2016-2017 Preview: The Top 10 Bigs!
With a lot of player movements this offseason, I expect a very fascinating and entertaining season.
For today, we will tackle the most impactful position in the league, bigman. They are the players that can play the C.
I score them in three areas that encompasses the position:
Inside (15 Points): The ability to score inside and rebound the ball.
Offense (15 Points): All the other aspect of offense other than scoring in the post and rebounding the ball.
Defense (20 Points): Their ability to lockdown their assignments and protect the rim.
#10 RAYMOND ALMAZAN
Inside 11
Offense 9
Defense 13
Total = 33
I see him as one of the most underrated bigman in the league. His Per 36 minutes in rebounds and blocks are 12.8 and 1.7, respectively.
#9 CLIFF HODGE
Inside 10
Offense 12
Defense 12
Total = 34
He is one of the most consistent energizer in the league. He doesn't have the best handle but he can make plays, he also covers very well on defense and always a hard worker inside.
#8 ALDRECH RAMOS
Inside 8
Offense 13.5
Defense 12
Total = 33.5
One of the most unique type of player in the league, right now, is a stretch-rim protecting big. Aldrech is one of the few and he is the best. Last season was his most accurate shooting season, 47.5% from beyond the arc.
#7 ASI TAULAVA
Inside 11
Offense 11.5
Defense 11
Total = 33.5
He is not THE ROCK anymore, but he is still solid. In the last Philippine Cup, he was able to put up 19.9 points per game. I don't expect him to do that again but he will still make a huge impact inside.
#6 SONNY THOSS
Inside 9
Offense 14
Defense 11
Total = 34
The Boss is one of the least agile big in the country but his experience and fundamentals makes him a very effective player on both ends of the court. I think, he is the best playmaker in the elbow.
#5 JAPETH AGUILAR
Inside 9.5
Offense 11
Defense 14
Total = 34.5
Japeth is a good finisher in the rim but he hasn't put enough effort in solidifying his post scoring. With his length and through coach Tim's guidance, Japeth has been one of the most effective rim protector in the league. He still need to develop a better nose for rebounds.
#4 MARC PINGRIS
Inside 9
Offense 13
Defense 13
Total = 35
Pinoy Sakuragi never averaged double-digit in points in his career. But, in all the other aspects, Marc is very solid. His vision is pretty good and he makes the right passes. Defensively, he is one of the few that can defend all five positions.
#3 RANIDEL DE OCAMPO
Inside 11
Offense 15
Defense 11
Total = 37
Ranidel sustained his versatility last season with his 12.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 34.8% 3FG and 47.8% FG. He is already on the downside of his career but with his versatility, I expect him to be in this list for at least, the next three years.
#2 GREG SLAUGHTER
Inside 13
Offense 14
Defense 15
Total = 42
Thanks to coach Tim Cone, Greg has learned to position himself in their defensive plays. His height alone, makes a huge impact to the opposing players. Offensively, Greg has improved his finishing around the rim and his passing remains to be elite.
#1 JUNE MAR FAJARDO
Inside 15
Offense 13
Defense 15
Total = 43
He is a 3-peat MVP for a reason. If we talk about the Kraken, we should use historical perspective because what he is doing right now was never seen in the history of the PBA. One aspect that he can improve is making plays.
