DALLAS -- It took five quarters, but the Chandler Parsons the Dallas Mavericks paid for finally made a regular-season appearance.

Parsons stunk it up in the season-opening loss in San Antonio and started slow in the home opener against the Utah Jazz. After misfiring on 14 of his first 17 shots of the season, Parsons settled into a nice groove Thursday night.

Rick Carlisle likes what he has seen from new Mav Chandler Parsons. Glenn James/Getty Images

Actually, Parsons didn't settle for anything during the Mavs' 120-102 blowout win. He attacked his way to 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting -- despite a 1-of-7 start -- to go with seven rebounds and two assists in 29 minutes.

It was a heck of a way to bounce back from his five-point, 2-of-10 debut for Dallas on Tuesday night, when he missed a decent look at a 3-pointer that would have been a game-winner against the Spurs.

"You never want to play like I did that first game, but every guy has nights like that," Parsons said.

Parsons and the Mavs firmly believe the $46 million man will have many more nights like this, particularly if he remains aggressive. That won't be a problem for a player whose confidence borders on cockiness.

"I like everything about Parsons," coach Rick Carlisle said. "He plays hard; he is decisive with what he is doing. The last shot of the game the other night, I loved the way he stepped into it aggressively and confidently. He is going to play his game.

"By the time All-Star break rolls around, people are going to look at him and say this is one of the best young players in the league."

That's pretty high praise from his coach, huh?

Well, the 26-year-old Parsons didn't necessarily think so.

"I hope they look at me like that already," Parsons said. "There's a reason why I came here. I want the next step in my career and I want to show how good of a player I can be. With these guys I'm playing with, with this coaching staff, this offensive system, I think it's a perfect fit for me and I think I'll flourish in it."

After five rough quarters, Parsons provided some proof.