Mail and Moore

In the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), what counts is results, not credentials. Imports are judged according to performance, not on how extensive their resumes are.

Take FedEx’ Rodrick Rhodes, for example. Rhodes was the Houston Rockets’ first pick in the 1997 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft. On paper, he looked like a can’t-miss proposition. If you’re a first round NBA choice, it’s unlikely that you’re a stiff. There’s no question about your talent — the question mark is your desire.

Counting Rhodes and Sta. Lucia Realty’s Johnny Taylor, the NBA has welcomed 35 NBA first round picks since 1975. Only a handful played as advertised — among them, Glenn McDonald (U-Tex, 1978-79-80, Manhattan, 1983), Rob Williams (Tanduay, 1986), Michael Young (Manila Beer, 1986, Great Taste, 1987), and David Thirdkill (Tanduay, 1987, Purefoods, 1988). Most came looking for a vacation in the tropics, resting on their laurels and thinking they’ve got nothing left to prove on the court.

The problem with "stars" is their ego. They couldn’t be bothered to play hard. They’re unmotivated by challenge.

Rhodes, 28, suited up for the Rockets, Vancouver Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers, and Dallas Mavericks in three NBA seasons. The fact that four different teams signed him up indicated he got game. In his first year as a pro, Rhodes started in 13 of 58 games for Houston where his teammates included Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, and Clyde Drexler.

Rhodes had the benefit of being coached by some of the game’s most celebrated tacticians — Rick Pitino, Henry Bibby, Rudy Tomjanovich, Larry Brown, and Don Nelson. So he learned from the best.

Despite his glowing background, Rhodes has played like a court jester for FedEx. In two games so far, he’s been overshadowed by teammates Jermaine Walker and Bong Alvarez. Rhodes has played so poorly that FedEx team manager Lito Alvarez confirmed the other day he’s on the way out.

In his PBA debut last Feb. 10, Rhodes was an eyesore, contributing a paltry 13 points on a miserable 4-of-18 from the field. He grabbed four rebounds and was slapped five turnovers before fouling out in the third period. Rhodes was certainly no Colossus on the court — he was more like a pipsqueak. Walker, in contrast, was a pillar of strength but couldn’t tow the Express to victory all by himself. Coca-Cola spoiled FedEx’ first PBA outing via a 66-62 decision.

Last Sunday, Rhodes was back on the floor and embarrassed himself even more. He shot only four points in the first half and wound up with 15, nine in the fourth period when FedEx’ fate was beyond relief. Red Bull badly beat the Express off the boards, 61-29, and the discrepancy made the difference. Rhodes should’ve been more active under the glass but wasn’t — in the first half, he didn’t collar a single rebound. Believe it or not, Red Bull’s Jimwell Torion — who’s about nine inches shorter — outrebounded Rhodes, 9 to 4.

FedEx’ prized rookie Yancy de Ocampo, who delivered 15 points and four rebounds last Sunday, was understandably disenchanted. Rhodes didn’t even practice the day before, he noted. As for his own personal stats, de Ocampo said sure, he chalked up nice numbers but individual honors don’t mean a thing if your team loses. Why has Rhodes played so listlessly? "Di umubra ang gulang niya sa PBA," replied de Ocampo.

So much for NBA credentials.

But Alvarez said never mind, help is on the way. He confided that former University of Houston forward Tim Moore is coming, possibly tomorrow, to replace Rhodes.

Moore, 29, is a 6-7, 235-pounder who’ll be a perfect complement to Walker. The bull-strong banger’s fresh from playing for the Leicester Riders in the English league where he averaged 27.8 points and 8.4 rebounds. He’s seen action in Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Paraguay and Spain so he k nows what the international game’s all about.

Moore averaged 17.4 points and 11.1 rebounds for Lee Community College in Texas in 1993-94. He went on to play three years for the University of Houston where he hit at an 18.2 clip and hauled in 10.4 rebounds a game. As a junior at Houston, Moore averaged 20.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, three blocked shots, 1.7 steals, and 33.2 minutes.

Moore wasn’t drafted by an NBA team and never played in the majors. But from all indications, he’ll be more of a force to reckon with than Rhodes. He’ll be hungry and eager to show what he’s got. He’ll be out to prove himself.

As for Rhodes, he goes down in PBA history as another forgettable import.