Kai Sotto Thread

[Stevy]

For me, Kai's going to average 13–17 points, 6–10 rebounds, 1.2–2.2 blocks, and 2-4 assists in 22–30 minutes a game.

Worst case: Same averages in the NBL in the B league

At least:13 points, 6 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 2 assists in 22 minutes of playing time

Best case:17 points, 10 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 4 assists in 30 minutes of playing time

[jasper222]

both, if they are thinking a 20-year-old undrafted kid becoming basically a top 5 player in a league that has several nba & euroleague veterans, especially after a pedestrian NBL season. if this was the PBA all filipino cup then yeah those expectations are reasonable.

also, that's assuming that's the majority sentiment of japanese basketball fans. i doubt they are as dumb as some pinoy basketball/kai "fans"

That's the majority sentiment of the JP twitter accounts that I've come across. There was one who said Hiroshima was "cheating" because they essentially had 4 world imports now. On the other side, one doubted that Kai could produce in the B League at 20 years old, though he followed it up with a clip of Kai dunking in that Melbourne game and said that maybe he can expect a lot of those from Kai.

You look down too much on your own countrymen. Japan is just as hyped as we are for Kai, maybe even more so. Hiroshima already has a poster of Kai raising the B League trophy.

They are also aware of Kai's circumstances (spend a couple of months in Japan, then fly to the US for the Summer League).

[Silent Killer]

for me if he goes to average around 22-25 mpg his average will be around 14 ppg, 10 rpg, 3 bpg

hope his passing game will be used by hiroshima coach..

[jasper222]

for me if he goes to average around 22-25 mpg his average will be around 14 ppg, 10 rpg, 3 bpg

hope his passing game will be used by hiroshima coach..

If what their GM said is true, then Kai is the "last piece" they needed to truly contend for the championship, since they were chasing after Zhou Qi too.

[Linusports]

That's the majority sentiment of the JP twitter accounts that I've come across. There was one who said Hiroshima was "cheating" because they essentially had 4 world imports now. On the other side, one doubted that Kai could produce in the B League at 20 years old, though he followed it up with a clip of Kai dunking in that Melbourne game and said that maybe he can expect a lot of those from Kai.

You look down too much on your own countrymen. Japan is just as hyped as we are for Kai, maybe even more so. Hiroshima already has a poster of Kai raising the B League trophy.

They are also aware of Kai's circumstances (spend a couple of months in Japan, then fly to the US for the Summer League).

https://mainichi.jp/english/sports/more-sports-news/

The Mainichi being one of major newspapers in Japan having a piece on Kai's B League signing... seems they really hype - worthy for Japanese sport fans.


Kai widening more his presence in the whole of Asia (southeast asia, australia-new zealand, middle-east (FIBA windows-lebanon&saudi games) then now at east asia).

[jasper222]

https://mainichi.jp/english/sports/more-sports-news/

The Mainichi being one of major newspapers in Japan having a piece on Kai's B League signing... seems they really hype - worthy for Japanese sport fans.


Kai widening more his presence in the whole of Asia (southeast asia, australia-new zealand, middle-east (FIBA windows-lebanon&saudi games) then now at east asia).

Kaya nga eh. One Japanese fan even called him "Mini Wembanyama". I'm serious.

It's not that there aren't level-headed, and even pessimistic, Japanese basketball fans. It's that there's a big wave of hype generated by Kai's signing with fervor matching the Filipinos', yet this is unacceptable or untrue to some people for some reason. I guess some Filipinos just suffer a massive case of crab mentality? That's my best guess since if you browse basketball-related FB pages ran by Pinoys, the admins themselves are the ones dissing Kai.

Offtopic: I always thought Mainichi Shimbun was the biggest newspaper in Japan. Turns out it was Yomiuri Shimbun.

[Rds]

Having watched Hiroshima during Baltis stint, I am cautious about Kais performance. From what I saw, PNR defense is important. Many world imports are good shooters so Kai needs to challenge that. On offense, 3 pt shooting is important as they want to open the lane for their guards. Hiroshima relies on its PG and SG for offense.

I would say initially he will play 20 mins with 12 pts 6 rbs 1.5 blks 1.5 ast. He will probably backup Blackshear. Evans would be the best pairing as he is the most mobile. Mayo and him might not be ideal. I think they might play 6'11 Blackshear at PF with him to form the biggest frontline in the league.

[The Gamer]

i doubt he'll get 20-25 mins a game or that he'll be consistently performing with that playing time, we all saw how gassed he was during the New Zealand game (his best game in the nbl imho) and if he couldn't improve his stamina and strength in the nbl what more with less than a month's preparation for the bl?

unless hiroshima slows down the game and runs the offense exclusively thru the post i expect that his statistics will just be marginally better compared to his nbl stats, 9-10 ppg and 6-7 rpg. but if hiroshima exclusively goes to him at the post then yeah easy 16ppg at least since the bigmen including the imports in the bl are nowhere near the quality of the nbl bigs.

[paliganibossalfrancis]

both, if they are thinking a 20-year-old undrafted kid becoming basically a top 5 player in a league that has several nba & euroleague veterans, especially after a pedestrian NBL season. if this was the PBA all filipino cup then yeah those expectations are reasonable.

also, that's assuming that's the majority sentiment of japanese basketball fans. i doubt they are as dumb as some pinoy basketball/kai "fans"

In the NBL, he was treated as a kid, they knew the talent is there but for some odd reason (cultural -- Western people tend to look down on East Asians socially; seniority) they always played it safe with Kai. They know Kai wants to be in the NBA but the most they can offer the "kid" is to become a role player.

In the BLeague, they better let Kai loose for all the hype surrounding his signing. If he wants to become an NBA player he better be at least Top 5-Top 10 player in the BLeague, assuming he'll get more green light in Hiroshima.

[thatweirdguy]

i doubt he'll get 20-25 mins a game or that he'll be consistently performing with that playing time, we all saw how gassed he was during the New Zealand game (his best game in the nbl imho) and if he couldn't improve his stamina and strength in the nbl what more with less than a month's preparation for the bl?

unless hiroshima slows down the game and runs the offense exclusively thru the post i expect that his statistics will just be marginally better compared to his nbl stats, 9-10 ppg and 6-7 rpg. but if hiroshima exclusively goes to him at the post then yeah easy 16ppg at least since the bigmen including the imports in the bl are nowhere near the quality of the nbl bigs.

Well pushing and moving stronger heavier opponents is quite taxing. Even players 5 inches shorter than Kai was out muscling him. He'll have an easier time in the Bleague

[ja.he]

Well pushing and moving stronger heavier opponents is quite taxing. Even players 5 inches shorter than Kai was out muscling him. He'll have an easier time in the Bleague

Even his teammate McCarron looks solid. Most Australian players look solid physically and that's the reason why Asian teams will always have a hard time against these Aussies.

[Linusports]

Having watched Hiroshima during Baltis stint, I am cautious about Kais performance. From what I saw, PNR defense is important. Many world imports are good shooters so Kai needs to challenge that. On offense, 3 pt shooting is important as they want to open the lane for their guards. Hiroshima relies on its PG and SG for offense.

I would say initially he will play 20 mins with 12 pts 6 rbs 1.5 blks 1.5 ast. He will probably backup Blackshear. Evans would be the best pairing as he is the most mobile. Mayo and him might not be ideal. I think they might play 6'11 Blackshear at PF with him to form the biggest frontline in the league.

Blackshear-Evans-Mayo (All World Imports of Dragonflies) All ranges from 6'6 to 6'10 and at their peak levels (25yo - 29 yo) they definitely carry the scoring but seems mainly from drives and iso plays... Hopefully Kai adjust, at initial impression... KAI needs to be in his bag of post moves and passing feels to maximize them current Dragonflies roster.

[Linusports]

i doubt he'll get 20-25 mins a game or that he'll be consistently performing with that playing time, we all saw how gassed he was during the New Zealand game (his best game in the nbl imho) and if he couldn't improve his stamina and strength in the nbl what more with less than a month's preparation for the bl?

unless hiroshima slows down the game and runs the offense exclusively thru the post i expect that his statistics will just be marginally better compared to his nbl stats, 9-10 ppg and 6-7 rpg. but if hiroshima exclusively goes to him at the post then yeah easy 16ppg at least since the bigmen including the imports in the bl are nowhere near the quality of the nbl bigs.

Initial look at Dragonflies roster, I agree with you.

Really looking at Kai showcasing his assist skills... at ADL he barely avg 1 apg.
The Dragonflies Coach also seems a more "real coach" compared to Bruton, so this also contributes on how Kai gonna be used in the court.

[The_Big_Cat]

Sotto to miss 6th window for Gilas

The next six months are crucial. We have to make his body stronger and get him ready for the mini-camps and hopefully, the Summer League. The source added.

https://www.spin.ph/basketball/fiba/kai-sotto-unlikely-to-play-for-gilas-in-february-window-a2244-20230209?utm_source=Facebook-Spin&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20230209-fbnp-basketball-kai-sotto-unlikely-to-play-for-gilas-in-february-window-a2244-20230209-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR0FKmXI7VVcAlgjqpSQAsexWApmSMZvHlHe9yi2S9lvMGrdoNygSNWATlo

[PeeZones]