TIM Cone has coached countless games and won numerous championships, but there is still one dream that stands above the rest.
Asked what remains on his coaching bucket list, Cone said he tries not to dwell on accomplishments and instead focuses on whatever is directly in front of him.
“I just try to stay with what’s right in front of me. You know, what’s the next day? What do I do tomorrow in practice?” Cone said in an exclusive interview on The Scorecard of The Bilyonaryo News Channel.
Still, the Gilas Pilipinas head coach admitted there is one ultimate scenario he would love to experience.
“I guess if I had one dream, final dream at this point, it’s getting on the court, on the floor, against Erik Spoelstra in the Olympics or the World Cup, playing the U.S. team,” Cone said.
“That would be amazing.” Cone knows there is plenty of work to do before that dream can even become a possibility, particularly with the Philippines still fighting to qualify for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
But if Gilas eventually reaches that stage, a matchup against Team USA and Spoelstra would be a full-circle moment for the veteran Philippine coach.
Cone has also closely studied Spoelstra’s work and revealed that he has learned plenty from the Miami Heat coach over the years.
“Plenty. I watch all their games. I got a chance to work with them in the Summer League one year,” Cone said.
What impresses him most is how Spoelstra builds the culture around his teams.
“Number one, how Coach Spo develops a culture on a basketball team is just amazing to watch,” Cone said.
Cone also praised Spoelstra’s defensive approach, even though the two coaches rely on different offensive systems.
“We run different offensive systems, but he’s very, very detail-oriented. I’m very detail-oriented also in my offense. But I think we’re both defensive coaches at heart.”
And Cone continues to learn simply by watching the Heat.
“I love watching and learning from his defense.” For now, though, Cone is keeping his eyes on the process rather than the dream.
“Focus on the process, stay with what’s right in front of you, and let that lead you to where you need to go.” (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
