Filipino basketball fans were furious when the Orlando Magic decided to bench Kai Sotto during their 89-78 loss to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Summer League on Sunday in Las Vegas.
Despite the numerous social media posts circulating about the 7-foot-3 Filipino center in the past few days, Sotto was surprisingly kept on the bench for the entire game by the coaching staff of the Magic.
Despite being the only legitimate center on Orlando’s Summer League roster, the Magic chose to field two much smaller players, DJ Wilson and Robert Baker II, instead of Kai Sotto against the Pistons.
So @OrlandoMagic had Kai Sotto promoting @nba summer league and didn't even give him any minutes! What's up with that @Wasserman pic.twitter.com/4odPRbhdpp
— anthony carlo (@carlo8_carlo) July 8, 2023
Bro what are the magic thinking not subbing kai sotto 🤔
— NaughtyJames (@Jaymson1872) July 8, 2023
Hope to see Kai Sotto on the court next game! @OrlandoMagic
— Maegan (@maeglovin) July 8, 2023
Unfollow this team mga kabayan Kai sotto is only for marketing fool coaching team .. Discrimination is real to asian player like to our kabayan filipino
— Renjie Lazo (@RenjieLazo) July 8, 2023
No Kai Sotto, outrebounded, no shots on the paint, no dunks, no lowpost plays, fuck this Orlando Magic team, more so with its fucking coaching staffs…😡
— Maverix Niel (@NielMaverix) July 8, 2023
WTF we travelled 4hrs to watch Kai Sotto; you didnt even give him a minute of playing time… WTF!!!
— Hans4Eagle (@Hans4Eagle) July 8, 2023
no KAI SOTTO sighting inside hardcourt! What’s up @OrlandoMagic? too many are frustrated today👀
— nelson (@mkdoug123) July 8, 2023
Dear Orlando Magic.
At least give Kai Sotto a run, man. Maybe he isn't NBA material, but it's fucking Summer League. These games mean more to players like him than to teams who are slated to win nothing meaningful.
— Yoki Rivero (@Yoki_IsTheName) July 8, 2023
The way coach is running Orlando Magic rotation is as if it's the playoffs it's called "summer league" for a reason. If you have 5 DNPs including Kai Sotto what are you even trying to do?
— Jack Ang (@the_zach08) July 8, 2023
Discrimination din kase kaya bangko si kai sotto. Di mo naman siya papasok para bigyan ka ng 30 points 20 rebounds. Papasok mo para masubukan ang skill set ng isang 7’3 na kayang kaya pa idevelop sana kung magkaron ng chance. Sayang lng
— Silver Spoon (@saulgewdman_) July 8, 2023
Yeah right. Thanks no thanks for not playing Kai Sotto. Someone that has a professional basketball experience in AUS and B.league. @OrlandoMagic
— Rod Vincent Ariar (@mr_rodvincent) July 8, 2023
Sotto’s next chance to play will be on Tuesday morning against the Indiana Pacers, with the game set to be broadcast live on Cignal TV’s NBA TV Philippines channel.
