Tim Cone. File Photo
Coach Tim Cone has always fancied himself as a big man’s coach.
And with his entry to Ginebra, he will have two of the most promising young big guys in Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar at his disposal.
READ: Ginebra coach Tim Cone wants to temper grand expectations
And he’s not hiding his eagerness to handle the front court duo.
“I’m excited about the two bigs,” he said. “I always enjoyed coaching big men. Having Greg and Japeth there is very, very exciting. That’s a great opportunity to help them grow.”
Cone, who is the master of the triangle offense in the PBA, sees the system working well for the bigs.
“The triangle is supposed to be inside-out so you look inside before you kick out. That’s gonna go to the strengths of Japeth and Greg. You can’t dismiss the LA Tenorio’s and Mark Caguioa’s and they’re gonna get theirs too. It’s an equal opportunity on offense.”
READ: Cone: I want to know Mark Caguioa
But the biggest priority in Cone’s playbook is the defense. While he’s getting credit all these years for his work with the triangle, he believes that defense is still the key in any championship run.
“The question for them is are they going to buy into the defensive side. I’m still a big believer that defense wins championships, and if we’re gonna win, we’ll win on the defensive side,” he said. “It doesn’t mean we’re gonna slow it all the time, but if you have a run-and-gun system, you’re not able to take advantage of those bigs which will be the strengths of the team. You really have to take advantage of them.”
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Cone said that the Kings will put premium on defense this season as they try to work the triangle.
“The triangle allows us to play the tempo in which you could be a great defensive team. That’s gonna be where the thrust is. It’s just gonna be a matter of communicating the vision and getting them to buy-in. I think Greg and Japeth will enjoy over time playing in this kind of system which will take advantage of their abilities.” CFC