CHICAGO — Dense PBA conferences such as the ongoing Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup leave teams with a small margin for error.
And in a reinforced tournament, imports also have a short leash.
In light of their unexpected 1-2 start, netizens are wondering if the Converge FiberXers, who have a vibrant social media fan base, are switching imports.
READ: Delta Pineda admits hobbled Converge still a work in progress
One of the rumors making the rounds on the online water cooler include the supposed arrival of Demarcus Cousins to replace Kylor Kelley.
Is this possible?
NOT IN PANIC MODE.
Per BasketNews, Cousins is signed with the Selenge Bondons of the Mongolian National Basketball League (MNBL) where the top-tier imports make north of $14,000 a month.
And while Converge can certainly afford a Cousins buy-out in Mongolia, the internet connection giant will have to dig deeper into its wallet.
When Cousins suited up for the Zamboanga Valientes for the final leg of The Asian Tournament (TAT) he was paid a reported $120,000 for two weeks, a person with close ties to the team told me.
Big guy. Big name. Big credentials.
But because the 6-foot-10, 270-lbs former four-time NBA All-Star is ball dominant, he is not necessarily a good fit at Converge.
WORKHORSE.
Kylor Kelley is not the problem at Converge, he is part of the solution moving forward.
Through three games, the 7-foot Kelley has amassed 42 points, 50 rebounds, 11 assists and 10 blocks while swishing 15-of-28 firld goals.
Kylor, who played for the New Orleans Pelicans and the Dallas Mavericks last season, is an elite rim protector, agile rebounder and an excellent roller on the pick-and-roll.
In other words, he is exactly what the doctor ordered for a loaded Converge team.
As coach Dennis “Delta” Pineda himself told reporters on Wednesday night, the culprits of Converge’s disappointing 1-2 star are lack of chemistry and injuries to Juan Gomez de Liano and Calvin Abueva.
Here’s hoping that time, which supposedly heals all wounds, will the balsam for what ails the FiberXers.
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