Grizzlies coach heaps praise on Bucks' young duo

People around the NBA are taking notice of the improvements made by young Milwaukee Bucks stars Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Can it translate to an all-star level at some point?

Memphis coach David Fizdale believes the duo is taking big steps, and the evidence was there in the Bucks’ 106-96 victory over the Grizzlies on Saturday night.

Parker had 16 points and four rebounds despite an off shooting night, while Antetokounmpo was 9 for 13 from the field and had identical numbers at the free throw line.

The Greek Freak put on a dominant performance that included 27 points, six rebounds, five assists, four steals and four blocks.

“Wow,” Fizdale said before the game. “Every time I watch him on film, I just say wow.

“If a guy was born to do something, he was born to play this game. He’s so skilled; he’s so tough. He just continues to develop his game in so many areas.

“I got to spend time with him in South Africa last year (at the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program) and I was just so impressed with him. He’s continued to evolve and now his body is starting to fill out, which is really scary.

“He’s going to be an all-star. He’s going to be a guy that at some point people are going to start talking about as an MVP candidate in his career. He’s just that kind of talent.”

Fizdale is not a neophyte. He’s a first-year head coach but learned under Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, spending six seasons as the lead assistant for the Heat.

During that time the Heat advanced to the playoffs five times, made four straight trips to the NBA Finals and won two championships. He coached LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen.

So he should know the real thing when he sees it.

“When you fill up the stat sheet the way he (Antetokounmpo) does, I just don’t know how you can keep him out of that game,” Fizdale said of the All-Star Game, to be played in New Orleans in mid-February.

“He gets to the rim from one end of the floor to the other in three dribbles,” Fizdale said. “It’s freakish. There are just not many guys like him, if any.

“I used to say Kevin Durant was like him but even that’s different. This kid gets places with his speed and just no effort. How do you deal with that?”

The Bucks have not had a player reach the All-Star Game since Michael Redd in 2004, the longest drought in the league.

Often a team needs a winning record to have a player reach all-star status, and that has hurt plenty of Bucks candidates over the past 12 years.

The growth displayed by Parker early in the season is evident, too. He had a 33-point game against New Orleans on Thursday and followed up with 16 points and a team-high plus-14 rating against the Grizzlies.

Bucks coach Jason Kidd recalled Parker was not allowed to shoot threes during his rookie year but now has the green light. And the 6-foot-8 forward looks more comfortable on his mid-range jumper.

“I think he worked extremely hard on it this summer,” Kidd said. “It’s a rhythm catch, catch-and-shoot.

“Make or miss, he’s being aggressive and that’s what you need from one of your top scorers.

“When he has the confidence of being able to stretch it out to the three, it will make it easier for him to get to the basket.”

Parker was 0 for 4 from three-point range Saturday but went 3 for 6 against the Pelicans. The Chicago native already has attempted 23 three-pointers (8 for 23) in nine games after attempting 35 triples all last season (9 for 35).

Fizdale said Parker has impressed him, too.

“You can see it; his shot is so much better,” Fizdale said. “He’s really worked hard on his shot.

“From afar I really root for that kid. He’s been through a lot in his career already with the injury (torn anterior cruciate ligament in his rookie year) and things like that. He’s such a high-character kid.

“I got to meet him his first year through Juwan Howard (Heat assistant) and I was just so impressed with him. Whatever comes to him in a good way, I’m happy for him.”

Parker is averaging 19.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists through the first nine games, and Antetokounmpo’s averages are 21.3, 8.3 and 5.3.

The Bucks (5-4) will practice Monday at the Cousins Center before heading to Atlanta on Tuesday. They face the red-hot Hawks on Wednesday night and play at Miami on Thursday night before returning home to meet Golden State on Saturday night.