Tinamaan ng LIN-tik; PBA stars who can do a Lin

Much has been written and said bout the New York Knicks’ and the NBA’s current attraction and Media-love, the Chinese/ Chinese-Taipei-American point guard Jeremy Lin. And while this writer usually steers clear of anything NBA-ish as he prefers something close to the heart, we can’t help but give credit where it’s due—while throwing in our two hopias worth of commentary and fantasy basketball talk.

Lin: Carpe Diem

Lin’s sudden “emergence” can be taken in different ways. An undrafted 23-year-old who was a week away from being cut from the roster before finally being given his break pretty much sums up the whole “Lin-derella” story for most. Personally though, this writer sees it more as all the right pieces falling together at the right time.

The Knicks were starting to become irrelevant again despite adding starpower with Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and latest acquisition Tyson Chandler. They were losing games and didn’t know what to do despite the obvious talent at their disposal. And if that wasn’t enough, the wheels started falling off due to injuries to their stars (they’re also still waiting on Baron Davis, who will most likely eat up Lin’s minutes once he’s back).


Enter Lin. An average player who’s solid on all fronts but not exactly star material. Unlike most African American basketball stars who rely mostly on their explosive athleticism, Lin follows in the footsteps of Caucasian (American and European) players. What he lacks in God-given talent, he makes up for with skills. In Mike D’Antoni’s open court offense, guys who can dribble and shoot will always flourish. It’s the same principle that made stars off Leandro Barbosa, Boris Diaw and even Quentin Richardson during their time together at Phoenix.

Credit should be given to Lin for making the most of this great opportunity to showcase his talent.

My argument however, is that he’s being force fed to produce—not his fault, or the Knicks’ given the number of ball handlers and shooters they have. Iman Shumpert is nice, but he’s not a point guard. Mike Bibby is old. Baron Davis is out. So yeah, they’re pretty much stuck with Lin at the one. His Chinese lineage is also another factor to consider, and the conspiracy theorist within tells me that the Knicks (and even the NBA) wanted to make the most of it to keep the Chinese and Asian fans pleased (Yi JianLian is no Yao Ming).

That being said, this writer is willing to wager that certain PBA stars, if given the same opportunity and backing as Lin, would probably shine in the NBA. Bear with me please, since I did my research on this one, here’s Lin’s college numbers (his game isn’t THAT different really, watch his YouTube clips and he’s pretty much the same dude).

Jeremy Lin, PG, Harvard Crimson 
29.2 minutes, 12.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists

Alex Cabagnot, PG, University of Hawaii Hilo Vulcans 
29.3 m, 8.7 p, 2 r, 3.7 a
Cabagnot playing in a Mike D’Antoni style offense? Wow. There’s just no telling what the KKS Wizard would do—from throwing lobs to Amare and Ty to shooting clutch, back-breaking lefty threes to win games at MSG. Defense? Wouldn’t matter, they’re the Knicks.

Gabe Norwood, PG, George Mason Patriots 
18 m, 3 p, 2 r, 1 a
Not really, but we’ll give this a shot. Tall point guard who can’t shoot, hesitates on drives and spaces out when he doesn’t have the ball. Pass.

Jarred Dillinger, SG/SF, Hawaii Warriors 
19 m, 5.8 p, 2 r, 1.2 a
Maybe not as a PG or a Lin replacement, but definitely an improvement over one-dimensional streaky shooter Bill Walker. His defense is inferior to the Knicks’ Landry Fields, but offensively, he’ll be a definite improvement.

Marcio Lassiter, SG/SF, Cal-State Fullerton 
17.8 m, 6.1 p, 2 r, 1.2 a
What? We’re looking for a PG? Okay. Just checking. Still a damn good, solid basketball player though. Raja Bell clone.

Chris Lutz, SG/SF, Purdue/ Marshall
26.2 m, 9.6 p, 2.1 r, 1.9 a
Lutz doesn’t have half Lin’s footspeed and passing skills, but this guy would thrive in D’Antoni’s system as a catch and shoot or kick-out option. He moves without the ball like a dream, and when forced, can dribble to the hoop. Of the PBA guys on this list, Lutz is a perfect fit for a back-up NBA player… if only he were 6”6.

And finally…

Mark Caguioa, SG, Glendale Community College
2000 Glendale Community College 1st Mythical Team Member
Sinubukan ko hanapin ung college stats ni MC47. Halos suyurin ko na ug Internet kaka search. The Spark. Once considered by an NBA scout to possibly tryout for the Toronto Raptors. Once offered to play for the Sidney Kings in the Australian Leagues (which could’ve jumpstarted a possible NBA or Euroleague career). Realistically speaking, there’s no way Caguioa will be signed up by an NBA team at this point in his career given his age and injuries. But boy oh boy, if Leandro Barbosa—a guard who can’t play defense or shoot with consistency could make waves in the NBA, then so can Caguioa. Skills wise, Caguioa is one of, if not THE best scoring guards in PBA history (with Willie Miller a distant, timid, lackadaisical and smiling second). On defense, he’s no Wyne Arboleda but he can make stops from time to time. This writer fondly recalls Caguioa’s rookie year where the then bleach blonde guard intercepted a full court pass football-style much to the amazement of the crowd. Would Caguioa be better than Lin? Yes. Because of his handles and attack mentality. The shooting is there, the speed, and the swagger. Plus, you won’t ever see Caguioa turn the ball over 11 times in a game regardless of the league.

Only problem is, as the NBA scout aptly put it, “he’s short.”

Pinoy 5”11 (6 ft with shoes on) short.

LIN-tik na yan.

P.S.

This writer went with players who played college ball outside of the Philippines to at least show that given the right opportunity and platform, we can be just as good if not better than guys like Jeremy Lin. From a purely Pinoy, homegrown standpoint-- TNT's Jayson Castro would be a joy to watch as a sparkplug off the bench in the NBA.