November 23, 2024

Why are Japan B.League stars Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, and AJ Edu against the PBA’s 4-point shot?

Why are Japan B.League stars Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, and AJ Edu against the PBA’s 4-point shot?
Kai Sotto (left), Dwight Ramos (middle), and AJ Edu (right) ready themselves for the upcoming 2024-2025 Japan B.League season. | Photos (c) Japan B.League

The PBA’s new 4-point shot has definitely generated some buzz in and out of the country.

Even NBA superstar Kyrie Irving has the joined the debate, believing the 4-point line will give space for 'creativity' in basketball.

But while the discussion is still up for debate for many, Gilas Pilipinas mainstays Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, and AJ Edu wouldn’t like to see the 4-point line introduced in the Japan B.League.

Speaking during the Japan B.League’s 2024-25 Season Tip-off Conference, Sotto, who will play for the Koshigaya Alphas in the new season, suggested making the 3-point line farther instead of adding the 4-point shot.

“I don't think it's just right. I think if I was the commissioner, I wouldn't have a 4-point line. I would just remove the 3-point line and make the 3-point line even farther like the NBA,” Sotto explained.  “They got farther 3-point line, so the spacing is better, it's bigger, but no, I would not go for the 4-point line.”

Meanwhile, Ramos, recently named the team captain of the Levanga Hokkaido, was also against the 4-point line for a straightforward reason.

“I saw a couple of the games, and the 4-point shot was exciting, of course, because you see somebody make a shot from so far, but I know they put it in trying to remove teams from playing zone but you don't need to do that,” said Ramos.

“If you want to break a zone, then you just get a better zone offense, so I don't really see the need for a 4-point line,” he added.

[ALSO READ: PBA’s new four-point line draws mixed reactions from players, coaches]

As for Edu, the 6-foot-10 big man gave his props to the PBA for trying something new but ultimately was also against the 4-point shot.

“I think I appreciate the PBA for trying to do something new, trying to be innovative,” said Edu. “I guess we have to see more in the long run whether that's successful or not.”

“Where I am now, I don't know if that's the right direction, but I guess we'll wait and see as the season goes on,” he added.

The 2024–25 B1 League season will kick off its 9th season, with the regular season set for tip-off on 3 October 2024.

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