Will there be a Filipino NBA player? Simple answer is definitely Yes, when? Well that's a question we all don't have the answer. My bet is, he'll be a guard. Now here's the 5 reasons why Filipinos
can't make it to the NBA.
5. Style of play- Filipinos love action, that's why Pacquiao is so much loved. He is action packed, same in basketball, Filipinos love high flying slam dunk, amazing cross overs and tantalizing areal hang time. But that's the problem, although Filipinos are great slashers with very good handles, there basic of basketball is not really good. Which is pass the ball around look for an open man then shoot the ball. Street basketball in the and in the pro's is just like NBA and that's a problem. I'll discuss that in no.9
4. NBA pattern- Just like the NBA Filipinos love on one plays, but in international basketball one on one plays can only do so much. What's needed is team basketball where everyone is involved, not just one or players carrying the scoring load.
3.Athleticism- A 6'9 Filipino player is already slow, I saw a 6'8 Filipino player once (Yancy De Ocampo) who was open just outside the colored paint, what he did was.. he made a jump shot... now if it was in the NBA a guy his size, would have made a crazy slam dunk, again athleticism.
2. Physic- Get this a 16 year old American boy already 5'10, 170lbs...can grow a beard and ready to hit the weight room. A Filipino 16 year old can also be 5'10 but is skinny and lanky, he might wait 2 more years for him to start lifting heavy weight because he might hurt his knees and that's the truth. Now extrapolate that and think of pro athletes. The genetics is just way different. Other races are just thicker and stronger than Filipinos.
1.) Height- Obviously if the average Filipino is 6'0 and the average point guard in the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) was 6'4 above then for sure, a Filipino guard have already made it to the NBA.
Imagine if Jimmy Alapag was 6'4, he'd easily be a starting point guard for an NBA team no doubt.