Stephen Curry and Asi Taulava’s careers are intertwined in a way you probably won’t think of immediately.
Ever since Chef Curry proved that jumpers can win championships, everyone in the basketball world has taken notice. Hoopers, both amateurs and pros, have begun to change their games to fit the mold that’s dominated the world’s grandest basketball stage for the past five years.
Curry and the rest of his sharpshooting Golden State Warriors have altered the game and introduced a revolution in the form of the three-point bomb. Their unprecedented rise to summit of hoops has put the world on notice. Not to mention their three championships in the last four years have certainly made everyone believers of the Three-Point Gospel.
In the Philippines, careers are being extended with the Curry and Co. philosophy. Taulava, a 45-year-old big man from the NLEX Road Warriors, has seemingly been playing for ages in the PBA as well as for the National Team. I didn’t know that the phrase “life begins at 40” would apply to such a physically demanding endeavor such as basketball. Yet Taulava is here proving everyone wrong and sticking it to Father Time.
More than just dedication to his training and diet, Taulava has added to his game to still make him a valuable asset on the court. Thanks to inspiration from Steph, Taulava has transitioned from a burly bruiser in the paint to the first-ever “Splash Tito” in the world (that’s translated into Splash Uncle for those not familiar with the Filipino language).
But Taulava wasn’t always shooting from beyond the arc. When Asi first came into the spotlight back in 1998, he was known for his unique combination of size and strength. With a 6’9 and 245-pound frame, Asi was a legit bruiser that would bring you major pain if you got in between him and the hoop. This man was legit scary. I don’t know what I’d do if I ever found myself in no man’s land. Perhaps I’ll just pull off a Curry 😂 I mean what could you do? Might as well not be in any posters, right?
But Asi is one smart dude. He realized that guys his size are dominant game-changers that have a set career lifespan because of the immense pressure on their bodies as well as the nightly pounding they take in the paint. The past few years Asi has taken it upon himself to stay in shape, even dropping a few extra pounds, and working on his skills especially shooting. Seeing the three-point revolution in the NBA, he probably thought that it was only a matter of time until this caught on with the rest of the basketball world.
Today, Asi’s arsenal consists of mid-range jumpers, three-point bombs and the occasional power move that he used to do night in and night out. His hairstyle might be different, but Asi remains to be a key contributor even in his advanced age.
Heck even his Instagram handle, @agelessasi88, believes that he’ll play forever and I’m all for it! Most guys his age are just coasting through retirement, but here he is working his butt off every single day. And he’s not in the League just cause he’s made a name for himself already. He’s not in the National Team just because he knows Coach Yeng Guiao from way back. He’s suiting up from Team Pilipinas because he still has a lot of gas left in the tank. He’s in Jakarta with the rest of the Filipino contingent and not with his family because he loves the Philippines.
I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Asi played till he’s 50. With a remodeled playing style, an excellent work ethic and a heart full of gratitude, the basketball universe will always have a place for him. Asi’s transformation isn’t just because of him. That’s the great thing about this gentle giant. It’s never an “I” for Asi, it’s always a “we”. With his veteran experience and great locker room presence, Asi still has his best days ahead of him.
I’m pretty sure all 40-somethings who play in their rec leagues and weekend games are secretly rejoicing that they are now well-represented in the pros with Splash Tito making a splash one three at a time.
What a time to be alive.
BasketBola 