Humans who are infatuated with basketball have playful minds. That’s why debates about GOATs, what-ifs, and dream matchups never get old.
Of course, the people running the FIBA Asia Champions Cup socials share the same thought process.
On Wednesday, they posted on Instagram a poster featuring the best talents of Asia matched up against each other. It was basically East Asia’s All-Star Five vs West Asia’s All-Star Five.
“Ever wondered how a dream matchup between Asia's best talents would go down?” the caption read.
Team East is comprised of Japanese point god Yuki Kawamura, Korean sniper Choi Jun-Yong, former NBA star Jeremy Lin of Chinese Taipei, China’s star big man Zhang Zhenlin, and seven-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo of the Philippines.
Team West, meanwhile, is made up of Bahrain’s rising star Mustafa Rashed, lengthy Kuwaiti guard Hamad Hasan, Wael “Mr. Night, Night” Arajki of Lebanon, versatile Iranian swingman Arsalan Kazemi, and Syrian behemoth Abdulwahab Alhamwi.
Lin versus Arajki makes for a fire matchup. They got swag, they got skills, and they never back down. This one’s going to be a heated battle.
It will also be a collossal face-off between the 6-foot-10 Fajardo and the 7-foot-3 Alhamwi. The Syrian skyscraper will be a tough cover for The Kraken. Whenever Alhamwi gets deep position in the paint, that’s a clear dunk, for sure.
On the other hand, Fajardo arguably has the advantage in all the other facets of the game. Abai is undeniably more skilled, craftier, and more athletic. Plus, he has a vastly improved outside stroke.
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“May I have this dance?” should be a good line for JMF when he faces up against Alhamwi in an iso play. Fake, jab-step, one dribble, up-and-under, count the bucket for the pride of Compostela, Cebu.
FIBA Asia, don't leave us hanging. Make this happen!
(PM)