Thompson is out to prove his doubters wrong.
As coach Tim Cone is set to lead Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel tactician already made it clear who will likely be the team’s best player come the tournament.
While many will say Justin Brownlee, Cone believes that it’s actually Scottie Thompson.
Thompson, who owned up to struggling in the FIBA World Cup, will now play in a system that he is familiar with—Coach Tim’s.
“I think you're gonna see Scottie rise up and be the Scottie we always love and know,” Cone told reporters. “I have no doubt that Scottie is gonna rise to the occasion and be our best player in the Asian Games.”
Cone admitted that the type of system that Thompson played back in the FIBA World Cup was not built for the Ginebra guard. And when a high-usage guard like Jordan Clarkson came in, it only provided another layer of adjustment for the reigning PBA MVP.
That’s why for those still questioning whether Thompson is fit for the international game, Cone gave the perfect explanation for Scottie's inefficiency in FIBA's flagship tournament.
“People said that he's not built for the international game, I can't be more against that idea,” said Cone. “It was the system in which we were trying to play and the fact that JC was ball-dominant, so we were playing a ball-dominant type of offense, rather than a movement offense.”
Thompson will now have the opportunity to prove all the doubters wrong come the Asian Games, which kicks off on September 23.
(GM)