What what changes have you got?
Don't have Luka on Saturday, Ohio.
None we still gonna go
out there trying to win.
We see bat no he bat if he not
and then guys got to step up.
I think we just got it's the next one
that mentality player like Luca is a.
I mean, he's obviously says
before generational talent.
Top five player in the league.
Does everything he can does
everything he wants on the court,
but I think for us we just got to step
up and kind of just find a way to win.
I mean, I think the preparation.
Right now we're going through
game plan for Utah, right?
So knowing their tenses,
their personnel,
I don't think that changes
necessarily whether Lucas out or not.
And then how we approach the offense?
We'll probably get into later in
the week. I think that with Luca plan
is pretty easy for the coaching staff.
Just just being honest with you and.
The with that one, I mean,
we're just we'll be prepared to do the
way they've been great since day one.
And I think we as a team we have our
full trust in the coaching staff,
and knowing that they're they're prepared us.
Well now for whatever obstacle
they were gonna face.
Ohh I mean a couple of games that
he hasn't played and and I've been
in there just by usage goes way up.
Just try to continue to make plays,
be aggressive but just understand
that you know it's probably 30
pick and rolls versus like 10.
I have the the the perfect people around me.
I have great teammates,
have great coaching staff.
They're going to put us in
a position to be successful.
I mean us together as a team.
We give each other confidence
to go out there make plays.
So I'm not really too worried
about putting pressure on myself.
It's I only see it as pressure,
just see as opportunity.
I mean, they're both very
good in that range as well.
Both of them have great mid range pull-ups,
so the threat of that gives
them a lot of opportunities
and they can also find guys.
So like I said,
some of the other questions we've
been spending a lot of time on the
scout and looking at what we can do
to be successful and we're going to
focus in on that every single night.
That means the team game,
I think obviously everybody gets
more possessions, of course.
I mean, I probably approach is similar
to when I approached when he wasn't.
When he wasn't playing before.
I know my used to be up like I said,
but as a team effort I I don't expect
to show the the low, completely
understand positive.
He definitely involved still so.
In helping us know with schemes
and you know offensive what
they see and he's still,
you know, walk around with that,
smile on his face so you never
really know what's going on
the team wise.
You know, great spirits,
you know the practices of
being very competitive.
Everybody's very focused.
Everybody's buying into everything
from a you know off the court,
stuff to watch your film,
to to just everything in general so
you know everybody's brought in.
And I think everybody's ready to go.
You know we're gonna have a normal
playoffs without all the you know.
That scene in COVID protocols
and stuff like that,
but everybody decided,
you know, we decided friends
decided the city decided.
I know the pretty much the coaching
staff has done a lot of film watching.
Media person, I'm gonna watch all
four games versus the the Jazz
that we've played this year, but.
I mean like I said before they
put us in a great position
to be successful all year,
and so my trust is with them and
they're gonna put the trust and
and everything else as well.
Ohh top tier top tier.
I mean and not to gas them up.
But I think a lot of credit that
goes to Theo and and JD, I mean.
And I say that just because like
probably the other best russet I was on
in terms of like chemistry and stuff,
had Theo and JD on it.
So you know those are common elements.
You could feel their personality
be infectious towards the group
and they've been like that.
Season right,
So what I've stepped into has been.
Amazing
mentality says the same
approach says the same.
Game plan execution.
All that stuff changes a
little bit, but I try and.
One thing I try and think about is that.
This is still basketball.
This is still fun.
More is at stake.
I don't really consider it pressure.
Which I am blurred out.
The added distractions when
it comes with the playoffs,
but I'm just really excited
for this opportunity.
Well, every series is different,
I mean, but when you are in a series,
obviously there's there's adjustments.
You're locking on one team, one squad,
and it's just a lot more focused, a lot
more nuanced than the age 2 game season.
We've got to go from this city to that city.
And you know, you get your prep in,
but it's just not nearly as focused.
This is probably more akin to like a
football schedule, right where we get
a whole week to prep for one team.
I mean, the the goal is to
win the championship, right?
So that that is like.
What's exciting about it?
It's not just you know going
out there and playing hard.
I mean, I guess I could say like having
my son at the games and things like that.
Creating memories right that last a lifetime.
But other than that I mean
the objective is to win.
You know, being you know 82 games.
You know more games means it's
more meaningful. You know,
the more where it's together as a team,
the more meaningful the game and so
no matter what the game is. 30 to 82.
You know I'm going out there with the
same goal to come out with the win and.
And yeah, yeah.
I mean I'm very excited.
You know, I think it's one of
those things you know I'm not.
I'm more excited than anything you know,
little nervous but.
You know nervous is a good thing
and I you know, I love this team
and everything they're about so.
Yeah, I'm looking forward to
going balls to the wall and just,
you know,
competing as much as I can and and
doing whatever I can to help the team out.
I mean, I've been at several spots like this.
This is the best crowd I've been a part of.
I know we sell out most of our games,
at least you know I'm saying,
since I've been here is what I've noticed.
So having home court advantage in the boost
that you know the fancy give us is is huge
as it means a lot. You know,
like you said, you know we never.
We don't know how Lucas
going to feel this weekend,
but you know all we can do is prepare and
you know I know the fans gonna be excited.
You know, with their energy you know
and and guys everybody ready to play,
so it's gonna be fun.
You know, I can't wait.
I mean, I think the biggest thing for
us is to lock in every single night,
regardless of where we are.
I think we have a group of guys that
are are hungry and ready to compete.
We spend a great.
We've had a great week preparing
and we're going to continue to
prepare every single night,
every single practice we have
leading up and we're going to learn
from every game that we play.
So the focus can be on winning
games regardless of you know
what locals on the court
just look down the right.
Very good defenders in Royce
O'Neill and Daniel House junior.
They have a phenomenal defender,
Rudy Gobert right length at the rim able
to block shots Hassan Whiteside as well.
You know he was a Max player for the
heat blocking shots and and doing that
so they have line of consistency there.
Then like I said Donovan is high scoring.
Mike Conley is shooting a great
and then you know you have a lot
of spot of capability with boyon
so they're pretty complete team.
You know it's on us to to attack
their deficiencies and and try
to win Winston games.
They're going to be a tough team to play.
I think when Luca
was out for a while in the middle
of season, we were able to,
you know, kind of stay afloat.
So we were able to win games with
with with him now on the court.
But obviously this is a different test,
but we just got to see we're
going to prepare for Utah
and we're still together.
And do we gotta do
I mean obviously
high scoring guard All Star capable to
to beat you from all three levels and
and like strong and fouls Connelly?
Great vet shooting the three
very well this year 41%.
Yeah, I mean obviously he can
use both hands effectively.
I mean, I think I just stick
to our defensive game plan.
You know, we have a great
defensive coach and you know.
And coach Kidd and Sweeney and you know,
we have principles that we've been
following the whole year and I
think it's important to be able
to maintain and stick to that.
And you know, trust our teammates,
you know, run them off the line
and you know, be there,
be there for for one another.
I mean, really, he's won what?
3 Defensive Player of the Year?
So I mean, that's very self explanatory.
I think for us we just have to
go out there and just kind of.
Just play our style of basketball.
We can't really focus on what
they're gonna do defensively is just
we're gonna focus on us and that's
kind of been our our thing today.
Just kind of worrying about how
we're gonna approach this game,
how we're gonna attack the situation,
and that's all we can focus on now.
You know, he's a really great rebounder,
so number one thing is,
you got a box him out.
And that's not just one guy.
You know that's not just
he's Bobby Dwight Remede.
It's everybody.
Everybody has to come in and help because
he's just so good at at rebounding,
especially on the offensive
board and on the other side.
Of course we know is a great.
Shocker, you know,
is a rim protector so gotta
make sure to take him out
of place and and you know,
do the right things on offense to keep
him away from the basket of times.
Yeah, it's it's definitely a big challenge.
Yeah, size length they use him.
Well he can finish around the rim at
an extremely high rate so we have to
definitely be be ready to help rebound.
Sending two guys when necessary
to to try and keep off the boards
because offensively his ability to
get them second possessions their
possessions and keep balls alive is
a big part of their offense and.
And leads into them also getting
a lot of threes too,
so that's going to be a big emphasis for us.
But it's gonna be a team effort.
We have to lock in all five guys on the
court every possession and make sure
we have our scout in front of our mind.
You
you just played a normal play that we do,
you have pick and pop.
You have the second side you know,
as long as you get the
moving everybody moving,
they're gonna be out of rotations too.
So it's not just him but everybody.
I think we just gotta keep sharing
the ball and find the best shot
that we have every possession.
I mean finding opportunities.
That's the biggest thing is remaining active.
There's going to be.
Some space between him and if he's in a drop,
so being able to get downhill on
pitches or finding opportunities to
offensive rebound or just get into
spaces is going to be important to
remain as active as possible. I think
on offense we're going to play
our game and react to whatever
they do with a switch or play.
You know, the deep drop,
which is usually what they're
most comfortable with.
I think Rudy provides a great
catch all for their system.
I know it allows their guards to pressure
knowing that they have a great backline.
There with him, his ability to
block shots and stuff like that,
and if they do switch then obviously yeah,
like I'm not gonna post Rudy up like that.
I'll take about where I'm more comfortable.
That's that's probably the smart decision,
but not as these phenomenal defender.
Of course,
I don't know. We'll see if they do,
then I know I'm probably gonna
get a bunch of threes so.
You know, I hope you got me,
you know so I could get some shots,
you know. But like I said I,
I just take whatever the defense give me.
You know if I get shots if
I don't as long as we win
as far as infighting goes,
I'm not in that locker room and I've been
a part of locker rooms where things have
been sending media and they weren't true.
I've been part of locker rooms
where things been said in the
meeting is actually been downplayed.
It was way worse, right?
Like so I have no idea what's what's
going on with with them from that respect,
and I and I can't speak to it.
I have no knowledge of it.
You know the season ebbs and flows, right?
So if they're blowing leaves right now,
it could just be a low in their
season and they could be getting
ready to get the ship right?
So we can't take them lightly at all.
I mean, obviously like I,
I just talked about in terms of their talent.
They're very complete, team,
very complete roster like you got guys
throughout the roster that that know
their roles can do things at a high level.
I mean Connolly at one point was an All Star,
right?
David Mitchell is an All Star Gilbert
and All Star Clarkson the 6th man.
A year race every year Boyana or yeah,
Boyon sorry, Bogdan.
Is Atlanta Atlanta?
Yeah no.
I I played with him so I said
notice but we just we just called
him Bogey so we sorry bogey my bad.
I I see you soon yeah no.
So I mean they've got cable players
have done those that can go off
for 30 to any moment in time.
So you gotta be serious
a lot of time in the weight room.
A lot of time in the training room but
also a lot of time not thinking about it.
I think if you're constantly
preparing to to get hurt,
that's when you get hurt.
So I think you you prepare and the best
way you can to to strengthen your body.
And and put yourself in the
position to be successful,
and then you just go out and play.
That's it. Problem
back to this point, Jalen,
when you look at this team,
is there any additional pressure
to get out of the first round?
Knowing how close you
guys have been the last
couple of years and now knowing what
could be going for the rest of the season?
When you think back to last year,
you said that. Your performance
is just the teams results in the
playoffs with something that
fueled you through the offseason.
Anything about being here
now, what do you
reflect most on about whether
it was just how you change your
energy to get back to this point
and have this opportunity or
have just you were to this summer
I'm ready to go?
This officer, I'm ready to go
and it gives a good chance
to win games in the playoffs.
You know we never got out the first round
and I think that's because of defense.
So no, this year I think we
ready to take that leap.
Everybody's took the challenge.
You know a clue Luca.
I feel like Luca been one of the
best defenders on the team too.
Cause guys been trying to
ice on me even doing this.
Been doing his job.
We're actually talking about that how?
How often we talk and we talk
maybe too much to each other,
but he's I mean he's been great
since he's been here for me.
We talk all the time.
It's it's never, and it's sometimes
never really planned like I was walking
over here to talk to you guys and
we stopped and just chatted for 20
something minutes so it's never planned,
which is kind of.
How I like it.
It's it's organic.
It's say things that we need to
say here each other out and move
forward and he's been great for
me and he's he's been a big part
of the reason why I've been
able to play it when I played.
I think being a player's coach he understands
like the seat that we're sitting in.
I think he encourages us to talk and
have opinions and and get feedback
and make adjustments from there.
You know, overall,
obviously we know he's one of the
best point guards in the game,
and he also has been a place
to be able to learn from, uh,
you know, I just think just you know,
sticking to who I am.
You know, I'm young.
I'm gonna make mistakes. You know,
that's one of the things that I used
to hold my I just used to get mad at
myself for making mistakes during my
rookie year when I got my opportunities.
But you know, everybody makes mistakes
are going to come and you know just
make sure next time you don't do it,
you know that's the biggest thing that
I be able to to learn from him and
and take away from him so you know,
apart from that, you know everything is just,
you know what's going to keep you
on the court and what's going to.
You know, help the team and for
me that's defense and doing the
little things and the rest will come
oht it's big cause master, good guard.
He could switch he could.
He got so many positions he he could shoot.
You know he when he on the court
he's just a problem even if he ain't
making shots just because he can
shoot and guys know he could shoot.
You know I'm happy I'm I'm excited
because I know he's ready to play
you know him in shooting the ball
well but we know once playoffs here
don't nothing matter but winning
so I know he's decided you feel
like you're moving.
Yeah, definitely 100% better so you
know it sucks when you out there and
you can't move the way you wanna move,
but we did a really good job today.
I was doing the full practice
so that's a good step.
Having a long time ago and then
it was like an up and down played
kind of through it and then at some
point we said OK we need this to get
better and then we decided to like
get some rest do some more treatment
and some specific work on it but
it happened like a long time ago.
Yeah not really worried because I think
once the playoffs start everybody it's just.
Wants to go out there and
give their all you know,
like there's no limits to what
you play through I guess.
But you know,
obviously you wanna be in good shape.
You wanna be 100% because then
you you feel better you feel
free on the court and all that.
So for me like after the Washington
game I had really troubles to like
play the way I wanna play so that
that's why we decided OK we gotta
cut it down for a little bit and
get some rest in and it was a
good decision because you know we
improved a lot so we take that any
time no it happened before the LA.
After the also regulars Utah, then LA.
I think the second game yeah.
And then like I said,
it was like for then it was like 3-4
games where was bad and it got better again.
So we were like OK we good and
then it started again.
Did you feel like it was
affecting your shot in any way?
Your usual motion I mean hard to tell.
Obviously when your ankle hurts you
shift maybe a little bit more to one
side and lean over which you shouldn't do.
But then again you know you should
still be able to make some shots.
So I mean I don't want to look for excuses.
Obviously I'm the type of person
when my shot is not going well.
I'm going into the gym and I'm getting up.
How many reps as I can,
but I was limited because I couldn't
shoot because then I just flared up again.
So it was like I had to OK do I wanna play?
I do wanna practice so I had to
like find a mix but you know I
think I can affect the game in many
other ways not just shooting.
Obviously I wanna make my shots
right and I didn't shoot the ball
well this year but I think I can
still affect the game in many ways
to help the team so you know.
But now we just got to make a shot too.
What are some of those ways on
the offensive end that you think
you can be effective on screening?
Being ceiling you know for guys
that get layups
when when they double team like Kick
It Out to the second side have a
2 on one in the backside whatever
like you know like pin and dribbles
shots for Davis or whatever you
know like you can still affect it
by like good screening and knowing
where you have to be because a lot
of times maybe you can steal your
guy and another guy gets a layup and
stuff like it's like small things
here. I understand you gotta remember
last time I was in in any big game
situations he was one right so?
He didn't understand then and then.
Obviously having the year off when I was
hurt while I was two nice three like you
know he's he's just now understanding,
like hey, like we better win this game man,
I might be a little upset if we if we don't,
so don't ask for no candy.
Ohh, of course,
like since the beginning like I've
tried to speak to him as if he was,
you know, I'm saying a human being.
I I didn't do much baby talk,
it's not something I believe in and
I think his vocabulary is pretty
expensive for for three going 4 year old
and he's a very expressive with his,
his words, emotions,
all that stuff and I think it's a credit to.
Well obviously not just me.
His his mom's extended family,
grandparents etcetera,
but that was kind of the president.
The standard that that I want to
set for my child.
I would say just knowing
that that process is over.
You know the trade deadline,
all that stuff,
but I always play with that joy and.
You know, and that that care factor.
You know I care a lot about winning,
so when you see me, I did no bouncing
around I just wanna win and.
I just honestly the ball just been
finding me and I've been making shots.
You know, team been doing a good
job of finding me when I'm open.
Yeah, I definitely appreciate that
for sure he reached out early in the
recovery as well to me personally and
showed support and of all people,
he knows that it's a.
It's a grind and takes a lot
of a lot of effort.
A lot of focused work to get back,
so that was cool to see him.
Acknowledge me, I don't know.
We don't have like Achilles
group chat or anything.
But but I think you do recognize the the
work that guys have to do to go through
it to get through that sort of injury.
But I mean.
To play at this level,
an Achilles injury is tough.
An ACL, injuries,
tough high ankle sprain is tough.
The guys are playing through things that you
guys may not know about on a nightly basis.
So I think there's a collective
mutual respect for one another.
If you're out there playing,
knowing that it's not as simple
as just tying up the laces,
there's things that everybody has
to work through and and protect
themselves from physically to be
able to compete at this level.
So yeah,
I think everybody has that
respect for one another.
Yeah, we had so many players come in
during that time during the kovid time.
But yeah, I mean I think it just in general,
you know we have to go over so many new
principles cause of these new players.
And you know, honest to be honest like these.
These guys who came in these ten day plays.
They were really bought into what we were
doing and you know within a couple of
days they all they they learn how to do
it and you know it showed us like this.
This stuff really works and
just continuing to do it.
And you know having these older guys you
know veterans in the league like Isaiah,
Thomas and Brenda and I being
brought into that system.
I think it just made everybody
more comfortable with it
and and and going forward.