'Nervous' Parks gets words of encouragement from Barry: 'If you can play and work hard, they'll find you'

THE jury is still out on Bobby Ray Parks in the Summer League, but at least he is getting some airtime.

On Sunday (Monday, Manila time), the 22-year-old Fil-American became the topic of conversation between NBA TV commentators Spero Dedes and Brent Barry during the telecast of the Dallas Mavericks' game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Las Vegas.

Dedes mentioned about Parks’ getting an opportunity to chase his NBA dream after playing in the Philippines where basketball is a very popular sport, adding his father, Bobby Sr., was a seven-time Best Import awardee in the country’s pro league (PBA).

[See Parks scores first Summer League point, had longer exposure in Mavs loss to Blazers]

Barry, a former NBA player and son of cage great Rick Barry, said Parks appeared nervous in his debut against New Orleans on Saturday (Sunday Manila time) where he only registered a foul and a turnover.

The Filipino community, Barry noted, came out in force for Parks’ games.

“This opportunity has him on the edge and nervous,” said Barry, who added Dallas owner Mark Cuban is cheering for Parks to do well in the tournament.

The former UAAP MVP also was the subject of a story by the website Mavs Moneyball where Mavericks owner Mark Cuban talked at length about the undrafted 6-4 guard.

"He's got to improve, there's no question about it," Cuban said of Parks. "But he's here and showed he belongs and he's got a chance."

Parks scored his first point in the Summer League after going 1-of-2 from the foul line in Dallas’ 80-93 loss to Portland.

Barry, nevertheless, had some words of encouragement for Parks.

“If you can play and work hard, they will find you,” Barry said.