Today we will take a look at the Cavaliers own Mr. Nice Guy, Anthony Parker, (although Jamario Moon is a close second). Anthony is a quiet veteran, with the potential to provide this team with great leadership and poise throughout the season.
Where Anthony cam from:
Anthony Parker was born in 1975 in Naperville, Illinois. He played his high ball at Central High School in Naperville, before moving on to Bradley University, where he averaged 15 points and 3.2 assists per game. Although Anthony played at a smaller university, his play catapulted him into the first round of the NBA Draft. He was ultimately selected with the 21st overall pick by the New Jersey Nets.
Where Anthony has been:
After he was selected in the 1997 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets, Anthony was subsequently traded just two days later, on June 27, 1997, along with Jim Jackson, Eric Montross and Tim Thomas to the Philadelphia 76ers for Michael Cage, Lucious Harris, Don MacLean and Keith Van Horn. Parker would stay in Philly form 1997-1999, where he played in 39 total games in two seasons. In August 1999, Anthony was again traded to the Orlando Magic, along with Harvey Grant for Billy Owens. During the 1999-2000 season, he played just 16 games with the Magic. At the conclusion of the 1999-2000 season, Parker decided to try his hand in the Euroleague and the Suproleague. Parker would ultimately play in Europe from 2000-2006, where he won two Euroleague titles, one Suproleague title, and was twice named Euroleague MVP.
The six year stint in Europe eventually landed Anthony back in the NBA, when in July 2006, he signed as a free agent with the Toronto Raptors. He would play in almost every game for the Raptors for the next three seasons. On July 13, 2009, Anthony signed a free agent contract with his current team, our beloved Cleveland Cavaliers.
What Anthony has achieved:
Throughout his career, Parker has averaged 9.5 points, 2.1 assists and shoot 41.5% from behind the arc. His best NBA season came in 2007-2008 with the Raptors. Anthony played 82 games that year, averaging 12.5 points, 2.2 assists and shooting 43.8% from three point land. Parker played 81 total games last season with the Cavaliers, averaging 7.3 points and 1.9 assists per game.
What we can expect to see from Anthony in the coming season:
Anthony Parker is the guy you want on your team night in and night out. He is a work-horse, with a great attitude, and to add to it....he can play basketball. His outside shooting and ability to hit big shoots will continue to help the Cavalliers score points and hopefully win games. Although Parker has been in the NBA only seven seasons, he brings six years experience he gained in Europe to the table. The Cavaliers need Anthony to step into a leadership role and mentor the younger guys on this basketball team.
Anthony can be a threat from beyond the arc opening up other options for this team. If Anthony can bring leadership, effort, scoring and defensive pressure, which he did for most of last season, he will again be a great asset to this Cleveland team.