January 29, 2012
January 27, 2012
TNT FINDS TOWER OF POWER IN OMAR SAMHAN
The powerhouse Talk N Text Tropang Texters title defense of their Commissioner’s Cup title will be anchored on a former US collegiate star. TNT head coach Chot Reyes has signed up former St. Mary’s College standout Omar Samhan as their import in the PBA’s mid-season conference. Samhan played four years for the Gaels varsity with career norms of 13.9 ppg and 8.3 rpg in 133 total games. The highlight of his college career was his 61-point performance in back-to-back wins by the Gaels during the 2010 US NCAA tournament. The 6-11 California native pumped in 32 big points in a victory over Villanova during the tourney proper. Samhan, who weighs a hefty 268 lbs., played pro ball with Zalgiris Kaunas in the Lithuanian league during the 2010-11 season. Scouting reports say that Samhan is a very good post player, who uses his size very well to his advantage inside the paint, according to the NBA Draft webite.
“A late bloomer who has shown steady development throughout his college career ... Statistically one of the best big men in the country (over 20p, 10r, 3 blk) … At 6’11, he knows how to use his size and weight to his advantage in the post ... Has good interior footwork to create space to get his shot off ... He knows how to take advantage of mismatches on switches in the post and passes well out of double teams ... Shows patience and poise on offense, willing to pass the ball out and work in reposting to have a better angle for his shot and is constantly working on getting quality post position ... For a low post player he demonstrates good shooting mechanics. Shoots in the mid 70% from the free throw line, and shows range out to 15 feet ... He has improved in the pick and roll this season and his familiarity with it should help him at the pro level ... Was voted Defensive Player of the Year in the WCC while averaging over 11 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. Omar plays hard on defense and uses his size and body to box out, explaining his double digit boards. Demonstrates very strong intangibles (has lost over 60 pounds since his freshman year, strong work ethic, strong leadership qualities, and very good with the media and fans) ...”
WILL JAKE VOSKUHL SHINE WITH ROS ELASTO PAINTERS?
NBA journeyman Jake Voskuhl has taken his playing bags for the first time outside the United States. The 6-11 slotman out of the University of Connecticut, who was the second round pick of the Chicago Bulls in the 2000 NBA draft, is suiting up for the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters in the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Voskuhl played nine years in the NBA, seeing action for the Bulls, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors. Voskuhl posted career averages of 4.0 ppg and 3.4 rpg in 450 total games from 2000 to 2009. Before embarking on a pro career, the 34 year-old Tulsa (OK) native played four seasons of college hoops with the University of Connecticut where he had norms of 6.3 ppg and 6.4 rpg in 138 total appearances. He had an estimated NBA total income of at least $12.3 million over the span of his career. Voskuhl is described as a hardworking survivor in the NBA, usually filling-up for injured big men, according to an article in HoopsWorld.
“Jake Voshkul is the kind of guy that most people forget is even still in the league. For the duration of his career he’s been the sort of guy who puts in very spotty minutes and just tries to fill in gaps for injured players ahead of him in the rotation. Still, even an NBA role guy doesn’t stay in the league this long without some skill and hard work.”
January 26, 2012
MERALCO BRINGS IN JELANI MCCOY
Another NBA veteran is bringing his act to the Philippine shores. Eight-year veteran center Jelani McCoy is ready to help the Meralco Bolts’ bid to figure prominently in the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup. The 34-year old McCoy was a second round draftee of the then Seattle Supersonics (now OKC Thunder) in the 1998 draft. The former UCLA standout played for the Sonics, Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, and Denver Nuggets, with career norms of 4.6 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 260 total outings. McCoy also had stints with the Bakersfield Jam and Los Angeles D-Fenders in the NBA D-League, Viola Reggio Calabria in the Italian League, Ukrainian club Azovmash Mariupol, Menorca Bàsquet of the Spanish League and Chinese team Fujian Xunxing. McCoy is said to be a good shot-blocker and a decent defensive player but his weakness is his inability to consistently hit free throws, according to his profile page in Stop Mike Lupica.
“Jelani McCoy went to school at UCLA. He played there for only two seasons (and a portion of the third), but he still managed to leave as UCLA's career leader in block shots (188) and field goal percentage (.694). The Sonics drafted him in the 2nd round in 1998, 33rd overall. His rookie year he hit 56 of 76 FGAs (73.7%). That's pretty impressive. Also impressive: His FG% of .538 is higher than his FT% of. 490. In other words, it's better to foul him than to let him shoot. "If there is a worse free throw shooter than Shaq, it's definitely Jelani." - internet scout on McCoy at UCLA.”
BARAKO BULL LANDS BIGGEST IMPORT CATCH IN NBA VET DERMARR JOHNSON
It has been seven years since the last NBA first round draftee had struted his wares in the local pro league. Dickey Simpkins suited up for the Alaska Aces during the 2005 PBA Fiesta conference. The coming Commissioner’s Cup will have DerMarr Johnson, who was the 6th picked over-all in the 2000 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks, playing for the Barako Bull squad. The 6-9 Johnson is a seven-year NBA veteran who suited up for the Hawks, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs from 2000 to 2008. He had career averages of 6.2 ppg and 2.2 rpg in 344 total games. Before joining the NBA, the District of Columbia native played a year of college ball for the University of Cincinnati, where he posted norms of 12.6 ppg and 3.8 rpg in 32 outings. Johnson almost played for coach Tim Cone and the Aces in 2004 after his Knicks stint but was later signed by the Nuggets. After his NBA career, the wiry 31 year-old forward began toiling in various pro leagues worldwide. Johnson had quite a journey in his life and basketball played a vital role in his transformation, according to an article written by Mark Grey of the Player’s Voice. Grey even mentioned how he outplayed and defended Kobe Bryant very well during one of his NBA games.
“Since being drafted, Johnson has seen his share of highs and lows, but good luck getting him to talk about either. Not known as a person who talks much, getting Johnson to talk about himself is like pulling teeth. However, sitting in his basement, the tales of his journey are all over. He will never tell you that he has made over 10 million dollars in his career, but the six figure watch on his wrist as well as the Mercedes and Porsche in the driveway let you know he has done all right for himself. If you ask him about the picture that hangs on his wall of him guarding Kobe Bryant, he simply replies, “Kobe is the best player on the planet.” What he won’t tell you is that in that game, he used his 7 foot wingspan to harass Bryant all night, forcing him to turn the ball over 6 times, or that he outscored him in the game. He never brings up the fact that he broke his neck but you can still see the two scars over his eyebrows where they drilled the holes in his head. DerMarr rarely ever talks about his father who passed away after years of drug abuse, but the tattoo of his father’s face on his arm lets you know that he meant a lot to him. Johnson would never call himself a scholar, but challenge him to a game of Scrabble (which is already out and ready to go at all times) and you will think otherwise. About the only thing you will ever hear Johnson boast about is his Domino championship belt he plays his friends for.”
BO PERASOL AND HIS CHAMPIONSHIP KARMA
The door is slowly closing in for the Powerade Tigers of coach Bo Perasol as they trail the Talk N Text Tropang Texters three games to nil in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup finals. This is the second finals stint for Perasol in his pro coaching career. It can be recalled that Perasol piloted the Air21 Express to the championship series against the Ginebra Gin Kings during the 2008 PBA Fiesta Conference. With the Express leading the series, three games to two, Perasol uttered one of the most unpopular quotes in league history before a live TV audience. He said that the Cuneta Astrodome (the venue for game six) is too small for the anticipated Air21 championship celebration. And alas, the Gin Kings went on to win the series in seven games. The bad karma seems to haunt Perasol anew.
“Maliit ang Cuneta Astrodome para sa championship celebration namin. (the Cuneta Astrodome is too small a venue for our championship celebration).”
January 25, 2012
PETRON BLAZE PINS HOPE ON EX-MAVERICK NICK FAZEKAS
Don’t look now but a former NBA big man is suiting up for the Petron Blaze Boosters in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Nick Fazekas, a 6-11 former star of the University of Nevada, is already in town and ready to help the Boosters cause for the next conference. Fazekas wound up his collegiate career as the all-time leading scorer in the Wolfpacks history with 2,464 points. He also led the team to four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. The Colorado native was picked 34th over-all in the 2007 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks. He saw action in only four games during the 2007-08 campaign for Dallas with norms of 1.8 ppg and 0.8 rpg before being waived. He was later picked up by the Los Angeles Clippers, where he played for 22 games. Fazekas posted averages of 4.7 ppg and 3.9 rpg for the Clippers. He also played for the summer league teams of the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets. Fazekas brought his talent to Europe in 2008 and has seen action for Belgian club Base Oostende and French teams ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne and JDA Dijon. One bright note in Fazekas playing career was when he was chosen number one pick over-all in the 2010 NBA D-League draft by the Reno Bighorns. Fazekas is said to be more of a perimeter player with a good shooting touch, according to scouting reports of the Draft Express.
“Fazekas was viewed as something of a perimeter player coming out. Fazekas always does a good job working off the ball when his teammates draw his defender. He lacks the quickness to get many touches off of cuts, but is smart enough to know make himself a big target when he’s open at the rim. His touch makes him a very capable finisher, and he shows a good running hook going right despite not being able to get a step on his defender.”
IT’S MATT HARYASZ FOR THE ALASKA ACES
A mobile big man will reinforce the Alaska Aces in its bid for redemption in the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Aces head coach Joel Banal has tapped the services of 6-11 Matt Haryasz to help turn around the fortunes of the Uytengsu franchise after a disappointing ninth place finished in the Philippine Cup. Haryasz played four years for the Stanford University Cardinals in the US NCAA. What is remarkable in Haryasz stint with the Cardinals is the elevation of his scoring year after year (from 1.8 ppg to 6.9 ppg to 12.5 ppg and finally to 16.2 ppg in 122 total games). The 27 year old Phoenix (AZ) native later played for the Arkansas RimRockers for two seasons in the NBA D-League. During the 2007-08 campaign, Haryasz saw action for seven games with Napoli in the Italian league, posting norms of 2.1 ppg and 1.9 rpg. Last season, he suited up for the Dutch club Groningen with averages of 11.6 ppg and 5.4 rpg in five outings. Banal is optimistic that Haryasz will be the man the Aces will anchor its post game and so far, is impressed with what he had seen during the training camp, according to the Aces official website.
“He`s very efficient. He`s also a proven winner, since high school and during his stay at Stanford University where he finished Sociology. I also talked at length with Tommy Sheppard, Vice President of Basketball Administration of the Washington Wizards, who had some really nice words about Matt. He talks and communicates a lot during practices. You see that he has real basketball intelligence. He is also very hard-working and applied himself to the game. I hope this attitude rubs off on his teammates.”
January 24, 2012
DIRK IS STRUGGLING
Through the years, reigning NBA finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki of the defending champions Dallas Mavericks is the epitome of the true pro basketball player. But as the new season unfolded last December, the German bomber is playing just a shadow of his old self. The wear and tear of playing NBA ball and seeing action with the German national squad in the Euro Championships last summer could have finally caught up with the 33 year-old Nowitzki. Now he will miss four games to re-condition his body and recover from his sore right knee. His absence will truly spell trouble for the Mavericks but it may work for them in the long run. Nowitzki is currently averaging a 13-year career low of 17.5 ppg and 5.4 rpg in 16 outings this season. The last time he posted an average of below 20 points was during his sophomore year in 1999-200. Nowitzki says it would be better for the team to be without him at this time, according to Yahoo! Sports.
“We just thought it was a good decision for everybody. I’m not happy right now anyways, so the guys are better off when I’m not out there. This gives me time to really do some of the stuff that I couldn’t do when my knee was bothering me the last couple weeks. I couldn’t lift and run and do the things I needed to do.”
SLAM PHL 155
BEERMEN WINS FIRST ABL PHILIPPINE DERBY
The San Miguel Beermen won the battle of Philippine franchise in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) after defeating the Air-Asia Philippine Patriots, 78-70 last Saturday. It was the first win for the Beermen, which dropped its opening assignment against the Westports Malaysia Dragons. On the other hand, the Patriots tasted its first loss after scoring an impressive 86-58 rout of the Bangkok Cobras on opening day. It was a tight game in the opening half but the Beermen started to control the game in the third canto, according to the league’s official website.
“The final buzzer saw the San Miguel Beermen retaining their lead and winning the game at 78 to the AirAsia Philippine Patriots’ 70 points. San Miguel Beermen’s Dalron Lamar Johnson had a brilliant game and ended with a double double at 23 points and 11 rebounds. It was Anthony Gene Johnson of the AirAsia Philippine Patriots that was the highest scorer for this match-up however, with 25 points.”
JR. NBA CONQUERS PUERTO PRINCESA
NBA Legend and new US Jr. NBA Coach Marty Conlon taught Puerto Princesa kids the fundamentals of basketball and the STAR values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect as the 2012 Jr. NBA Philippines Program presented by Alaska visited Palawan for the very first time upon the invitation of Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn last January 15 and 16.
150 local coaches and 551 kids turned up for the free coaches and school clinics held at the City Coliseum and the Seminario de San Jose. The Jr. NBA visits Pampanga and Cagayan de Oro next for more school clinics and NBA Cares activities, even as Manila gears up for more school clinics through February.
Now on its fifth year, the Jr. NBA excitement builds up in April as Regional Selection Camps are held in Palawan, Pampanga, Cagayan de Oro and Manila for boys aged 10-14. The high point of the program happens in May with the National Training Camp in Manila where the ten members of the 2012 Jr. NBA All Star Team will be selected.
I'M BACK!
During that span, I’ve missed writing on a lot of hoop developments both internationally and in the local front. There was the end of the NBA lockout, the start of a compressed 66-game regular season last Christmas day, the pre-mature retirement of young star Brandon Roy, the opening of the 3rd season of the Asean Basketball League (ABL), the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup and so much more.
Well, it seems I have a lot of catching ups to do and for the meantime, it just feels good to be back!
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