Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone was able watch the NBA Summer League and the multi-titled coach could not help but draw comparisons between the Los Angeles Lakers’ prized rookie Lonzo Ball and his team’s own rising young star, Scottie Thompson.
“At this point, I think this upcoming NBA season, the guy who resembles Scottie will be Lonzo Ball,” Cone said. “I watched him in the Summer League and he reminded me so much of Scottie Thompson with the things he does.”
Ball dished out triple-double performances in the Summer League, much like Thompson does in the PBA. But that’s not where the similarities end.
“The way when he started passing the ball, the whole team started passing the ball,” Cone shared. “The Lakers were fun to watch when they started moving the ball. They were crazy. Lonzo Ball goes for the rebound. They’re very similar with their styles. Scottie plays big for his position, so as Lonzo Ball. The more you see him, the more he reminds me of Scottie.”
That ball movement that Thompson sparks for Ginebra was on full display during the Kings’ last game, where they dished out a total of 39 assists, the most in a PBA game in 14 years, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.
Thompson, according to Cone, should get some credit for Ginebra’s unselfish play.
“I’m proud of the way we were assisting the ball. It goes to show the unselfish mentality everybody had,” said Cone. “LA is the leader at that. But the key guy that really makes us infectious is Scottie Thompson. He is so infectious with his passing and everybody wants to do it. It becomes infectious after a while.”
“Scottie’s attitude is an infectious attitude which he brings to the team. He’s willing to pass the ball and that’s what makes Scottie special.”
Thompson only had four points, but dished out 10 assists in the game.
For Cone, though, it’s not just his passing that seems to spread among his teammates.
“You watch Scottie gets the rebound and you’ll watch Paolo Taha getting the rebound. He was like a Scottie clone. It’s an infectious ‘if he can do it, I can do it thing’. These are Scottie’s special skills and that makes him a special player.”
