Once again, postgame notes and quotes starting with Steve Kerr Q&A in the Comments as they happen, best sorted by Chronological below…
POSTGAME VIDEO:
Draymond Green is always a great quote and he didn’t disappoint. Jordan Poole was his usual “ghost” self, lasting just three questions. It was also good to hear from Chris Chiozza once in a blue moon. Also funny how the beatwriters passed on having Andrew Wiggins, who doesn’t offer much depth in his answers, come to the podium (see last comment chronologically below)…
There should be more video coming out later on Monday that includes Nemanja Bjelica and Otto Porter.
I also went live from inside Chase Center and took questions for 77 minutes:
Chemistry: “…the more we’re around each other, the more chemistry we have…with this team there’s so much communication…training camp…chemistry is steady growing.”
Enjoying playing with each other and boost? “…makes basketball so much more fun when everybody…cares for one another…we don’t care who scores, who plays, as long as we get the win…”
See 15-2 coming? “Everybody is buying in…started in preseason…work towards that goal…one game at a time…put all our trust into the system…it can be anybody any night…”
Draymond’s energy: “Oh it’s everything…communication. He knows the plays the team is gonna run…Andrew Wiggins’ ball pressure was amazing…Draymond in the back…anchor of our defense…we feed off of it.”
Feel before the game? “I feel the same way waking up, going to sleep…sometimes you have big nights, sometimes you have regular nights. The goal is to get the win…”
How to stay ready? “…a lot of it is confidence…important we’re out here practicing, we’re playing pickup, we’re playing with Klay 🚨 …also the attitude that everyone has on this team…know we all can play…Steph, Dray…making sure we’re ready…”
Two-way: “…I knew that they had a history of two-way guys…contributing a lot…backup point guard…games where I wouldn’t play a lot then also games where I would play heavy minutes…”
JP and Wiggs: “…we got so many guys that can score 20, 30 any given night. Shout out to Wiggs (guarding their best player)…confidence everyone has (for Wiggs)…”
Wiggs consistent aggressiveness: “…Wiggs is iron man, he don’t miss games but the reality is he was banged up…since thatcMinnesota game it’s been full throttle 🚨 …he’ll continue that and I’ll make sure of that…”
Seen enough for second unit potential: “number one, I think it’s changing…had Steph playing all of his minutes in the first quarter…you’ve seen sometimes where Wiggs (is the primary in the unit)…I’m -6 and Steph is -7 and Beli Otto GP Juan are +18…”
Building leads and trying different player combinations, plus Chiozza: “well Chrese is much shorter than Steph…strength in numbers and depth…the other night we had four guys out of the lineup…it’s a testament to Bob (Myers) 🚨…one thing about Steve is he’s never going to let someone sit on the bench and rot…know that their chance is coming…see what lineups work best together…won’t always be up 15…if you’re struggling rebounding (for example)…as you’ve seen, you give guys an opportunity…”
Playing hard, going all out on November: “I feel incredible…I don’t drink as much as I used to…lifting more than I ever have. If you do the things you have to do to stay healthy, for the most part you’ll stay healthy…prevent the injuries, to take all of those hits…when we play in the road…I can run off the stairs (where before it was harder)…you start to break down (in the past)…”
Extra motivation? “…love kinda wanes a little bit…enjoying playing basketball and controlling what I can control…that means on the court, that means with the referees, that means off the court…my son is getting older, my oldest daughter she’s seven now, they kinda get on my ass if we lose. Also I’ve been shitty these last couple years so my kids don’t have an understanding of how good I am…when I was playing at the top of my level…most importantly I want to win, I want to be a defensive player of the year again and I want to be an All-Star again…same mistake people made before…a lot of people doubted me and doubted me again and that’s fuel to the fire.”
Kerr said you are top of the spear: “…I think I’ve been great defensively which I should be. I try to cut back on turnovers…get my teammates involved, that’s what I enjoy…pretty good to start the year, that rolls with (the team).”
Surprised by start? “Umm (long pause) I wouldn’t necessarily say surprised…surprised it’s going as fast as it’s going. Everybody talks about our schedule and there’s some truth to that…you can only play (who they’ve scheduled)…gotta continue to get better though, we got a long way to go.”
Other guys stepping up: “…(JP) continues to grow…starting to read the game better. A night like tonight where Steph didn’t have it going…built lineups around him and Steph…Wiggs, the aggression that he came out with…he was aggressive on Fred (Van Vleet, defending him)…Steph won’t continue to have nights like that…keep the defense honest…”
Chiozza: “…really strong and athletic and tough and Toronto is one of the most athletic, physical teams that we play all year…belongs out there defensively…I love Chris…”
Identity? “yeah, we’re a two-way team…Draymond Green is the best defender in the world…so engaged…so worried about him today given that Michigan State was down 49-nothing. Sorry, he just walked in (laughter)…phenomenal, he set a tone, he and Loon…”
Wiggs staying consistently aggressive, comfort? “More comfort. Early part of the season he wasn’t in good enough shape with the knee. It took me some time to really figure out how to use him and the messaging. We were so focused on him defensively…I didn’t do a good job of reminding him to be aggressive…coaching staff…he’s the one who’s doing it…something triggered after that Minnesota game…”
Being ready is good with Klay and Wiseman coming back: “…fewer minutes to go around but what’s being established is the approach of this team…they wouldn’t be human if they weren’t disappointed they didn’t play…everyone’s time will come.”
Player combinations: “…very deep team. Tonight was Cheese’s moment. It was his birthday today, which was coincidental (to his good play vs Raptors)…perfect example of a guy who stays ready…guys gave him an ovation in the locker room after the game…you look at Juan after being out of the rotation…he’s found his way back in there…understanding that every night is gonna be different…”
Wiggs aggressive, JP patience: “…the scoring balance means that teams can’t throw everything at Steph. We saw that last year, teams were throwing everything at Steph. We’ve had that this year but…if teams are gonna throw the kitchen sink at Steph then they’re gonna pay.” 🚨
Wiggs out of the gates: “Every team’s game plan is to try to slow Steph down…get those guys (JP and Wiggs) going early…Wiggs same as Jordan, figuring out his openings…being part of the offense…”
JP: “…the challenge this year is kinda the next step of his evolution…shot selection, just taking the ones that are there…I don’t remember one out of his 11 threes that weren’t open…”
Chemistry: “…the more we’re around each other, the more chemistry we have…with this team there’s so much communication…training camp…chemistry is steady growing.”
Enjoying playing with each other and boost? “…makes basketball so much more fun when everybody…cares for one another…we don’t care who scores, who plays, as long as we get the win…”
GSW PR ASKS IF MEDIA WANTS WIGGINS, THEY SAY NO. No practice tomorrow, practice on Tuesday, game vs Sixers Wednesday.
Open corner: (our job is drive and kick)
Juan fed you a three, knew it was in: “Uhh, maybe. He hit me a couple times.”
See 15-2 coming? “Everybody is buying in…started in preseason…work towards that goal…one game at a time…put all our trust into the system…it can be anybody any night…”
Wiggs and JP taking pressure off Steph: “important for our growth…we’re figuring out how to win games. It’s hard winning NBA games…”
Everyone stays ready: “Next man up…ww trust everybody…defensively fly around, stay on a string…locked into the game plan…”
What is it for Dray: “…flies around, makes you wanna fly around.”
Played with someone like Dray? “No, never.”
Draymond’s energy: “Oh it’s everything…communication. He knows the plays the team is gonna run…Andrew Wiggins’ ball pressure was amazing…Draymond in the back…anchor of our defense…we feed off of it.”
Keys for bench: “Bringing energy…attention to details…be aggressive.”
OTTO NEXT
Happening naturally? “…kinda being schemed for…as the game comes I know which shots I practice…”
Noticed a different Wiggs? “…we all know (what he can do)…find a way to continue to keep him in an aggressive manner…”
Feel before the game? “I feel the same way waking up, going to sleep…sometimes you have big nights, sometimes you have regular nights. The goal is to get the win…”
Why has Dray been so good? “…we go as far as he goes, as far as Steph goes…last two years have been a little rough…”
NEXT UP JORDAN POOLE
How to stay ready? “…a lot of it is confidence…important we’re out here practicing, we’re playing pickup, we’re playing with Klay 🚨 …also the attitude that everyone has on this team…know we all can play…Steph, Dray…making sure we’re ready…”
Guarding Siakam: “…people been trying to post me up since high school and I don’t think (they’ve been very successful with it)…”
Normal for this team? “…everybody’s cheering for him (whomever played well)…”
Ovation by teammates? “…goes to show how close this team is…how connected it is from top to bottom…”
Raptors is his style of game? “Always played fast…using my speed and play-making…I can guard multiple positions even though I’m small…”
Two-way: “…I knew that they had a history of two-way guys…contributing a lot…backup point guard…games where I wouldn’t play a lot then also games where I would play heavy minutes…”
JP and Wiggs: “…we got so many guys that can score 20, 30 any given night. Shout out to Wiggs (guarding their best player)…confidence everyone has (for Wiggs)…”
Recap: “I just come into the game with the same mindset…these guys make sure I come ready to play…”
CHIOZZA NEXT
Wiggs consistent aggressiveness: “…Wiggs is iron man, he don’t miss games but the reality is he was banged up…since thatcMinnesota game it’s been full throttle 🚨 …he’ll continue that and I’ll make sure of that…”
Seen enough for second unit potential: “number one, I think it’s changing…had Steph playing all of his minutes in the first quarter…you’ve seen sometimes where Wiggs (is the primary in the unit)…I’m -6 and Steph is -7 and Beli Otto GP Juan are +18…”
Building leads and trying different player combinations, plus Chiozza: “well Chrese is much shorter than Steph…strength in numbers and depth…the other night we had four guys out of the lineup…it’s a testament to Bob (Myers) 🚨…one thing about Steve is he’s never going to let someone sit on the bench and rot…know that their chance is coming…see what lineups work best together…won’t always be up 15…if you’re struggling rebounding (for example)…as you’ve seen, you give guys an opportunity…”
*Cheese
Playing hard, going all out on November: “I feel incredible…I don’t drink as much as I used to…lifting more than I ever have. If you do the things you have to do to stay healthy, for the most part you’ll stay healthy…prevent the injuries, to take all of those hits…when we play in the road…I can run off the stairs (where before it was harder)…you start to break down (in the past)…”
Extra motivation? “…love kinda wanes a little bit…enjoying playing basketball and controlling what I can control…that means on the court, that means with the referees, that means off the court…my son is getting older, my oldest daughter she’s seven now, they kinda get on my ass if we lose. Also I’ve been shitty these last couple years so my kids don’t have an understanding of how good I am…when I was playing at the top of my level…most importantly I want to win, I want to be a defensive player of the year again and I want to be an All-Star again…same mistake people made before…a lot of people doubted me and doubted me again and that’s fuel to the fire.”
Steve called you the best defender in the world: “I agree.”
Kerr said you are top of the spear: “…I think I’ve been great defensively which I should be. I try to cut back on turnovers…get my teammates involved, that’s what I enjoy…pretty good to start the year, that rolls with (the team).”
*tip of the spear
Surprised by start? “Umm (long pause) I wouldn’t necessarily say surprised…surprised it’s going as fast as it’s going. Everybody talks about our schedule and there’s some truth to that…you can only play (who they’ve scheduled)…gotta continue to get better though, we got a long way to go.”
Other guys stepping up: “…(JP) continues to grow…starting to read the game better. A night like tonight where Steph didn’t have it going…built lineups around him and Steph…Wiggs, the aggression that he came out with…he was aggressive on Fred (Van Vleet, defending him)…Steph won’t continue to have nights like that…keep the defense honest…”
DRAY NEXT…
Chiozza: “…really strong and athletic and tough and Toronto is one of the most athletic, physical teams that we play all year…belongs out there defensively…I love Chris…”
Identity? “yeah, we’re a two-way team…Draymond Green is the best defender in the world…so engaged…so worried about him today given that Michigan State was down 49-nothing. Sorry, he just walked in (laughter)…phenomenal, he set a tone, he and Loon…”
Wiggs on the baseline: “…so athletic and dynamic getting to the rim…openings along the baseline (with Steph and Dray up top).”
Wiggs staying consistently aggressive, comfort? “More comfort. Early part of the season he wasn’t in good enough shape with the knee. It took me some time to really figure out how to use him and the messaging. We were so focused on him defensively…I didn’t do a good job of reminding him to be aggressive…coaching staff…he’s the one who’s doing it…something triggered after that Minnesota game…”
Being ready is good with Klay and Wiseman coming back: “…fewer minutes to go around but what’s being established is the approach of this team…they wouldn’t be human if they weren’t disappointed they didn’t play…everyone’s time will come.”
Player combinations: “…very deep team. Tonight was Cheese’s moment. It was his birthday today, which was coincidental (to his good play vs Raptors)…perfect example of a guy who stays ready…guys gave him an ovation in the locker room after the game…you look at Juan after being out of the rotation…he’s found his way back in there…understanding that every night is gonna be different…”
Wiggs aggressive, JP patience: “…the scoring balance means that teams can’t throw everything at Steph. We saw that last year, teams were throwing everything at Steph. We’ve had that this year but…if teams are gonna throw the kitchen sink at Steph then they’re gonna pay.” 🚨
Wiggs out of the gates: “Every team’s game plan is to try to slow Steph down…get those guys (JP and Wiggs) going early…Wiggs same as Jordan, figuring out his openings…being part of the offense…”
JP: “…the challenge this year is kinda the next step of his evolution…shot selection, just taking the ones that are there…I don’t remember one out of his 11 threes that weren’t open…”
KERR FIRST UP PER USUAL