I simply don't get the outrage directed at Stevens for not using a guy that doesn't know the team's plays after weeks on the team, is known throughout his career as a truly awful defender(and has been here) and who is basically the 15th man on a 17 man roster.
It sounds like clutching at straws really. Of all the things to be mad at Brad about, and there are more than a few, this is probably pretty low down the totem pole.
So for you he is a worst player than Ojeleye, Kornet, Edwards ? He was still talented enough to be drafted at 2 (OK not a global garanty, but a garanty when you compare at Ojeleye talent) and socred around 15 points during 6 seasons. Even if you give the key of the camion to Ojeleye or Edwards, they won't
If he can adapt to a smaller offensive role from the bench, I bet he could be usefull next year, if Brad decide to use him.
It's really the two ACL injuries that have robbed him of much of his lateral movement. That, coupled with his lack of familiarity with the defensive schemes of the Celtics are probably why he's been on the bench more often than not. Oftentimes I think we oversimplify the game of professional basketball and think it's just as easy as playing a pickup game and getting on the court and playing...offensively you have to know what space you need to be occupying, what spaces other players are moving in, and defensively you need to know who your guy is, when to switch, when fight through screens, which man you need to go over and which you can go under, when to hang back, when to help, when to get in rotation and I just think he's missing all that.
That's what Fournier is struggling with now, he's getting exposed a lot on switches because he's still not sure exactly when to switch and his teammates aren't calling them out. But at least Fournier has been scoring from the perimeter and is able to play a pace and space game. Jabari's role is much more limited in scope. I suspect next year he will play a bigger role...but the players you mentioned above fit different roles. Ojeleye is mainly a 3 and D guy though he's not consistent enough from 3. As for Kornet he's more of a pick and pop guy than an inside banger. If anything Jabari kind of fills the Tristan role offensively. I just feel that of all the problems this team has had this year, Jabari is probably lower on the list.
Here's what Brad had to say when asked about why Jabari has been on the bench.
While Parker has shown the ability to score and rebound, he has struggled on defense because of a lack of mobility against quicker players. The second overall pick in 2014 has had two anterior cruciate ligament tears in his left knee.
“When we threw him in there, we were also dealing with some guys that were missing,” Stevens said. “He’s still just learning how we play on both ends. He can do some things as far as scoring the ball in certain opportunities, in certain situations. But in the last couple of games, just decided to go with other guys who have been here and experienced in playing together.”
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/07/sports/jabari-parker-relegated-garbage-time-because-he-doesnt-know-celtics-system/?p1=Article_Inline_Related_Link