There is some sort of word war between Benilde Blazers' coach Charles Tiu and Jordan Clarkson's kid brother, Bear.
All this talk about picking Justin Brownlee over Jordan Clarkson is just astounding.
I also wrote something about the pros and cons of the Utah Jazz star and the Ginebra super import but yeah, I never thought things would escalate like this.
Jordan Clarkson is a bonafide NBA stud. Meanwhile, Brownlee is a player that knows how the Philippine system works. Unlike the case between Andray Blatche and Marcus Douthit, Brownlee actually has the skills to make a case. However, the hosting of the 2023 FIBA World Cup was precisely made for Clarkson to infuse NBA flavor in what is basically Basketball Olympics. After going undrafted in 2011, the closest Brownlee has ever been to the NBA is two stints in the NBA G-League. If we're going to pit him against Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and whatever platoon Team USA will unload, they could care less about the never say die spirit of Justin Brownlee.
However, all Pinoys do. The reason why we had these comparisons is due to the fact that basketball runs into our veins. A casual can see the differences between the two players and unlike in some other countries, even the girliest of girls can understand how much basketball means to our country.
With that said, I guess it's time to clamp down on the comparisons. As it stands, Gilas Pilipinas can veer away from Ange Kouame. Yes, he is credible, but unlike in past versions, the problem of Gilas Pilipinas isn't size, but having a king go-to guy leading a bunch of go-to guys from all sides of the Philippine basketball spectrum. Kai Sotto, June Mar Fajardo, and Japeth Aguilar are able bodies and I guess they are enough to let Clarkson and Brownlee contest for the naturalized spot - leaving the likes of Kouame, Christian Standhardinger, Mo Tautuaa, and Stanley Pringle in the outs.
Let's see how Chot Reyes plays his cards. Any player could work for as long as they execute the same gameplay. Let's have the naturalized player have free reign on offense with the rest of the locals helping out.