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00:00 Right now, as a player, personally, and then how do you get your team together personally?
00:07 Just focus on winning ball games and communicating that we just got to do the right things in order to get us these wins.
00:14 What was frustrating for you today? What was frustrating for you guys?
00:17 Two frustrations, basketball. I have real frustrations outside of here.
00:21 This is an outlet, it's out of the outlet, but when we get a chance to compete at the high level and get together,
00:26 I mean, we put in a lot of work, so every time we step out there, we want to make sure we're putting our best foot forward
00:33 and locking into our game plan and not settling for anything less than greatness.
00:38 Jake, Kai, Jason said that you and Luke have faced all sorts of challenges in this game,
00:44 but for a lot of guys on this team, this is a new challenge.
00:46 How do you impart what it takes to get through a tough stretch during the season like this?
00:51 Just by sharing your wisdom and the experiences that you've had in the past and also affirming that we're going to be OK.
00:57 That's what every time you guys watch it at home, we're going to be OK.
01:01 We got to trust that we'll be able to put the work in that's necessary to get us these wins.
01:06 We've shown it before. We took a little bit of a dip for the last few games.
01:11 Some tough ones on the road, one or three on the road, come back home and not take care of home court.
01:17 That's on us. We got to take account of that for you guys as players.
01:20 We got to bring the energy and no more excuses.
01:23 We got 20 semi games left. We know the positioning that we're in right now.
01:27 We know what happened last year. We didn't make it. We know how that feels to fail miserably.
01:33 And we know what it feels like to have the external pressure too.
01:35 It's just our fan base and media and stuff like that.
01:38 This is also new for some guys that have never dealt with having that target on their back.
01:41 But again, there's no excuses. We just got to be there for one another and have some fun.
01:45 Coach was pretty candid too that he's not thrilled with what the communication was today.
01:51 DJ said sometimes we have to be able to have hard conversations.
01:54 What are you seeing and how do you lock that into gear?
01:57 Obviously, a couple of you guys are posting to your deadline. You're trying to work it all together.
02:01 Yeah, we're definitely trying to speed up time right now to get a great feel on what roles are, who's playing, who's not.
02:10 And again, I mentioned this maybe a few days ago, but the true testament of a great team is how well they adjust to roles.
02:17 You don't allow your emotions to get the best of you because you want to be out there.
02:22 There's so many little incremental moments in the game where we all could be better.
02:26 Us starts with me. And all and down the line, we just have to have that fluidity of communication.
02:33 And understand that we're not out of any game. We have one of the most powerful offenses in the world.
02:38 Not just me and Luca, but the pieces that we have on this team.
02:42 We just got to trust that and believe that. So that's where I am.
02:45 I'm not holding my head down or anything like that. I've been in this part of the season before.
02:51 I know what it's like and now it's my time to step up more as a leader and help the guys when necessary.
02:56 What impresses you about Tyrese Max? I know he looked up to you growing up.
03:01 He's just always in attack mode.
03:06 He's accomplished so much in a short period of time.
03:11 Especially the way that things were going last year.
03:15 Me being at Eastern Conference going against him about 3 or 4 times.
03:18 I got a good feel of him. Just his talent. I got a good feel of his talent.
03:22 And how much he wants to get better.
03:25 I'm appreciative of guys like Tyrese looking up to me.
03:27 It means that the wisdom is carrying on. The next generation is carrying on.
03:31 And I'm excited to see his development in the future.
03:34 Good young brother I know.
03:36 Obviously different situations this time this year than last year at this time.
03:41 What are you learning about Luca in these pressure moments?
03:44 Obviously he's having an MVP caliber season.
03:47 Frustration today understandably so. What are you learning about his game and what he's like in these situations?
03:52 What do you mean learning about his game?
03:54 When the pressure's on you guys are having a great season.
03:56 He's been doing this through most of the whole season.
03:59 I know it's probably the game's mean a little bit more but he's just staying consistent.
04:04 Maybe not what he's able to do in his game but I guess just like you're saying crunch time.
04:09 Oh okay. I mean yeah last year we had some games where in crunch time we were passing the ball back and forth.
04:15 Everyone knows that infamous play.
04:17 But I think this year we've been able to win some tough games on the road and also at home.
04:21 And just develop that trust. That's what's needed at this point.
04:25 Thank you.