Isaiah Roby | Rockets Post-Game | Nov. 29, 2021
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00:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:07 >> I say we kind of tell us the story of this afternoon when you found out you
00:12 were gonna play there.
00:14 Mark said it was like in film today and
00:17 really extended minutes 27 minutes.
00:20 >> Yeah, actually had lunch with coach and he just mentioned
00:25 that lunch like just be ready to go cuz there's gonna be out tonight.
00:32 Dealing with the illness and then actually right before game time,
00:36 Mike was like I'm not playing tonight either so I'll be ready to go.
00:41 And that's just kind of what my teammates are just they were there and
00:44 just telling me to be ready to go cuz when your numbers call,
00:47 you're gonna have some time to play tonight.
00:50 >> You've had to be patient before dealing with the injury,
00:54 dealing with being in and out of line of your first year.
00:57 You've had a lot of times you've had to be patient.
00:59 Has that really threatened an ability to be ready and
01:02 stay ready in these moments?
01:05 >> Yeah, I think so.
01:06 I mean, I think that whenever you have, I mean, all athletes,
01:11 I think when you have extended period of time you're not playing,
01:13 you kind of just you develop a new gratefulness for the game.
01:17 And you do get the opportunity.
01:18 I had that when I was injured for, I had months where I couldn't play basketball.
01:23 And this team has a lot of talent on it.
01:25 So there's gonna be times this year where I might not be in rotation.
01:29 I'm gonna just make the most of it when I get back to back in the rotation.
01:32 >> You said just the game eight for ten from the field.
01:37 That's a really efficient night off the bench for you.
01:39 And having not played these past couple of games,
01:42 just what led to that what were you looking for while you were out there?
01:45 Does that lead to those opportunities for you?
01:47 >> Just my teammates put me in a lot of good positions.
01:49 Shea found me a couple times, Giddy found me a couple times.
01:53 I made it, made my job really easy.
01:55 And I think just getting that work in every day and staying sharp,
02:02 I think that helped me stay ready.
02:03 >> Has this year been difficult for you given that you've largely been out of
02:08 the rotation after having a pretty key role last season?
02:11 >> I mean, yeah, I would say yes.
02:15 But like I said, we have a lot of talent on this team.
02:18 And guys have been playing really well lately.
02:23 So I understand it has definitely been difficult.
02:26 But I try not to think about it too much and just worry about what I can control,
02:30 which is just staying sharp and staying ready when my name is called.
02:33 >> Does tonight give you a boost of confidence in that way,
02:36 like Mark was just saying, that playing like that forces their hand almost to get
02:41 you in the lineup or get you more in there?
02:44 Are you happy with how you handled that tonight?
02:46 >> Yeah, I'm definitely happy with how I played just because last time I was here,
02:50 I was really disappointed in the way I played.
02:53 And I think everybody left this arena disappointed how we played last time.
02:58 So I think we took a step forward.
03:00 And just from even when I haven't been playing lately, just watching the team,
03:04 we're a totally different team at this point in the season already from when we
03:07 were here last.
03:07 So I'm just happy to see the growth of everybody in the gym.
03:12 >> [INAUDIBLE] Your readiness and you being locked in on the bench,
03:17 he takes that from you and he's inspired by that.
03:21 When you see a guy like Trey step in, not tonight,
03:24 just what's going through your head, what are you saying to him?
03:27 >> Yeah, Trey, man, Trey, I mean, like you said, he has that same type of focus.
03:34 He's on the bench and we're going to the game, we're checking in.
03:37 We've been talking, we have a dialogue back and forth during the game on the bench
03:41 and it's just like, let's cut this lead down.
03:44 Let's get it back for the starters so the starters can take the lead back.
03:47 He attacks the game really well.
03:52 Offensively, he can do a lot on offense.
03:56 And I think deep as he knows, he's kind of undersized for
03:59 maybe some of the guys he's guarding.
04:02 But he always is, if he makes a mistake, he's always coming to me and
04:06 talking and asking what he can do better for the next time.
04:08 So he's eager to learn, which is not so great.
04:11 He doesn't get discouraged, but that's a great habit to have.
04:17 >> Thanks, Antonio.
04:18 >> Appreciate it.
04:20 >> Thanks, guys.