{"id":608393,"date":"2026-04-15T11:58:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T11:58:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/608393\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T11:58:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T11:58:18","slug":"obradovic-he-did-what-was-best-for-him-i-was-needed-in-joventut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/608393\/","title":{"rendered":"Obradovic? He did what was best for him; I was needed in Joventut"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jabari Parker, the American forward, spoke to Basketball Sphere<\/a> about his move to Joventut, Zeljko Obradovic, his relationship with Joan Penarroya, as well as comments made by Ostoja Mijailovic.<\/p>\n

Jabari Parker arrived as the most expensive signing in Partizan history, and his name \u2013 because of everything he had accomplished before coming to Belgrade \u2013 carried enormous weight. Unfortunately for both him and the black-and-white fans, the situation did not unfold well, and it was decided that the best solution for everyone was for him to find a new environment.<\/p>\n

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His move to Joventut appears to be the right step for the former No. 2 NBA draft pick, who spoke to Basketball Sphere about the feeling of being needed and how much that means to him:<\/p>\n

\u201cMy role has changed. It\u2019s a job at the end of the day. I was needed here and decided to come. Now I\u2019m trying to do the best I can\u201d, Jabari Parker began.<\/p>\n

In Badalona, he was welcomed by some greats of European basketball, such as Ricky Rubio and Ante Tomic, who, as he says, have made his adaptation process easier.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn this business, you\u2019ll have many teammates and play against many opponents. These are guys I\u2019ve gotten to know over the years \u2013 especially Ricky (Rubio). It\u2019s good to have teammates like that, leaders. I\u2019m enjoying this team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because of his less-than-ideal stint at Partizan, a perception emerged that Jabari Parker came to Europe just for money. However, moments like the one after Barcelona\u2019s loss in the Endesa League semifinals in the 2023\/24 season show a different side of the 31-year-old.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not my world or my reality. I enjoy the game of basketball. Basketball has taken me to many places, and I\u2019m happy to keep doing what I love. I\u2019m fortunate, and that\u2019s why it remains my passion\u201d, Jabari Parker told us and then spoke about his veteran status:<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m a veteran now, but the way you see me and the way I see myself are two different things. You come from what you think you know, and I\u2019m telling you my truth. In this situation, I\u2019m playing basketball, I love it, and that\u2019s my path. Everything else is a distraction, and I don\u2019t get into that much. I go where I\u2019m needed. That\u2019s why I\u2019m here in Badalona.\u201d<\/p>\n

When you enter the NBA as the No. 2 pick at just 19 years old, after playing for a powerhouse like Duke, expectations are unimaginable for most. Jabari Parker was once compared to Carmelo Anthony, but his NBA career didn\u2019t go as planned, largely due to injuries:<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no such thing as setback. It was something that happened in my life, and I don\u2019t believe my career derailed because of it. It made me a better person, and I\u2019m happy I went through what I went through. It\u2019s part of life, and I accept all challenges. I don\u2019t see it as negative \u2013 just valuable experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Pablo<\/p>\n

It was impossible not to mention his collaboration at Partizan with Zeljko Obradovic, the most decorated coach in European basketball history, which lasted only a few months due to Obradovic\u2019s decision to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just happened, right? Zeljko (Obradovic) had to do what was best for him. He\u2019s a grown man and is not entitled to do anything. He is only entitled to do what\u2019s best for him. After that, situations occurred where the professional and business sides made certain decisions. That has nothing to do with questioning myself. I\u2019m not going to war. I\u2019m not killing people to make a living. This is just basketball, and things happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

He explained his broader perspective, emphasizing that there are far more important things in the world than basketball.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know myself. Many people see basketball as everything, but there are bigger problems in the world. People are dying in Israel and Gaza. My problems are very limited. Yes, my job is to perform and win games, but as long as I\u2019m healthy, have friends and family, and stay mentally and physically well \u2013 that\u2019s what matters most to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

After departure of Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan hired Joan Penarroya, and it was expected he might revive Parker, just like during their time together at Barcelona. That didn\u2019t happen, as Pe\u00f1arroya decided to sideline him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe (Joan Penarroya) doesn\u2019t owe me anything. He has to do his job, and he did it. I don\u2019t blame him for anything. He\u2019s the coach and has the right to make decisions. I\u2019m the player \u2013 if I need to play, I\u2019ll play; if I need to sit X period of games, I\u2019ll sit. That\u2019s my job. That\u2019s my job, and I will do what\u2019s required. I don\u2019t have any opinion on whether it\u2019s good or not. I just have to fulfill my duty.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also addressed whether he felt he was treated unfairly:<\/p>\n

\u201cHe treated me accordingly. It\u2019s a job. Someone makes decisions, and I do what I have to do. That\u2019s all that matters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"pedro<\/p>\n

Partizan president Ostoja Mijailovic\u00a0publicly called Parker\u2019s contract the club\u2019s biggest mistake and commented on his weight.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a myth. There are no numbers anywhere. If I\u2019m so out of shape, look at me now \u2013 do you watch basketball?\u201d, Jabari Parker asked and after receiving confirmation, he continued:<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I shouldn\u2019t even be talking about it. I\u2019m guy that\u2019s about results. I\u2019m good. People make decisions \u2013 it\u2019s part of the job. If I am told to sit, I sit. If I am told to play, I play. That\u2019s my responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n

After everything that happened, his future with Partizan remains unclear. The club has stated it will look for a new team for him, but Parker remains professional:<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I said, I\u2019ll fulfill my duties. As you know, I\u2019m always professional and will do whatever is needed. That\u2019s all that matters. Wherever I\u2019m needed, I\u2019ll be. If it was just about money, I am content. I love this game and always give my best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"achille<\/p>\n

Before moving to Joventut, there were reports about interest from China, but Parker dismissed them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not aware of that. I don\u2019t know anything about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The conversation also touched on lighter topics. His 2013\/14 Duke team featured players familiar to ABA League fans, such as Rasheed Sulaimon and Semi Ojeleye:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not out of ordinary \u2013 the game is growing. There are great players in great leagues. It\u2019s beautiful for basketball. I\u2019m grateful to have shared the court with people I grew up with. I\u2019m blessed, happy, and thankful for where I am today.\u201d<\/p>\n

To finish, Jabari Parker was asked to pick an all-time Chicago lineup \u2013 a surprisingly tough task.<\/p>\n

\u201cDerrick Rose, Isiah Thomas, Antoine Walker, Anthony Davis, and Sonny Parker (Jabari Parker\u2019s father)\u201d, Jabari Parker concluded for Basketball Sphere<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Basketball Sphere Interview \u2013 ANDRE ROBERSON (@FlyDre21<\/a>)https:\/\/t.co\/y9in8Gifnj<\/a><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd35 @zenitbasket<\/a> \u2013 all I want to do is win!<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd35 Dejan Radonjic has an amazing coaching philosophy,<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd35 The VTB League has a lot of talent,<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd35 My wife @RADeMita<\/a> has been at the forefront as my\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) April 7, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

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