PBA Controversy: Ginebra coach Tim Cone choose the Michael Jordan / Kobe Bryant of his Triangle Offense!

 

In a candid moment on the “Let It Fly Podcast,” hosted by Gabe Norwood, Jared Dillinger, and Sol Mercado, Ginebra’s esteemed coach Tim Cone drew parallels between his star import Justin Brownlee and basketball legends Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. 

The comparison was rooted in the mastery of the Triangle offense—a system that demands versatility and a high basketball IQ.

Sol Mercado posed the question, hinting at the possibility of Brownlee being in the same conversation as Kobe and MJ. Cone, with a blend of humility and insight, acknowledged the comparison, emphasizing the relative context within the PBA. 

“Yes. I would,” Cone affirmed. “You never wanna compare anybody with Kobe and MJ, that is kinda unfair. Relative to the league that we are in, yeah.”

Cone detailed Brownlee’s journey, noting that upon arrival, he was far from the player he is today. “When Justin came to us. He was not near that but he has become that through the years.” Cone credited the Triangle offense for Brownlee’s development, stating, “I never said this before. But I think a lot of those developments came because of the Triangle… Because he was forced to do so many different things and develop his game because he was a pure 4, stretch 4, shoot threes and that was it.”

The Triangle offense, a strategic masterpiece that has led teams to NBA championships, became the crucible for Brownlee’s transformation. “He was thrown to the different positions. And of course, they would play on him and all the adjustments. 

His intelligent level of knowing he has to adjust combined with the ability to adjust within the Triangle and play different positions in the Triangle, and what made Justin so difficult to guard is you never knew where he was gonna be.”

Cone concluded with a powerful statement that encapsulates the essence of Brownlee’s impact, drawing a direct line to the greats. “And it was the same with Michael. Michael Jordan, he is the best player of the world and he gets open. It is because you cannot scheme him if you do not know where he is going to be.”

Through Cone’s narrative, we see the making of a PBA icon. Brownlee’s evolution within the Triangle offense mirrors the greatness of Jordan and Bryant, not in terms of direct comparison, but in the mastery of a system that breeds legends. 

Cone’s revelation is a testament to Brownlee’s growth and a nod to the legacy of the Triangle offense in shaping basketball’s finest talents.