Celtics news & notes: Jabari Parker underrated; Jayson Tatum on the mend

Is it time for the Boston Celtics to give veteran forward Jabari Parker some more minutes on the court?

According to a recent article by Bleacher Report, the sub .500 Celtics have an asset in Parker sitting right at the end of the bench. Yes, B/R believes the player who was drafted as the second overall pick in the NBA back in 2014 can give the C’s a boost.

Are you listening Ime Udoka?

Boston Celtics may have help sitting on the end of their bench

In his article Andy Bailey lists Parker as an end-of-bench player who should be on the floor.

He writes:

"“There isn’t much of a 2021-22 sample size to analyze from Jabari Parker. He’s only appeared in 12 games, and he’s logged fewer than 10 minutes in seven of them. With such limited runs, it’s impossible for a player to gain any sort of rhythm.Still, on the rare occasions that Parker has seen the floor for more than a few straight possessions, he’s looked like a capable offensive big who can stretch the floor a bit. He’s 8-of-16 from three and fifth among Boston Celtics in box plus/minus (minimum 100 minutes)."

Let’s remember, Jabari Parker was a high-round talent just eight seasons ago.  While undergoing two major knee surgeries has limited his success in the NBA, Parker is proving he can be the type of veteran role player off the bench the Celtics can use, especially when Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are both back on the floor and healthy.

As a big man who can stretch the floor, perhaps it is time for Udoka to see exactly how Parker fits in.  Maybe, just maybe, there is more value in Parker for the Boston Celtics if they find a consistent way to use him.

Boston Celtics notebook:  Jayson Tatum ready to return

The Boston Celtics gets their rising superstar back this week as Jayson Tatum has been released from the health and safety protocols and is set to return to the court when the team takes on the San Antonio Spurs Thursday at TD Garden.

While the team has found a way to win back-to-back games to start 2022, the Celtics stud has been missed and hopefully his second bout with COVID-19 doesn’t lead to the issues he dealt with last time he tested positive.

Tatum, who had some lung issues, needed an inhaler after games.  This time around, he says he is feeling better and is hoping he doesn’t have to deal with the same type of breathing issues.

"“Obviously I kind of reverted back to everything, and it kind of felt like the first go-around when I had it last year, and how tough that was and everything like that,” Tatum said, as transcribed by Boston.com.  “But I feel a lot better with everything.  My quarantine was shorter, my body feels a lot better, just comparing my first couple of days back working out and practicing than last year when I first came back.”"

While the Celtics are excited to have both Tatum and Jaylen Brown back on the court, expect Udoka to monitor Tatum as he eases back into the grind of the NBA schedule, which doesn’t exactly mean a minutes restriction.

The Celtics coach said Tatum has looked good during practice and expects his star player to get back to the level he was playing at before he came down with the illness.