Is Jimmy Alapag close to becoming a coach in the NBA?
The PBA great was asked as much in Radyo5’s Power and Play. ANd he certainly hopes so following a successful stint with Sacramento recently that saw them rule the 2021 Las Vegas Summer League in convincing fashion.
“I hope I’m closer,” he said in the program hosted by Noli Eala.
Alapag bared that he’s set to meet with some of the ball club’s important people, namely GM Monte McNair, Director of Basketball Ops Paul Johnson, and coach Bobby Jackson, the chief mentor of the Kings’ Summer League crew.
As to what will be discussed is something that the 43-year-old does not have any idea about. However, he is full of hope that he’s made quite an impression in his second foray with the team in the annual off-season tilt.
“I have a meeting this weekend with the GM, Monte Mcnair, Paul Johnson, and Coach Bobby,” the cager-turned-mentor revealed. “So we’ll see what happens. I don’t know. They just said they want to talk again.
“But you know, I hope that the impression that I made these first two stints with Sacramento, I hope that they got the chance to see not only the type of coach that I am but the type of person that I am as well — someone who takes a lot of pride in the game and values the opportunities that I do get. And someone whos’ ready to come in and work every day.
“That’s always been the foundation for everything that I’ve done, from my time playing to now I’m making this transition to coaching,” added Alapag, who began coaching in 2017 with Gilas Pilipinas and Meralco in the PBA.
Alapag first served as an assistant to the Kings in the Las Vegas meet back in 2019, following the invitation of then-team VP of Basketball Ops Vlade Divac. Back then, the team finished with an even 2-2 record.
The biggest difference this time around, he said, is that he had a ‘much more engaging role’ as part of Jackson’s staff, which also featured former NBA player Doug Christie and ex-WNBA guard Lindsey Harding, to name some.
“I think the biggest difference for this second time around was I think I had a much more engaging role as an assistant coach, in terms of game preparation, in terms of scouting, in terms of video,” he said.
“It was awesome to have an active voice with coach Bobby Jackson and the rest of the staff. It was a lot of fun, a lot of work,” he added. “Great group of guys. It was great to see them be rewarded for all the hard work they put in.”
Now, the former San Miguel Alab Pilipinas head coach looks forward to that meeting with McNair and Co. And just like many Filipino fans, Alapag has his fingers crossed that something great would come out of that.
“I’m excited to hear what they have to say,” he said.
“And we’ll go from there.”
