Clarkson, Parks a study in contrast
THE SITUATIONS of Fil-Am cagers Jordan Clarkson and Bobby Ray Parks is a study in contrast.
On the one hand, here’s Bobby Ray, son of the late seven-time PBA Best Import awardee Bobby Sr., who’ll do anything to be to be able to play in the NBA. The last I heard, after he failed to make it with the Dallas Mavericks, he joined the Indiana Pacers camp. Over a week ago when I talked with Meralco coach Norman Black, he said the NBA’s veterans camp had not started yet.
We tried to find out from Parks’ agent Charlie Dy if his client might be interested to play for the national team since his name was included in the lineup submitted to Fiba, but Dy has not replied.
Clearly, Parks has no plans to play in the PBA, at least this year, since he snubbed the PBA rookie draft last Aug. 23 at Robinson’s Place in Manila.
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Clarkson, on the other hand, who has been out of his mother’s country all of his childhood and teens, is eager to bond with his fellow-Filipino cagers and render service to the national team.
Perhaps he was not aware of the intricacies involved in playing for a team outside of his NBA squad, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Mike Clarkson, Jordan’s American father, was the first to put his foot down. Hard!
In so many words, he told his 22-year-old son, who has a bright future in the NBA, that no way could he play for Gilas, if he wanted to keep his slot and his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 6-foot-5 guard had a long talk with his father and much as he desired to render service to the Filipino flag, he knew that his father’s words made sense and rang with wisdom.
“I want to assure my Filipino brothers and sisters that if everything can be worked out, I sincerely wish to play for Gilas and contribute to the total team effort for flag and country,” the younger Clarkson said in a press statement.
He added that this is the reason why he is observing and familiarizing himself with the team while he’s here in the Philippines, as he disclosed plans to follow Gilas to Chinese Taipei, where they will play in the Jones Cup, “so I can see them compete up close and benefit from the learnings from said experience.”
Clarkson said he always listens to his father’s advice , “because he always has my welfare and best interest in mind. He is genuinely concerned with my career, my future and my well-being.”
