Login | Member Center | Contact Us | About Us | Site Map | Archive | Alerts/Photos | Subscribe to the paper | knoxnews.com

Home › Columns

Adams: From Nerf ball to college superstar

By John Adams (Contact)
Originally published 12:00 a.m., February 29, 2008
Updated 12:17 a.m., February 29, 2008

Candace Parker's highlight video was already full before she played her last game at Thompson-Boling on Thursday night.

So the Tennessee crowd didn't rise in awe when the two-time All-American produced one more highlight midway through the second half of UT's 88-61 victory over the Florida Gators.

Parker blocked Sha Brooks' shot, took the ball in midair, and dribbled it up court as deftly as any point guard in women's basketball. She then looked one way, and threw the other- to a wide-open Angie Bjorklund for a layup.

Like everyone else in the arena, Larry Parker saw how easy the 6-foot-5 No. 1-draft-pick-to-be made it look. But he also saw something else.

He saw the work behind it.

Candace's father handed her a Nerf ball when she was 1 1/2 years old. He began coaching her in organized basketball when she was 5 and coached her all the way to Naperville (Ill.) Central High School, where she became a two-time national player of the year.

So he wasn't just a proud father celebrating senior night with the rest of the player families. He was the former coach, too.

"When she was coming down the court and passed the ball to Bjorklund for a layup, that's what she did in AAU ball when she was 12 years old," Parker's father said.

Certainly, hers was an optimum situation for a budding women's basketball player. She had the genes (her father played at the University of Iowa and her brother, Anthony, still plays for the Toronto Raptors); she had the coaching at a very early age; and she had the height (23 inches at birth, her dad pointed out).

She also had something else that often gets overlooked. She had the work ethic.

When you watch her play the game, you think "easy," not "effort."

"She's deceiving like that," UT assistant coach Dean Lockwood said. "The two years, I was here on the men's side (at UT), Allan Houston was like that. I remember thinking, 'Gosh, Allan, play harder,' especially on defense.

"Players like that who are very talented tend to do things effortlessly. They present the image, they're not working all the time."

Did Houston take plays off on defense? Sure. And so has Parker.

"That's something she has had to address," Lockwood said. "She is somebody who is willing to spend time working at her game. This kid values improvement. For that reason, I have tremendous respect for her."

Parker learned the value of improvement almost as soon as she picked up her first Nerf ball. She also learned that the game should be played with two hands.

Her father emphasized the importance of becoming proficient with her left hand. She didn't always need a basketball to practice that.

"For years, we played the game of eating with your left hand," Larry Parker said.

And how did a 9-year-old respond?

"It depended on how hungry she was," he said with a smile.

You couldn't tell the difference in Parker's left or right hand in the opening minutes of Thursday's game. She scored her first and third field goals with her left hand, and her second and fourth baskets with her right.

She was on her way to an 18-point, six-rebound, four-assist performance in only 22 minutes. Did I mention she made it look easy?

Even her dunks - she has had seven in her college career - have lost their shock value. But Lockwood hasn't forgotten how astounding her talent could be.

The play he remembers best came in practice during his second year as a Lady Vols assistant. Following an entry pass to the post, Parker made a baseline cut to the basket. Lockwood, who was standing right behind the baseline, wasn't ready for what happened next.

"She took a bounce pass, then in one move, 'boom,' she was on the rim," Lockwood said. "I saw how quickly she got off the floor. It was reminiscent of coaching some guys."

He was surprised by her next move, too.

"She just dunked it and went back to her spot on the floor," he said.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       39 Comments

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 29, 2008 at 1:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What a Goober you are adams.

Posted by eduardo on February 29, 2008 at 6:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

How 'bout that, she still plays with a nerf ball! ha ha

Posted by nicksjuzunk on February 29, 2008 at 6:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I heard Adams convinced her to go pro.

Posted by 63vet on February 29, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You Adams are a duffus.

Posted by marinevol on February 29, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Adams, I can't believe you're still here. Quit making a bigger fool of yourself and just leave.

Posted by volster on February 29, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John Adams has nerf balls.

Posted by volster on February 29, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John Adams has nerf balls.

Posted by marinevol on February 29, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You can say that again.

Posted by rabidvolfan on February 29, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Women's basketball is boring I can understand why so many of you are preferring to discuss the messenger over the message.

Posted by orangeblood1966 on February 29, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I thought Adams was gone. Oh well, too bad.

Posted by agentorange on February 29, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

read tennessean.com boycott kns advertisers.

Posted by rabidvolfan on February 29, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John Adams is the best writer in the nation. Fulmer is a disgrace to UT and Adams is the only one with enough nerves to say it.

Posted by LadyVolFanForever on February 29, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You guys need to get a life !
This article is about Candice not John Adams.

As a womens basketball fan, I thank Mr Parker for coaching Candice from a very, very early age. She has brought womens basketball to a new level, added excitement and skill to the game, not to mention bringing another national championship to UT. Thank you Candice and the other 4 great seniors !!!

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 29, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LadyVolFanForever - While you are right, it is a shame that the article was written by a peckerhead.

Posted by johnlg00 on February 29, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A fairly decent article about the greatest female player we may ever have, and all we get for posts are gripes about Adams--unrelated to the article--and male-chauvinist drivel! Sheesh!

Posted by lempga on February 29, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Donkey Adams, read the comments if you can. LEAVE! GO!

Posted by mtnvol on February 29, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The "best writer in the nation"? Really? He's not the best writer at the paper, nor the best writer in the sports section! Technically, I don't think he puts words together very well.

Personally, I'd rather read Tony Kornheiser, Mitch Albom, Micheal Wilbon, any of the writers on Around the Horn, or David Climer& Joe Biddle @ the Tennessean. I'd rather read these guys, not because these guys are "homers", but because they don't try to become the story or manipulate the story to serve their own personal interests or biases.

Posted by johnlg00 on February 29, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

eduardo, you're still around? This is not the first time you have embarrassed yourself on this subject. Candace or just about any of the other Lady Vols--heck, any female college player--would WEAR YOU OUT on the court, you pitiful poser! They would even let you choose the ball, putz! They would even spot you points, loser! They could beat you shooting only with their off hand! Sorry for the uncharacteristic language, but attitudes like yours just P*** ME OFF!

Posted by rootin4volz on February 29, 2008 at 10:10 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by jimr07 on February 29, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

rabidvolfan---you just cannot keep from bashing fulmer at every turn. this article was about one of the best female players in tennessee history and you have to bring your venom about fulmer on here.
you are depriving a village somewhere in the world of having its own idiot.

Posted by jhmclain on February 29, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jimr07 - Too funny what you said about idiotvolfan.

Posted by jimr07 on February 29, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i do not care what you are talking about, basketball, candace parker, baseball, soccer he bashes fulmer at every turn. it really gets tiresome and, if he is what he says he is, a rabid vol fan, then i would hate to see an enemy of the vols.

Posted by EDis4UT on February 29, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jim07,

rabid is just one of the few remaining stragglers that is still pissed the way Majors was fired (He deserved to be fired) 16 YEARS AGO! Some people just don't know how to let go of things.

Posted by jimr07 on February 29, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nafslov--this article was not about fulmer, or hamilton. it was about candace parker.
i think we could be talking about toe nail cutting contest and rabid would bring up fulmer and bash him unmercifully.

Posted by rabidvolfan on February 29, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

John Adams is why we had a bad recruiting year he also is the reason we lost to LSU twice in the SEC championship game. He is why we went 5-6 with the nations best talent.

Posted by jimr07 on February 29, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

rabidvolfan--you do not make sense. never have and never will. i am almost embarassed to say that i have read your post. again, this column was about Candace Parker, not the LSU game and not about a 5-6 football season. why don't you get a life.

Posted by EDis4UT on February 29, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I swear that rabidvolfan is really Johnny Adams incognito!

Posted by THE_VOL on February 29, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yawn!!! STILL waiting for Parker to DUNK FOR REAL!!! Those almost-dunk finger rolls don't cut it girlie!!! I guess IF she could, she would. On second thought, who cares? It's GIRLS basketball!!!

Posted by mtnvol on February 29, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Amazing how some people can expose their ignorance simply by moving their fingers across a keyboard.

Posted by jimr07 on February 29, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mtnvol--you got that right.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on February 29, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Climer in the tennessean today: Certainly, I've been critical of Fulmer in the past. It's safe to say we've agreed to disagree on a number of matters. But you have to draw the line somewhere. We can be critics, but should be fair.
Adams dredged up issues involving ex-Vols Dwayne Goodrich, Leonard Little, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry and Albert Haynesworth, all in the NFL at the time of various indiscretions. Haynesworth was a fifth-year pro when he stomped on Cowboys center Andre Gurode's head. Is that Fulmer's fault? No. Anyway, I guess we've come full circle. For years, columnists have thought we were coaches. Now coaches think they're columnists.

Posted by grogpaw on February 29, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm so glad to see rabidvolfan is still infatuated with John Adams. Only one who loves his/her man could be so vocal in defending someone (i.e., John Adams) the way rabidvolfan does. It's obvious this infatuation goes way beyond the journalistic capabilities of Mr. Adams.

Posted by DSaVol on February 29, 2008 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You folks can hate John Adams all you want and I don't particular care for most of what he writes but there is no denying he's dead right about Foolmer. You can't live in denial forever folks and sometimes the truth hurts. But not as much as this fall is gonna hurt!

Posted by jimr07 on February 29, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DSavol--i will tell you what i told rabidvolfan...this article was about candace parker and there is no need to bring up fulmer and your absolute hate for him.
i will also tell you what i told rabid and that is that you are depriving a village somewhere in the world of having its own idiot.
get a life and at least post something about which the article is written.

Posted by anthony on February 29, 2008 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Did the sportswriting profession turn a mild mannered little boy with a sense of humor into a raging two faced maniacal egotistical self centered schizophrenic , or did 20 years with the Tennesee Vols make Mr. John Adams what he is today? No one else wants this man so we have what is in effect a Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde personality. One day we are complimentary and the next a raving maniac playing to the crowds of Rome, Off with their heads@@!! Shread Fulmer, they say and he attacks with a vengeance. Then he goes home, cleans off the blood , comes out and writes a masterful piece of a little girl playing with her little ballie....love and kisses love and kisses......

Posted by anthony on February 29, 2008 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

and to you jimr07, what tin can did you crawl out of? Afraid to drive outside the lines? Did we have our cup of milk before retiring? NittiNight little JImmy , here's your Pacci!!

Posted by JohnAdamsIsTrash on February 29, 2008 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Keep the faith!! Go Vols!!

John Adams has nerf balls, thats helarious!!!

Fire John Adams !!!

Out!

Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on February 29, 2008 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Keep John Adams
Fire Coach Fulmer

Posted by zqvol on March 1, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't believe a word Adams says.

Fire Adams!

Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)

Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.

Username:

Password:
(Forgotten your password?)

Your Turn:
Recent Vol videos

Please download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player, or enable JavaScript for your browser to view the video player.