Purves wants to keep SMB family tradition

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer coaching consultant Todd Purves said the other day he’ll do whatever it takes to put the Beermen in the best position to succeed and vowed to use the extent of his teaching skills and NBA experience in getting the job done starting with the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Purves, 41, will take a more active role in calling the shots for San Miguel Beer with former head coach Gee Abanilla now team manager and Biboy Ravanes appointed new head coach. “I’m so blessed to work with the team that Gee built to become a championship contender,” said Purves whose father is Canadian and mother Mexican. “Not too many of us realize what Gee did to this team. He took an average team that was 8-8 in the last Commissioner’s Cup and brought it to the finals of the next conference with a 15-7 record then in the last Philippine Cup, we were 13-8 and made it to the semifinals. It wasn’t a failed experiment, we succeeded. I just hope the fans appreciate the steps we’re taking to get to the next level.”

It’s a little-known fact that Purves turned down a head coaching offer in the NBA D-League and two big money jobs overseas to try his luck in the PBA. He previously rejected a front office position with an NBA team for less money to embark on an “adventure” in Asia.

Purves worked five years as a video coordinator and advance scout with the Sacramento Kings then was invited to join the Philadelphia 76ers by co-owner Jason Levien. When a coaching vacancy turned up with the Indonesia Warriors in the ABL, Levien was asked to suggest a candidate. Levien spoke to Purves about finding a coach. “I told myself why not give it a try?” related Purves. “The connection was Erick Thohir who owned the Warriors and also part of the 76ers. Geoff (Petrie, the Kings president of basketball operations) couldn’t believe I would leave the NBA for a job abroad. But it was a great opportunity. I was an assistant coach with Sacramento State and Cal State Northridge but never with a pro team. I felt I was ready. As video coordinator and advance scout, you learn everything there is to know about basketball, all the technical stuff, all the strategies, tactics, tendencies, matchups. I’m a 5-8, unathletic guy who played quarterback in high school and wasn’t good enough to play college basketball. But I’ve always loved the Xs and Os. I was hooked on March Madness ever since.”

Purves survived a shaky start with the Warriors. “I had a two-year contract with an NBA buyout, meaning I could leave the ABL only if I took an NBA job,” he said. “I remember, in the preseason, we played San Miguel with coach Bobby (Parks), we were up 18 early but lost by double digits. That’s when I learned about physicality. So I changed our imports and brought in Steve Thomas and Evan Brock. We succeeded and won the title. The next year, one of our owners died in an accident and suddenly, things weren’t the same anymore financially. We couldn’t get the players we wanted. We still made it to the finals but didn’t win the championship. My New York agent David Mincberg had offers for me to consider after the finals. In the PBA, I’d never seen fans as passionate for the game. It was both intriguing and enticing. I wanted to be a part of it. I’ve watched basketball games all over the world and I believe the Filipino fans are the best, including in the US. In Indonesia, I had a wonderful time as the people were overwhelmingly kind but in the Philippines, it was so much easier to assimilate because of the warm people, the culture which is similar to what I grew up with in California and the food, too. The deciding element was the love for basketball.”

Purves said he will be more hands-on with San Miguel Beer. “I’ll be calling timeouts, making subs but it will still be a collective effort,” he said. “I love Biboy, I don’t want to diminish his role one bit. I’ll handle the clipboard but we run a democracy. I enjoy interaction and welcome inputs from all the coaches and players. I’m no drill sergeant. I’m more of a teacher. I’m into creating relationships and putting the players in a position where they can succeed. Everyone is treated equally in our team. I realize some will play bigger roles than others. So we might be harder on someone like JuneMar (Fajardo) who’s expected to do a lot more. Arwind (Santos) is our leader and he’s very supportive of what we’re trying to do. We thrive in a family environment where we care for each other.”

Purves said he was pleasantly surprised to find out he has a lot in common with newly-recruited Sol Mercado aside from their Hispanic roots. Mercado is half-Filipino and half-Puerto Rican. “We’re both from Sacramento and I know his mentor Gus Armstead, a good friend of mine,” said Purves. “I’m trying to develop a deep personal relationship with all the guys. Another new guy Rico (Maierhofer), everyone loves. He’s a hard worker, coachable, defense-oriented. With the Kings, I developed a close relationship with the younger guys like Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia, DeMarcus Cousins and Spencer Hawes.”

As for import Josh Boone, Purves said he fits the team’s focus of playing physical defense. “He was a starter in the NBA, playing against Dirk Nowitzki, Yao Ming and Tim Duncan, despite his free throw stats so that means he can do a lot of good things out there,” said Purves. “He’s a solid defender, can run the floor, protects the rim, has great hands, plays extremely well around the basket. Definitely not a shooter but he’s physically and mentally tough.”

Purves said he’ll continue to wear a coat and tie for games. “It’s not about being different but wearing a suit is part of my mental preparation,” he said. “In Indonesia, my routine was buying a necktie before every game. I think I have more suits and ties than I should. But if management wants me to wear something else, I’ll do what I’m told to do. I love (San Miguel Corp. president) Mr. (Ramon) Ang. He’s not just a fan of the game, he has a high basketball acumen. He’s very perceptive and knowledgeable about the game. I respect him to the highest degree. He certainly knows his stuff.”

A bachelor, Purves said he has lost his heart not only to the Filipino fans who love basketball but also to a special Filipina. No wonder Purves said he wouldn’t mind settling here.