Smart Gilas' bigs needs to do their homework

Imagine a world wherein PBA players were committed in playing for flag and country first instead of money and fame-- where the elder statesmen, the "kuyas" or established superstars would gladly reach out to the young ones and help them with their games. That would certainly help improve our chances in international tournaments and producing top tier talents.

Imagine if Allan Caidic sat down and passed his knowledge to Ren-Ren Ritualo, to convince him to never change the way he shoots the basketball (Ritualo went from a quick, low-release in his DLSU days before opting for a slower, looping shot that wasn't as much of as a "sure ball" as before). Had Benjie Paras, Jerry Codinera and Zaldy Realubit taken Danny Ildefonso under their wings to make him even more of a destructive force in the post in 1998.

Wouldn't that be something huh?

So taking from a break from all the reaction-ary posts, here's a fun thought (while I watch the replay of B-Meg and Meralco which the Bolts won for their first victory of the Commissioner's Cup).

Kerby Raymundo for Japeth Aguilar, Jason Ballesteros and Aldrech Ramos
Since the advent of Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett, the power forward position transformed from players who are best suited as low post enforcers into an extension of the small forward position. We see it a lot in today's PBA, wherein guys who'd easily be asked to play the PF-Center position back in the 80s and 90s are now running around the hardcourt with fancy crossovers (Gabe Norwood) and fugly jumpshots (Kelly Williams).

But at day's end, these players rely mostly on their athletic and natural gifts. Never really improving as basketball players-- Norwood relies on fancy crossovers and simply being taller than other SFs, Williams is a hardworking, no game hustle player with flat jumpshots and Jay Washington is an athletic freak with great basketball IQ but lacks heart/intensity.

For Smart Gilas' young, wiry bigs, I suggest they watch tapes of Kerby Raymundo. Early on, I was never a fan of "The Kid." But then he started to develop a mean post game with great foot work and balance, he added some range and though he has unfairly been tagged as James Yap's number 2-guy (pre-injury), Raymundo is arguably one of the league's most polished post players who has the speed and athleticism.

Raymundo could finally put some sense into whatever the once promising Japeth Aguilar is doing. Aguilar, after three years, still wanders outside of the paint, looking for lobs, and relying on the fact that he's just taller than everyone else.

Ramos, the future of FEU, is my pick to carry on Raymundo's mantle of "Best Local Big Man" that KR35 "earned" from trading elbows with the Espinos, Taulavas and Menks. Right now, Ramos plays a complete inside out game and needs only to bulk up if he wants to play in the post, OR learn to protect his dribble some more to make the leap from PF to SF.

Haven't really seen much of Ballesteros to warrant anything. But he is quite athletic and a little more committed to banging inside than teammate Aguilar. (And as I am typing this, Raymundo just dusted off Meralco import Champ Oguchi with a series of fakes, great balance and footwork akin to the next guy I'm going to write about...)

Dennis Espino for Greg Slaughter
This is a no brainer. I'd throw Samigue Eman in there if I could. Slaughter is now under the care of Ateneo and the feared/famed "Norman Black school for bigs" whose alumni include Paolo Bugia, Doug Kramer and Ford Arao-- guys who weren't clear cut dominant big men early in their collegiate careers, but then turned up MVP-like seasons during their senior years.

Slaughter has the size ideal for the paint, he certainly lacks the footspeed which works to solidify my suggestion that he should play exclusively in the paint and no more than the high post. I'm not banking on Marcus Douthit, Smart Gilas' naturalized center, to pass knowledge to anyone, so maybe they could consider Espino-- a man who built his career in the paint, living on great basketball IQ and just working hard (early in his career he was a surefire double double machine).

Once whatever athleticism he had went out the window (2001 onwards), Espino relied on a nice, soft jumper from both left and right wings, and a series of head, shoulder, body, pump fakes that would embarass even the best Filipino showbiz personality. If he could pass that to someone with Slaughter's size, there's no telling where we could go.

Also, there's no one tougher than Espino in the paint. Even Asi Taulava, who has encountered Eric Menk in numerous battles even in the PBL, has admitted finding it more difficult to move Espino down low rather than Menk.