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‘Anyone within the NBA missed out on this man,’ says Tim Cone as Justin Brownlee propels Gilas Pilipinas to the semifinals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Event
MANILA, Philippines – As a lot as Tim Cone feels fortunate to have Justin Brownlee for Gilas Pilipinas and Barangay Ginebra, part of him believes the beloved naturalized participant deserves to be someplace else.
For Cone, Brownlee must be within the NBA because the three-time PBA Greatest Import continues to show his mettle following a pair of stellar performances within the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Event in Riga, Latvia.
Largely due to Brownlee, the Philippines exceeded expectations and superior to the semifinals – two wins away from ending a 52-year absence in Olympic basketball.
“I’ve mentioned this earlier than, anyone within the NBA missed out on this man. Anyone within the NBA missed out. They weren’t on the ball. They need to have seen this man. He by no means ought to have been within the Philippines,” mentioned Cone.
“He must be within the NBA.”
Brownlee, who performed faculty basketball for St. John’s College within the US NCAA, went unpicked within the 2011 NBA Draft.
He stayed on the NBA radar by seeing motion within the G League and even signed a contract with the New York Knicks firstly of the 2013-2014 season however bought waived instantly after.
Opting to take his act abroad, Brownlee performed in Italy and France earlier than he discovered his option to the PBA because the Gin Kings introduced him in as a alternative for unique Ginebra import Paul Harris within the 2016 Governors’ Cup.
He confirmed he’s the fitting man for the job, propelling the Gin Kings to their first championship in eight years as Cone gained his maiden title with Ginebra.
Brownlee returned to strengthen the Gin Kings for every of the following 9 import conferences and helped the franchise seize 5 extra crowns, together with his physique of labor within the PBA making a best choice for a naturalized participant.
When he formally turned a Filipino, Brownlee made a direct impression as he powered the Philippines in reclaiming the Southeast Asian Video games throne and profitable the Asian Video games title final yr for the primary time since 1962.
Though now 36 years outdated, Brownlee stays a power, holding his personal in opposition to higher-ranked groups within the OQT that includes NBA expertise.
He netted 26 factors, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists because the Philippines pulled off an 89-80 upset of world No. 6 Latvia, a group bannered by Charlotte Hornets ahead Davis Bertans and former NBA gamers Rodions Kurucs and Dairis Bertans.
Flirting with a triple-double anew, Brownlee posted 28 factors, 8 rebounds, and eight assists in a 96-94 loss to Twenty third-ranked Georgia led by Goga Bitadze of the Orlando Magic and Sandro Mamukelashvili of the San Antonio Spurs.
“He’s a big-moment man. He performs big in massive moments. He’s confirmed that time and again. What he’s doing right here on this event isn’t any shock in anyway to what we’ve seen all through his profession within the Philippines,” mentioned Cone.
“He’s dominant there. He executes to a tee and he’s all the time engaged. When he’s aggressive, there’s simply no one, no one higher than him.”
It’s a massive plus that Brownlee is revered by his teammates, with Kai Sotto even calling him the “Michael Jordan of Philippine basketball.”
“What makes Justin particular is No. 1, he’s completely the perfect teammate I’ve ever seen all through my teaching. He’s only a great teammate,” mentioned Cone.
“And No. 2, he has that uncommon ability that – in any group he performs for – he makes the gamers round him higher. They play at a better stage wherever Justin goes.” – Rappler.com
