WEIGHING the pros and cons of an import during these difficult times is a must for any PBA coach.
NLEX coach Yeng Guiao has not been remiss in that regard, which helped him arrive at the conclusion that KJ McDaniels is the best choice to reinforce his team in the PBA second conference set to kick off later this month.
According to Guiao, McDaniels’ ability to take charge on both ends of the court and his character off it led to him choosing the former NBA campaigner and TNT’s reinforcement in the 2019 Governors Cup.
“Noong nasa TNT siya, impressive naman ‘yung numbers niya,” Guiao said of the 28-year-old who had 17-game averages of 35.1 points, on top of 13.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 3.4 blocks in 17 games two years ago.
“He was athletic, he was aggressive in both offense and defense. So all-around siya,” added Guiao. “At the same time, balita namin maganda attitude.”
All those qualities were factored in by Guiao when he made his decision. “Kasi mahirap magpalit ngayon,” he pointed out. “Baka mamaya makakuha ka ng import na… sabihin mo na, magaling, tapos hindi maganda ugali. Or nakakuha ka ng mabait pero di naman magaling. Siyempre, kulang naman iyon, di puwede. So mahirap sumugal kaya at least ito, kumbaga, subok na, so hindi na kami sumugal sa iba.”
Guiao admitted McDaniels’ all-around game gave him the advantage over former NBA campaigner and NBA G-League scoring machine Manny Harris, who came in as replacement for the injured Olu Ashaolu in the last Governors Cup.
The reed-thin Harris was no slouch either, debuting with 45 points before finishing with eight-game averages of 30.9 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists. But at 6-foot-3 and ¾ and 185 pounds he gives away a couple of inches and about 20 pounds to McDaniels.
