Josh Giddey | Hawks Post-Game | Nov. 22, 2021
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 Nick Gallo, KC Thunder.com. Josh, especially like the first six minutes,
00:04 it seemed like you all had the ball movement going kind of from the start.
00:07 What was the key to being able to kind of get that action going? Yeah,
00:10 obviously, you know, without without Shay, we knew God's gonna have to step
00:14 up. I think early on we did that. We did a good job of kind of getting
00:19 getting both hands early, getting through our actions. Um, and we were
00:22 good. I think that second half, um, on the I think the first off, that was
00:29 really moving the ball. We got the looks. We got for ourselves. The
00:31 second half, I think, starting with me, the ball gonna be sticky. I think
00:34 this time I was over dribbling other guys dribbling a bit too much as well.
00:38 So we can get back to playing how we did in that first quarter. First half,
00:42 we're gonna look really good. I think that's that's the process of a young
00:45 team learning to stay within what's working. And I think tonight we showed
00:48 that the first off really well. Unfortunately, we didn't keep with it
00:51 in the second half.
00:52 Just one more thing for me. What would you like best about what tie brought
00:57 for you tonight in the second unit? Yeah, it was awesome. It's been great
01:00 for us. You know, he leads that second, you know, at the one and he's done a
01:05 great job all year. And I think, um, you know, ties incredibly smart player.
01:09 He makes other guys around him better. And that's the best thing. That's the
01:12 thing I love most about him is when when he's on the floor, we're better
01:15 as a team, I feel. And, um, I think other guys on the team without that
01:19 as well. And he's a, you know, an elite shooter. He's good on the ring.
01:22 He's a great process. So it brings a lot of things to this team and does
01:25 really good job with that second year.
01:27 Paris Lawson. Okay, see Thunder dot com. Just going back to that point of,
01:30 you know, without shade of night news going to have to take a collective
01:33 unit tonight to get things done offensively. How much did you just
01:36 enjoy the challenge of being that primary playmaker for you guys tonight
01:39 and primary ball handler? Yeah, it was fun. I mean, I enjoyed it. Um, you
01:44 know, obviously, as I said, without him, he's a big boss for us. So, um,
01:47 including me, I think I was gonna have to step up as well. And, um, I think
01:51 I said first off, we're really good at it. Um, but, you know, for me, um, you
01:55 know, it's a learning experience. I mean, first time I played without him,
01:58 um, you know, I handled the ball a bit more than I usually probably would
02:01 played a bit more. Um, so it was good. I enjoy it out there. I'm still
02:06 learning, still trying to grow, um, you know, learn the guys tendencies and,
02:10 you know, keep doing chemistry with this team. But, um, you know, it was
02:12 a fun night. We didn't win, but I think as a team, we're still growing in
02:16 the right direction.
02:16 Yeah, Josh, just as a follow up to that, like you mentioned it is a
02:24 learning experience, but this is really the first game you have been on
02:27 ball pretty much every time you're in there. Like, just aside from this game,
02:31 is there something you can take away just knowing what that feels like on
02:34 the NBA level? Um, I mean, yes, because it's the first time I've done it. But,
02:40 um, you know, it's against it was against a team that was a decent
02:42 conference semifinals. Um, so, you know, it gives me confidence going
02:46 forward. I mean, um, you know, although we didn't win, I think I could speak
02:51 for other guys as well. The direction we're headed is positive and the
02:54 spirits of hybrid group wins and losses disregarded right now. But, um, you
02:58 know, I think personally for me as well, confidence is growing. I'm
03:01 learning the NBA game as we go, and I'm picking little things up just slowly.
03:06 So I think especially without shape tonight, as you said, I have to hold my
03:10 hands a fair bit more on. It was good. I learned a lot. I think I'm growing
03:15 at a steady pace, and I think, um, you know, until he gets back that it's
03:19 gonna continue to get better. I'm gonna learn more things. I'm gonna adjust
03:22 to the NBA style even more. And, um, you know, when he's out like tonight,
03:27 does he take a step back? Or is he sort of talking to you during timeouts,
03:32 telling you what he sees and stuff like that? He he's changed a really smart
03:36 play. I mean, he comes up to me. You know, he's encouraging. That's the
03:40 best thing about it is, you know, stop. Please just sit there. Take a night
03:43 off. But he's up. He's energetic on the bench hearing he's talking to guys.
03:46 So it's good about him. I mean, as I said, he could, you know, well
03:50 deserved. Sit there on the bench. Take a night off. But he's off. He's
03:54 talking. He's loud. I think it's a spot for the rest of the group without
03:57 out best play out floor. Still here and be open from the bench on and
04:01 encouraging other guys supporting guys. It's, um, you know, speak for him
04:04 to him.
04:04 Sweet. Thank you.