Players that we can have naturalized

[IPC]

I'm OK with Japeth being a reserve for now, because after AJ, JB, and to an extent Kai, that's it for interior defense. Japeth will be valuable if AJ goes down.
But Japeth's 37. We'll need a successor as he ages, especially considering that Bennie Boatwright will be the replacement NP, so we'll need a good defender next to Bennie most of the time. Maybe someone like Kemark Carino can help, but Mason Amos and Justin Arana could be more popular picks. Mason, fine because of shooting, but Arana looks like a right-handed Ian Sangalang.

Wasn't he supposed to be retired from NT duties for like 2 years now? Maybe they should have groomed someone who'll eventually replace him ages ago. They can't just unretire him every tournament.. I don't see anyone who can help out AJ and Kai on defence maybe except Philips and Balti ( well Balti from 3 years ago. He admittedly looks very different nowadays)

That's the exact reason why I've been clamoring for a decent defender at 4/5 as our NP after JB (4 so at least he can play alongside Kai, 5 in case AJ gets injured and Kai needs a backup center). That, or Ange, even if he's the backup. We don't have much in the way of eligible interior defenders. If AJ is hurt and Kai sits, we risk giving up too many points, maybe at a rate of every other possession.

[Silent Killer]

Boogie ellis, harper jr., kamaka hepa and SBP rather get boatwright.. harper jr. Is your best wing player you can have..

[thatweirdguy]

That's the exact reason why I've been clamoring for a decent defender at 4/5 as our NP after JB (4 so at least he can play alongside Kai, 5 in case AJ gets injured and Kai needs a backup center). That, or Ange, even if he's the backup. We don't have much in the way of eligible interior defenders. If AJ is hurt and Kai sits, we risk giving up too many points, maybe at a rate of every other possession.

Me too. Then SMC gave us a guy who's weaknesses are defence and rebounding. It might not look much now but these moves might cost us in the future.

[Silent Killer]

From Twitter

Naveem Ganglani

NBA standout Kyle Kuzma says he is OPEN to the idea of playing for GILAS alongside Jordan Clarkson and represent the Philippines in international competition.

[Joe Yabuki]

Not sure if he plays alongside since that is impossible, but he would be an ideal replacement.... If SMC can pony up the money and make him commit

[leoisiah]

Bola lang yan. Of course Kuzma will say yes, I am open to playing for PH, because he recently visited PH and the interviewer is from a PH magazine.
It's just like Robin Lopez in the past being asked by a Filipino if he is open to play for Gilas. He said yes, but this doesn't mean anything. Until he really plays for PH of course.

Imagine, you are an American NBA player who visits the PH, and declare that you don't want to play for Gilas. Given how toxic PH fans can be, he might receive the Beatles treatment in a lower magnitude, or at least have lots of haters in social media.

[Joe Yabuki]

bit dissapointed with Momowei's progress. He looked special last year, now UE is just a sinkhole.

[thatweirdguy]

Bola lang yan. Of course Kuzma will say yes, I am open to playing for PH, because he recently visited PH and the interviewer is from a PH magazine.
It's just like Robin Lopez in the past being asked by a Filipino if he is open to play for Gilas. He said yes, but this doesn't mean anything. Until he really plays for PH of course.

Imagine, you are an American NBA player who visits the PH, and declare that you don't want to play for Gilas. Given how toxic PH fans can be, he might receive the Beatles treatment in a lower magnitude, or at least have lots of haters in social media.

Kinda like people askin Mark Cuban it he has heard of Kai Sotto. Or asking visiting players if Filipinos can make it into the NBA. Are you really expecting them to tell you what you don't want to hear?

[hmbopbaduwap]

[BJ_Reloaded]

there's no doubt the talent level of 30 yr. old 6'4 George King and his behaviour on and off the court.

but as always, since the time of IBN's infancy and eventually this thread was created

the discussion was all about and always will be the "naturalized guy" should be the rim protector dude to compliment with our bigs

the dude that could gave us that double-double figure in any given night

the dude that could play multiple spots from 3 to 5 depending on the match-up,

the dude that has the work rate of an "energizer bunny" that is contagious esp. to his team mates both offensively and defensively on and off the court

the dude that is level-headed and can control his/her "cuckoo in the head" esp. when the going gets tough.

the dude that can easily interact and communicate esp. to the "common masa" and has the charisma to blend well to the culture

a 6'8 to 6'10 lad is a perfect choice, it's a bonus if he/she had the wingspan that we are aspiring and dreaming all along

yes we already had 7'2 Kai Sotto, 6'10 AJ Edu, 6'10 Junemar Fajardo,6'7 Carl Tamayo up to the 2027 WC cycle.

but here in IBN esp. me I always use the word "moving forward" because I am fond of "long term program".

eventually we could have 6'10 QMB, 6'8 Justine Baltazar, 6'8 Michael Philips, 6'7 Keith Datu, 6'7 Zav Lucero or even 6'9 Kamaka Hepa among others I hope it's true on his PH docs

again despite all of those in the pipeline, we still badly need additional verticals in our frontcourt because we Filipino fans wants to see our Mens team upset those in the upper level

if only we could duplicate or surpass what Lolo Caloy and his batch has done in the pass that would be awesome experience in our lifetime.

"libre lang mangarap" by Kamikazee

[IPC]

there's no doubt the talent level of 30 yr. old 6'4 George King and his behaviour on and off the court.

but as always, since the time of IBN's infancy and eventually this thread was created

the discussion was all about and always will be the "naturalized guy" should be the rim protector dude to compliment with our bigs

the dude that could gave us that double-double figure in any given night

the dude that could play multiple spots from 3 to 5 depending on the match-up,

the dude that has the work rate of an "energizer bunny" that is contagious esp. to his team mates both offensively and defensively on and off the court

the dude that is level-headed and can control his/her "cuckoo in the head" esp. when the going gets tough.

the dude that can easily interact and communicate esp. to the "common masa" and has the charisma to blend well to the culture

a 6'8 to 6'10 lad is a perfect choice, it's a bonus if he/she had the wingspan that we are aspiring and dreaming all along

yes we already had 7'2 Kai Sotto, 6'10 AJ Edu, 6'10 Junemar Fajardo,6'7 Carl Tamayo up to the 2027 WC cycle.

but here in IBN esp. me I always use the word "moving forward" because I am fond of "long term program".

eventually we could have 6'10 QMB, 6'8 Justine Baltazar, 6'8 Michael Philips, 6'7 Keith Datu, 6'7 Zav Lucero or even 6'9 Kamaka Hepa among others I hope it's true on his PH docs

again despite all of those in the pipeline, we still badly need additional verticals in our frontcourt because we Filipino fans wants to see our Mens team upset those in the upper level

if only we could duplicate or surpass what Lolo Caloy and his batch has done in the pass that would be awesome experience in our lifetime.

"libre lang mangarap" by Kamikazee

I think the rim protecting center should be our NP priority once Kai and AJ get up there in age. It's rare in Philippine basketball that we can produce FIBA-level rim protecting locals. So far, the only ones we've had are Japeth, Kai, and AJ.

Right now, I think a 4 who can defend (and play the 5 in spurts in case Kai's our only center) would be the best NP for now, given the pool.

[Sikatrix]

If George King is gonna be good in the commisioners cup maybe he is worth considering. Ill wait and see.

[BJ_Reloaded]

I think the rim protecting center should be our NP priority once Kai and AJ get up there in age. It's rare in Philippine basketball that we can produce FIBA-level rim protecting locals. So far, the only ones we've had are Japeth, Kai, and AJ.

Right now, I think a 4 who can defend (and play the 5 in spurts in case Kai's our only center) would be the best NP for now, given the pool.

Sir IPC,

exactly.

I just wanna add and I've already mentioned this before for the nth time

that those lads are quite glassy and when they are down and aching our fontline becomes shaky and sickly as well

going to the exemption route thru FSA's are just one of the options but our NF should be brilliant enough to put up a program all the way to the grassroot level

even the new gen of hafus that we already identified are typically in the 6'4 to 6'7 level whose orientation are more on the "wings level" and "small forward level"

rarely we discover(ed) a 6'10 QMB, 6'9 Kamaka Hepa, 7'0 Sage Tolentino, 6'10 CJ Lane, 6'9 James Flippin, 6'8 Mike Philips and unfortunately they are still ineligible

still, the storyline will always go back to the "grassroot level" narrative

we've already had a AK34 and Favour Onoh template and I don't think it will fall or the impression of human trafficking or exploitations by providing impoverish kids from the other races

and some schools offering them the proper schooling, scholarships and accommodations as a student athletes.

other Asian countries like Japan who is also a role model as far as grassroot development are concern are also providing and education to some kids from the other races

we've seen those foreign student athletes everytime they played with our Philippine based schools on every off-season Asian tournaments.

[IPC]

Sir IPC,

exactly.

I just wanna add and I've already mentioned this before for the nth time

that those lads are quite glassy and when they are down and aching our fontline becomes shaky and sickly as well

going to the exemption route thru FSA's are just one of the options but our NF should be brilliant enough to put up a program all the way to the grassroot level

even the new gen of hafus that we already identified are typically in the 6'4 to 6'7 level whose orientation are more on the "wings level" and "small forward level"

rarely we discover(ed) a 6'10 QMB, 6'9 Kamaka Hepa, 7'0 Sage Tolentino, 6'10 CJ Lane, 6'9 James Flippin, 6'8 Mike Philips and unfortunately they are still ineligible

still, the storyline will always go back to the "grassroot level" narrative

we've already had a AK34 and Favour Onoh template and I don't think it will fall or the impression of human trafficking or exploitations by providing impoverish kids from the other races

and some schools offering them the proper schooling, scholarships and accommodations as a student athletes.

other Asian countries like Japan who is also a role model as far as grassroot development are concern are also providing and education to some kids from the other races

we've seen those foreign student athletes everytime they played with our Philippine based schools on every off-season Asian tournaments.

With a good interior defensive big, filling defensive roles at the 1, 2, and 3 spots becomes less urgent, even if those are still needs. It's easier to impact the game defensively as an interior defender. If we go with an offensive-minded player, it's harder to build a defense, especially if we don't have good defensive bigs and wings in the lineup.

Now, AJ turns 31 in 2031 (which is the year of the World Cup after the 2027 one). So, we'll need to naturalize a defensive big that's at least 6 years younger than him, so go with the range of 2006 and earlier, so that it's easier to have continuity after they retire, and that we still have a decent defensive big.

Note, I'm thinking defense because I grew as a fan from watching the early 2010's Bulls, which were known for tough defense. Also, from what I remember, we don't go far without a good defense. 2013 Asia Cup, 2015 Asia Cup, and even last year's Asiad squad and this year's OQT squad, had good defenses. 2017 Asia Cup, 2019 World Cup, and 2022 SEA Games, not so much.

[sroth3839]

With a good interior defensive big, filling defensive roles at the 1, 2, and 3 spots becomes less urgent, even if those are still needs. It's easier to impact the game defensively as an interior defender. If we go with an offensive-minded player, it's harder to build a defense, especially if we don't have good defensive bigs and wings in the lineup.

Now, AJ turns 31 in 2031 (which is the year of the World Cup after the 2027 one). So, we'll need to naturalize a defensive big that's at least 6 years younger than him, so go with the range of 2006 and earlier, so that it's easier to have continuity after they retire, and that we still have a decent defensive big.

Note, I'm thinking defense because I grew as a fan from watching the early 2010's Bulls, which were known for tough defense. Also, from what I remember, we don't go far without a good defense. 2013 Asia Cup, 2015 Asia Cup, and even last year's Asiad squad and this year's OQT squad, had good defenses. 2017 Asia Cup, 2019 World Cup, and 2022 SEA Games, not so much.

The 4-5 positions should always be priority as homegrown talents are not aplenty.

2014 Blatche was the best NP we had IMO. A 6'11 big who can play all 1-5 positions.

We are already producing enough players in the 6'2-6'7 range. Kailangan na lang talaga ihasa ang skills nila.