Spin.ph contributor Snow Badua makes a plea to Kai Sotto's management team as they plot the next move in his career.
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00:00 The Filipinos who are ashamed of Orlando are ashamed.
00:03 Because our strongest players are feeling sorry for us for letting our players play.
00:07 If you're going to ask me if the NBA Dreamkicker is game over, it's not yet.
00:17 But in Tekken, that's how life is.
00:22 Right?
00:23 That you can enter the NBA.
00:25 Because his chances are getting smaller and smaller.
00:29 Every year that passes, he loses his big chance to make it to the NBA.
00:35 You know, 2018, 5 years ago, Kai had a chance to enter the NBA this big.
00:41 But he was mismanaged.
00:43 Instead, he was sent to Europe.
00:46 I was one of the vocals back then.
00:47 He should've been sent to Europe.
00:49 He was brought to NCAA, he didn't even play.
00:52 Because it's not really for Kai's physique.
00:55 That's NCAA.
00:56 He could've hold his skills well.
00:58 If he was sent to Europe, he would've continued.
01:00 But as I said, there is still little time left for Kai to make it to the NBA.
01:08 That's why, this is what we're going to ask his management and his parents.
01:13 He's our friend.
01:14 He's our friend, Irvin Soto.
01:16 Before you reach the other stars, set the date.
01:22 One step at a time.
01:25 You're rushing the kid's career.
01:28 You're pressuring the kid to the point that he doesn't know his identity.
01:34 What game he's playing.
01:36 What he's going to give to the team that's scouting him.
01:40 You're a big man.
01:42 You're 7'3".
01:43 You should dominate the game.
01:45 The NBA is not a battle of Mr. Congeniality.
01:49 You can't be kind because you'll be spoiled.
01:52 You'll be literally spoiled by the lives of your opponents.
01:56 Remember, all of your teammates who played in the NBA Summer League,
02:01 they're all fighting for the position in Orlando Magic and other components.
02:08 Because you're a jackpot.
02:11 If you get it, you'll get a big salary.
02:13 That's why everyone will die.
02:15 Now, if you're kind, if you're shy,
02:19 if you don't give your all, nothing will happen to you.
02:25 That's how the world is now.
02:27 You're still young, I'm sure.
02:29 That's why you're being babied by bloggers who give false expectations to the public
02:34 that you're good and you're not being played.
02:37 Because what the bloggers see are the highlight reel.
02:41 They don't see your strengths.
02:44 They don't see your weaknesses.
02:46 That's also what we lack, Filipinos.
02:49 Our expectations are too high for Kai Soto.
02:52 To the point that everyone thinks,
02:55 especially those who don't know how to play basketball,
02:57 that you're very good.
02:59 The truth is, Kai, you have talent.
03:01 You have potential.
03:03 It's just that the skills you have to develop,
03:05 that's your most important battle
03:09 when you're about to compete in the NBA and other leagues.
03:14 If you're asking me, before the Summer League,
03:16 I should've just focused on the highlight reel.
03:18 I nominated for the World Cup.
03:20 I became the most important player in the highlight reel.
03:23 And that way, I would've been able to look at the bigger leagues.
03:27 Because you were proven, you were shown something.
03:29 And here in the Summer League, you're like a cat.
03:32 If you're really aiming for the highlight reel,
03:34 if you're really aiming for the highlight reel,
03:37 and you'll be given playing time,
03:39 I'm sure the playing time you're looking for is in the highlight reel.
03:42 If that's what you prioritized, ever since,
03:46 you have a bigger chance of being noticed by the whole world.
03:49 And by the time you play in the highlight reel,
03:51 hopefully, Kai, you'll be the most prominent
03:55 and you'll be the most prominent face of the highlight reel.
03:59 Not Brownlee, not Jordan Clarkson, but Kai Soto.
04:03 If that happens, Kai, I'm sure you're getting closer and nearer to your NBA dream.
04:09 To be honest, Kai, right now, you have a big chance of being picked by the NBA.
04:13 If they know you're ready.
04:15 You know why?
04:16 There are Wimbaniama right now, they're so determined.
04:18 Who will other teams face?
04:20 So, San Antonio's first and center position is a walking mismatch.
04:24 If you're going to do whatever you want,
04:26 you'll strengthen your body,
04:28 you'll be the one to fight other teams.
04:31 Because you're undrafted,
04:33 you're available anytime,
04:35 and you can be a front, defense, and distraction for Wimbaniama.
04:40 If there's a big chance that you'll be picked by the NBA,
04:44 because there's Wimbaniama,
04:45 we haven't seen the effects of this yet.
04:48 A lot of people are saying that this will be super dominant
04:50 because with just a few jumps, it's already a knockout.
04:53 Who can stop that?
04:54 Goober?
04:56 No.
04:56 Someone like you, 7'3 Kai,
04:59 should be the one to face the NBA teams.
05:01 The other 29 teams should be fighting for him.
05:05 But the point is, "Why didn't you let him play?"
05:08 Because there's still something missing.
05:09 That's the mistake.
05:10 You know, honestly,
05:11 I've said this many times,
05:12 the Filipinos who are crying in Orlando are so embarrassing.
05:16 Because we're trying to make our players play.
05:20 You'll say, "He's so good."
05:21 Because you read the highlight reel of the bloggers.
05:24 What you don't know is,
05:26 we don't know the reason why the coaching staff
05:28 is not using Kai.
05:31 That's what we should pursue for Kai.
05:34 To have value for the coaching staff.
05:37 To have value every minute of the game.
05:42 So if Kai won't get it,
05:43 we're forcing him to play in the NBA.
05:45 Get him to play in another league first.
05:47 Play in the Euroleague first.
05:49 Play in a higher league.
05:51 Don't go back to the Bay League.
05:53 Have mercy.
05:54 Let the other Filipinos play.
05:56 Because you won't grow there, Kai.
05:59 That's what we're saying.
06:00 Your management is making you two steps forward
06:04 and suddenly, you're five steps backward.
06:06 Think about it, you're already in the NBA.
06:07 You're still in the Bay League.
06:09 And in the Bay League, you didn't even dominate the host.
06:11 You weren't even mentioned.
06:14 Kai, don't get me wrong.
06:16 I'm not mad at you.
06:17 You were just a kid.
06:18 We were together on the islands.
06:20 We were fishing.
06:21 Right?
06:22 I was talking to you back then.
06:23 I said, "You're rich, boy. You're rich."
06:26 It's there.
06:28 You can become rich.
06:29 But the chance for you to become richer,
06:32 and perhaps to be the most famous basketball player.
06:36 We don't have money for you right now.
06:38 We need a somebody sports icon.
06:40 That's you.
06:41 You're the one in that position, Kai.
06:44 All you have to do is hone yourself and wake up.
06:49 That's all you need, Kai.
06:50 Wake up.
06:51 Know your role.
06:53 Know what your game is.
06:54 If you want to play stretch four,
06:56 play stretch four.
06:57 Because right now, you're playing as a big man,
06:59 but you're playing front to the basket.
07:01 But our bottom line is,
07:03 we'll be waiting for you when the World Cup comes.
07:06 Wearing the GILAS Pilipinas jersey.
07:10 That's your first step to return to your NBA dream.
07:14 For now, Kai, the truth is,
07:16 the doors of the NBA are closed for you.
07:19 It'll only open a little
07:21 when you show your GILAS in the World Cup.
07:24 I repeat,
07:26 World Cup.
07:28 (GUNSHOT)
07:29 (GUNSHOT)
07:30 (GUNSHOT)
07:31 [BLANK_AUDIO]