PBA: Ginebra coach Tim Cone still not fan of four-point line

Tim Cone at the Ginebra Gin Kings’ bench in the PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra may have been benefitting from Justin Brownlee’s stellar four-point touch, but coach Tim Cone is still not a fan of the recently introduced 27-foot line in the PBA.

Brownlee had a near-perfect 5-of-6 four-point shooting to pour in 33 points in Ginebra’s dominant 122-105 win over San Miguel in Game 1 of the semifinals on Wednesday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“Just because it favors our team with Justin, that doesn’t mean I’m [now] a fan of the four-point shot,” Cone said. “I just believe that the game has evolved into shooting—taking quick shots, taking four-pointers. If you watch practices … all they do is shoot threes and shoot fours, and I think the game is a lot more than that,” said Cone after their semis series opener win.

READ: PBA: Justin Brownlee takes full advantage of four-point shot

The PBA’s newest innovation was implemented this conference after using it in the last two All-Star games and Cone believes its shifts the focus away from other important aspects of the game.

“And I think we’re kind of just evolving into that idea that we’re just gonna be a three- or a four-point shooting game. There’s so much more in the game. There’s cutting, screening, there’s the defensive side, the ability to pass. Those things are a really big part of the game as well,” Cone said.  

“But I think with the four-point shot, and just my personal opinion, I think we’re putting the pressure on young kids to come out and just shoot, learn to shoot, and that’s good enough. And I think the game is more than that. So that’s why I don’t agree with it.”

READ: PBA: Justin Brownlee avenges Ginebra 49-point to loss San Miguel

While it’s great for their team as Brownlee, rookie RJ Abarrientos, and his other players have show they could hit the shot, Cone he stressed that they are just using it as a weapon to their advantage.

The Gin Kings eye a 2-0 lead against the Beermen on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum.