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| (Photo Credit: FIBA) |
For Pinoys, the results don't matter as much. What matters is getting to see players like Kiefer Ravena and Jeron Teng play with each other, as evidenced by the amount of support both players got from fans online. But neither of them shined as the best player for the Gilas Pilipinas. That title goes to the youngest player in the whole tournament, the one and only Kobe Paras.
To be frank, expectations for Kobe were low entering this tournament for a number of experts. Some have called him overrated *looks at a mirror* and some have gone as far as to call him a bust. But as evidenced by how he performed for the first two games of the 3x3 tournament, we may have to rethink those labels *looks at a mirror once again*.
Here are some quick hits on Kobe:
His ability to penetrate to the basket has improved a lot
I remember watching the 2015 U18 3x3 World Cup agitated at how horribly Kobe was playing. What irritated me the most was his inability to use his length and athleticism to be able to get to the basket. He was forced on awkward post-ups on various occasions during that tourney, and it normally led to disaster. Kobe would attempt low-percentage baskets, or worse, commit a turnover courtesy of a bad pass or a steal by the opponent.
That wasn't the case at all against Romania. In fact, it was this aspect of Kobe's game which impressed the most. He was getting to the rim with relative ease. Using a number of moves to get to the basket. Just look at this grown man move which a 19-year-old Kobe did on a bunch of pros:
You can see that Kobe immediately has his eyes set on the rim as he makes his move to the left. He then uses the hop to draw contact, and he has the strength to finish the shot with touch. It's a blend of the added strength that he has (Kobe is freaking jacked), confidence, and an added motivation to get to the rim every time he has the ball. Other than just getting stronger. He's gotten a bit craftier with his moves. Check out this neat move from him:
Before, Kobe would just force his way to the rim for a low percentage shot every time he would drive to the left. That wasn't the case this time around, as he decides to pull back a bit before using the hop to create separation between him and the defender. Credit Kobe for being confident enough to even execute that pull back. Before, he wouldn't even dare do that because of his poor handle. Speaking of which..
Kobe's handle has improved somehow
Andray Blatche, you've got competition.
When Kobe unleashed this behind the back move, the Philippine Basketball internet lost its mind. Just two years ago, Kobe couldn't even execute a proper crossover against far inferior competition, and now he can do this?!
Paras would execute that behind the back more against Romania, and Pinoys' minds would continue to be blown. But it wasn't just Kobe's wizardry with his behind the back dribbling which impressed. When driving to the hole, he would no longer hesitate, clearly confident with how his handle is. It's a lot tighter than how it was in previous tourneys, with defenders having difficulty trying to swipe the ball off Kobe's hands.
That's not to say there isn't work to be done still. I remember a couple of years back, fans envisioned Kobe to be a point guard given how mobile he is for his size. He still has to work on his crossover, given that behind the back dribbles aren't exactly the most efficient dribbling move to use in traffic. Improving his handle will only help him create his own basket, or even better, get buckets for his teammates.
His shot has improved somehow, but it still needs work
Kobe made a number of shots from the perimeter against Romania and France, but it's clear as day that it still isn't at the level that it's supposed to be for wing. At the very least, he's made shots, which wasn't the case at all before. Here's the dagger that Kobe gave Romania in their lone victory last night:
It's cool that he made the basket and that he's confident with his shot. But things can be better. For instance, his shot's release point is low, making him prone to blocked shots from taller defenders. At the same time, Kobe has a bad habit of not holding his release and being impatient with his shot, looking like he's just throwing the ball and praying that it goes in rather than him being sure of his shot. Kobe also still has ways to go with regards to him being a viable catch and shoot option, as it's something that he's clearly still not that comfortable with yet.
At the very least, he's making shots from the perimeter. This wasn't the case at all before, so seeing this kind of progress is big. There's still work to be done, and if Kobe follows the trend, he could very well be at least a respectable shooter that defenders will have to worry about.
He's improved, but the NBA is still a long way to go
Kobe already has a better shot of making it to the NBA than Kiefer Ravena. You can say that it says a lot, considering that Kiefer is far more polished than Kobe, and Ravena has actually been training with a D-League team compared to Kobe who's just been training with a Division 1 team (an okay one at that).
At the same time, you can say that, it isn't much. Kiefer's chances of making it to the NBA were low to begin with, so Kobe having a better shot than Kief isn't much. In the first place, Kobe has the physical tools and the athletic ability to be an NBA player. Kiefer.. not so much.
Both statements can be true. But no matter what the case may be, the road to the NBA is still a long way to go. Kobe's improved, which is a huge sigh of relief for those who were already starting to doubt whether or not Kobe has actually been progressing. He has been, and it's a huge jump from where he was two years ago. His physical frame has gotten a lot better, and he's much more skilled now.
Work still has to be done. His jumper needs work, and his decision making is still relatively spotty. His defense is still incredibly inconsistent despite the flashes of brilliance he has shown at times. Kobe still has lots of work to do, but right now, aside from that 6'11" 14 year old beast in Katipunan, Kobe has the best shot in the country to make it to the NBA.
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