As expected, Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg is keeping Jabari Parker with the second group for Friday's final preseason game against the Nuggets.
Not only did Hoiberg say Thursday that he liked what he saw from both the first and second units in Wednesday's victory over the Pacers _ the first game featuring the change _ but Parker also worked with the second unit at practice.
Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, Justin Holiday, Bobby Portis and Wendell Carter Jr. are the starters for now and could be for Thursday's season opener in Philadelphia.
With the Bulls shelving Parker's minutes at small forward for now, the former Simeon star could be looking at a bench role indefinitely. When Lauri Markkanen returns from his elbow injury, he'll start at power forward.
Hoiberg said he met with Parker again Friday to reiterate the importance of Parker's role as a facilitator for the second unit. Parker said Thursday he wasn't given any reason for the demotion other than "just different lineups." This contradicted not only what Hoiberg told reporters, but also what he did as Hoiberg gave Parker the same message Wednesday.
"Jabari and I had a good talk again (Friday) morning," Hoiberg said. "He knows how important his role is in that second unit, to be a facilitator on offense. I thought he made some really good reads with the ball in his hands. That's an important role. And he understands that."
