00:00Hey guys, what's up? We're here with player development coach of the Sacramento Kings and our very own coach Jimmy at a pod coach. What's up?
00:08Thank you so much for taking the time and you know accommodating us here is so proud that you're representing us on this stage
00:14How are you? How are you? I'm great. It's good to see you guys. It's been a while
00:18Going back to the ABL days, but welcome to Sacramento speaking of a beer. That was the last time I saw it
00:25I was way back
00:262020, you know season got cut short, you know, I'm not sure if people know the story already
00:31But can you tell us briefly the story of how you went here? How did you know the opportunity came about?
00:37Well, if you know going taking you back a little bit to 2020 during during the whole pandemic
00:43There wasn't any sports at the time in Metro Manila. So
00:48You know, I think it was it was two reasons one, you know with with the pandemic, you know
00:52Wanting to be close to the family, you know, my parents are older now and have had health issues
00:57Even even before 2020 so that was a big reason and then at the same time once the ABL opportunity
01:04Kind of went away because of because of the season being canceled
01:09you know talking to my wife and the family we felt like this was a great opportunity to try to explore and see if I
01:15Might get this chance to be in the NBA and you know, it's been a huge blessing, you know, five years later
01:20And then here we are
01:21This is the real deal coach. And again, we're so proud of you that you're representing us on this stage
01:27I think you started with the Stockton Kings
01:30It does a little bit more about that. And you know, how did the opportunity open up? So after my second year in the ABL
01:37you know, we we were eliminated in the semifinals and I was searching for a way to continue growing as a coach and
01:45You know thankful for the opportunity at the time. Vlad a Divac was here with the Kings
01:49And you know getting a chance to connect with him through the years through FIBA, you know
01:55He he extended an invitation to spend the summer here. So I was here in
02:002018 for for the entire summer. I was here about eight weeks
02:03And it was an amazing experience just being around the team
02:07learning
02:08and really just seeing how the NBA worked to a certain degree because it was summer league, but
02:14coach Bobby Jackson and I who I spent that summer with
02:18We became really close
02:20And even when I went back to Manila to coach the ABL him and I stayed in contact. So when we moved in 2020
02:27I reached back out to him and told him that my the family and I were we're now based here in the States and
02:34You know as luck would have it
02:35It was right around the time that he was gonna be named the G League head coach
02:38and so that that turned into
02:42him invited me saying hey, you know, I'd love for you to be the lead assistant on my staff and
02:46About you know less than six months later, you know, the family and I were here in Sacramento. So
02:51Huge huge blessing Wow. So pretty much everything aligned at that moment, right coach
03:00Okay, so from Stockton how many years did you you know spend time there and how did you get elevated to
03:08The main team the Sacramento Kings. So I spent two years with Stockton and then after our second year
03:14We're the number one team the G League
03:16Coach Bobby got an opportunity with the Philadelphia 76ers
03:19So at that time, I really wasn't sure
03:23What was gonna be the next step? I was hopeful that I would get an opportunity with the Kings
03:28and you know, thankfully I had a you know, a lot of conversation with coach Brown coach Mike Brown and
03:35You know, he had me he had me start working with Davey on Mitchell
03:39And after about two or three weeks working with Davion, you know, he he called me and said, you know
03:44You're gonna you're gonna be on my staff for for
03:47You know the upcoming season and so that was last year
03:50And even now, you know going on year two
03:54You know being on on coach Doug Chrissy staff, you know, it's it's been amazing
03:58You know being around the the best basketball minds and the best players in the world. It's a it's it's it's an incredible experience
04:05Coach I don't know if you saw one of the interviews in the podcast of a
04:12Few former pro players Ray Parks actually mentioned when he was asked who's the best coach for you?
04:17Like in all of your years going playing basketball
04:21He told everybody it's coach Jimmy Alapakas. You're a players coach that being said
04:26How much of that approach is being used here as a player development coach of the Sacramento Kings because I feel I feel like that
04:34That's crucial. No, absolutely
04:35I think I think the relationships that you build with the players that you work with it is a huge
04:41Component to helping them be successful
04:43Because I think I think the connection goes beyond basketball because you're with the guys all the time
04:48And so getting a chance to know them and really building on that relationship
04:52I think helps, you know with their performance on the court. So now when you're breaking down film or
04:58Or you know, you may have something to say to them during the game while the game was going on
05:02You know, you you've built that rapport and you built that relationship and I think it it helps, you know create a
05:09Successful space for the guys coach your thoughts and Ray Park saying that before we move on your point raised my guy
05:17You know, we had we had an incredible year in the ABL together obviously win the championship and and he was the MVP
05:23You know, he's a big-time player and and I'm not surprised at all by his success in Japan. I know he's newly engaged
05:31So he's doing big things but you know, we still exchange messages every now and then and I'm I'm happy for his success and
05:37You know, I only wish him even more
05:40With this career in Japan coach, you know, you work with different players here. You got vets. You got stars. You got young players here
05:49first off how's the experience so far and
05:52What have you learned through all like maybe a thing or two in in this role so far?
05:58You know, it's it's it's a blessing every day
06:01Because that you know at the root of it. I'm still a huge basketball fan, you know
06:05Even you know being a former player, even though I never played in the NBA
06:08Just my experience back home
06:11And and now being here in the coaching space, you know, you know again
06:14You're around the best minds and the best players in the world
06:17so getting a chance to see them work and being able to interact and
06:21Try to do whatever you can to help them be successful both individually and as a team. It's it's amazing
06:27What have I learned
06:29Man so much, but I think I think one just the attention to detail
06:35You know the coaches that I've had a chance to work with coach Brown
06:39Coach Doug coach Bobby Jackson, you know, their attention to detail is incredible
06:45And it's something that I want to take with me as I continue on my on my coaching journey
06:52And I think just the relationship part, you know and how valuable it is
06:56you know because these guys the best player in the world and to be able to build that rapport and build that relationship to where
07:03You know at the end of the day you want them to be successful out here and it's you know
07:07There's a lot of talent and you know, the the competition the the competitions at at its highest level
07:12So to be able to play a part in that it's it's pretty cool coach. You mentioned working on Davey on Mitchell
07:19Maybe last year when he was still part of the Kings in relation to that. How does a young player?
07:25Let's say they come in 18 19 20 21
07:29How does a young player elevate their game and become, you know, one of the household names of the league?
07:34You know Martin
07:35I'll share I'll share something that coach Bobby Jackson used to tell all of our G League guys
07:39And I think it not only applies to the G League, but it also applies here in the NBA
07:44He used to always encourage our guys to build build a routine for yourself
07:49You know here in the NBA. There's there's such a huge
07:53Balance between recovery and and being on the court and he used to always encourage our guys develop a routine come early
08:00Get your work done on the court
08:02You know get in the weight room get your lift in and then get on the table if you need treatment and and try to build
08:08a consistent routine
08:10Because whatever you build the G League you're gonna need out here
08:13You know compete against these guys and and that's something that resonated with me because no matter if you're in the G League or you're
08:19Here in the NBA, you know the work never stops, you know, you're constantly trying to improve you're constantly trying to find an edge
08:26Because these are the best players in the world. And so everyone's trying to find something that will hopefully
08:32Help them have success out here. So coach from your personal experiences here in the league so far
08:38I know we're still hoping for a homegrown Filipino to be, you know
08:42Drafted in the NBA or at least you know get signed here in the NBA
08:46First question with the level of talent that we have right now in the country
08:50I'm pretty sure you're still, you know updated with with the recent. Yeah
08:55Okay, so the reason that we have can we play here in the NBA?
09:00Absolutely
09:02It's not gonna be easy
09:04It's it's far from easy
09:06But I look forward to the day that a local Filipino is out here on this court
09:12And I hope to still be in the NBA to see it in person
09:14But you know, we have so much talent in our country
09:17You know, it's it's a part of catching a break a little bit
09:21But at the same time it's again continuing to grow your game
09:24you know because these these guys here in the NBA are the best of world for a reason and
09:29You know
09:30They're their work ethic and and their attention to detail whether it's breaking down film
09:35Taking care of their body or or coming out here and getting getting their work in it's it's all very very precise
09:42And and detailed so I think I think that's probably my biggest advice to all the young
09:49Filipino players who you know, hopefully we'll see out here real soon
09:54Coach, it's not it's not just you know, the players who are inspired in the country
09:58But the coaches as well with this new path that you've you know laid out for them. You're the first one here
10:06Familiar face in the Philippines a legend of Philippine basketball and now in the NBA for the coaches first off
10:14Can can Filipino coaches actually do it here on this level, of course, of course
10:20And I hope to be a great example of that
10:23Because I knew when I left Manila I was trying something that had never been done before
10:28you know, there was definitely a lot of doubt and
10:31you know a huge amount of challenges along the way but
10:35You know, I'm thankful for you know, the support I have
10:38obviously at home with my wife and my kids and just my family and my close friends who
10:43You know on those days where I didn't think I would be here and and and have this opportunity with the Kings
10:49they they encouraged me to keep pushing and keep going and
10:52You know, obviously with with with God's grace, you know, I've I've I found an opportunity here, but I think
10:59Absolutely
11:00Absolutely Filipino coaches can can make it here
11:03And again, I hope I hope to be able to continue to lay that foundation that will encourage other organizations to
11:10Take a chance on another Filipino
11:12So what will it take though for Filipino coaches to get here or what they what can they learn from the NBA mentors NBA coaches?
11:20Which you've you know acquired from your your stay here
11:24What can they learn from them that they can apply to Philippine basketball to further elevate the game over there I
11:31Think one just to continue to grow and learn continue to study the game
11:37Just just as a player. I think the same thing applies as the coach, you know, you want to continue studying the game
11:44And just sharpening up your knowledge on on both sides of the ball offensively and defensively and then at the same time
11:50You know continuing to network continue to build relationships
11:53I wouldn't I wouldn't be in this position, you know here with the Kings organization without Vlade without
11:59without coach Bobby coach Mike Brown and and even now with with coach Doug so
12:04You know those those relationships that I've been able to to fortunately build
12:10Have helped lead to where I am now, so I'm thankful. Oh, it's
12:14final
12:16Just a message for the Filipino fans who are you know, who are still amazed by you know, what you're doing right now
12:23Especially for Philippine basketball to to all of all the Filipino fans back home
12:30But I mean when I'm Islam it for for all the love and the support
12:33I feel it from from Manila all the way here to Sacramento and it means a lot
12:38Seeing all your messages and and all the encouragement as the season goes on here in Sacramento
12:43It means a lot to my family and I so I hope to continue to to represent the Philippines
12:49Here in the NBA the best that I can so I appreciate all you guys
12:53Coach, thank you so much. Appreciate it
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