Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy has inspirational words for Kai Sotto moments after he was again benched in Orlando Magic’s losing game against New York Knicks on Thursday (Manila Time) at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Handy approached the Filipino 7-3 center who was on his way back to the Orlando dugout and had a brief chat, telling him to “keep going.”
The chance encounter was captured by the video taken by Filipino journalist Homer Sayson, who also asked Sotto if he was ready to see action in Orlando’s no. 4 match in the NBA Summer League.
Sotto answered in a short affirmative. “Always, he said”
Reports have it that Sotto, after being benched in all of Orlando’s three losing games, will finally be fielded by Orlando coach Dylan Murphy on Friday morning (Manila time) against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Again, nothing is sure, however, as Filipino basketball fans are still groping for answers as to what the Orlando team is planning for the Gilas Pilipinas center.
It was a refreshing moment though for Sotto to receive encouraging words from a veteran NBA mentor who is no stranger to the Filipinos’ style of basketball.
Handy visited the Philippines last month and provided a basketball clinic for the PBA team, Converge. He also watched the Fiberxers and sat behind coach Aldin Ayo during a PBA game.
Handy’s expertise is player development and he won championships for three different NBA teams.