(PBA image)
Tim Cone doesn’t hand out lofty comparisons lightly. So when the multi-titled Barangay Ginebra coach saw Jayson David battling in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, one familiar image immediately came to mind.
Watching the young wingman compete, Cone was reminded of Jimmy Butler — not for star power or résumé, but for the way David impacts the game in all the little, gritty ways that matter.
That resemblance stood out in Ginebra’s 105-91 come-from-behind victory over defending champion San Miguel Beer in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals at the Mall of Asia Arena.
David finished with 12 points, eight of them coming in a decisive fourth-quarter stretch when the Gin Kings seized control after trailing by as many as 16 early. Efficient and composed, the Lyceum product went 4-of-6 from the field, added three rebounds and three steals, and dished out seven assists in a night that showcased his growing all-around game.
For Cone, the performance was another reminder of why he has long believed in David’s upside.
“I always tell him he reminds me of Jimmy Butler and the kind of game he plays,” said Cone. “He’s wide-bodied, can play bigger than he is, and he’s very versatile.”
Cone’s comparison carries added weight given his familiarity with Butler’s game. The Ginebra coach previously served as a guest assistant with the Miami Heat during the 2022 NBA Summer League and maintains a close friendship with Heat head coach Eric Spoelstra.
“So he’s always reminded me of Jimmy Butler, even way back,” Cone said. “Now he’s getting the opportunity to show that at this point.”
Cone was quick to clarify that David isn’t being measured against Butler’s NBA accomplishments — the six-time All-Star and elite two-way force now with the Golden State Warriors. Instead, the praise is about style, toughness, and impact within the local context.
“Relative to our league,” Cone stressed, “he plays a very similar type of game.”
As Ginebra continues its title push, David’s steady rise — and the trust of one of the PBA’s most respected coaches — could prove just as valuable as any headline stat line.