Chris Thomas leads re-birth of Malaysian basketball

KUALA LUMPUR - Competition in Southeast Asian basketball is expected to reach new heights this year, and coach Chris Thomas is making sure that Malaysia will not be left behind. The well-traveled and experienced Thomas brings his expertise to a country that has not enjoyed much success in the sport at the continental level, but the former assistant coach of the Slovenian national team is optimistic that, in due time, this re-birth in Malaysian basketball will bear good fruit.

Thomas helmed the Malaysia Dragons last year in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup, taking over from Filipino tactician Ariel Vanguardia, who returned to Manila for a coaching position in the Philippine Basketball Association shortly after steering the Dragons to their maiden title in the ASEAN Basketball League. Malaysia ended up winless in the Champions Cup, but for Thomas, the lessons his players learned far outweigh whatever the win-loss record reflects. It is quite clear that Thomas has a long-term plan for Malaysia, and his patient approach to developing his players' skills and outlook may yet prove to be rewarding if his wards stay the course.

Thomas explained this further in a recent talk with FIBA.com.

What can you say about the Dragons' experience in the FIBA Asia Champs Cup?
Our experience at the FIBA Asia Champions Cup was overwhelmingly positive! While we did not have our full compliment of players & did not field our best team, the experience our younger players received was amazing. It allowed them to grow as both players and people by competing against the best teams in Asia. A lot of our younger players were able to see exactly what it takes to be a professional at the highest level of basketball possible on this continent, and I think the benefits of that alone made our trip so worthwhile.

How did that experience in the Champs Cup help the preparations of the team for the 2016-2017 ABL season?
The experience has helped us as a team incredibly so far. We have taken a different approach to this season as an organization. Since partnering with the Malaysian National Team program, our goal is to continue the growth of our local players and to help the game of basketball develop across the great country of Malaysia as well. I think most of our players who made the trip to China for the tournament saw exactly what level of preparation, determination, drive and skill level it actually takes to win games against the best teams in our continent. The tournament really reinforced to our local players that in order for us to take a huge step forward, our attention to detail and our overall development as players must continue to improve.

What is the worth of having a continental club tournament like the Champions Cup for teams like the KL Dragons?
It's a worthwhile experience for us because it allows us to compete against the best organizations, best players and best coaches in all of Asia. It allows all of us to get outside the "bubble" of our regional and domestic leagues and really challenge ourselves to be the best we can against an even better level of competition.

How does playing in the Champions Cup and ABL help the quality of Malaysian basketball improve, especially for the national team players?
As I've already mentioned, Malaysian Basketball is definitely in the midst of re-birth and a true "face lift" is going on right now for the sport. The main reason I accepted the job as the Head Coach of this team was to help grow the sport throughout the country and give our local players access to developing under a different style of coaching. My background of coaching/scouting in the NBA for the Bulls, Warriors and Jazz allows me to bring a much different perspective to the table than what our kids are used to. I take it as a huge opportunity to leave an everlasting mark on the country by helping grow this amazing game's popularity. Basketball has given me so much. I've made true friendships, seen the world and grown as a person through this game. If I can give another person even half of what I've been given through basketball, then this mission will be a success to me!

What is your earnest wish and plan for the KL Dragons and Malaysian basketball in general moving forward?
My biggest wish for our team this year stretches way beyond a simple win-loss record. I want to teach all of my players how to play the right way every time they are on the court. I want to give them a solid foundation of the proper way to do things and instill the discipline in them that is necessary to do things the right way EVERY time! It's truly my goal to make my players become the best they can possibly be and realize their highest potentials both on and off the court. This year, more than any other in my coaching career, I am a teacher first!

FIBA