You've Got 21 Questions?

Insterestingly, Hawks Center Etan Thomas maintains a blog under Hoopshype.com, and he has something called "21 Questions," which is, well, basically 21 questions that discuss some prominent issues about basketball in America. And of course, for the sake of generating public opinion and having a say on such "important matters," here are some points to consider.

[Just see the blog for Thomas' questions]

On Question 2
The Wes Leonard incident sends an important message across all high school sports programs abroad: One, be strict with the medical tests that their players would have to undergo. Two, school should NOT let players who have potential medical problems to participate in tournaments that might put their health in danger.

On Question 3
Why should the NBA have a separate protocol implemented for concussions, when this should be normally included in the league's procedures for handling injuries in general. Shouldn't concussions be included as one of the common possible injuries that a player can have?

On Question 4
Blake Griffin should move soon. Moving, but at the same time, staying? Do you even get what this means?

On Question 7
Chris Bosh might not have been the only one who cried, but certainly, he cried the saddest tears of his life. Enjoy being in South Beach, Bosh.

On Question 11
Here is something debatable. It is true that the Thunder rose and became a contender despite being a small market, and this could imply that there simply is no disadvantage for those who do not "begin big," so to say. It is also true (and laudable at that) that proper management plays a big part in making teams successful. But then, come to think about it. If Kevin Durant bailed out on the Thunder, could they have the same level of recovery as the Lakers or the Celtics had during the past years? I don't think so. Maybe at this point, fans can curse and cry foul over the inequality that exists in the NBA.

On Question 12
Easy topic to tackle for employees. Of course, you can't openly rant about your boss. 'Nuff said. On the other hand, it appears that David Stern, especially this year, seems to be a tyrant of some sorts, all, as the upper level management claims, for the benefit of the NBA. Yes, Etan, interesting.

On Questions 16-18
It's good to hear that Union director Billy Hunter has already stepped in (never mind Woj's angle to it, we know that he's one of the worst, according to public opinion, columnists of Y! Sports) to do the negotiations, proof enough that the players would want to avoid a lockout. But when worse comes to worst, would both parties agree on something definite just to prevent this lockout? And also, if it is in the interest of the league (and the players as well) to have another 82-game season, why did they not process this at an earlier date?

Also, the proposal to split revenues and get rid of the salary cap makes sense. Teams can spend without any limit, signing anyone by as little or by as much, while the NBA benefits by getting half of whatever these teams earn. But the question is, will this be actually beneficial to small-market teams, and to some extent, those who belong to the big-market ones?

On Question 21
Since this blog has a bias towards the Purple and Gold, it would be worthwhile to entertain Thomas' question with these three words: Everybody Loves L.A…. And Kobe, especially.

Tiong Lian Aftermath

After all the talk about Xavier School's hard-fought championship game against Hope Christian High School begin to settle, news has arrived from the Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball blog regarding various exhibition games against the Chinese Taipei's top high school teams.

Apparently, the "all-star" MMTLB team would include the following players, and quoting the site:

"Jeron Teng (Xavier School), Bryan Tan (Xavier School), Donal Ong (Xavier School), Abram Vera Cruz (Xavier School), Janrey Garrido (Hope Christian HS), Errol Villar (Hope Christian HS), Jessiery Pedrosa (Hope Christian HS), Paul Aduana (Chiang Kai Shek College), Cyril Mopas (Chiang Kai Shek College), Ryan Chua (St. Jude Catholic School), Kent Lao (St. Stephen’s HS), David Licauco (Grace Christian College) and Benson Tan (Uno High School)."

*From this point on, it will be mere speculation*

The names in bold are what could be the "hot spots" for future scouts, and in connection to that, the exhibition games would be an opportunity for them to polish themselves if ever they would want to go to the pros.

First up in the list would be Jeron Teng, who already has a long list of achievements in his baller's resume, which include being a member of the U-18 National Team (coached by Eric Altamirano, who will take over the reins of the NU Bulldogs this coming UAAP Season 74) and the Youth Olympic Games team, playing alongside, among others, Michael Pate (who is DLSU-bound) and Rayray Parks (who will suit up for NU in Season 74). UAAP and NCAA scouts would call Teng as "a big fish in a small pond" who would need to develop more skills to make up for his lack of height as a forward, and these exhibition games would be the perfect opportunity for him to improve on his outside game as he prepares for his senior year. This is the time for him to prepare for proving them wrong in his last year as a Golden Stallion.

On the other hand, Aduana and Pedrosa would be Team B material. Aduana has been putting up pretty good stats during the Tiong Lian elims, and as we know Pedrosa, a former Team B of the FEU Baby Tams, has a lot of potential.

Presenting The PBA-DL Teams

With the Philippine Basketball League under hibernation, it seems that the Philippine Basketball Association Development League (PBADL) will be serve as the home for those amateur players who would want to play in the pros.

With 13 teams in the league (which nearly doubles that of the PBL), this 3-month stint will force college ballers to bring out their A-game earlier than expected, playing a few games to train for the upcoming 74th Season of the UAAP. But then, this is not just another summer training camp, for they have to face up against college league alumni and mainstay amateur league players.

In featuring the following PBADL teams, it would be noteworthy to look at the incoming UAAP Season 74 players and coaches and see how their participation in the PBDL can help them gear up for July.

1.Blackwater Elite
Former Barako Bull and present Arellano University Chiefs coach Leo Isaac will be one of those who will take the reins for this Ever Bilena-sponsored team. It has UP Fighting Maroon Joshua Saret, who obviously needs a lot of exposure in order to make it big next season, considering that, despite having his own share of the limelight during high school, did not become a productive member of the UP basketball team.

2.Freego Jeans
To put it short, it's just an upgrade of the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, and rest assured, they will be taking this league seriously. Coach Leo Austria might find this as an opportunity to experiment with various plays that they can use in the UAAP.

Falcons Janus Lozada, Alex Nuyles, Jan Colina, Jerick Canada, Eric Camson, Roider Cabrera, and Lester Alvarez will be the Austria's main pieces for this league, joined by other Falcons Jeff Olalia and alumnus Mike Galinato. If Adamson wants to stay in the Final Four next year, then they definitely have to fill in the holes that they had last year in terms of defense.

3.Nlex Road Warriors
Former Fighting Maroons coach Boyet Fernandez could have another opportunity to prove himself as he will be the one to lead this team, and in fact he can redeem himself by having some noteworthy talents at his disposal.

Former Blue Eagle Eric Salamat is just one of them, and knowing the way he plays, he might just fit in Fernandez' offensive system that concentrates on swingmen. The Red Lions' Ogie Menor, the SSC-R Stags' Calvin Abueva and UP Fighting Maroons' Woody Co will go with him while they wait for the upcoming PBA draft.

4.PC Gilmore Wizard
It's quite unusual that the Gilmore group of PC manufacturers would form a team, but why not accept them if we want an expanded league? CSB Blazers coach Richard del Rosario will be the one who will be in charge of the team, and he will have a few significant players which include Mapua Cardinals Allan Mangahas and Mike Parala.

5.Pharex Naproxen Sodium Bidang Generix
This former PBL team will have its steering wheels held by coach Gian Carlo Tan, and he has a lot of former UAAP ballers, which include NU Bulldog Edwin Asoro, UST Growling Tigers Aljon Mariano and Chester Taylor, FEU Tamaraw Marlon Adolfo, and DLSU Green Archer James Mangahas.

6.RnW Pacific Pipes
Finally, former Aces player Topex Robinson got hold of the job that he wants from the very start, and he was duly rewarded with a big win last Saturday against PC Gilmore. But then, this team could have been stronger if Blue Eagle Ryan Buenafe will play. Unfortunately, He has to concentrate on his studies so that he can play for the Season 74. Besides, Coach Norman Black would rather have the Blue Eagles participate in other summer competitions where they can play as a team.

7.Cafe France
Former La Salle Green Archer and Pop Cola coach Mon Jose will have to lead this team that features former Bulldog Jewel Ponferada among others.

8.Cebuana Lhuiller Gems
Ex-Adamson coach Luigi Trillo will have a mix of UAAP and NCAA alumni at his disposal, which includes Kelvin Gregorio (UE), Allein Maliksi (UST), Ben Fernandez (FEU) and Hyram Bagatsing (DLSU). He also has current Letran Knight Kevin Alas to back them up.

9.Cobra Energy Drink
Former UE Coach Lawrence Chongson turns to a new page in his coaching career by leaving the UAAP altogether and take over this former PBL franchise. And as always, he has former Red Warrior Paul Lee, who will be the main man on his offensive sets. Other fresh grads playing with him will be Paul Sanga of the FEU Tamaraws, Melvin Baloran, and Kokoy Hermosisima, both from the NU Bulldogs. Significant in their roster would be Ken Acibar, who will serve as the main man of the Red Warriors for Season 74.

10.FCA Cultivators
Chiang Kai Shek aspirants and Air21 assistant coach Arsenio Dysangco takes a step forward as he will try to handle a PBA-DL team that is composed of those who play in minor leagues. Too bad he won't handle someone who will suit up for UAAP's Season 74.

11.Max Bond Superglue Sumos
Entering his last contract year as Growling Tigers head coach, Pido Jarencio has to prove that he can take his boys to greater heights after his UST Tigers dropped to the 6th spot last year. This D-League might be the opportunity for Tigers Jeric Teng, Chris Camus, Melo Afuang, Clark Bautista, Jeric Fortuna, and Aljon Mariano to up their game down the stretch. Fortunately, a few tips and pointers from UAAP alumni Jun Cabatu (DLSU), Roel Hugnatan (AdU), Rudy Lingganay (UE), Mark Benitez (DLSU), Japs Cuan (UST), and Reil Cervantes (FEU - opted out of his final year to enter the PBA draft) can help.

12.Maynilad Water Dragons
This D-League team might not stay for long as it could be given a slot in the pros in the coming years (thus, a whole roster change or probably a whole new team if basketball mogul MVP would prefer to also have a D-League team). But for the moment, it has to play alongside all the D-League amateur teams and would be headed by Red Lions coach Frankie Lim. Joining him in this stint are his boys the Semerad twins (Dave and Anthony), Jake Pascual, Garvo Lanete, and Sudan Daniel.

13.Junior Powerade Tigers
The new Fighting Maroons coach Ricky Dandan has to show that he can carry a team out of a 0-14 hole last year. But first, he has to deal with a D-League team that can promise good results come July. He has Maroons Alvin Padilla, Miggy Manego, Moriah Gingerich, Mark Juruena, and Kevin Wong, and joining them would be alumnus Mike Gamboa.

Credits to Bleacher's Brew and Chinoy Hoops Fan for this large chunk of info.

Just A Random Quote

This comment was made after the Ateneo Blue Eagles' tune-up games against one of those Philippine Basketball Association Development League, the team where, obviously, former Green Archers forward is currently playing for.

And with this, I want to take a look at Bacon Austria's performance on both ends of the court. Reviewing Season 73, we all know that the Blue Squad had a love-hate relationship with him. At times, he was jacking up unnecessary jumpers (worse, even treys), but on the other side, he can play great defense against most of the elite forwards in the UAAP, and can even run breaks alongside Eric Salamat and Kirk Long.

That is why, even with shaky game performances, fans of the Blue Eagles still held on to Bacon's words that he is part of a team that can deliver four straight championships. Despite having difficulty to slide to the SF spot (having played as a Center for the Ateneo Blue Eaglets), Norman Black would opt to put him in situations when defense and transition baskets are needed the most.

As for Bagatsing, we wouldn't say that he has been a very consistent player,but during Season 72, he had his own share on the offense. He seldom makes good three-pointers, and his game stays on the perimeter (Franz Pumaren even commented two years ago that he, alongside Kish Co, could be a "JV Casio" in the making). Apparently, he fell short of expectations, and worse, was not able to give himself a chance to redeem himself, having been intimidated after all the bantering thrown around by dLSU alumni and Green Archer fans.

Had he been given that opportunity, would he improve? Perhaps, under Dindo Pumaren's system, he might play the role of Paul Zamar and the rest of the Red Warriors swingmen. He might just be the person to rely on when lanes are clogged and the Archers need to score from the outside (much like what swingman Sam Marata is doing right now). Only problem is, as evident in this comment, is that he lacked the abilities to play defense. Imagine putting a burly Bacon Austria who can score off him both in jump shots and post moves, and worse, had he been assigned to check Kirk Long who is more athletic and could get past him in more ways than one, he would have difficulty.

Better off without this guy? With Marata and Webb around, seems like the Archers really don't need him.