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00:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:04 Let's get to it.
00:05 >> Can you sum up the highs and the lows of that fourth quarter comeback, but
00:09 not actually getting the result?
00:11 >> That's just the way the game is.
00:14 Basketball is a game of runs.
00:16 We were fortunate enough to be able to fight back, bring it back to a close game.
00:20 But we just gotta be able to make sure that we practice more on trying to close
00:23 out the end game situations, making sure we're doing the right plays,
00:26 make sure we're talking on defense,
00:27 make sure we're just making good possessions and making sure we're getting stops.
00:31 >> What did you see out there tonight, Derek, after they have this massive game?
00:37 >> Really just trying to be able to just find openings.
00:39 If they're gonna double Luka,
00:40 gonna be able to know that I'm either playing out of the pocket or
00:43 I'm playing out of the flash game.
00:45 So I gotta be able to know that sometimes the corner's open,
00:48 sometimes it's me getting on the rim, or it's just me finding the open man.
00:52 >> Jason said that at halftime he said he wanted you to attack him out of
00:55 that situation, you had a couple layups out of that situation.
00:57 >> Yeah.
00:58 >> Where did you see that?
01:00 >> He told me not to pass the fucking ball, his words, sorry about that.
01:03 But so just being able to just go in there and just have my coaches trust behind me,
01:08 it just makes you just wanna play more free.
01:09 And just gotta be able to just try to grow my game and just try to expand.
01:13 Go ahead.
01:13 >> You had a big game against Wimby in the opener, a big game against Chet Pierre.
01:16 Is there something about these rookie of the year front runners,
01:21 some of the footers that you enjoy competing against?
01:24 >> They're both great players.
01:25 Just being able to know that I'm going up against a great team, great players,
01:28 great decisions on the floor.
01:31 Makes you just wanna play a little bit harder.
01:32 It doesn't mean they're both great players, they're amazing players.
01:36 Just being able to know that I'm going out here not chasing names,
01:39 not chasing stats, I'm just chasing wins.
01:41 >> Last summer, I don't know, last time you saw Chet was during the summer.
01:46 Was there something that you learned from him playing with him in Vegas that you
01:50 took into this game?
01:51 >> In Vegas, he was able to get around me sometimes.
01:53 He was able to kind of just bully me whenever it came to being able to dribble,
01:58 get into his pivot, up and unders, shot fakes.
02:00 Just being able to know that I know kind of what he's gonna do, or
02:04 I don't know what he's gonna do.
02:05 I can predict what he's gonna do and try to be able to stay down, react, and
02:08 try to be able to make the right defensive play.
02:11 >> What was the feeling when you're out there on the floor as Luke's teammate,
02:15 when he gets into one of those crews where whether he's scoring or
02:19 just creating, it seems like he's making plays every single session.
02:23 >> It's magic.
02:25 Gotta get him the ball, he's gonna make some magic happen.
02:27 So just being able to know you have a player like that on the floor,
02:29 he's gonna be able to either find you, find an open player, or
02:32 find an open shot for himself.
02:33 So being able to have a force like that on the floor is amazing to have.
02:36 >> Are you surprised, are you ever surprised when you find a dude on the floor?
02:38 >> Yes, yes.
02:40 Now, there's definitely times where I'm like, I got the ball, okay,
02:43 let's do something.
02:44 But you gotta be able to just try to always be reactive.
02:47 There's some times where my hands ain't ready, my eyes aren't ready, but
02:49 I still gotta be able to catch the ball and make a play.
02:51 >> You said career highs and rebounds and blocks today.
02:55 What were you seeing as the anchor of the defense to help you produce those results?
03:01 >> How many blocks did I get?
03:02 >> Seven, it looked like.
03:05 >> It says six on here, but I like seven.
03:10 Just being able to know that my teammates trust me of being the anchor of the
03:13 defense, being able to know that I got their backs.
03:16 I'm always a person who's either I'm rovering out or
03:18 I'm making sure I'm trying to clean up everything down low.
03:21 No matter if that's getting offensive rebounds, getting defensive rebounds,
03:23 blocking shots, contesting shots.
03:25 My teammates know that I got their back, so
03:27 I gotta be able to step up every chance I can.
03:29 Appreciate y'all.
03:32 >> Appreciate it.
03:33 >> How's that?
03:34 >> [COUGH]