THE MILL
BIGS, WHERE TO?
Talks continue to swirl in and around basketball circles about a number of PBA big men soon to have a change in surroundings. Some of them you might have heard before, some of them may have died down quite a bit, but are now back doing the rounds. Some may be new to your ears.
Take the case of a veteran big man who has not quite settled into his role in his new team after a trade brought him there from the team that has been his home for several seasons – a team where a formed half of a 1-2 punch that included a sweetshooting star.
His minutes this season have drastically gone down, and along with those minutes his performance. The team’s think tank has reportedly been looking around for takers. Some quarters believe he still has what it takes to give his younger counterparts a run for their money as long as he finds a team with a system he’ll be comfortable with.
This veteran big might just be headed for a reunion of sorts – he may be reunited with his former long-time coach who seems to know him best, or he may find himself alongside an old school chum.
How about this other big guy who has just come back from injury that sidelined him for quite a time? Only a few years back, he was a rather hot commodity. He is big, and can bury those buckets from afar or take the ball strong to the hoop.
However, the same can’t be said today. His showing so far this season leaves much to be desired. Word leaked out some weeks ago that he was on the block and the team’s fans went to the game venues with placards asking management to keep the team intact. But with the team, which some say may be the best on paper, near the bottom of the standings and now just a loss away from heading to the exit, changes may be inevitable.
And then there’s big No. 3, who refused to sign offers and instead chased his dream of playing ball overseas. Looks like his dreams just went pffft. Sooner or later, he’ll be back to ply his trade in the PBA once more.
Several coaches have said that if only this guy realizes and accepts he’s not a wingman and that he’s mainly a rebounder and a shot blocker, then he’ll be quite a force in the league.
Will big No. 3 be back with his mother team? Or will he find himself wearing threads of a different color when he flies back?
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