Patrick Baldwin, Jr. on peanut butter & jelly sandwiches: “I never liked the texture”

[+notes/quotes/video from Warriors vs Jazz/Blazers]

On Wednesday, December 28, 2022 the world found out that Patrick Baldwin, Jr. (PBJ) had never had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (PB&J) until recently. The next night, he happened to explain why, while on assignment in Santa Cruz (timestamps in the Description, Comments, as well as below, H/T Jim Seimas of the Santa Cruz Sentinel):

1:10 • On eating PB&J sandwiches for the first time: “It is now (my favorite snack). It is now. It is now. So I had my first one about a week ago…I just never liked the texture of peanut butter growing up as a kid…I didn’t (like the texture of smooth peanut butter)…I had one this morning, one coming up to the game, so I’m on a PBJ roll right now.”

• On jam or jelly: “It’s just the Costco one, really…it’s jam…maybe not (superstitious) yet, we’ll see how I play.”

4:54 • On the connection of the PB&J sandwiches and his initials: “Over the summer, I think I shared with somebody that I’d never eaten a PB&J. So somebody had picked it up and just said, ‘Let’s make a PB&J (video segment)’.” It’ll be a video coming out, I believe, on PB&J Day which is in April…for the Warriors. It was a fun video shoot, had my first PB&J…I’m a clean eater, I had a napkin (nearby). I’m really excited. It’s gonna be a fun one.”

5:55 • On why he didn’t have a PB&J sandwich up until now growing up among his family: “They all did growing up, they just knew not to make it for me. I would actually trade it at lunch. It was like a hot commodity. So as a kid, I would trade it for a Little Bites. Little muffins. So it was a good trade. Either the birthday cake or the chocolate chip.”

Here’s the first instance of the PBJ x PB&J talk, postgame after the 12/28 win vs the Jazz:

Next up: visuals from the win against the Portland Trail Blazers three nights ago, when Gary Payton II gifted 33 of his friends and family replica championship rings (H/T Marc Spears), along with getting his own in a pregame quickie ceremony with Draymond Green, and Steph Curry, Andre Iguodala and Kevon Looney chuckled at Jordan Poole’s late turnover:

The remainder of this post will catch us up from morning shootaround today before the Atlanta Hawks, in reverse chronological fashion back to after postgame notes & quotes from the win vs the Charlotte Hornets (12/27), which means it covers the Jazz, then the win over the Portland Trail Blazers on 12/30. Sorry (not sorry) for the “technical manual info dump” presentation; I’m sure journalism professors are pulling their hair out as they read this lol. The remainder of the PBJ interview from Santa Cruz is embedded in order below. And ironically, PBJ was at the podium for morning shootaround, so we lead off with him again with the most recent quotes first (for the accompanying videos, please check our YouTube channel):

• Patrick Baldwin, Jr. after morning shootaround before Hawks on G League: “everything translates up and down…get reps.”

• On playing only 11 games and his growth through G League: “Consistency is something that has really helped out…work through mistakes.”

• On learning how to take care of his body: “Part of that is always luck…avoiding injuries…consistent with your body even on your off-days, eating the right foods…continuing to luckily stay healthy.”

• On controlling the things he can control: “I’ve done as good a job that I can…as long as I’m healthy and available I think I’m doing my job.”

• On how to stay ready mentally: “Most of that is just trusting your work…a lot of work during the summer…stay sharp…take your shots, be aggressive.”

• On how hard it is to stay ready: “For me that’s been really not an issue…trust my work and make sure I put in the work…check into the game and you just trust yourself.”

• On drilling more threes: “I’ve done a few things just to sharpen it up…off the dribble, off the catch…I’ve always been a really good shooter…high clip.”

• On any big surprises as a rookie: “Everybody talks about the season being long. We’re 38 games in and that’s a championship college season…grind is a little different…great people here, great people back home.”

• On who he leans on: “Every time I step in the gym I just love playing basketball…usually when I step on that court it’s what I like to do.”

• On what he wants to improve: “Donte talked about it, it’s just talking…a barrier that I’ve gotta break…that’s a big deal for me this year.”

• On how he celebrated the New Year: “I watched the ball drop at home. I FaceTimed some family, then went to bed.”

• On any New Year’s resolutions: “I really didn’t make any this year. I didn’t really make a big deal out of New Year. Just went to bed, got ready for practice.”

• Chauncey Billups postgame recap: “9 straight possessions where we couldn’t score…everybody was just exhausted…I tried everything, blew every timeout I had…they got faster and they got a little tougher…my guys…they were just drained…missing so many players…bad shots against this team is like a turnover.”

• Anfernee Simons cleared concussion protocol.

• Klay Thompson postgame on his paper airplanes: “I only make one. It’s an F-16. It’s a beast.”

• On giving up 40 points in a quarter: “A group effort, man. Everyone did their part. It was fun.”

• On him and Poole combining for 72 points: “We kinda built that chemistry last year so it’s paying dividends this year…he puts so much pressure on the defense…keep this going even when we get to full strength…we call each other 311 like the band.”

• On DiVincenzo: “Donte has allowed me to rest a couple times…D.West…two-way player.”

• On if he’s 100%: “So much better than the beginning…whole other level to go…about 90…I feel great, though.”

• On the four-game win streak: “Especially how poorly we’ve been playing on the road…feels free at to give our fans a show. And it feels great to win…weather the storm while some of our players are out. I love it.”

• On crunch time success lately and without Steph: “guys being more familiar with our offense…more poise, got that championship hangover out of the way…Jordan is so poised with the ball down the stretch…enough games under our belt where guys know their roles and what spots to be in.”

• On Draymond: “our anchor. One of the greatest players ever to play basketball…and then he can hit a three…wow, this man can do it all.”

• On what the missing 10% is: “probably getting back to that two-way…right now I’m doing it in spurts…30 to 35 minutes per night…I’ll get there…super-solid come playoff time.”

• On what he needs to accomplish on defense to get to 100%: “Conditioning is the most important part of that and then probably just repetition…I was there in the Finals…a month or two more and I’ll be right where I want to be.”

0:00 • Patrick Baldwin, Jr. postgame Santa Cruz Warriors , 12/29, on going up and down from GSW to SCW: “It’s a cliche, control what you control…be a professional…may be tired but still gotta put your best foot forward.”

0:50 • On the chemistry of this team, any issues with shot selection: “I like the teammates a lot. I just like to win and I like to compete and I like to get a good shot every time…this is our first game since Christmas.”

• Jordan Poole postgame presser on the defense: “We had a pretty energetic timeout in the second half. Coach basically told us we need to play harder…a sense of urgency. Luckily we were at home and we were able to feed off the energy of the crowd…play together and execute down the stretch.”

• On what stands out the most from his 41 points: “Yeah I missed a couple easy ones…my teammates looking for me, getting me open…we just keyed in…it was a team effort…Donte played huge…Klay played huge…everybody’s a good team.”

• On Ty Jerome’s defensive stops:

“We’re just feeding off the energy…gave us a really good boost…little small things like that…motivation.”

• On if the team feels different than in New York: “It’s a long season. Our goal is just to play the best basketball at the right time…use anything, any sense of motivation you can find…grit out wins…we have confidence in who we are…it’s all coming together…one game at a time.”

• On if the game has slowed down with the multiple 40-point games: “(Laughs) Nah, just playing my game.”

• On Deebo Samuel: “tremendous athlete. We just be chopping it up…support guys like that…be courtside…I hit his hand in the game telling him to turn me up…bringing the whole Bay Area together…we’re united, gotta keep the good mojo going.”

• On the fine money half court shots: “Me and Steph shoot half court shots in practice…Ty gets in there sometimes…he’s extremely meticulous in the shots that he takes…at zero point did I think the shot was gonna miss…our guys just really fit in…they’re showing the rest of the world the built for this moment.”

• Donte DiVincenzo postgame on wanting to guard Lillard late: “I was just so focused…I knew Draymond was behind me. That’s a big confidence booster.”

• On the mental challenges of being up so big and down so big: “I didn’t even know we were up 18…even when we were down it felt close…treat it like it’s zero-zero.”

• On if scoring 40 or giving up 40 in a quarter is the norm in the NBA now: “We can’t give up forty points in a quarter.”

• On the late dagger three and what was going through his mind: “Nothing. I just shot it…a clear mind…Karma, basketball gods.”

• On the late steal of Lillard: “I just saw it and took a chance…I swiped and luckily got a hand on it.”

• On holding the Blazers to 16 fourth quarter points: “Our togetherness on the defensive end and rebounding…we were over-reacting and we’d be out of position…we need to be more disciplined.”

• On the win streak: “It’s a really good feeling going into the new year when you got Jordan playing the way he is…it’s fun to play basketball with him.”

• On role players stepping up: “Ty’s always ready…20 minutes or 2 minutes…you’re gonna get the same Ty every time…in Milwaukee playing with certain All-Stars…here playing with Hall-of-Famers…I’m at my best when I’m aggressive.”

• Draymond Green postgame on the win streak: “That’s incredible. It is absolutely amazing. We’re just starting to fight…didn’t shoot the ball…found a way to battle…kinda let go of the rope…finding that competitive spirit it takes to win in this league.”

• On Donte’s risky steal: “you have to play off of instincts…you just live with it. Dame had it going…he’s starting to get buckets. Where can I get the advantage?…he exposed the ball…I don’t worry about that (Donte gambling) too much.”

• On his late defense sequences: “we know we have to get stops…just wanted to make a play on the ball…kinda in no man’s land…able to get a hand on it…I wanted to get the win.”

• On what changed on defense: “We were giving up so much dribble penetration…Ty Jerome…end of the third quarter…you’re able to feed off of that.”

• On the bench being hyped up: “That’s something that you just feed off of…a guy that puts it all on the line like that.”

• On Poole recovering from six turnovers at halftime: “I didn’t think he was really playing in much traffic…we need him to stay aggressive…41 points, 6 assists…somebody else can cry about it.”

• On making his threes: “My shot has been feeling good…not turning down shots that are there…guys found me right in the shot pocket…it has to be done by committee…make up the production we’re missing.”

• On giving GP2 his ring: “I had so many words I wanted to say…if I screwed that up then we couldn’t do that for Otto Porter and Damion Lee…guy who’s been through the ringer…asked to be on the coaching staff…when he had that first 10-day…we were in Boston…Juan cracked his head open…(GP2) came up to me after and said thank you…that’s the end of my 10-day…oh great, you’ll get another one…relationships with the front office…Steph and I called Bob…if you want him to get another 10-day then we’ll get another 10-day…the most enjoyment that I get out of if is watching them get their first one.”

• On overcoming a double-figure deficit again: “guys aren’t feeling sorry for themselves…when you’re missing the production that we’re missing…have to do it by committee. It’s a different guy every night. Our defense has been a lot better…we finished the game on a 12-0 run, (before that) we couldn’t get a stop.”

• Ty Jerome in-studio on the locker room: “phenomenal…we’re finding new ways to win every night.”

• On Kerr’s style: “they encourage ball movement, shooting open shots, pushing the pace…skills over athleticism for me…easy for me for a guy who likes to pass and shoot.”

• On a comparison with a Poor Man’s Steve Nash: “The Poor Man’s part, I won’t take offense to that…that was definitely an idol of mine in the past…he didn’t have a great rookie year…2nd year…3rd year…he’s super-smart…50-40-90 guy.”

• On read-and-react and growing up in New York City, living near Harlem: “My dad always made sure I played the right way…in the park, you know that environment really well…organized ball with my dad and in the summertime in the park.”

• On the buzzer-beater and having Steph dancing: “It’s a little bit surreal…Steph and Klay on the sideline going crazy…middle school I’m watching those guys.”

• On chemistry with the veterans: “Andre…he’s taking on that role of assistant coach…Steph and Draymond…lead-by-example guys…forces you to play better on defense.”

• On Jordan Poole’s buzzer beaters in the Finals: “bigger stage.”

• On Kerr saying he understands what it’s like to be a role player: “To have a coach like that…is giving you the confidence…allows everybody to play free.”

• On Wiseman pick-and-rolls: “Wise has been so great doing the little things during this little stretch…pick and roll defensive coverages…contests the floater, grabs the rebound…he’s definitely gonna figure this out and he has already.”

• Dalton Johnson postgame exclusive with Ty Jerome from locker room: https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/how-ty-jeromes-defense-keyed-warriors-comeback-win-vs-trail-blazers

"I just knew he was going to dribble out the clock," Jerome said to NBC Sports Bay Area in the Warriors' locker room after the win. "We didn't have any fouls to give, but when someone's dribbling out the clock I never want him to feel comfortable, so that's why I picked him so high at the half, because I know he has to dribble out 14 seconds. I don't want to just let him sit there and dribble comfortably.

"I want to try to push up, not let him get a head of steam. And then I just saw him do that half spin earlier in the game. So as soon as he turned his back, I just thought, 'Oh, half spin's coming.' I just slid there, and I'm still mad I missed that pull-up 3.

"That was supposed to go in, that was supposed to go in."

…

"I was walking back to the huddle and I just saw Steph going crazy," Jerome said. "He was like, 'I don't care you missed it! I don't care you missed it!' But in my head, I was just so mad I missed the shot."

…

"And then the 16 points in the fourth, we just found ways to win," Jerome said. "We didn't play amazing, but we found a way to win. That's great for us right now."

…

"That's huge," Jerome said. "To have our longest win streak of the year without the best player in the world and another All-Star and Klay not playing one of the games, it just speaks to everybody on the team stepping up.

"Every night it's been someone different. Jordan was unreal tonight, Klay was great. Draymond's been great on defense. Donte has been huge. JK vs. Charlotte won it for us down the stretch. Tonight he was great. Every single game it's been a new person.

"That's a really fun way to play basketball, when you have someone new stepping up every single night."

• Steve Kerr postgame recap: “Fourth quarter defense…we had to summon some energy, fourth game in six nights…I’ll single out Donte, JK and, as always, Draymond.”

• On 72 from Poole and Klay: “explosive…the way we started out the game was beautiful…they came back and hit us pretty hard…we needed every one of Jordan and Klay’s points.” (me)

• On Poole’s turnovers: “I’m so excited about Jordan because he has another level he can reach. There’s no question…awfully good for a couple years now…what that can look like…that’s exciting..,he’s a great listener, he’s very coachable…excited about where he is now too…I’ve been conditioned to deal with craziness over the last eight years based on some of the other gentlemen on the team.”

• On Donte: “Number One, he’s a winner…competes every second of every play..,so much energy and activity. And then he’s fearless…he was 0-for-3 going into that shot.”

• On Kuminga and Donte’s defense: “Both guys pressure the ball…JK’s got so much strength and athleticism…gonna be fun to watch him grow…we can put him on the best players…the team is starting to take shape with guys out…setting the table for…when everybody’s healthy.”

• On Donte taking risks: “You have to gauge your aggressiveness…when you’re a guy like Donte or Draymond or JK…I have to live with that.”

• On Ty Jerome’s halfcourt buzzer-beater: “We shoot them…for fine money when guys are late…every once in awhile that shot is gonna go in.”

• On what he likes about the team at the end of 2022: “I just really like the fight in our team these four games…needed to feel good about ourselves…all four games required an element of grit…our fans…enjoying watching our team grow…gut it out…gotta win some road games eventually.”

• On the win streak: “We had a very slow start to the season…it hasn’t felt like we’ve gained much traction until now…every team goes through stuff…have to find a way to connect and compete together.”

• On Kuminga’s growing trust: “I trust him, his athleticism, the fact that he’s really embraced this role defensively…we’re playing a team with three really difficult players to stop.”

• PREGAME BLAZERS: James Wiseman popped up on the Warriors' injury report for tonight's game. He's listed as questionable with a left ankle sprain. Donte DiVincenzo and Draymond Green are still listed as probable. (Madeline Kenney)

• James Wiseman is out tonight for the Warriors with a left ankle sprain. Patrick Baldwin Jr. was recalled from Santa Cruz and could find a small role. (Anthony Slater)

• Steve Kerr pregame on Gary Payton II: "We don't win the championship without him, I know that." (Dalton Johnson)

• On James Wiseman hurting his ankle in 3-on-3 this morning: “It's just unfortunate…It doesn't seem too serious but he'll miss tonight's game.” (Dalton Johnson, 95.7 The Game)

• On Wiggins: “Hopefully he progresses to play on Monday.” Wiggins took part in 3-on-3 this morning. (95.7 The Game, Dalton Johnson)

• On Baldwin: the plan was to keep him down in Santa Cruz for tonight’s game, but they pulled him back when Wiseman got hurt. (Madeline Kenney)

• On JaMychal Green (leg infection): “Poor guy has gone through a rough couple of weeks. … It’s nothing serious but it’s enough to keep him out right now.” (95.7 The Game)

• Draymond Green after morning shootaround “could’ve said there’s something out there (but decided to make Portland his home).” (me)

• On giving Gary Payton II his ring later tonight, how GP2 rose through the ranks: “It wasn't quite done. He did that, played well and then had to come back and go through summer league and do all of that just to make the team. Spent all of training camp hurt. Plays one game and makes the team. And the rest is history…To understand all of that and to understand GP's journey, to see him go and get his money, but most importantly to see what he was able to contribute to a championship – I'm extremely excited and honored to be the person that's presenting him something that will matter and that nobody can take for the rest of your life.” (Dalton Johnson)

• On young guys having difficulty filling the void GP2 left behind: “Making it in the NBA is hard. It took GP until age 29, 28 to figure that role out and star in that role. Quite frankly, we're comparing a 28-year, 29-year-old to a 19 or 20-year-old. Eight years of life in general does something to us all, let alone eight years of playing basketball…You're essentially talking about the growth of a 12-year-old to a 20-year-old, to put it into perspective.…you look at GP’s road…you can’t just skip over that road…these young guys will do what they have to do…proud of…maybe not the basketball world because there’s a lot of hate in that world.” (Dalton Johnson, me)

• On the evolution of the Warriors’ player development: “so vital…when I came into the league I was 22…played for an incredible coach (Izzo), probably the greatest (college) coach of all-time…18-19, quite frankly, aren’t really taught…put a basketball in their hands and can you imagine…the league has gotten younger and, with that, it’s also not as developed, not as smart and a large part of it is due to experience…built out these player development staffs. You kinda saw it with Toronto…Pascal…Fred…OG…Chris Boucher…this is a copy-cat league…some things have been copied that can’t be duplicated (reference to Steph/Klay/Dray)…(Wiseman) looking like a totally different player after a month in G League…Patrick Baldwin Jr…you put him in a game a month ago he wouldn’t know where to go…no disrespect to Patrick…you may not see the benefit in Year One and Year Two…it’s a process.” (me)

• On how the Warriors use the G League: “using it essentially as a farm system…seen it grow Jordan…went down and that was kinda it. The rest is history…league has done a good job with G League…my biggest fear was going down to the D League…it was a demotion…we’re sending you there, just go figure it out…26 or 28 teams…when I was a rookie it was four teams sharing one G League team…guys just trying to get a shot at a 10-day.” (me)

• On mindset since he said the team was mentally fragile on the road: “Thank God we don’t have to worry about that for two weeks…it takes one bad loss to send you back in that space…do everything you can to protect against that…on the heels of winning three in a row…figuring out life without Steph/Wiggins/JaMychal…tonight is to totally different than the past three wins…your hope is to build confidence especially with a young group.” (me)

• Steve Kerr weekly radio interview, on the youngsters: “The guys need reps and when you see Kuminga starting to become an excellent defender and a guy with a real role on our team...You can feel things starting to shift.” (95.7 The Game)

• On the second half in Brooklyn paying dividends: “That stuff carries over. You saw that last night with Patrick Baldwin Jr. I thought the game shifted with his three-point shooting.” (95.7 The Game)

• On if the team is heading in the right direction: “Until we win on the road it's tough to say we've turned a corner but the last two games just felt different. It felt like we had to gut those games out. We were making winning plays.” (95.7 The Game)

• On Steph Curry’s recovery from injury: “He's been doing a lot of stuff on the court. He's getting a lot of good work in. He's really coming along well and everything in progressing.” (95.7 The Game)

• On Anthony Lamb and Ty Jerome: “I'd love to have both those guys on our roster but right now it's not conceivable. We do have one roster spot left...As it plays out, it's possible both of them can end up on the roster.” (95.7 The Game)

• On Jonathan Kuminga's recent focus on the defensive end: “Honestly he realized that's his ticket to playing time. Like all young players, he wants to score and he's got that potential, but it's not what we need from him right now.” (95.7 The Game)

• On if Klay Thompson could play in back-to-back games this season: “It is a possibility that Klay can get there at some point but we don't feel comfortable doing that just yet.” (95.7 The Game)

• Andrew Wiggins remains out against the Blazers tomorrow night. There’s a sense this could be his final missed game. JaMychal Green is now listed out with a right lower leg infection. He had been in health and safety protocols. (Anthony Slater)

2:15 • Patrick Baldwin, Jr. postgame in Santa Cruz after loss to Stockton Kings, on the feedback GSW is giving him: “I’m getting back to form to where they all believed I could get to before injury. They’ve shown me a lot of confidence to stay with it, stay attacking. Andre (Iguodala)’s been on my case about every time we’re scrimmaging against — whether it’s Andre, down here playing games — just make sure you’re attacking every single second of it. It’s been really good as he’s been working out and getting back into rhythm. It’s been good to work out with him.”

2:56 • On talk in the GSW locker room about getting back into the top eight: “There’s a misconception about development. It’s about developing winning habits. If you come out here and you’re just all about you and getting your shots up or not playing defense, missing box-outs, that’s not winning basketball. But if you’re down here focusing on the little things and worrying about offense last, that’s winning basketball to me. And that’s what I think G League is for me right now.”

3:33 • On the windmill dunk by the opponent to close the game: “He earned it…we kinda gave up at the end a little bit.”

4:00 • On SCW chemistry: “It’s like a freight train, I always describe it, as a season. You pick up speed as you go on, you’re tough to stop when it comes time at the end. We’re heading in that direction, we’re picking up speed, we’re trying to integrate me and Ryan (Rollins) back into the team.”

4:28 • On when he’s notified he’ll be assigned to G League: “For the first portion of the season I got about a month of what it was going to look like. After that month and Christmas break you’re with the team. After that it’s really up in the air based on who’s injured and January in the dog days of the NBA. Just gotta wait for the opportunity and play well when you get it.”

3:00 • Will Hardy postgame Jazz-Warriors on Markkanen: “they’re not just gonna let Lauri tee off in the fourth quarter…that fourth quarter we couldn’t seem to find a very good rhythm…Golden State did a very good job defensively of not letting him (take over).”

6:15 • On the Warriors’ system: “the ball has energy…everybody loves to touch the ball. They’ve been the mode of the NBA for ten years…moments when it’s your time to shoot, it’s not like it’s the first time you’ve touched the ball…emulate…it creates a different type of a vibe on the team…just stand on the side and wait for the ball to come to you…move your body around…provides a different feeling…they’ve always done such a remarkable job…even though Steph and Klay have taken a majority of the shots, all of those guys a part of the game…we’re trying to replicate a little bit of that in Utah.”

8:15 • On what changed the game: “The defense that bothered me the most was the defense on Ty Jerome at the end of the third quarter…their building goes crazy…the Jordan Poole three in transition…I’m really happy with they way our team competed tonight…I’ll have to go back and look at the film.”

• Patrick Baldwin, Jr. postgame recap: “build a rhythm.” (me)

• On getting here an hour before tipoff: “woke up at about 9…practice at 2 o’clock…put us in a car and drove us up to the Bay…pretty crazy.” (me)

• On if he was tired after the Santa Cruz practice: “That second wind…I just love to play basketball.” (me)

• On what his lunch was: “It’s now a PBJ sandwich…first one the other day…turkey sandwiches, cream cheese sandwiches, everything but PBJ.” (me)

• On his hot shooting tonight: “It felt good today, was able to get a good warmup in…when you check in the game and Draymond’s telling you to let it fly, you let it fly.” (me)

• On the surprise of the call-up: “It was a wild last four hours…felt that JK was kind of getting in foul trouble…when your number’s called.” (me)

• On the performance of the youngsters at the Brooklyn loss: “That Brooklyn third quarter as whole, for us, helped us turn the corner a bit…from the Grizzlies game…personally, confidence is never an issue…I just let it fly.” (me)

• On the context of eating a PBJ sandwich: “It was a fun project we worked on…it’ll come out…it was shot a week ago…I had two today.” (me)

• Ty Jerome postgame on letting his emotions fly: “Christmas Day was super-similar…Coach said after the game, ‘That was straight grit’…Draymond…back…Donte…back-to-back…running off emotion.” (me)

• On the fourth quarter: “brought the best out of our defense and everyone stepped up.” (me)

• On what went right for him tonight: “I wish would’ve made another three or two…same approach…keep hunting good shots…Jordan, they draw so much attention…pick my spots.” (me)

• On the disparity of the home and away records: “We need to grow closer when times get tough. We will as the season goes on…it’s easier when you’re playing in front of your home crowd…you really need each other (for energy).” (me)

• On guys stepping up: “Moses came in…missed his first shot (then made the second)…Wiseman…saved a play…JK won us the game the other night…everyone is understanding their role more.” (me)

• On the homestand: “I saw the schedule…tonight was a huge game and Portland is next.” (me)

• On Draymond’s leadership: “What he did tonight was one of the most unreal performances I’ve seen…you felt comfortable pressuring the ball…then he pushes the break for us coming off the back-to-back with a sore back…Hall-of-Famer…allows us to step up…be free.” (me)

• Donte DiVincenzo postgame recap: “It really really helps to have Draymond back there…we had our energy right, we had our spirit right.” (me)

• On PBJ coming up: “It’s not easy…be aggressive…he was talking out there (on defense) which is really hard for a young player…we’re on him every day about talking.” (me)

• On the vibe after a run: “We were just gonna keep on coming…they push it back to 11…energy that spirit when he hit the three…we gotta be together.” (me)

• On the knee soreness: “Terry Rozier had the offensive foul…I’m okay…that’s what you do.” (me)

• On Villanova making the NCAA tournament: “That boy Cam Whitmore.” (me)

• Patrick Baldwin, Jr. postgame at NBC studio, recap: “Yeah it was a busy day today…got the call at about 3, 4p…beat traffic.”

• On the other parts of his game he’s trying to improve: “become a more well-rounded player on both ends of the ball…I know that’s what I gotta work on.”

• On what he’s learning in G League: “same style of basketball. Just getting reps…when I transition up and down it’s very seamless.”

• On joining a championship team as a rookie: “That’s big-time for any young guy…bank on four Hall-of-Famers…awesome…24/7.”

• On the pace of the NBA: “slowed down for me as of late…any rookie goes through that.”

• On who his vet is: “I don’t like to claim any of them…I take pieces from everybody…Draymond…Andre, I work with him a lot…Klay…JP, Donte, the Milwaukee guys.”

• On his development: “Being with the guys 24/7…guys that are hungry…smiles and the joy is just the result of our practices.”

• On the locker room after tonight’s win: “ecstatic…we’ve got something cooking.”

• On the fans: “DubNation’s the best…I’m sure it’s gonna be even better in the playoffs…one-of-a-kind.”

• On if his dad still coaches him: “He’s taken a step back.”

• Steve Kerr postgame on the team’s growth: “It feels different to win this game…wouldn’t have won a few weeks ago…great performances every night…Donte has been fantastic…playing with force…Draymond and Loon holding down the fort…we’ve showed a lot of grit.”

• On holding the Jazz to four field goals: “It’s inspiring to watch Draymond control the paint…he’s there playing cat and mouse…longest arms…incredible sense…so quick off the floor…makes the offensive guy think twice…Draymond’s already waiting for it.”

• On PBJ: “changed the game when he stepped out there and knocked down those threes…popped out, pick and pop jumper…early fourth…he was in Santa Cruz…practiced…when Donte and Draymond were both questionable…they arrived about an hour before the game…pretty impressive for them to keep going back and forth..:he’s got a lot of skill and he’s not afraid.”

• On PBJ’s length on defense: “The biggest thing is the shooting…+13 in less than 13 minutes. Pretty impressive line.” (me)

• On Donte: “He just competes. Takes on tough defensive assignments…Clarkson…Markkanen…when we changed our substitution pattern…always in the mix…knocks down the free throws at the end. Donte’s a winner…NCAA champ, NBA champ.” (me)

• On PBJ: “You could see the skill right when we drafted him…first thing he had to do was get healthy…training room, on the floor, in the film room…he needs the rep…only ten or fifteen games in college…probably send him to Santa Cruz and have him play.” (me)

• On Wiggins: “doubtful for Portland…just got back in the gym.” (me)

• On Ty Jerome: “he’s always getting us settled. He’s always under control…great shooter, really good passer…James is doing a good job of diving…floater…pick and roll player and also a shooter off the ball.” (me)

• On Kuminga’s foul trouble: “yeah the last one was a reach…it’s all part of getting his reps and understanding when to take a chance…fantastic out there…big part of our defensive effort.” (me)

• Donte DiVincenzo on-court postgame on his threes: “When I’m playing free-minded…smiling, that’s when I’m playing my best.”

• On not having Curry: “Playing with and without Steph is the same here…that’s the beauty of being here…same system.”

• On the homestand: “Homestand…rack some wins…come back again on Friday and lock-in.”

• On Ty Jerome: “Ty’s a great player. He’s not the quickest…he used to bust my butt at Virginia…I’m very familiar with Ty.”

• On being a role player like Steve Kerr was: “When you have that confidence…easy to add those guys back into the mix.”

• On a revenge game vs Utah: “Nah…we needed a win for us…come back on Friday…try to get a fourth win in a row.”

• On Chase: “I used to hate it, now I love it.”

• Draymond Green and Donte DiVincenzo are expected to play tonight, per Steve Kerr at pregame presser. Both were listed as questionable — Green with right foot soreness and DiVincenzo with right knee soreness. (Kendra Andrews)

• On the rest of the homestand: “Our home record is what’s keeping us afloat…Big challenge, though, with the number of guys we have…back-to-back…step up to the challenge and keep moving.” (me)

• On if he saw Poole being able to run the same routes as Steph Curry: “really struggled his first year. Couldn’t hit a shot and…speed of the game…he got in the gym before anybody…he worked on all of that…on-ball and off-ball shooting…Steph was a great example for him…that work has paid off…he’s got another level to get to…efficiency…seeking better shots…he’s so talented…make really difficult shots…wisdom of seeking better shots…making the game easier.” (me)

• On Klay on b2b: “He’ll get a good workout this evening with our training staff. Rick has basically told me there’s no science to this…no target date…based on how Klay is feeling…physically and mentally…there may come a time when he does play back-to-back.” (me)

• On any moments from his rookie year coaching: “against Pop…intimidating for me…they came to Oracle and blasted us…reminder that I needed to step my game up…lucky to have him as a mentor…great joys is the relationships you build.” (me)

• On Jonathan Kuminga: elevated his game the past six weeks. “The progress for young guys isn’t exactly linear…Once he embraced this idea of being a defensive stopper, things slowed down for him…simplified…doesn’t mean there’s not gonna be some tough nights like in New York…trend is upward overall and that’s what’s exciting…putting that wisdom that he’s gaining to use.” (95.7 The Game, me)

• On Poole exploiting mismatches: “Every night teams play the ‘pick-on’ game…Jordan is learning that pretty quickly because of his ability to get by people.” (me)

• On seeing the big games from Luka, Jokic, Giannis: “The top-end talent in this league is really exciting because it puts the league in good hands…that next wave, that next generation…except on the nights you have to play them.” (me)

• On ten teams averaging 115+ points: “Pace has been going up…teams are more inclined to play four-out or even five-out…a lot of innovation…most teams are running spread offenses…Will Hardy runs great stuff, really deceptive ATOs, pick and roll pops with wrinkles…evolution of the game.” (me)

• On Kuminga as a defensive stopper: “physically so gifted…bouncy…it’s also his ticket to playing time…he’s figured that out.” (me)

• On Andrew Wiggins, who was working out at the team facility today: “He’s down in the weight room working out. He’s got a mask on. He’s feeling a lot better which is a great sign.” (me, 95.7 The Game)

👍👍💛💙