Los Angeles Lakers: Looking back at Smush Parker’s career in LA
Smush Parker is a household name for most Los Angeles Lakers fans, but not for the right reasons.
The Los Angeles Lakers have a history of great players with guys like Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaq, and Kobe Bryant. Like every other franchise in the league, they also have players like Smush Parker.
Before joining the Lakers in 2005, Smush Parker was well-traveled. He had spent time with the Suns, Cavaliers, and Pistons in prior seasons. He also had multiple stints in the D-League (now known as G-League).
There weren’t many expectations for Parker who signed with the Lakers in the summer of 2005. After all, he had averaged 3 points in 16 games the year before. As a rookie in Cleveland, Parker showed flashes when he averaged 6.2 points and 2.5 assists as a rookie in 2003.
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As soon as Parker signed with the Lakers it was expected that he would have a bigger role than he ever had. The Lakers only had a few players on their roster who can play point guard (Sasha Vujacic, Aaron McKie).
Parker ended up winning the starting job in his first season. The athletic guard averaged 11.5 points and 3.7 assists. Parker shot 37 percent from deep and averaged 1.7 steals.
He was terrific at getting his hands in passing lanes and forcing turnovers. Parker finished the season 12th in the league in steals. At 6’4, Parker had the size advantage over most lead guards.
The Lakers went 45-37 and finished with the seventh seed in the Western Conference. As a result, the Lakers had a first-round date with the heavy favorite Phoenix Suns. The Lakers went on to do the unthinkable due to Kobe Bryant’s great play.
Los Angeles took a 2-1 lead in the series going into game four at Staples Center. Parker had a playoff-high 18 points in a game three win.
In game four, the Lakers went on to trail late in the game before Smush Parker forced a Steve Nash turnover late leading to a Bryant teardrop that sent the game to overtime.
In overtime, Bryant hit the buzzer-beater to win the game and the Lakers took a 3-1 lead. While Parker wasn’t the most loved by even his own teammates, this game was one of the best moments of his career. Unfortunately, the Lakers went on to lose three straight games as they came up short on pulling off a historic upset.
Parker’s second season with the Lakers was similar to his first. On the season he averaged 11.1 points and 1.5 steals. Parker once again shot 37 percent from three. The Lakers made the playoffs once again and went up against Phoenix.
This time around the Lakers lost in five games and Parker’s minutes had reduced in the playoffs. Parker averaged 1.8 points in just 12 minutes. Parker scored 9 points in game four and he went scoreless in the other four contests.
That was it for Parker in Los Angeles. The Lakers ended up acquiring Derek Fisher in the offseason and went with Jordan Farmar as their backup.
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At the end of the day, some people will cringe when hearing Smush Parker’s name. The truth is he was a decent player who had some good moments with the Los Angeles Lakers.