Even as the Blazers beat the Magic, 88-71, in the on-going NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, the highlight (of highlights) was focused on our countryman Kai Sotto who finally saw action after riding the bench in Orlando’s first three outings.
In 13 minutes on the floor, Kai received cheers and impressed TV commentators in registering 6 points, 3 blocks and 4 rebounds in what could be an eye-popping performance for NBA talent scouts to now take notice.
Being Pinoys and expectantly wishing that NBA teams other than Orlando might soon get interested, we are partial in our assessment of his first Summer League game.
Of course, there are still rough edges in his repertoire but rookies are rookies who grope and find their way when the jitters are gone.
I think I could advance the rationale that NBA teams always enterrtain the thought that having a three-man rotation in the middle is a much prefered choice than having to scout for another intimidator only when the need arises.
This was the sorry situation Lebron and company found themselves in as their big men failed to contain the herculean Nikola Jokic.
The LA Lakers could use Sotto’s towering presence to assist AD in the middle. Which reminds us now how the Serbian star playfully imposed his will over the entire LA squad, Lebron James included when Denver swept Los Angeles 4-0 in the 2023 Western Conference finals.
I think coach Eric Spoelstra might find Kai a useful understudy to Dem Adebayo who worked himself dead like a racehorse wanting to gallop first to the finish line against the Nuggets.
Now that NBA scouts and coaches who watched Kai unfurl his talents on the floor may consider enlisting him because ballclubs will find no funding problems.
Even the Golden State Warriors could find some use for Kai as a substitute for the foul-prone Draymond Green. Or the Sacramento Kings who sadly lost a regrettable best of seven series against the former when they could have comfortably upset Curry and Kerr.
One never knows when something that you ignore today will come to haunt you at some future time.
For now, Kai Sotto is just hoping positively that his first taste of the Summer League competitions has given him a decent opportunity to display his talents.
It is good that Sotto is receiving voluminous good raves from fans in the social media. Evidently, after Manny Pacquiao, Sotto is next to lift up Pinoy pride. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com). GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
