Parsons won't shut it down for season: 'What kind of coward would I be?'

Memphis Grizzlies fans have 94 million reasons to be frustrated with forward Chandler Parsons, whose first season with the franchise has been riddled with injury and inconsistent play.

Over his last five outings, the 28-year-old league heartthrob is averaging just 3.8 points on 30.4 percent shooting in 21.4 minutes - numbers you wouldn't hope to see from someone working under a max contract. Then again, Parsons has missed a good chunk of time due to issues with his knee following offseason surgery, and continues to battle soreness in the area now that he's returned to the lineup.

While many have suggested he should shut it down for the season and focus on a full recovery, Parsons doesn't agree.

"Everyone has their own opinion, you guys get paid to have an opinion, and I respect that. But those opinions don't matter. The belief that my coaches have in me, and that my trainers who work with me every day, that see the progress, is what matters to me," Parsons told the Commercial Appeal's Geoff Calkins.

He added, "Basketball is everything to me. I'm not just going to shut it down because I'm struggling. What kind of coward would I be if I did that? I'm going to continue to work hard, I'm going to continue to bust my ass and try and be the best player I can become. (Shutting it down) is not going to happen unless I have to have surgery or something."

Parsons' shot has been so off, Grizzlies supporters even gave him exaggerated cheers when he connected from the field during the team's last game. He then bowed as a joke.

"That was almost, like, sarcastic. If they're frustrated, multiply that by 100 and that's how frustrated I am. That was just me trying to be funny," Parsons said.

"... I came here, and I had high expectations. I'm a max player, I'm making a lot of money, and I'm not playing up to that standard right now. I understand everything. At the same time, I understand how hard I'm working, I understand how good a player I've been in my career, and there's no doubt in my mind I'm going to get back to that level."

Memphis is in the thick of the Western Conference playoff picture with a 36-25 record, good enough for the sixth seed and just one game back of earning home-court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. All of this success has come despite Parsons putting up the worst numbers of his young career - he's averaging 6.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 30 appearances.