Our first batch of All-Star Analysts have been sharing their basketball knowledge to Filipino NBA fans by writing articles and hosting our Bente Uno show since last season. Now we introduce five new members of our All-Star Analysts team, just in time for the NBA’s 75th season, through this Q&A about their NBA/WNBA fandom.
NBA/WNBA player you can compare your game with?
Coach Sandy Arespacochaga: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
Bea Daez-Fabros: Probably Skylar Diggins-Smith. She is a player I try to emulate because of her scoring prowess and energy on the court. I love looking up to guards who are two-way players and can still shine despite being with the likes of Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi.
Chris Newsome: I would say my game is a mix of a few players actually. But I would have to say a little bit of Kobe Bryant and a little bit of Chris Paul. I have a good mix of pick-and-roll skills but I also have the ability to create my own shot.
Diego Dario: I probably can’t compare myself to one because the talent level is just too far! But I’d like to model my game to Damian Lillard. Even though he’s not the most athletic, he makes up for it by having crazy range, using his ball handling skills and high basketball IQ.
Nikko Ramos: Who holds the record for most DNP-CD’s in the NBA? Compare me to that dude. Seriously though, style-wise, I’m probably a Jordan Farmar-type dude.
Favorite team/player?
Coach Sandy: I’m a bandwagoner! Some of my favorite players are Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic.
Bea: Michael Jordan. It started off when I read the book Relentless by Tim Grover (Jordan’s trainer). I even made my high school thesis paper about MJ. More than his actual game, it’s his work ethic and attitude that I really look up to.
Chris: I have been a Denver Nuggets fan ever since I really started watching the NBA. However, my favorite players would have to be Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant. The two showed me what true competitiveness was at a young age. They were always the ones I would try to imitate and be like when I would go to the park to play pick up.
Diego: I was a Kobe fan growing up but I’ve been following Damian Lillard’s journey since his rookie year.
Nikko: Lakers. Magic Johnson.
Craziest game you’ve ever watched
Coach Sandy: Game 6 of the 1998 NBA finals between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz.
Bea: Kobe Bryant’s last game where he scored 60! I couldn’t believe what I was watching. How could he have scored 60 on his last and final game? It was so surreal. He was destined to have that final game to end his career.
Chris: Recently, it would have to be watching Kobe get 60 in his final game. How everything happened in the moment almost felt like I was watching a movie. To me, it was the PERFECT ending to one of the most legendary hoop stories ever.
Diego: Dame’s 55-point game against the Nuggets in the 2021 playoffs. He was in the zone, hitting crazy difficult shots! And also Kobe’s 81-point game!
Nikko: I’d say the 60-point Kobe finale. The audacity to shoot 50 times on your last game is still wild to me.
A player’s signature move that you’d like to have
Coach Sandy: The fadeaway of Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant.
Bea: Not one particular move but definitely Kyrie Irving’s handles. His combo dribbles and finishes around the rim are a beauty to watch.
Chris: I would love to have Kobe’s mid-post game package. Triple-threat to an unblockable fadeaway over either shoulder.
Diego: Dame’s stepback going right into a 3-pointer (from the logo then doing the wave after).
Nikko: Baron Davis power dribble-hop step. Prime B-Diddy was so, so smooth.
Memorable encounter you’ve had with an NBA/WNBA personality
Coach Sandy: All this time being coworkers and friends with former NBA player Alton Lister.
Bea: Going up against WNBA players in my first ever international stint in the 2019 FIBA Asia Cup in India. We played against one of my idols as a point guard, Leilani Mitchell! She was someone I just followed on Instagram, then I was suddenly on the same court with her. It’s definitely an experience I’ll never forget.
Chris: Seeing Kobe for the first time and being able to shake his hand was something I never thought I would be able to do in my lifetime. Also catching an alley-oop from LeBron James while he was here for his Nike Tour in Manila.
Diego: Hosting a part of Dame’s event here in Manila. I got the chance to get his autograph, take a selfie with him, and also have a short conversation about hooping.
Nikko: I’ve been super blessed to have had interactions and moments with the best in the game. From Kobe to KD, Steph, and Bron. I don't take any of those for granted. But being in Charlotte for All-Star Weekend and just randomly bumping into Elena Delle Donne is unique because that wasn’t an interview or a scheduled encounter. We literally just turned a corner and EDD was right there, shooting at a mini-hoop arcade game, believe it or not. Again, super blessed with what I’ve experienced and who I’ve met because of my work, but there’s nothing like a surprise run-in with one of the all-timers.
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