PBA: Tim Cone sees glimpses of Jimmy Butler in Jayson David

Jayson David is drawing some comparisons to Jimmy Butler following a solid performance amid a dislocated shoulder in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--A casual PBA and NBA fan may argue that comparing Ginebra winger Jayson David to Golden State Warriors superstar Jimmy Butler could be a stretch.

However, coach Tim Cone actually sees some flashes of Butler in David.

"When he allows the game to come to him, he's so dynamic. I always tell him that he reminds me of Jimmy Butler and the kind of game he plays. He's wide-bodied, can play bigger than he is, and very versatile," Cone said after David and the Gin Kings took Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against the San Miguel Beermen on Sunday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Just like Butler, who finally showed who he is when the Chicago Bulls took Derrick Rose's shadow out of him, David also took some time before unraveling his potential.

The six-foot-three swingman from Mabalacat turned pro amid the pandemic and joined home province squad Pampanga Delta in the NBL Pilipinas, winning a title there.

He then had a short stint with Iloilo for the 2021 MPBL Invitational, but he was not re-signed for the 2022 regular season.

It was when he joined Ginebra's 3x3 squad in the PBA 3x3 that David began carving a name for himself.

Eventually, he found his way to the Gin Kings' 5-on-5 roster for the 2023 PBA on Tour, but after some sort of grand introduction during the preseason series, he finally cracked their main lineup.

When asked about the Butler comparison, David said that he was just doing his role even during training.

"Kahit naman sa team namin, sinasabi nila yun kasi sa practice, ginagawa ko lang yung best ko," David said.

While Butler had that iconic playing tired photo during the 2020 NBA bubble finals, David also had to play through grueling moments during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals due to a dislocated right shoulder he had during Ginebra's knockout quarterfinal against Converge on Dec. 28.

According to David, though, his shoulder is feeling well.

"OK naman siya. OK din na simula noong offseason, naka-ready ako. Hindi ako tumigil mag-workout, so kahit may mga nangyaring ganito, nakabalik ako kaagad," he further said, adding that he had to rehabilitate his injured shoulder even during the turn of the year.

While the night belonged to Scottie Thompson and his 35-point triple-double, never before seen during the past 33 years, David played a splendid game as well for the Gin Kings.

In 27 and a half minutes of action off the bench, David put up 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting, three rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, somehow similar to Butler's numbers.

However, the most glaring stat was seven assists, the second-most for a Ginebra player in the Game 4 win behind Thompson's 11.

David revealed that he just responded to Thompson's challenge following their Game 3 loss.

"After naming matalo noong Game 3, kinausap ko siya. Sabi ko, 'Ano'ng maitutulong ko? Ano'ng kailangan mong tulong?' Sabi niya, 'Create ka. Kailangan ko ng next creator,'" David bared his conversation with Thompson over the weekend.

Both Thompson and David passed the challenge in flying colors as they combined for more than half of the Gin Kings' 34 total dimes.