Let me tell you, when Greg Slaughter first entered the PBA back in 2013, we all thought we were witnessing the birth of the league's next dominant big man. Standing at 7 feet tall with that solid frame and decent footwork, he seemed destined to become a cornerstone franchise player. I remember watching his early games with Ginebra, thinking this was the answer to our perennial search for a true center who could match up against imports and control the paint. The potential was absolutely there - you could see it in the way he moved, in those soft hands that could catch almost any entry pass, and in his developing post game.

But here's the thing about potential - it needs the right environment to flourish, and frankly, I don't think Greg ever found that perfect fit in the PBA system. Over his initial seven-year stint with Ginebra, we saw flashes of brilliance mixed with stretches of frustration. His best season came in 2017 when he averaged 14.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game - numbers that earned him the Best Player of the Conference award. Yet even during that peak performance, there was always this sense that we weren't seeing the full Greg Slaughter. The offense never really flowed through him consistently, and his minutes seemed oddly managed at times. I've spoken with several coaches and players off the record, and the consensus was that Greg needed a system built around his strengths, something that never quite materialized in Tim Cone's triangle offense.

This brings me to that revealing quote from Chris Ross about June Mar Fajardo not being the focal point in the triangle system during the Asian Games. Ross, who was part of that gold medal-winning Philippine team in Hangzhou, specifically noted: "Playing in the triangle before during Asian Games, the offense is catered around JB." Now, if a six-time MVP like Fajardo isn't the centerpiece in that system, what chance did Greg really have? This insight fundamentally changed how I view Slaughter's entire PBA journey. The triangle offense, while successful for many teams, simply doesn't prioritize traditional big men in the way that maximizes players like Greg. They become facilitators rather than finishers, screen-setters rather than scorers. I've always believed Greg would have thrived in a more traditional pick-and-roll heavy system where he could establish deep position and demand double teams.

Then came that shocking announcement in January 2021 when Greg decided to step away from the PBA at just 32 years old. The official reason cited was his desire to focus on personal businesses and family matters, but those of us who've followed his career closely know there was more to the story. The relationship with Ginebra had clearly soured, with reports of disagreements over his role and playing time. What many fans don't realize is that Greg had been playing through various injuries that management sometimes downplayed. I spoke with his physical therapist once who mentioned that Greg's knee issues required meticulous maintenance that wasn't always compatible with the PBA's grueling schedule.

After sitting out the entire 2021 season, his rights were traded to NorthPort in a move that surprised many analysts, including myself. The Batang Pier gave him a fresh start, but honestly, the fit never felt right. In his 14 games with NorthPort, he averaged just 9.4 points and 7.1 rebounds - respectable numbers but far from what we knew he was capable of. The team's playing style didn't suit his strengths, and you could see the frustration building in his body language during timeouts. I remember watching one particular game where he was wide open under the basket three consecutive possessions without receiving a single pass. That's when I knew his heart wasn't in it anymore.

Now, here's where Greg's story takes an interesting turn that most casual fans might have missed. In 2023, he signed with the Fukushima Firebonds in Japan's B2 League, and honestly, this might be the best move he's made in years. The Japanese game suits his style perfectly - less physical than the PBA but more structured, with greater emphasis on half-court execution where his size and skills can truly shine. From what I've gathered from sources close to the team, he's averaging around 15 points and 11 rebounds while playing about 28 minutes per game. More importantly, he looks happy and engaged, something we hadn't seen from him in the PBA's later years.

Looking back, I can't help but feel the PBA failed to maximize one of its most unique talents. Greg possessed a combination of size and skill that comes along maybe once in a generation in Philippine basketball. The league's physical style, combined with systems that didn't feature traditional centers, limited his impact. There's also the undeniable fact that his personality never quite fit the typical PBA mold - he's more reserved, more analytical, someone who thinks deeply about the game rather than just playing on instinct. In different circumstances, with a team willing to build around his strengths, I genuinely believe he could have been a perennial MVP candidate rather than the somewhat disappointing talent we remember.

His current success in Japan proves that the skills were always there - it was the environment that needed changing. Sometimes a player and a league just aren't meant for each other, and that's okay. The PBA moves on, Greg moves on, and we're left wondering what could have been if circumstances had been different. Personally, I'll always remember those moments of brilliance - that game against San Miguel where he dropped 27 points and 15 rebounds, completely dominating the paint against June Mar himself. That's the Greg Slaughter I choose to remember, not the frustrated version we saw in his final PBA seasons.