Dallas Mavericks NBA Finals Media Day Interview: Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Jason Kidd, More

Dallas Mavericks NBA Finals Media Day Interview: Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Jason Kidd, More

around the room we do have microphones on each side so please raise your hand when you’ve got a question we’ll try to get to as many as we can we’ll start over here on two fourth row second seat in uh Jason Chris manic Sports Illustrated you you coached porzingis for one year in Dallas there was a lot of expectations for him coming into that situation I’m wondering from your perspective Why didn’t it work out the way you probably thought no I you know Chris when you talk about um did it work did it not work um I only had him for a short period of time and and I thought um you know it was going well um in the sense of our defense um his ability um to block shots rebound and then offensively we look to post them up a little bit more than um Rick had used them in the post who was strictly just you know on the perimeter shooting threes um both work both he has the skill set to do both um and as you know in the business of basketball there’s trade that take place and so um and we’re judged if it works or doesn’t work that’s just part of the business but um for the short period I had him I really enjoyed uh KP he was great uh great on the floor great off the floor did everything we asked um when you talk about you know maybe the health he you know he he got hurt um and so um as much as a coach or teammate you want them all to be out there 100% at all times but I thought KP did great for us um but the business of basketball there was a a pivot um and so from there um things changed same rrow in the aisle Bob Manning CS media um also on Chris STS um how have you kind of seen his game evolve in the years since you coached him and he left Dallas and what kind of challenges it going up against him especially when you’re not certain like how they might use him in the minutes when he’s coming in the series with the injury here has it been that long he’s been gone from Dallas um couple years okay um I I think again his game uh when you talk about a big um who can put the ball on the floor who can score um can play I Believe can play in the post and um in today’s game there’s a lot of Threes there’s not not a lot of post up but when you look at um the defensive end too A lot of times uh you know he doesn’t get recognized for his defense of being able to change shots or a shot blocker and I think you know here in Boston he’s done an incredible job of doing both um there’s no you know he plays his role and that’s I think that’s one of the things that’s underrated about KP um when you ask him to do something he doesn’t he doesn’t complain about you know his role he goes out there and tries to help his team win back right Eddie Eddie seel mass.com Jason you were a pretty Elite uh thinker back in your days as a player what I’m wondering what you think about the way Luca thinks his way around the court uh uh to help maybe some athletic shortcomings maybe well you said that Eddie I did not U uh we believe that he’s super athletic um and so uh but when you talk about basketball IQ um everybody has different levels um when you look at Luca’s level of uh understanding the game uh time and score uh who’s on the floor um he is um at the head of the class and in that sense um when you look at you know the stage he’s not afraid of the stage uh of the moment um successful or or not uh he loves that that moment and so um it’s it’s really cool when you get to spend a lot of time with someone to see how they do move around the floor um he has shown that he can play defense at a high level um he’s also shown um you know that he he will take a little time off when needed defensively but uh when it comes down to it he’s about winning and uh that’s why we’re here um is is because of he’s playing both sides of the ball and he understands uh when he has to um but you know his offensive skill set is is pretty special um when you talk about being able to to play inside and out uh play the mid-range game uh shoot the the Deep three um he’s just you know so I think he’s one of the smartest players in this league and and and that’s why again we’re playing in the finals because of his IQ and his uh willingness to step up on that stage and not be afraid to fail over here Tim on the third row on the aisle Jason Tim Reynolds with the Associated Press when Boston lost to Golden State a couple years ago there was a sense that guys like Jaylen and Jason had to go through the finals they had to go through it once to figure out what it was about you played in a couple times as a player before you before you won one is there any truth to that notion that a guy really to understand what it takes to win it you almost have to go through the pain of losing one once to fully comprehend how big a deal the finals are yeah I think um you do have to experience um you know I think that’s the the nicer way to accept losing is that you have to go through it um it’s a graceful way to to accept losing um but you do have to um again go through you know defeat to understand you know that bad taste or how you feel how does it make you feel to work on your game um to get better um but then there are times when um you’re just not good enough and as a player unfortunately with the Nets we played the Lakers we just weren’t good enough and we got swept and so uh there are some cases that that you just run to Shaq and Kobe and uh you got to just take the feat and and then move on but uh we did bounce back to come back but I think you do um J Jason and um and brown um have gone through defeat um we also lost to the Warriors too that year so um The Warriors are are are really good but they learned something and you can see they’re playing at a high level right now winning 64 games the best team in the NBA um to be you know penciled in at the beginning of the season um that puts a little pressure or stress you know because you know you’re supposed to be here um and so uh they fulfilled that but they that tand them they’re they’re playing at extremely high level and we got our work cut out but uh they’ve been here um some of us for the Mavs have been here some of us haven’t and this is we’re going to you know Embrace that and um and find a way to hopefully uh win a series on your right Brad Jason uh Brad towns in Dallas Morning News piggybacking off of Tim’s question this is your fifth finals as a player or coach what is the biggest differ when you’re talking about that hurdle between the finals final winning the finals what stands out to you as you know the biggest part of that hurdle is it the aura the uh the atmosphere just the increase of a competition what is it uh simple Talent sometimes you you don’t have enough Talent um that as I brought up the Lakers and Nets um we were we were happy to be there but we just didn’t have enough talent to beat Kobe and Shaq um it could be that simple um but you know nerves sometimes play a part too just The Human Side of Things um you know but at the end of the day as much as we’ve talked about it uh to embrace it um to stay steady um and to enjoy this time because you’re not promised anything to come back the following year so to do everything this is a this isn’t a vacation this is a a a road trip in the sense of a job we have a opportunity here to find a way to win on the road so that’s how we’re approaching it but um you know this is the the best of the best at the highest level and U and it’s fun and and that that’s what the finals are all about is seeing what team is is going to step forward and and and take advantage of mistakes uh luuka Chris manx with Sports Illustrated when christops was traded right over here when christops was traded to you guys a few years ago there were a lot of expectations for the two of you to be successful why in your mind did it not work out maybe the way everyone hoped uh I don’t really know uh I don’t know why it didn’t work out uh you know we were still both young uh we tried to make it work but it just just just didn’t work so moved onx Sports um you’ve talked a lot about what Kyrie has meant to you as a teammate but did his leadership skills surpass your expectations I mean his leadership is amazing uh the way he connects us uh I think uh me and Kai are the leaders of this team uh but he’s he’s the one that’s been in the finals he’s the one that won the finals uh so he’s the one that is really leading and he’s keeping us all together and motivated Dave right here Luka Dave MCM with the ESPN one of your favorite players growing up LeBron James just called Kyrie iring the most gifted player the NBA has ever seen just as someone who obviously you’re a basketball player as your occupation as as your passion as as your life goal what’s it like seeing the stuff he could break out in practice in game situations and do you guys kind of deep in each other’s back by being around one another I mean some things uh he’s done I mean especially in practice uh it’s insane you know the drinks he even trying the game uh it’s insane that he can I never seen nobody make those shots and I I never seen nobody try uh those shots and obviously we know the handles uh but just some shots are crazy and it’s it’s amazing just to experience this life right in front the middle [Music] over to the right L ER [Music] Tim on the left here Luka Tim Reynolds with the Associated Press I I know you’re locked in on the finals right now I respect that obviously by the time this series ends you’ll have played like 95 games this year or something like that I know playing for Slovenia means a lot to you have you decided if you’re going to play in the qualifiers which would be just a couple weeks after the series obviously yeah I think uh we’ll see uh how my my knees uh but if if it’s a good I’m going to go I’m going to go play yeah more games you forgot the what was that uh World Cup before the season standing all the way in the back left what’s up bro uh this is Javari Smith uh NBA correspondent for game one um I’m going ask the same question you probably done got a thousand times first NBA Finals um how’s it feel you know what I’m saying um amazing uh first time here uh hopefully it’s not the last time uh but never take it for granted uh you never know if you’re going to come back uh so just enjoy the experience for sure appreciate it over on your right side [Music] for Bruce right here in the front Bruce Castle Bay Boston Herald um you’ve played in front of a lot of hostile crowds how do you expect the reception to be here and how’s this crowd compare with crowds that you’ve faced around the NBA and in Europe yeah I think it’s very uh loud crowd uh everybody knows that you know they’ve been known for that uh it’s hard to play in this place uh the crowd is is amazing for their team and uh all I got to say is we got to you know stay together it’s us against them so uh we got to stay together but it’s going to be really hard to play In This Crowd toer over here on the right just hold on for the mic hey Luka um entering that trade deadline PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford were on lottery teams um headed for another kind and and short end of their season now they key contributors to your season I guess like what does that say just about opportunity and um just given the right role on the right team yeah it speaks a lot uh you’ve seen it more examples too but I think they fit perfectly with us uh their trade made us so much better team especially on the defensive end uh so they’re the perfect roles that we need back left here spe [Music] we’ll take final two on the back right and then on the back left [Music] all the way in the back yeah Jonah Javad with WFA in Dallas Luca you mentioned playing in hostile environments you played a lot of basketball games is there one game or one place in particular in your whole career NBA international that was the most Rowdy environment that you can remember what was the craziest yeah it was I remember it get it was quarterfinals of Eur League against ptin Nikos in ptin Nikos uh the crowd went crazy and we started they started winning 20 to0 so imagine that thanks Luka thank you we’ll take questions around the room please raise your over here on the right toer one PJ I just uh just asked Luke about this right here in the back um enter that trade deadline I don’t know if you had a good idea but you were headed towards I think your fifth straight Lottery team um another early exit and two or three short months later you’re you’re in the finals contributing heavily to to this team I guess what does that say about um you first and then just about the opportunity that um sometimes you just on the right team maybe uh just to Showcase your skills and how you fit on a team uh for me I just thought it was a great um a fit for me to come here and uh showcase what I can do I feel like I can come in and uh obviously bring something to the defensive end and help us obviously get here so um for me I’m not surprised by any of it I just try to come in each and every day and uh just do my job and uh we got here so um credit to my teammates and we’ve done a great job on our defensive end and we’re just happy to be here on your right Steve second row uh Steve asmaner nba.com I’m compared to the Celtics who’ve been knocking on the door of of of this uh stage for a while you guys are almost Uninvited um when do you think the shock and awe of being here is going to hit home for you um I’m not sure I think when the game start but um like I said we’re prepared we’re excited uh we always knew our end go was to be here so um this isn’t something that’s surprising for us um and we’re excited to go out there and showcase what we can do are there particular things that Kyrie or Jason can impart to you talk to you about to to prepare you for for this uh yeah Kai I mean he’s done a great job of keeping us uh cool C and collected uh he’s been here before obviously count number of times so um just telling us to feel every emotion and uh just come out and be ourselves um at the end of the day we have to go out and win four games so that’s all we worried about back right DJ shenel for sports um the way you guys have defended in this playoff run playing different schemes and styles depending on the matchups I’m curious how does that prepare you guys for Boston’s offensive attack um I think It prepares prepares us uh really well I feel like we played a lot of different teams that uh throw different stuff at us so Boston is a is a great offensive team they pretty much have a a bunch of different weapons and uh I feel like we’ve been uh prepared for it throughout the whole playoffs so um I’m just excited to match up with them and I’m excited to go out there and see what we can do last row on left PJ Jonah jav with WFAA in Dallas standing on business if you don’t mind explaining what that means to you what that means to this Mavericks team and also maybe how your kids have kind of embraced that pose and uh the poster and all that um I think for me is just showing people we’re not going anywhere um we’ve been a tight-knit family since I’ve got here since before that so um everybody has each other’s back and uh we just use that mentality each and every day so uh we’re just trying to come in here and uh handle business and uh just try to get four wins thank you PJ Kyrie will be up next thank you Joe on the front right hey Kyrie Joe Bon from the athletic did you see what LeBron said yesterday yeah I did is that the first question yes it is oh God I mean we we know gotta love this man that obviously um you two have said over the last couple years that you missed playing with each other you wanted to play with each other but for him to come out and say yesterday not only how well you are playing but that he misses being your teammate like what how do you react to that uh I mean it’s I have a a great reaction you know it’s appreciate it um there’s a lot of gratitude there as well um you know obviously uh I’m in a different age different place in my life uh you know so was he and I think we’ve both been able to mature uh and really appreciate what we got a chance to accomplish um I think there were some things that got in the way of our relationship when I was a little bit younger and now that I’m able to vocalize how I feel as as a man and and be comfortable and stand on my square and my beliefs and where I’m coming from um you know I feel like our relationship is different because that now and definitely miss him uh playing out there just making things easier being able to run up and down the floor and just throw the ball to somebody like that throw it in the air just as athletic as they come um but yeah it’s just a mutual respect there for what we brought to the table and um his leadership my leadership style um I think it messed very well and I was learning a lot from him that I’m appreciative for the rest of my life so um man when he says comments like that uh you I just think back to just us having those moments uh where we’re down in a series or up in a series and we’re really demanding greatness from each other and then off the court our fam is just meshing well so um definitely think about those times but now we’re here in the present um where we’re able to reflect but also uh now I’m at this stage and uh able to use some of the formulas that I was taught from him and some of the great teachers that have come before me you know I feel like I’ve been built for this moment because I’ve gone through through some of the things I’ve gone through in my past with some of the guys that have transcended the game so uh shout out to Braun for all that man um knows how to store up a media storm and get everybody in here talking about us uh but um yeah I’m looking forward to the future and uh getting this series stared Now Dave here on the left front hey Kyrie Dave MCB with the ESPN you mentioned the things you’ve been through been seven years since you were last in the NBA Finals third different team since then how are you going to apply all the experiences you had um since the highs of three straight finals to this this time and and did you recognize maybe over that period of time just how rare and how fleeting an opportunity like this can be to compete for the championship yeah I mean it is a fleeting feeling um you know just to be real with you there’s so many peers of mine that have spent the long um you know spent the long years in the NBA trying to make it to the NBA finals West and Conference Final finals Eastern Conference Finals and have gotten very close or have you know almost struggled or or strived every single year to get back and uh I had the chance to do it in my fourth year my fifth year my sixth year uh and when I look back at at those memories I’m you know never regretful of how I treated it but a little disappointed just on how I approached uh just that success and I wanted to be able to enjoy it and take a breather and really taking the moment you know you’re in the middle of a 76 year history you know I’m in the middle of a 76 year history now but then we were in years of history and NBA is very young still as a business so when you ascend to this level and you’ve put in a lot of hard work you’ve been beat some of the best in the world you’re playing with some of the best in the world um you know I think at that point I just looked at it as oh I’m going to be here every single year and now that I’m at this age I’ve been through what I’ve been through and been able to come out on the other side um you know I look at it as an opportunity uh that I don’t want to take for granted and I want it to last as long as possible emotionally just because of how much it took to get here you know these young guys are very hungry uh they want a championship I want a championship so our feelings are very mutual um but I’ve always reminded them that this is a process and um you know failure is going to be part of this too so get it out your mind that this is about to be a clean sweep of everything’s about to feel good throughout this journey and all that so I’m just very real very honest and that’s what’s helped me grow as a leader is uh just accepting what I can control and what I can’t just letting it wa to the way side man letting that go how it’s going to go that’s life um and basketball’s been a great teacher for me but life has been an even better one um using those same principles that I’m learning in life to apply to basketball has allowed me to get to know my teammates better um you know there’s no silent treatment that’s coming randomly you know throughout the year because I don’t know how to emotionalize or vocalize how I’m feeling uh so some of the things I struggle with as a young player I’ve now been able to accept that this is what comes with being in this position um taking on the pressure and then also teaching my teammates how to get through it and also allowing them to teach me so just staying a student and enjoying the craft Man Standing on your back left hey Kyrie back here Nick Hoy from ABC6 in Providence just wanted to ask you what has your relationship with God sham God meant to you and how has it help you succeed with this organization ah man shout out to God sham God man he’s he’s been imperative and uh just helping me grow and and uh enjoying the game every single day and competing and um you know I feel like he’s just one of my uncles you know just from from Harlem New York that’s uh there to give me a little when I need it but be honest uh all the time and um remind me that this is bigger than basketball so uh shout out to God sham God man he’s helped me a lot this year and been there every single day to help work me out and um also Inspire the Next Generation Um he does it in his own way so I’m just following his footsteps just like other uncles of mine who have done great things in this world mark on on the right side Kyrie uh Mark Spears ESPN zscape uh two things what is it like playing against some of your like former Brothers former teammates now on this stage and also you seem like you did a good job of tuning out the crowd last time you played here is that something you thinking about and is there a key to doing that no matter what they say to you yeah I mean I’ve ex experienced Boston twofold um you know my first few years being in the NBA playing for the Cavs um you know then coming here to Boston then being right down the street in Brooklyn you know and then now being here in the finals playing against them uh the potential four to seven game series uh you know you just got to breathe through it uh to all my youngest out there that are dealing with some of the crowd reactions and what they’re saying to you you have to breathe and realize that this is not as hostile as you think it is don’t overthink it and been able to work through that and um understand that you know some of that is anxiety some of that is nervous nervousness and they could all be turned into a strength um there’s no fear out here man it’s basketball the fans are going to say what they’re going to say I appreciate them and and their relationship they have to the game but it’s about the players at the end of the day um and then the first question was uh first part of your question was are you stimul oh playing against my former Brothers yeah no I’m excited they they’ve gotten um tremendously better they they’ve uh LED their team to this point so I’m proud of them and um I’m looking forward to the competition because this is what we’ve all strived for since we were kids is to be at this level playing against the best of the best um they have a a great team over there led by a great coach um so we’re we’re going to be in for a great series a hard tough series and they’re going to give us their best and I know that they’re not going to slow down when they see me they’re going to come at me even more so so uh this is what I’ve been preparing for since last summer or you know when our season ended last year of putting in the time to prepare for moments like this thank you Kyrie we bit started in here at 1:30 with the Celtics

Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington, and Jason Kidd spoke to reporters during NBA media day before Game 1 against the Boston Celtics.

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