Bleeding for quality imports

One by one, the non-performing imports are being weeded out of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Reinforced Conference. Not that they’re necessarily of low quality.

Sometimes, an import’s style doesn’t fit a team’s system.Or he’s miscast like if his team is hurting in the middle and he’s a perimeter player.

Finding the right import isn’t easy. What you see is not exactly what you get. Coaches and scouts who go to the US to check out import candidates are at an advantage over those who rely on agents to phone in names. But a scouting trip is no guarantee that you’ll come home with a jewel.

Chris Carrawell got the boot from Alaska because he’s just not a do-it-all type of player. He’ll excel in a two-import format like last year when he teamed with Ajani Williams. But alone, Carrawell won’t do. He’s no Billy Ray Bates. Shea Seals is cut in the same mold. Last year, he didn’t do badly with Art Long and Terq Mott as partners for San Miguel Beer. By himself, Seals couldn’t get the job for the Beermen, with or without a hamstring pull.

Carrawell has been replaced by Ike Fontaine and Seals by Kwan Johnson.

Ramel Lloyd had an explosive debut, scoring 43 points for Red Bull, then fell apart in his next games after opponents figured out how to put the clamps on the Rock. Worse, Lloyd only played one way and stunk on defense. So in came Scott Burrell, a National Basketball Association (NBA) veteran whose credentials are as intimidating as his personality on the floor.

Former PBA import and coach Norman Black said the problem could be a diminishing pool of talent available to play here.

"We’ve got a short season–about three and a half months if you go to the finals," noted Black. "If you’re a quality import, you’ll look for a contract with a longer term like in Europe where the season is from September to February."

There’s also a question of security. In the PBA, contracts are usually not guaranteed, meaning an import may lose his job after a game. The pay is also restricted by the salary cap of $14,000 max a month. Before the PBA instituted the cap this year, an import could get as much as $20,000 a month. The perks, however, compensate since an import’s salary is tax free and while he’s in town, he’s treated like a top-flight expatriate in a multinational company with access to a car, driver and first-class accommodations.

And the bonuses are generous. Some imports treat their stay here like a vacation and bring in their families. NBA veterans David Wood and Stephen Howard came with their families and thoroughly enjoyed their visit. Burrell is here with his fiancée.

Black said the PBA’s advantage is its pristine reputation. "There are some leagues outside the US where an import isn’t sure if he’ll be paid," continued Black. "In the PBA, agents know that teams pay their obligations. And the PBA is widely known as a well-organized league."

The PBA’s other advantages are the league uses NBA rules so imports familiar with the pro style adjust quickly, communication is no problem because English is the country’s second language, the fans are loyal, the people are warm and the competition is top-notch. An import hoping to break into the NBA likes the idea of playing 48 minutes a game in the PBA because it prepares him for the bigger challenge ahead.

Despite the advantages, the competition to sign top players is fierce in the market. Japan, South Korea and China are offering attractive contracts, too. Leagues in Europe and South America aren’t scrimping either. Often, it’ll come down to dollars and cents. Howard was recently signed to play in Lebanon where ex-PBA imports Julius Nwosu and Jerod Ward are mainstays. NBA veteran Ike Austin was in China last season. Burrell, in fact, came from China. Coca-Cola’s Tee McClary played two years in South Korea.

What are the characteristics of an import likely to stick? Consider 10:

• Versatile. He’s got to be able to play multiple positions like a Superman in shorts and sneakers. He should be proficient in offense and hard-nosed in defense. He must provide different options for his coach to take advantage of mismatches. If he’s doubled or tripled, he must know when and how to pass off to the open man, either a cutter or a spot-up shooter. He’ll play inside or outside. He can’t be unidimensional. He must know how to score, shoot, dish off, rebound, play defense, run the break, set up the play, and do anything his coach asks.

• Go-to guy. In the clutch, he isn’t afraid to take the big shot. With the game on the line, he won’t back down from taking charge and he’ll get the job done–more often than not. He must be a pressure player.

• Intelligent. Since the offense goes through him, he must be able to read the defense. He must understand the options and weapons available on both ends. In short, he’s got to be on the ball all the time. And he can’t afford to black out.

• Willing to mix. An import can’t be a square peg in a round hole. He plays with four local teammates on the floor. In the same way he needs their support, they need his. Chemistry is crucial. He must be socially tuned in. He’s got to know how to relate with his teammates on and off the floor as a friend.

• Durable. He’s expected to play 48 minutes a game. No relief. That means his tank must always be fully loaded. Stamina is critical.

• Above average free throw shooter. His 15-foot marksmanship must be impeccable or close to it. Imports are the most fouled players in the league because they make the most field goal attempts. A 70 percent clip is fair. Anything less is unacceptable. 80 percent and over would be ideal.

• Coachable. He must listen to his coach and do what he says, no matter if he has NBA experience. The danger of playing an NBA veteran as an import is he likes to project himself as a know-it-all.

• Defense-minded. Some imports like to concentrate on the easy part of the game–scoring. But the hard part is playing defense especially against the opposing import.

• Hungry. If he’s lost his desire to win, forget it. He must be hungry for victory. He must play with intensity all the way. His attitude will either lift or bring down the morale of his teammates. He’s expected to be a leader on the floor–someone who can energize the locals and bring out their best, someone whom the locals can look up to.

• Able to withstand physical pounding. He’ll take a beating on the court. Enforcers will try their best to get his goat. He’ll be battered, banged and bruised. He’s got to know how to take the licks. He can’t lose his cool. His head must always be in place.

Playing an import’s role is no joke. You’re only as good as your last game. You’re never sure if you’ll be back for the next contest. The pressure is unnerving. If his team loses, he’s the convenient scapegoat. If his team wins, the credit goes to the locals for "stepping up." But that’s the price an import pays for a job fit only for those with an exceptional skill level, brains and steel nerves.

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