The NBA lockout just recently got resolved and already there is much talk in the NBA regarding player movement. Among the issues often talked about include the players stuck abroad such as Wilson Chandler, JR Smith and Aaron Brooks, some possible trades including significant contributors being named such as Nene and Rajon Rando and ofcourse the big name players who are going to be free agents Dwight Howard and Chris Paul.
The interesting thing about the players stuck overseas is that some of them are free agents, and there is one particular team that could take a big hit. Players like Aaron Brooks, Wilson Chandler, JR Smith and Kenyon Martin are free agents and are stuck overseas, they also play major roles on their teams, and yes three of them were members of the Denver Nuggets.
Could anyone of them come in mid year and actually propel a team to the playoffs or into championship contention? Will their availability be too late for them to actually make NBA rosters this year? Will a team like the Suns, who had Brooks as part of their plans, abort their current plan and look for another young point guard?
Then there's the issue of players who want to be traded, or their teams want to trade. The former is Nene and surprisingly the latter is Rajon Rondo. Both of these players could change the fortunes of the team they go to, depending of the trade. I won't comment much on this because there has been little news regarding this but one thing is for sure, trade of not, the Nuggets and Celtics are screwed.
And finally there is that other center and other point guard who may be moved. In order to avoid a "Lebron James situation", the Magic and Hornets are now open to moving Dwight Howard and Chris Paul, two of the games best players. Surely Dwight will propel a team into another level, and with Chris Paul, it depends entirely on his health.
While teams have put forward offers, there is one team that could offer one of the better trades but are refusing to do so. The Oklahoma City Thunder have an elite collection of young players, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins, a combination from those players (excluding Durant) can surely nab Howard or Paul. But the Thunder apparently don't want to make a move.
It seems that the Celtics have set a precedent on how teams should be built, with three superstars. Teams like the Mavericks and the Thunder have shown that you could do contend through growing a team but the reality is the players can dictate their movement.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Arguments against a long-term national team program
Smart Gilas was built exactly for the 2011 FIBA Asia tourney with the goal of getting a Gold medal and subsequently Olympic berth. Although they weren't able to nab a medal, Smart Gilas' stint at the 2011 FIBA Asia tourney in Wuhan received alot of praise. Nearly reaching the finals, Gilas was deemed a successful program by most.
While I also consider Gilas' stint at the 2011 FIBA Asia tourney a success and believe that each and every one of Gilas' players deserve praise, I for one, do not attribute their success to the long-term program. Most people may be asking how could I say such a thing, so I will enumerate my arguments against the long-term national team program.
1. Marcus Douthit was the key to success, not the long-term program
For a long time, the only thing missing for the Philippine National Basketball team has been a dominant force down low. Philippine center Marcus Douthit was one of the best players of the tournament, with averages of 22 points and 12 rebounds per game. He also fills a hole that the Philippine Team has needed for years. Marcus is by far the most important member of the team.
2. The performance of Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo and Kelly Williams
Late additions to the team, Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo and Kelly Williams all played crucial roles. Kelly and Ranidel alternated as the starting power forward and Jimmy got the lion's share of minutes at the point guard spot. Jimmy ended up as the third leading scorer of Gilas and was second in assists to JV Casio by a small margin. Ranidel ended up as the fifth best scorer and rebounder. Kelly Williams was the fourth best rebounder of the team.
3. A long-term pool will force the team to employ mostly amateur players
Smart Gilas was composed of mostly amateur players who are just now turning pro. One of the problems with this is that there is always the possibility that an excellent player in college may not be as good when playing against pros or simply put a bust. Chris Tiu and Japeth Aguilar, to me atleast, were some of the central players of the Smart Gilas' program. Although both are good players, they have limitations that have been exposed in the international game.
Amateur players also lack the experience that veterans have. I believe this was apparent in the latter stages of the 2011 FIBA Asia tournament. I believe the Philippine team may have been in the finals, or at least get the bronze medal, had a more mature, experience team been playing.
But of course there is also the problem of actually getting the pros to play for the national team..
While I also consider Gilas' stint at the 2011 FIBA Asia tourney a success and believe that each and every one of Gilas' players deserve praise, I for one, do not attribute their success to the long-term program. Most people may be asking how could I say such a thing, so I will enumerate my arguments against the long-term national team program.
1. Marcus Douthit was the key to success, not the long-term program
For a long time, the only thing missing for the Philippine National Basketball team has been a dominant force down low. Philippine center Marcus Douthit was one of the best players of the tournament, with averages of 22 points and 12 rebounds per game. He also fills a hole that the Philippine Team has needed for years. Marcus is by far the most important member of the team.
2. The performance of Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo and Kelly Williams
Late additions to the team, Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo and Kelly Williams all played crucial roles. Kelly and Ranidel alternated as the starting power forward and Jimmy got the lion's share of minutes at the point guard spot. Jimmy ended up as the third leading scorer of Gilas and was second in assists to JV Casio by a small margin. Ranidel ended up as the fifth best scorer and rebounder. Kelly Williams was the fourth best rebounder of the team.
3. A long-term pool will force the team to employ mostly amateur players
Smart Gilas was composed of mostly amateur players who are just now turning pro. One of the problems with this is that there is always the possibility that an excellent player in college may not be as good when playing against pros or simply put a bust. Chris Tiu and Japeth Aguilar, to me atleast, were some of the central players of the Smart Gilas' program. Although both are good players, they have limitations that have been exposed in the international game.
Amateur players also lack the experience that veterans have. I believe this was apparent in the latter stages of the 2011 FIBA Asia tournament. I believe the Philippine team may have been in the finals, or at least get the bronze medal, had a more mature, experience team been playing.
But of course there is also the problem of actually getting the pros to play for the national team..
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Smart Gilas and the future
First and foremost, congratulations to Smart Gilas for an impressive start at the 2011 FIBA Asia tournament in Wuhan, China. They only lost once, to the host team, China. They are set to face Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) in the quarter finals this Friday. If they win that game, they will likely face Iran, who are the reigning Asian champions. And if they win against Iran they will then likely face China, which has been the dominant force in the region for the past decade and is the host team of the current tournament.
Looking forward let's see how the outlook is for China, Iran and the Philippine team in particular. China has the young phenom Guo Ailun, who was the youngest player at 16, at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey and three 21 year olds in their national team. Iran has Arsalan Kazemi who is part of their national team and plays for Rice in the US NCAA Division 1.
The Philippine team's prospects for future big men include the 7'0 Greg Slaughter, the 6'10 Junemar Fajardo to man the center spot, possibly with the 6'11 Marcus Douthit. Arnold Van Opstal is also an option at the center or power forward slot. The 6'9.5 Japeth Aguilar, 6'8 Christian Standhardinger, 6'7 Yousef Taha, 6'7 Norbert Torres could be the solution at power forward.
While it's best to have a natural small forward, it seems that the surplus of guards and the lack of small forwards has given us a three guard lineup, while someone like Aldrech Ramos is turning into a good small forward for Gilas, and someone similar like Russell Escoto could possibly make the transition as well, the surplus of guards makes it difficult to play a natural small forward because of the surplus guards, albeit undersized at the three spot, are often more talented than our small forwards.
As for our guards and pseudo small forwards, there are many talents available, included are Kiefer Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks, Stephen Holt, Maverick Ahanmisi, Chris Banchero, Michael Williams, RR Garcia, Alex Nuyles, Ronald Pascual, Calvin Abueva, Baser Amer, Kevin Ferrer, Jeron Teng, Stanley Pringle and also the veteran guards of Gilas, Chris Tiu, Jayvee Casio, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz and Jimmy Alapag could play Chauncey Billups' role in Turkey this past summer.
But remember, all of this is easier said than done. Club/Team interest seem to come before the national team in our country.
My ideal future Philippine 12 is
Cc - Douthit, Slaughter, Fajardo
PF - Standhardinger, Taha
SF - Parks,
SG - Williams, Ravena, Teng
PG - Holt, Banchero, Alapag
with Aguilar, Ferrer and Torres, Pascual and Abueva as part of the pool.
Looking forward let's see how the outlook is for China, Iran and the Philippine team in particular. China has the young phenom Guo Ailun, who was the youngest player at 16, at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey and three 21 year olds in their national team. Iran has Arsalan Kazemi who is part of their national team and plays for Rice in the US NCAA Division 1.
The Philippine team's prospects for future big men include the 7'0 Greg Slaughter, the 6'10 Junemar Fajardo to man the center spot, possibly with the 6'11 Marcus Douthit. Arnold Van Opstal is also an option at the center or power forward slot. The 6'9.5 Japeth Aguilar, 6'8 Christian Standhardinger, 6'7 Yousef Taha, 6'7 Norbert Torres could be the solution at power forward.
While it's best to have a natural small forward, it seems that the surplus of guards and the lack of small forwards has given us a three guard lineup, while someone like Aldrech Ramos is turning into a good small forward for Gilas, and someone similar like Russell Escoto could possibly make the transition as well, the surplus of guards makes it difficult to play a natural small forward because of the surplus guards, albeit undersized at the three spot, are often more talented than our small forwards.
As for our guards and pseudo small forwards, there are many talents available, included are Kiefer Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks, Stephen Holt, Maverick Ahanmisi, Chris Banchero, Michael Williams, RR Garcia, Alex Nuyles, Ronald Pascual, Calvin Abueva, Baser Amer, Kevin Ferrer, Jeron Teng, Stanley Pringle and also the veteran guards of Gilas, Chris Tiu, Jayvee Casio, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz and Jimmy Alapag could play Chauncey Billups' role in Turkey this past summer.
But remember, all of this is easier said than done. Club/Team interest seem to come before the national team in our country.
My ideal future Philippine 12 is
Cc - Douthit, Slaughter, Fajardo
PF - Standhardinger, Taha
SF - Parks,
SG - Williams, Ravena, Teng
PG - Holt, Banchero, Alapag
with Aguilar, Ferrer and Torres, Pascual and Abueva as part of the pool.
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