Breaking up is hard to do
I’m surprised that the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings replaced import Chris Alexander right after three games with a 2-1 card. Although, with the outs of Jarrid Famous and DerMarr Johnson, I’m not thoroughly surprised. I don’t know with Ginebra but, dude, breaking up (with your import) is a tough thing to do.
Let’s see, Alexander might not be that impressive in the three games he played. But he is still way better than Jackson Vroman, who lucked into a NBA career surprisingly, in terms of defense and offense. Vroman was NBA chump. He isn’t that dominant for Lebanon either. I’d still pick Alexander any day even if he just gives me 10 points max. He boards fantastically and has nice timing on defense and reads the holes opening up well. I’ve said it before, with Chris Alexander in the paint, it is uninhabitable for soft layups thrown by anyone except maybe a Mac Cardona, Denzel Bowles or Adam Parada. What could Ginebra possibly want from Alexander the Great? I see him a great compliment to a stellar cast of veterans. But hey, I’m not part of their management.
As for Famous, boy this was long in the offing. Right after the second game, I’ve given up on this guy. He’s an awfully slow starter and is terrifically reed-thin to be a Center. Heck even Jondan Salvador can push this guy around! I think it is Meralco’s mistake going for a Center when they could’ve used a wingman import. Yes, Nelbert Omolon is experiencing resurgence, but you need a consistent number two or number three option since you know Mac Cardona will be the number one option. Asi can still ball at his age, and Gabby Espinas hasn’t been a slouch either. It is important for a team to employ an import that fits what it needs not just for the crap of hey they got 7-footers so might as well get one.
However, in the fitting-the-team style of recruiting of Barako Bull, I was left wanting for more DerMarr Johnson. Apparently, it’s just that, wanting. After the games, he still plays as if there’s nothing on the line, not working that hard. It’s the same old disinterested DerMarr Johnson. Yes, he’ll have a big game here and there but the production is very sporadic. The employment of another former NBA-er in Rodney White seems a good call. He’s in between the small forward and power forward spots, something that Barako Bull needs to plug. A 6’9”-10” guy who can handle the ball, shoot from distance, bully his way in and rebound actively is always drooling. Hopefully, he won’t revert to his former Rodney White-in-Denver self, a side which totally lacked confidence, drive and passion.
They say breaking up is hard to do. But with underperforming imports in the case of Famous and Johnson, it’s very easy to hand them the pink slip. The case of Chris Alexander still baffles me though. That must be one tough break up for Ginebra and the import who last gave them a championship.
