I see small ball as a development tool for tall wings (at least 196cm) and tweeners (at least 198cm) in the absence of bigmen. Usually, our tallest locals are 6'5"-6'8". If there is no other taller player, they'll have to play center, and sometimes not learning another position at that. We have undersized centers, fours, and wings, e. Instead of small ball, we get undersized traditional lineups in local basketball.
Now, if a team has good enough bigs that are at least 206cm (6'9") tall, they can run a lineup with a four measuring around 198-204cm (6'6"-6'8"), even taller, as well as a tall wing. If we don't use a positionless small ball philosophy in developing players, I think you need a big center to develop a big lineup. Generally, without players like big imports/FSA's, Kai, AJ, June Mar, Japeth, Blatche, or Ange manning the 5, I think it will be tougher to develop bigger forwards at 3 and 4.
I wonder if Caelum will be a part of our Gilas Program in the Future as one of our Main Combo Forwards.
We missed on Dylan Harper. Seeing that he is like second in nba mock draft next year though. It is kinda understandable, he wasn't interested at us.
But the other unrelated Harper. Jayden Harper. I think he just got his passport like few months late. Hope he gets exemption in the future. He was like a 6-7-6'8 wing
I do think that playing small ball does have its merits, especially at the youth and grassroots level. When you don't have a good bigman that's really big (I think around 206cm (6'9")), your best bet at development will have to play small. Although I myself prefer a bigger lineup (as in a lineup with a big 4 and a big 5), I'm advocating for small ball with tall players in our context (198cm (6'6")+ fours, 196cm (6'5")+ wings, every player below 193cm (6'4") should be a guard) because our tallest are around 198-203cm (6'6"-6'8"). We don't really have that many bigs that are 206cm (6'9") and taller. Hope Yap and Calanasan turn out well, though.
Furthermore, I think grassroots programs here should start by training every kid they take in as guards and maybe play a positionless offense where everybody has the opportunity to take the role of the guard, and have everyone guard the perimeter on defense. Encourage switching, especially among the taller players, and discourage zones until the senior high school level. As for rebounding, gang rebound na lang, and everybody should learn to screen and box out, as well as guard skills. By playing a smaller position early on, we increase our possibility to have taller players at the 2 (combo guard if 192cm or shorter; otherwise, OK as a 2/3), 3 (196cm+), and 4 (198cm+ if athletic; otherwise 201cm+) spots.
I see small ball as a development tool for tall wings (at least 196cm) and tweeners (at least 198cm) in the absence of bigmen. Usually, our tallest locals are 6'5"-6'8". If there is no other taller player, they'll have to play center, and sometimes not learning another position at that. We have undersized centers, fours, and wings, e. Instead of small ball, we get undersized traditional lineups in local basketball.
Now, if a team has good enough bigs that are at least 206cm (6'9") tall, they can run a lineup with a four measuring around 198-204cm (6'6"-6'8"), even taller, as well as a tall wing. If we don't use a positionless small ball philosophy in developing players, I think you need a big center to develop a big lineup. Generally, without players like big imports/FSA's, Kai, AJ, June Mar, Japeth, Blatche, or Ange manning the 5, I think it will be tougher to develop bigger forwards at 3 and 4.
Just to consolidate this, I think positionless small ball should be used as a development tool by grassroots and amateur programs that don't have sufficient size at 5, 4, or even 3. Start by training kids as guards, and teach everyone dribbling, passing, perimeter defense, running, shooting, screening, positioning for rebounds, and bully ball. There might be occasions where you have to teach your taller players to not always rely on their bully ball and strength, and more of their quickness and perimeter skill.
I wonder if Caelum will be a part of our Gilas Program in the Future as one of our Main Combo Forwards.
We missed on Dylan Harper. Seeing that he is like second in nba mock draft next year though. It is kinda understandable, he wasn't interested at us.
But the other unrelated Harper. Jayden Harper. I think he just got his passport like few months late. Hope he gets exemption in the future. He was like a 6-7-6'8 wing
I just hope that Caelum Harris develops into a natural small forward with decent ball handling, outside shooting & above all, exceptional defensive skills. I think Caelum is only around 6-foot-5 so he would just be undersized if he plays the four position.
One major problem with Caelum Harris is his attitude. Watch his first game with Batang Gilas and you will red flags. Dribbles too high, mediocre shooting, and tantrums. Hopefully, all the flaws get addressed and he can be our athletic 3 in the future after Francis Lopez (who should learn to make free throws).
One major problem with Caelum Harris is his attitude. Watch his first game with Batang Gilas and you will red flags. Dribbles too high, mediocre shooting, and tantrums. Hopefully, all the flaws get addressed and he can be our athletic 3 in the future after Francis Lopez (who should learn to make free throws).
I'm interested with the development of Jacob Bayla. At 6-foot-4/6-foot-5, he's a good size shooting guard/2-guard & only 19 yrs old. His stats at UP may be unimpressive but that's understandable considering how loaded with talents UP is. Bayla has to share minutes with the likes of Alarcon, Chico Briones, Mark Belomonte, Francis Lopez which of course is tough.
But since he's only 19, he's bound for more improvement. Bayla's biggest upside is his defense since he's a good size 2-guard who is athletic & with decent handles. I think Bayla is more of slasher type of player in the mold of a Thirdy Ravena, CJ Perez or the legendary Vergel Meneses. But Bayla needs to develop decent 3-point shooting & medium range jumper to be an effective offensive player.
If he develops into a Chris Newsome type of a player, especially on defense, then he would be a very good prospect for Gilas. Imagine a 6-4/6-5 version of Newsome, that would be gravy.
Hopefully he can be good enough to compete for a spot after the World Cup. We have a lot of depth in his positions. Heading, Abando, Tuffin, Gutang, and Schonny at 2, and Navarro and Lopez at 3.
He turns 22 in November 2027. That's still young.
Why is Chris Koon not as highly touted (to be given exemption as a local) compared to the QMB, Philipps and Luceros?
Im pretty confident on the eligibility and exemptions of QMB and Mike Philipps. While Koon gives Gilas a Dwight Ramos 2.0. And i think he's a much better ballhandler and taller than Dwight. Does he have issues? attitude etc?
Did you see Pinoyliga when DLSU had all their hugot players available? Koon doesn't strike me as a pro-ready player. Bahay does and he's just a rookie. Koon just looks really awkward with the ball in his hands and for whatever reason, him playing too much off the ball without shooting it much is a problem.