Milwaukee Bucks: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

4. Jabari Parker will return better than ever

On Feb. 8, 2017, Milwaukee wing Khris Middleton returned from injury as the team finally had its desired core on the court together. Minutes later, rising star forward Jabari Parker fell to the court with his second major knee injury in three years.

There is legitimate concern whether Parker can regain all of his explosion and athleticism after a second ACL tear. It is certainly possible that he can never reach the place he was physically in early last season. But with the combination of modern medicine, Parker’s work ethic and his previous track record, there is reason to expect a full recovery.

The Bucks are smart enough to play the long game with Parker, especially if he plays out this season on the last year of his rookie contract without an extension in place. They will not rush him back. But when he does come back, Parker will not only be ready to contribute, but he will have something new to offer from his months of training.

Parker has complete confidence in his ability to come back from this. In an interview a few weeks after his injury, Parker said, “I love challenges. I love being in the position I am” and that “I feel like God has given me this for a reason because he knows I can handle it.”

With his drive not only to return but to be a better player when he does, Milwaukee fans should be excited to see him on the court in the second half of next season. The Bucks will most likely bring him in off the bench as a super-sub, and he could garner discussion for Sixth Man of the Year despite his limited game total.

Jabari Parker is the sort of player teams and fans should bet on, and he when he does step onto the court next season, he will be every bit the player he was when he left it, if not better.