Cone on TV analyst gig: ‘I’m not very good at this’

Ginebra coach Tim Cone. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Don’t expect coach Tim Cone to make the trade from the sidelines to the broadcast panel anytime soon.

Taking part as a TV analyst in Game 2 of the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup Finals between Alaska and San Miguel on Tuesday, the winningest coach couldn’t help but admit that talking on TV not one of his strongest suits.

In fact, he even criticized his performance as a panelist despite enjoying the experience.

“I need to stay in the sidelines and not in the panel,” he said. “You could tell too. I’m always a little rusty, even if I’m doing it every day, I’m still rusty. I just don’t talk that clearly, that’s my problem. I don’t organize my thoughts real well right away. I’m not very good at this, but I enjoy doing it and it’s something I know I’m not very good at.”

Though he could no longer remember when he last did this gig, Cone said that relished the opportunity to take himself out of the court and see the game from a different perspective.

“It was a fun game to do. There were a lot of stuff going on. I really, really appreciate the two coaches,” he said.

Cone praised the two coaches for the work they have done with their respective teams, making sure that San Miguel and Alaska remain title contenders for every conference.

“Alex has just been spectacular ever since he joined the league. He brought a different style, a different offensive style, a different defensive style, a different folksy style he has with the press and the fans, and his ability to speak Tagalog is very spectacular. All those things he brought to the table, and it’s been a real eye-opener for me to watch him coach,” Cone said.

“I said on the TV that when coach Leo took over, San Miguel was the drama team: guys couldn’t get along, didn’t want to pass the ball to each other, they couldn’t overachieve. And he came in immediately and they overachieved. Coach Leo has been an underplayed story this past year. I don’t think he’s getting the credit he really deserves. I think it’s been a tale of two coaches and that has made it fun to be on the panel, to discuss those guys and see what they’re doing.”

Probably the best part of the TV job for Cone, though, was getting direct access to the huddles as both Compton and Austria mapped out plays.

“We get to listen in every timeout. We’re getting some little extra there, and I don’t know if they’re going to be happy about that, but we’ll see what I can use when I get out there next conference,” he said.