Kai Sotto Thread

[Kaireem]

I think Most of the Posters here Dont really give Kai a chance in landing an NBA Contract, for me am still not closing the doors completely, although the chances of him landing a spot is actually slim. Other players were still drafted at a much older age so unless Kai continues to improve defensively he will find it hard to get into the league.

can you blame them given he went undrafted and how little he has progressed in 3 years as a pro? if kai weren't filipino do you think he is nba material?

[greenarcher]

can you blame them given he went undrafted and how little he has progressed in 3 years as a pro? if kai weren't filipino do you think he is nba material?

Imagine if he was another nationality with this amount of hype. Im sure all the Peenoise in cyberspace would be feasting on him non stop. He would be the most ridiculed person in basketball.

[magic_chiongson]

here's another reason why it's stupid to compare kai to chet holgrem. on post offense kai might be better even if only for the fact that he's 30 lbs heavier, but on almost everything else chet is just so much better. just take a look at this possession where he effectively defended the 3 point line and the post on a single possession:

https://streamable.com/nhk2jr

holmgrem & wemby are pretty much like a much taller kevin durant while kai at his best is a poor man's zubac

[Juancho]

here's another reason why it's stupid to compare kai to chet holgrem. on post offense kai might be better even if only for the fact that he's 30 lbs heavier, but on almost everything else chet is just so much better. just take a look at this possession where he effectively defended the 3 point line and the post on a single possession:

https://streamable.com/nhk2jr

holmgrem & wemby are pretty much like a much taller kevin durant while kai at his best is a poor man's zubac

Wemby as a taller durant yes. Chet? tf lol

chet is bol bol on offense, pretty decent on defense tho.

[JOI2dWorld]

Wemby as a taller durant yes. Chet? tf lol

chet is bol bol on offense, pretty decent on defense tho.

and both are still better than Kai

[thatweirdguy]

here's another reason why it's stupid to compare kai to chet holgrem. on post offense kai might be better even if only for the fact that he's 30 lbs heavier, but on almost everything else chet is just so much better. just take a look at this possession where he effectively defended the 3 point line and the post on a single possession:

https://streamable.com/nhk2jr

holmgrem & wemby are pretty much like a much taller kevin durant while kai at his best is a poor man's zubac

I'm not even sure Kai is better posting up.. nor defending players heavier than home. people like to nitpick on Wemby and Chet but Kai has bigger holes on his game. He really needs to catch up. Yes he went pro earlier but he had not really developed that well..

[DAdmiral]

A more reasonable comparison is Bol bol, how does Kai compare ?

Size: 7'2

[C2Hamm]

A more reasonable comparison is Bol bol, how does Kai compare ?

Size: 7'2

not reasonable at all. you can only compare their height. Bol bol's main game is to attack the basket either from the dribble or from cutting to the basket. although Kai can do it, he is better off using his footwork inside.

i mentioned this like 2 years ago, the closest NBA player ive seen whose game I (personal opinion obviously) see Kai most is Raef Lafrentz. go look at his highlights and its quite near what Kai is already doing. the only huge difference (aside from experience) is that Raef is strong enough to hold his own down low against post players. but even how he moves from weakside to help, is similar. again, experience is a big factor so decision making can be seen through the vids but its not something that is hard to imagine Kai can learn as he grows.

the problem there is, lets say he does get near what Raef was before. is that a sure thing Kai will be in the NBA? i dont know because the way the game was played then is different now.

[DAdmiral]

not reasonable at all. you can only compare their height. Bol bol's main game is to attack the basket either from the dribble or from cutting to the basket. although Kai can do it, he is better off using his footwork inside.

i mentioned this like 2 years ago, the closest NBA player ive seen whose game I (personal opinion obviously) see Kai most is Raef Lafrentz. go look at his highlights and its quite near what Kai is already doing. the only huge difference (aside from experience) is that Raef is strong enough to hold his own down low against post players. but even how he moves from weakside to help, is similar. again, experience is a big factor so decision making can be seen through the vids but its not something that is hard to imagine Kai can learn as he grows.

the problem there is, lets say he does get near what Raef was before. is that a sure thing Kai will be in the NBA? i dont know because the way the game was played then is different now.

what you just articulated , just goes to show how the the odds are really stacked against Kai making the NBA , now please we're never absolutely saying it's impossible (nothing is ) , but simply it's unlikely , for all intents and purposes Kai is in the same boat as Kihei and Hepa and yes even Waandenberg (2 time SL , NBL ROY) , which is really not bad, but is really more a narrative with realism.

[CoJ]

"Kai will have to earn everything out of the opportunities. Three mini camps and Summer League. Nothing is guaranteed,"- Ronzone

https://www.spin.ph/basketball/nba/orlando-magic-lineup-full-kai-sotto-best-shot-at-nba-spot-a2244-20230707?utm_source=Facebook-Spin&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20230707-fbnp-basketball-orlando-magic-lineup-full-kai-sotto-best-shot-at-nba-spot-a2244-20230707-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR2Bg-oDn9PumqX5WF8cB3TQirKr4phauPrxZ_qcOlr27KEbWby2JBStFoI

[The_Big_Cat]

Orlando GM explains waiving Bol Bol; Reality check for Kai Sotto.


”Bol was a fan favorite. But it was also apparent that he was the odd man out after the Magic signed veteran forward Joe Ingles in free agency, then re-signed Mo Wagner and picked up Goga Bitzade’s team option.

The team’s roster exceeded the league limit of 15.”

”The 23-year-old Bol is ahead of Sotto in the NBA learning curve. If the Magic have no room for the versatile big man who was selected 44th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, how much more for an undrafted rookie”.

https://www.philstar.com/sports/2023/07/07/2279371/magic-exec-explains-waiving-bol-bol-reality-check-kai-sotto?fbclid=IwAR0fYXdOR8z-PZ5WCVJNm4qRkIc5JL3_IfRu2CcISmtUpvUJlQkp3xM7tks_aem_AZYWrkFW5fuUTFIsI5bl5zyLh8yvxGLSVZS67SFBEbNAb7dvWJOUmcoIU5EaQi3X8s0

[PeeZones]

Comment of a mere writer and compare it to a pro basketball player.

https://twitter.com/ExpatHoops/status/1677160190393696257?s=20https://twitter.com/ExpatHoops/status/1677160190393696257?s=20

Kai only needs the right environment and the right opportunities for him to showcase what he can really do.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/high-school/2022/08/30/detroit-renaissance-coach-lawal-resigns-nba-assistant-job/7942028001/

This is what separates casual bball fans' comments and those who really know their basketball.lol

Faceup skill is ELITE for a 19yr old from an NBA COACH! TF! Kai only needs passes and leeway to commit mistakes.

[PeeZones]

Sotto’s agent, Tony Ronzone, told Philstar.com on Thursday (Friday in Manila) that his client would forego the B. League if offered a two-way contract. Sotto has an NBA opt-out clause in his extension deal with the Hiroshima Dragonflies.

Ronzone will be in Las Vegas to watch his client and the other players of Wasserman. He said he has not received any feedback yet from the Magic about Sotto during their practices, but he added: “They are waiting to see him [play] live.”

Ronzone has deep connections with the Magic from the top of the organization down to their head coach Jamahl Mosley.

A long-time NBA personnel who rose from NBA scouting to assistant general manager (Minnesota Timberwolves in 2011-2012) and Director of Player Personnel (Dallas Mavericks from 2012-2021), Ronzone previously worked closely with Mosley in Dallas.

“He’s my guy,” Ronzone told Philstar.com when asked about the Magic coach.

Ronzone also worked with Magic president Jeff Weltman and outgoing general manager John Hammond, who will remain with the team as a senior advisor, at Detroit in the early 2000s when he was a Pistons scout who worked his way up to become the team’s director of basketball operations.

The 68-year-old Hammond is best known as the general manager who drafted Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee. He joined the Magic organization in 2017 alongside his friend, Weltman.

To analyze for all your endless rhetorics that Kai wont make it, how many of those 300-400 draft applicants near Kai's age were Ignite alumni and were offered near Jalen's salary by the NBA? Is the assessment of the NBA lesser than draft express?lol

[CoJ]

Orlando GM explains waiving Bol Bol; Reality check for Kai Sotto.


”Bol was a fan favorite. But it was also apparent that he was the odd man out after the Magic signed veteran forward Joe Ingles in free agency, then re-signed Mo Wagner and picked up Goga Bitzade’s team option.

The team’s roster exceeded the league limit of 15.”

”The 23-year-old Bol is ahead of Sotto in the NBA learning curve. If the Magic have no room for the versatile big man who was selected 44th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, how much more for an undrafted rookie”.


https://www.philstar.com/sports/2023/07/07/2279371/magic-exec-explains-waiving-bol-bol-reality-check-kai-sotto?fbclid=IwAR0fYXdOR8z-PZ5WCVJNm4qRkIc5JL3_IfRu2CcISmtUpvUJlQkp3xM7tks_ae m_AZYWrkFW5fuUTFIsI5bl5zyLh8yvxGLSVZS67SFBEbNAb7dv WJOUmcoIU5EaQi3X8s0

Well, Bol Bol and Kai's averages for the previous season are almost the same (9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 2.0 block), but damn, Bol bol played against nba players while Kai competed with NBA discards

[PeeZones]

Casuals would talk about situations and stats.lol The replies would be less of actual bball but more on numbers and just mere comparisons of situations.

BolBol doesn't have a very high bball IQ and has the tendency to have tunnel vision. He is a perimeter-oriented big who is afraid of contact.

Am I wrong now when I said that Kai's offense was elite?lol I said it first before PRO BALLER AND NBA COACH SHANE LAWAL.lol