Smush Parker
Encyclopedia
William Henry "Smush" Parker (born June 1, 1981) is an American
professional basketball
player. Parker played shooting guard
in college but moved to point guard
in the NBA. The name "Smush" was originally his father's nickname and was handed down to him by his mother, who died when Parker was eight years old.
and attended Newtown High School
in Elmhurst, Queens
, where he was a star guard on their varsity basketball team. He then enrolled in at the College of Southern Idaho
as a freshman in the 1999-2000 season and transferred to play college basketball at Fordham University
. Following his sophomore season at Fordham University
, he entered the NBA in 2002
but went undrafted. During his sophomore season, he was Second Team All A-10 and Second Team NABC All-Region.
signed him for the 2002-03 season
.
Parker has played for a myriad of NBA teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers
, Detroit Pistons
, and the Phoenix Suns
. He also played for Aris Thessaloniki
of the Greek A1 League
(FIBA Europe
) before signing a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers
during the 2005 offseason. With him, the Aris BC
won the 2004 Greek Basketball Cup
in the final against Olympiacos BC
.
Little known entering the 2005 season, Parker gained recognition as the starting point guard
for the Lakers under coach Phil Jackson
. While many experts thought that either newly-signed veteran Aaron McKie
or Sasha Vujačić
would start at point guard, Parker became the surprise starter in the Lakers' season opener against the Denver Nuggets
and went on to score at least 20 points in four of his first five Laker games. This impressed Jackson, and Parker found himself in the starting line-up for the Lakers. Starting from the 2005-06 season, Parker started in 162 straight games averaging 11.5 points. During the last two games of the regular season and the playoffs (2006–2007), Parker lost his starting spot to rookie Jordan Farmar
.
On July 26, 2007, Parker signed with the Miami Heat
. For the Heat, Parker wore jersey number 21.
His production dropped off dramatically while with the Heat, with averages of 4.8 points, 1.7 assists and 2.1 rebounds, compared to his 11.1 in 164 games with the Los Angeles Lakers
.
Due to a physical altercation that Parker had with a parking attendant in November 2007, the Miami Heat
put him on paid leave to investigate the matter. On March 10, 2008, the Miami Heat
officially waived Parker. The Los Angeles Clippers
then signed him for the rest of the season on March 12, 2008.
On July 10, 2008, the Los Angeles Clippers
officially renounced their rights to Parker as a free agent.
In the 2008 off season Parker was signed by the Denver Nuggets
but was released on October 23, 2008, as the Nuggets trimmed their roster to the league-allowed 15. He then played with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers
of the NBA Development League
.
On January 9, 2009, Parker officially signed with Guangdong Southern Tigers
of the Chinese Basketball Association
, making him one of the better known foreign players employed in the CBA, which was due mainly to his exposure gained in the country playing alongside Kobe Bryant
.
In September 2010 he signed a one-year contract with the Russia
n club Spartak Saint Petersburg
.
In January 2011 he returned to Greece
and signed a contract with Iraklis Thessaloniki B.C.
.
who accused Parker of striking her after a dispute over a $12 parking fee. The female valet parking attendant Yomara McKenzie alleged that Parker injured her left arm at a condo building on Biscayne Boulevard. The valet could not find Parker's ticket even though Parker alleged that he had paid the $12 parking fee. A police report was generated and the matter was investigated by the Miami Police Department
. The valet attendant alleged the altercation left severe scratches and possible nerve damage. McKenzie's personal injury attorney planned to file civil suit for assault and battery. The Miami Heat
moved Parker to their inactive list and put him on paid leave while they investigated the allegations.
On March 10, 2008, the Miami Heat waived Parker and he became a free agent.
| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | Cleveland
| 66 || 18 || 16.7 || .402 || .322 || .831 || 1.8 || 2.5 || .7 || .2 || 6.2
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Detroit
| 11 || 1 || 10.0 || .393 || .222 || .692 || .8 || 1.0 || .3 || .0 || 3.0
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 5 || 0 || 6.8 || .467 || .250 || .000 || .6 || .8 || .4 || .0 || 3.0
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
| 82 || 82 || 33.8 || .447 || .366 || .694 || 3.3 || 3.7 || 1.7 || .2 || 11.5
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
| 82 || 80 || 30.0 || .436 || .365 || .646 || 2.5 || 2.8 || 1.5 || .1 || 11.1
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Miami
| 9 || 0 || 20.3 || .315 || .250 || .750 || 2.1 || 1.7 || .6 || .3 || 4.8
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 19 || 2 || 21.5 || .362 || .222 || .667 || 1.7 || 3.6 || 1.0 || .2 || 6.4
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 274 || 183 || 25.8 || .426 || .345 || .708 || 2.4 || 2.9 || 1.2 || .1 || 9.0
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
| 7 || 7 || 36.9 || .333 || .154 || 1.000 || 3.0 || 1.6 || 2.1 || .1 || 8.9
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
| 5 || 0 || 11.8 || .154 || .167 || 1.000 || 1.4 || .6 || .6 || .2 || 1.8
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 12 || 7 || 26.4 || .306 || .156 || 1.000 || 2.3 || 1.2 || 1.5 || .2 || 5.9
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. Parker played shooting guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
in college but moved to point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
in the NBA. The name "Smush" was originally his father's nickname and was handed down to him by his mother, who died when Parker was eight years old.
Early years
Parker was born in BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
and attended Newtown High School
Newtown High School (New York City)
Newtown High School is a high school in Elmhurst, a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. Its multinational student body consists of approximately 4,030 students, mostly Spanish-speaking. Newtown High School celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2007...
in Elmhurst, Queens
Elmhurst, Queens
Elmhurst is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. It is bounded by Roosevelt Avenue on the north; Corona to the northeast; Junction Boulevard on the east; Rego Park to the southeast; the Long Island Expressway on the south; Middle Village to the south and southwest; and Maspeth...
, where he was a star guard on their varsity basketball team. He then enrolled in at the College of Southern Idaho
College of Southern Idaho
College of Southern Idaho is an American public community college. Its main campus is in Twin Falls, Idaho, with outreach programs in Boise, Hailey, Burley and Gooding....
as a freshman in the 1999-2000 season and transferred to play college basketball at Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
. Following his sophomore season at Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
, he entered the NBA in 2002
2002 NBA Draft
The 2002 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2002 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting 57 amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from non-North...
but went undrafted. During his sophomore season, he was Second Team All A-10 and Second Team NABC All-Region.
Professional career
While he was not drafted out of college, the Cleveland CavaliersCleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
signed him for the 2002-03 season
2002-03 NBA season
The 2002–03 NBA season was the 57th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the San Antonio Spurs beating the New Jersey Nets 4-2 in the 2003 NBA Finals.-Notable occurrences:...
.
Parker has played for a myriad of NBA teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
, Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
, and the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
. He also played for Aris Thessaloniki
Aris BC
Aris Basketball Club is the professional basketball team of the Thessaloniki-based Greek sport club Aris Thessaloniki. Aris BC was founded in 1922, eight years after the founding of Aris Thessaloniki....
of the Greek A1 League
A1 Ethniki
The Greek Basket League , commonly referred to as the Greek Basketball League or Greek Basketball Championship, is the highest professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA...
(FIBA Europe
FIBA Europe
FIBA Europe is a zone within the International Basketball Federation which includes all 49 national European basketball federations.-Division A:-Division B: -Division C:...
) before signing a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
during the 2005 offseason. With him, the Aris BC
Aris BC
Aris Basketball Club is the professional basketball team of the Thessaloniki-based Greek sport club Aris Thessaloniki. Aris BC was founded in 1922, eight years after the founding of Aris Thessaloniki....
won the 2004 Greek Basketball Cup
Greek basketball Cup
The Greek Basketball Cup or Hellenic Basketball Cup is an annual pro basketball national cup competition. It is organized by the Hellenic Basketball Federation .-History and format:...
in the final against Olympiacos BC
Olympiacos BC
Olympiacos B.C. , also known simply as Olympiacos and Olympiacos Piraeus, is a Greek professional basketball club, part of Olympiacos CFP, based in Piraeus. The basketball club, founded in 1931, is one of the most successful in Greece and a traditional powerhouse in European competitions...
.
Little known entering the 2005 season, Parker gained recognition as the starting point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
for the Lakers under coach Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson
Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson is a retired American professional basketball coach and player. Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association . His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998;...
. While many experts thought that either newly-signed veteran Aaron McKie
Aaron McKie
Aaron Fitzgerald McKie is an American former professional basketball player in the NBA and currently an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers...
or Sasha Vujačić
Sasha Vujacic
Aleksandar "Sasha" Vujačić is a Slovenian basketball player who has played in Italy, the United States , and more recently for Anadolu Efes S.K. in Turkey...
would start at point guard, Parker became the surprise starter in the Lakers' season opener against the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
and went on to score at least 20 points in four of his first five Laker games. This impressed Jackson, and Parker found himself in the starting line-up for the Lakers. Starting from the 2005-06 season, Parker started in 162 straight games averaging 11.5 points. During the last two games of the regular season and the playoffs (2006–2007), Parker lost his starting spot to rookie Jordan Farmar
Jordan Farmar
Jordan Robert Farmar is an American professional basketball point guard for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Super League and Euroleague. He is also under contract with the New Jersey Nets, and is expected to return to the team after the 2011 NBA lockout ends.In high school, he was the...
.
On July 26, 2007, Parker signed with the Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
. For the Heat, Parker wore jersey number 21.
His production dropped off dramatically while with the Heat, with averages of 4.8 points, 1.7 assists and 2.1 rebounds, compared to his 11.1 in 164 games with the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
.
Due to a physical altercation that Parker had with a parking attendant in November 2007, the Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
put him on paid leave to investigate the matter. On March 10, 2008, the Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
officially waived Parker. The Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
then signed him for the rest of the season on March 12, 2008.
On July 10, 2008, the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
officially renounced their rights to Parker as a free agent.
In the 2008 off season Parker was signed by the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
but was released on October 23, 2008, as the Nuggets trimmed their roster to the league-allowed 15. He then played with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Rio Grande Valley Vipers
The Rio Grande Valley Vipers are a 2007-08 expansion team in the NBA Development League. They play their home games at the State Farm Arena, in Hidalgo, Texas....
of the NBA Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
.
On January 9, 2009, Parker officially signed with Guangdong Southern Tigers
Guangdong Southern Tigers
Guangdong Winnerway Southern Tigers or Guangdong Southern Tigers or Guangdong Winnerway is a basketball team owned by the Guangdong Winnerway Group. The team is one of the best-performing teams in the Chinese Basketball Association, or CBA...
of the Chinese Basketball Association
Chinese Basketball Association
The Chinese Basketball Association , often abbreviated to the CBA, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in China.The league is commonly known as the CBA, and this acronym is often used even in Chinese...
, making him one of the better known foreign players employed in the CBA, which was due mainly to his exposure gained in the country playing alongside Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
.
In September 2010 he signed a one-year contract with the Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n club Spartak Saint Petersburg
Spartak Saint Petersburg
BC Spartak Saint Petersburg is a Russian professional basketball team that is based in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The club is currently in the Russian Professional Basketball League.-Honors:*Soviet/Russian Super League:**2 times Champions...
.
In January 2011 he returned to Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
and signed a contract with Iraklis Thessaloniki B.C.
Iraklis Thessaloniki B.C.
Iraklis B.C. is the professional basketball department of the wider family of G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki, located in Thessaloniki, Greece. Iraklis currently plays in the Greek League. The team colors are blue and white.-History:...
.
Legal issues
Parker is currently the subject of a complaint lodged against him by a valet parkerValet parking
Valet parking is a parking service offered by some restaurants, stores, and other businesses, particularly in North America. In contrast to "self-parking", where customers find a parking space on their own, customers' vehicles are parked for them by a person called a valet...
who accused Parker of striking her after a dispute over a $12 parking fee. The female valet parking attendant Yomara McKenzie alleged that Parker injured her left arm at a condo building on Biscayne Boulevard. The valet could not find Parker's ticket even though Parker alleged that he had paid the $12 parking fee. A police report was generated and the matter was investigated by the Miami Police Department
Miami Police Department
The Miami Police Department or MPD, often referred to as the City of Miami Police, is the chief police department of the U.S. city of Miami, Florida. Their jurisdiction lies within the actual city limits of Miami, but have mutual aid agreements with neighboring police departments. The current...
. The valet attendant alleged the altercation left severe scratches and possible nerve damage. McKenzie's personal injury attorney planned to file civil suit for assault and battery. The Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
moved Parker to their inactive list and put him on paid leave while they investigated the allegations.
On March 10, 2008, the Miami Heat waived Parker and he became a free agent.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
| 66 || 18 || 16.7 || .402 || .322 || .831 || 1.8 || 2.5 || .7 || .2 || 6.2
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Detroit
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
| 11 || 1 || 10.0 || .393 || .222 || .692 || .8 || 1.0 || .3 || .0 || 3.0
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Phoenix
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
| 5 || 0 || 6.8 || .467 || .250 || .000 || .6 || .8 || .4 || .0 || 3.0
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 82 || 82 || 33.8 || .447 || .366 || .694 || 3.3 || 3.7 || 1.7 || .2 || 11.5
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
| 82 || 80 || 30.0 || .436 || .365 || .646 || 2.5 || 2.8 || 1.5 || .1 || 11.1
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Miami
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
| 9 || 0 || 20.3 || .315 || .250 || .750 || 2.1 || 1.7 || .6 || .3 || 4.8
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 19 || 2 || 21.5 || .362 || .222 || .667 || 1.7 || 3.6 || 1.0 || .2 || 6.4
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 274 || 183 || 25.8 || .426 || .345 || .708 || 2.4 || 2.9 || 1.2 || .1 || 9.0
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 2005–06
2006 NBA Playoffs
The 2006 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2005–06 season. The Miami Heat won the first championship in the history of the franchise by defeating the Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in the 2006 NBA Finals...
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 7 || 7 || 36.9 || .333 || .154 || 1.000 || 3.0 || 1.6 || 2.1 || .1 || 8.9
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
2007 NBA Playoffs
The 2007 NBA Playoffs was the postseason to the National Basketball Association's 2006–2007 season.There were four rounds of postseason action, all of them in a best-of-seven format, with teams seeded on a bracket. The team with the better record wasn't necessarily the basis of seeding teams in...
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
| 5 || 0 || 11.8 || .154 || .167 || 1.000 || 1.4 || .6 || .6 || .2 || 1.8
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 12 || 7 || 26.4 || .306 || .156 || 1.000 || 2.3 || 1.2 || 1.5 || .2 || 5.9