"He said that years back, I think I was still in the ABL, he had an eye on me already to play in Australia," narrated Parks, though the plan simply didn't push through due to logistics. "So it's great to know that I've been under his radar and he kind of likes my game."
Parks said he's amenable to playing any role Dennis tasks him with in the coming 2021-22 season, especially as he'll be playing alongside other stars after the Diamond Dolphins stocked up on reinforcements, plotting for a more determined push coming from last year's campaign that had them just barely missing one of three playoff spots in the West District.
Unlike Parks, Nagoya's other imports all occupy permanent spots in the frontcourt. Following the exit of Leo Lyons, Justin Burrell, and 2009 NBA Draft second round pick Jeff Ayres, they have brought in forward Coty Clarke, a former Boston Celtic who last starred for Bnei Herzliya in the Israeli Super League; center Shayne Whittington, a former Indiana Pacer who is transferring from SeaHorses Mikawa; and combo big Scott Eatherton, who had a productive stint with Bàsquet Manresa in the Liga ACB in Spain last season.
"At the end of the day, he (Dennis) wants me to play my game and play both ends of the floor, defend multiple positions, and also create for my teammates, trying to create opportunities for everybody. That's really the way that I love to play," shared Parks, who has actually long proven his lockdown defense and playmaking chops for Alab in the ABL.
"Entering this year, it's just about learning and building and being aggressive with the things that I have to do all around. It's always been my role, whatever the team needs," he added.
Although he will be sharing the backcourt with a couple of very capable playmakers in Takumi Saito (fifth in assists last season at 5.6 per game) and Tatsuya Ito (4.3 assists, 15th among all players), Parks is still expected to handle the offense at times as the lone guard import. While he only logged 3.1 assists in nearly 40 minutes of play with TNT last year, he believes he's a much more effective passer and creator than his numbers suggest.
"I'm on the path of searching for peace, serenity and the love of basketball." Ray Parks, Jr.
"I rewatched the whole 2020 season and when it came down to making decisions, I felt I made most of the right ones when it came to passing and making people involved. So on that part, it's just about continuing to build confidence in my teammates to knock down shots, and finding that rhythm early - when to pass, when to shoot," detailed Parks.
"I think that as a playmaker, you don't always get the assist, but maybe you get a hockey assist, or maybe you create other opportunities for your other teammates by creating disadvantages (from) the defenders guarding them," he continued in length. "In a sense, once I can get in the gaps and in the paint, I can dish out to my teammates, then they have the choice to shoot, pass, or drive. I believe that is still playmaking and makes an impact."
If one is getting the sense that he's mostly focused on his present engagements, it's because he is. Parks is ready to move forward, but he's not about to speculate on his future, either - whether that be a return to the PBA or continuing to play in Japan or in any other international league.