about Greg Monroe moving forward. But no one should doubt this team’s promising young nucleus of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jabari Parker, who is quickly proving that his disheartening ACL tear as a rookie isn’t going to slow him down for the future.

In his second NBA season, Parker is only averaging 12.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game on 49.1 percent shooting (and an abysmal 10 percent from long range). But over the last three weeks, he’s really grown as a scorer, with part of that coming from Monroe’s move to the bench.

With Monroe out of the starting lineup, Parker has enjoyed taking more shots, unimpeded by the requisite touches Moose got down low. It’s paid off for Parker, who’s always been pegged as a future 20 points per game scorer and is averaging 20.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game on 53.5 percent shooting since Feb. 9 — capped off by his career-high 36 points in a win over Houston Monday night.

Next: No. 8