Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler Talk Game 7 Win vs. Rockets | 2025 NBA Playoffs

Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler Talk Game 7 Win vs. Rockets | 2025 NBA Playoffs

as much as you can or would like to, could you uh just describe the the team meeting last night, what Draymond said, just kind of the setting of it and and how how influential you felt it was. Um there was just a level of awareness that matters at this stage of our careers and this stage in you know a playoff series that was going our way then got away from us and comes down to a game seven where it’s all about just what can you control going into a game seven that’ll give yourself the best chance to you know win a game on the road and educating a lot of guys that haven’t been in this situation before on what to expect and what wins, you know, in this environment. And he started, Draymond started with himself just talking about having a level of poise and composure. I talked about some of the stuff I we can control that don’t necessarily show up in a stat sheet like taking care that does taking care of the ball, but like not missing box outs, not getting blown by, you know, metal drive, stuff like that, game plan, discipline, and uh Jimmy talked about just, you know, he’s going to breathe confidence and everybody. So, it’s just a matter of getting everybody on the same page going into a hostile environment. Steph, now that the uh series is over, is there anything that you could tell Jaylen to help him going into the off season coming out of his first playoff series like this? Every opportunity at this stage is a learning experience. Um, I don’t know what goes on in their locker room or what he’s asked to do or how they talk. So, I stay in my lane on that. But, you know, there’s always a chance to come back stronger, better, use the offseason to be honest with yourself on what you need to do to get better. We all go through that journey in your career. Um, you know, losing sometimes can make you better. So, you just uh don’t let it knock your confidence. Steph, he he was their leading scoreer coming into the series. How were y’all able to slow him slow him down and make things difficult for him? For who? Oh, for for Jaylen, he was their leading scoreer. How were y’all able to slow him down and make things difficult for him? I think you know this just game plan discipline. They have a lot of threats out there and you know again they were two seed for a reason cuz they had a certain style that their defense fed on you know fed into their offense a lot but for him specifically it wasn’t anything you know out of the ordinary just he demands attention so you want to try to send bodies at him as much as possible. you know, Fred got hot those two games. Um, that really, you know, got them kind of settled and he was a a legit scorer for him. Obviously, Sangon is going to do what he what he does, but, you know, if if you don’t let them have easy baskets, then you try to kind of feast on a little in a little bit of inexperience. Um, but you never know how it’s going to go. Steph, y’all played the Rockets 12 times this year between the regular season and the postseason and probably every time you’ve been asked about their defense, but now that this season is over with, can you speak to the uniqueness of the challenge that they face and the adjustment you had to make from game to game going against them? Every game was so different. It was all 12 of them. I mean, from the rotations um to the the score, it was low scoring for a majority of them. Then it became a shooting fest and this game was kind of like the back to you know that pattern of a low scoring just defensive physical tough you know grind it out type of game. So, it was, you know, for me, I can only speak for myself in the way that there that was one of the toughest defenses I think I’ve ever faced in the sense of the physicality that was allowed early in the series and then their commitment to just trying to take away all the patterns that we usually thrive off of and guard me at half court at times. It was it was wild. Um, but just staying patient but still being aggressive was uh the difference tonight. I only had three points in the first half and like five shots, but eventually every I’m trying to make the right play and soften them up and eventually, you know, you can make your presence felt scoring wise, but everything else was about just trying to make winning plays. Steph, two questions for you. Uh, first one, how difficult was it to kind of play that floor game? Uh, last time you were in a game seven, you just took like 30 shots, you were going for it, but this one, it seems like you were pretty patient. Was that difficult to pull off? No, because kind of to the last question, I knew how they were going to guard me and if I tried to play hero ball too early and it didn’t, you know, shots didn’t fall, then it could kill our our our rhythm. I honestly my whole goal was to only have one turnover. Literally, that was all I was thinking about because I knew that meant I didn’t have to, you know, I wouldn’t get rushed or get into traps. We usually were going to have an open shot somewhere or somebody diving to the basket based on the gravity that that was out there and it kind of played off that way. I missed some some a couple maybe two easy ones in the first half and then you start thinking about your shot a little bit. But you look up at the score and we’re we’re you know doing what we’re supposed to do. So it was definitely uh kind of reinforced keep playing that way and eventually I’ll find some some some open looks but we were scoring fine and then just get stops and and play defense. Secondarily, you’ve won five series now in Houston. What you think your reputation is in the city? I’m a winner. Steph, all that you’ve been through with Draymond in your 13 years, it looked like at the end of the game you w you walked up to him and pointed into the maybe the stands or up at the scoreboard. What can you share what you said to him? And then also when you guys were walking off, I think Draymond was screaming surprise, surprise. Uh we were just talking about it was it back to the the score. We wanted to keep them under 90. We had done it a couple times and we won. And if we we felt like we felt very confident that if we could do that again, we’d be able to score enough to to create some separation. And that’s kind of how it played out. So much of what Draymond was talking about was about how he lost his poise in game six. How important will it be for him to kind of straddle that line against the Wolves who have Goar, who have aunt who likes to talk, who have a bunch of guys who will play physically. No better lesson than tonight. like make it about basketball. We don’t he doesn’t need to be a mute and like not talk and be demonstrative. We want that type of Draymond, but conserve the energy towards, you know, us our huddles. You know, even when he had that uh kind of mix up with Van Vleet, he didn’t react, go talk to the refs, try to plead his case. It didn’t go his way. It was unfortunate call, but he kept it about basketball. and we’re going to have to continue to do that knowing the minutes we’re playing and the the tough test that Minnesota is going to present um the way that they’ve been playing. Steph, you’ve been through a number of game sevens. When you think back to your first one, what’s the biggest difference between you then and you now? Is it a concentration being able to sustain concentration for 48 minutes, keeping your nerves down? What’s the maturation process like now? Yeah, it’s just reps and experience and and knowhow that first one against the Clippers back in 14. We were up at the half and I we were feeling good about ourselves and then we kind of got walked down by just physical kind of hard-nosed basketball and that was kind of the nature of that whole series. It was very similar to to this one. Um, and just fully committing to every possession. Like that was something we did tonight that we needed every 50/50 ball. We needed, you know, to keep them off the offensive glass, keep our turnovers down. We only had three turnovers in the first half. It was just simple things that you can control. Obviously, Buddy had an amazing, you know, first half and took advantage of the space and and knocked down shots. Um, but everything else that we could control, we did and checked off the boxes and that allows you to to withstand runs and a hostile environment on the road. Say what? Yeah. um talent, skill, it’s, you know, something that either it comes naturally or you go through reps and you start to figure it out how you can manage a game mentally, emotionally, and physically. That’s all a part of, you know, the game of basketball. It’s the stuff that you see, you know, in between the lines. And for two games we didn’t have it like the clear as day that the first possession of fourth quarter in uh game six that was uh a lack of awareness and focus and then tonight was the exact opposite. So we we took advantage of of another opportunity. Steph, we kind of joked about it before the series started. Um but now that the series is over and um you went to war against him for seven games, how much more respect does the camp coach have for his former camper and a man Thompson? Uh I talked to him right after the game. Like you kind of saw him develop in front of everybody’s eyes. As I know people who watch the Rockets play, you know, night in night out for the last two years have seen the potential, seen the raw athleticism, the hunger, and uh he’s a dog. And it showed all all seven games. And uh he’s going to be a problem for sure. You know, he’s going to try to develop his game, especially offensively, but defensively he’s, you know, a freak athlete. And I think he loves the challenge and loves to be in the fight. So, um, yeah, he was tough all serious and it’s kind of crazy that the old man, you know, got it done though. Steph Draymond had the talk last night. You had a memorable speech before the Sacramento game seven. This is not the first time you’ve won a game seven here. Uh, how familiar does this feel? Is it like what you guys do? You guys are able to pull it together maybe in different ways in moments like this in familiar ways. Yeah, we’re thankful to be able to say that because we’ve had the way we came into it was this is was another opportunity that we should be thankful for considering all the things that we’ve gone through our entire, you know, this entire run and that we’re still trying to do it. So, you can tell a care we we there’s a there’s such a care factor um for every guy on this team and it starts with me, Draymond, you know, uh Looney who’s been here with us and and now obviously with Jimmy and his playoff experience. And so, we’re going to have to rely on that as long as this this ride continues. And the familiar part is, you know, figuring out the the the the chess board in between a series and and sticking with it, not letting go of the rope and being able to turn the page from one game to the next and and meet the moment. It’s it’s so much fun out there. I think that’s what we talked about to our guys the most was just there’s not there’s no more fun that you can experience in basketball than uh a playoff series, especially if it goes the distance. So, embrace it. Steph, as a shooter who knows that zone, what was it like to see Buddy get in that? Especially given his sort of unique personality on this team and did it bring back any flashbacks of, I don’t know, game six Clay or when you’ve seen Clay take over playoff games like that, just shoot the way he did with no dribbling, right? Just catch and shoot. I mean, that’s what the game called for and he answered it. Like to be able to turn the page from again 0 for four last game been up and down all series. Um I probably he probably tell you this first time you play well in this building. So it was it was great and timely uh to be able to have that that shooter’s confidence that you know if the game says shoot you let it fly and you know we’re going to live with it and and I’m happy for him because you know he works he works so hard all year getting to know him this whole season. You see how much basketball means to him and this is only his second playoff run and for him to have a game like that in game seven and he’s had a record for most threes and it’s pretty pretty special. So, uh I’m happy for him now. We got to keep it going. What do you expect from Anthony Edwards in facing Minnesota? Uh I mean you watched a little bit of their first round series. He’s playing with supreme confidence. We know, you know, they had their run last year and they’re uh a new a new look with Randall, but same aunt who’s who’s trying to take, you know, strides and uh with every opportunity he gets and, you know, like it’s going to be a tough challenge. We know going to have to send multiple bodies at him and figure out a game plan to go at him. But, um, yeah, they’re hot right now. They’ve been playing some some great basketball the last couple months and we’re excited that we have a an opportunity to to have some more basketball to play too. About what Buddy did tonight for you guys? He was huge. Um the 33 points were great. Nine threes incredible. But what he did on the defensive end was even more impressive. Uh he took on every matchup that he had whether it was Jaylen Fred all over the Hawking the ball handler. He ended up with Singon on the post, made him force a miss, knocked the ball out. We was able to come up with the loose ball. He made winning plays all night. Um, huge game for him. 37 minutes. I’m not sure he’s played that amount of minutes all year, but stayed the course. Uh, when we needed the most, he he delivered. And if I didn’t throw him a grenade, he would have been nine for 10 for three, but I threw him a grenade. So, I’ll take that one. Uh Draymond, uh coach, before you came in, he said that your emotions played a big part in this. What were you, you know, what was that conversation with the team before you guys came out tonight? Uh just, um I thought, you know, my people I trust in most had, you know, we had some heartto-he hearts after last game. Uh my wife, one of my closest friends, Travis, uh my barber is one of my closest friends. Um Coach Chiso, and I just I pouted way too much last game. Um so I spent the last two days embarrassed. Uh just at what I what I gave to the game, what I gave to the world. I was embarrassed. And so I’ve been dying since the last game ended to get out on the floor and prove who I am. You know, uh, one thing about this league, you’re never done proving who you are until you’re done completely finished. And so I wanted to come out and prove again just who I am. Uh, with poise, but with the same fire, same tenacity, but poise. And I think I delivered that and gave our guys something to follow. uh what I gave them last game to follow, they followed it and that’s why we got bullied. But I think I gave them something different to follow today and that was that was the that was the message. That was the goal. We got it done. Draymond, Steve said that you set the tone last night at the team dinner with that speech. What goes into deciding to give that speech and what was the reception from the rest of your teammates? Uh well, I think what goes into it is it’s really deciding who’s going to give a speech. Um obviously I always try to defer to Steph, uh defer to Jimmy, and they wanted me to speak. Uh but I had a lot to say. Um and like I said, most importantly was calling myself out. You know, you can’t go into a game seven expecting guys to rally off the game we had before and not address it. And so I wanted to address that number one, but then secondly, tell everybody else what we needed, which was a a togetherness like no other. Um, and our huddles together, um, trusting in each other and believing. And so thought it was uh much needed. Um, but as much as I think this team needed it, I feel like I needed it for myself even more. Um, because you got to be accountable. You can’t be a leader and not be accountable. and you call other guys out when their stinks you then you better say when yours does too. And uh that’s what I that’s what I tried to make a point in doing after 13 years and six game sevens together with Steph. What does it mean to you to walk off the court after a game like that? Uh it means a lot especially losing a 3-1 lead. Having to come on the road and win it. um means a ton to continue playing at this level, having the opportunity to compete at this level. Um and it’s a little more special that we’ve done it here before. So, it’s a familiar feeling. Dr. Couldn’t help notice you and Steve having a talk shoot around mostly Steve talking and you listening. Just what was kind of the mood of that one? uh and just really setting the tone for what he needed from me today. Uh which is poise, um leadership, but he had some great words. Uh he told me, he gave me a story um a few different stories. They were great. But I think the gist of it was just you’ve done so much whether we win or lose this game. When it’s all said and done, at the end of your career, nobody will remember. So, go out, have fun with poise, give your guys something to follow. You know, you told me you’re one of the most competitive people I’ve ever been around. Um, and one of the greatest leaders I’ve been around. So, I I it’s my job to let you know what what your leadership should be tonight, like how you need to lead, what that needs to look like for tonight. It’s my job to prepare you for that. Uh my job to get you ready emotionally to play and it’s one of the better conversations we’ve ever had and we’ve had some great ones. Uh but that one I’ll remember for the rest of my life. You talked about the huddles. I noticed there was a you had a huddle right before the start before tip off. Maybe in a different kind of way. Definitely sounded or felt like it was a little more emotional. Was that a a big moment for you? It was definitely uh a big moment for us uh for me for us. Um, you know, the emotions in the game, seven run high and we just wanted to make sure we were on the right side of that. Not tightening up cuz you got to be loose, but understanding what every possession means. Uh, understanding that we weren’t giving our energy to anything outside of ourselves. And I think in setting that tone, everybody we did that. How would you contextualize this this series for for Steph with just the way that they defended him, the way he performed and then finishing with 14 fourth quarter. That was huge. Uh that’s why he is who he is. He he just made the simple play tonight. Uh had three points for a lot of the game and then he bust out. But he made the right play. Just moved the ball on and allow trusted other guys to make the play because of how they was guarding him. And it’s a beautiful game to see him close it out. He knew once like, “All right, now it’s time for me to take over and take this thing home.” It was beautiful, man. But I want to give a lot of credit to that team down there. Uh, Eay, the way he had those guys fighting. Um, I gained a lot of respect for that team throughout this series. Uh, one of the tougher series I’ve played in. Um, personally, but that’s a young team to be reckoned with. And I told myself I was going to talk crazy because they have been talking crazy all series and on the internet, but I gained so much respect for those guys. Senon is an incredible player. Uh the way Fred Van Vleet and Steven Adams led those guys, they had no experience and they led them, took us to the brink. Um that team’s going to be a force to be reckoned with and I hope they understand it. You know, things can change fast in this league. You’re you’re only on the up until you’re not, you know. Um, but they got something promising that they can continue to build on. Jabari Smith, incredible. Uh, he played like a vet this whole series, getting his spots, knocking big shots down. Um, a lot of respect for those guys. Draymond, Steve talked about meaningful basketball and being able to play it this time of year. When you go back to the trade deadline and all what’s preceded since then, are these the kind of games you were thinking about playing uh, when the trade happened and just in this moment? Um, absolutely. This is exactly what the trade was for to get back to this level. Um, play meaningful basketball as Steph has been saying all year and Jimmy is what he’s been to this group. Um, has allowed us to be in this position to continue our season and possibly do something special. Trey, you talked about winning the championship right after shortly after the trade on Allstar weekend, but now that you’ve have gone, you still have to go through the war. Like, now that you’ve gone through a seven game battle, what do you feel this group is capable of doing moving forwards in the next round? Uh, I think this group is capable of exactly what we set out to do, which is win a championship. Uh, we know the things that we need to improve on and continue to get better at, but I got the utmost confidence in this group. uh didn’t want to go seven games, but it in the end it won’t hurt us with that experience that our young guys got the opportunity to get. Um but I think we’re right where we need to be, right where we want to be uh with an opportunity to continue to extend this thing and we believe. Yeah. I mean, I was never rattled, but you know, with with every win, I think that grows. When you talk about feeling embarrassed the past couple days leading into tonight, how do you use that as fuel and how do you like in what ways do you channel that feeling onto the court? Well, I had to channel it in a different way because that could lead you to ah come out and I want to so bad. Uh I actually went the opposite way. I listened to all slow music the last couple days just kind of calm myself down. went to the spa, meditate, because I knew like I know I can ratchet my intensity up. I know I’m going to meet the intensity level, but I felt like I was going too far. I listened to um checkout time on the way to the game the other day and that was the exact mindset I had going into that game. Uh so wanted to change it up a little bit today. some Brent fire ass, you know, scissor 90s R&B just kind of change it, completely changed it up. So, it was it was good for me. Came into the series, Jaylen Green came into the series, their leading scoreer, and y’all had different guys on him throughout the series. I think just one game he was able to get off. How were y’all able to corral him, kind of keep him in check throughout the series? Uh, I think doing your work early. Um, we did a good job on him to start the series and I think that kind of rattled his confidence a little bit. Uh, you know, it this isn’t something he’s been a part of before. He’s a good young player. He’ll learn from his mistakes, but you got to get a guy’s credit that was guarding them. Buddy, Steph, BP, GP, uh, JK, anybody who was on him, he was a focal point and our and and trying to take him out of this series. We know what they’re capable of when he’s scoring and so we really wanted to take him out of the series and I think we did a good job of it. But like I said, he’s a good young player. He’ll grow. He’ll continue to learn from this. Uh tough first experience for him, but he won’t he’s not the first young upand cominging starter to have a tough experience in the playoffs. Won’t be the last. I think he’ll continue to grow from it. He got a great coach to lead him. Uh Fred, great leader to lead him and I think he’ll grow from it. But you know, I got to give our guys a lot of credit and our coaching staff a lot of credit with the game plan on. Draymond, how would you describe sort of the vibe when Buddy gets in that zone and and related to that? Any any interaction with him and Jimmy? Him and Jimmy have gone back and forth. And what was tonight like? I mean, did Jimmy say anything afterward or what was that? I didn’t catch any of their banter tonight, but but he was huge. And ironically, I could see just the way he was walking this morning. Like the way he was talking like he was he was so engaged and he delivered on the biggest stage. Got to give him his credit. It was huge for us. Um sure it was big for his confidence. We’re going to need that buddy to continue on. It won’t be nine threes every night, but just the intensity and focus level that he had uh as you get on, excuse me, in these playoffs becomes more and more important. You mentioned kind of your mindset shift from game six to game seven, the need for kind of a calmer version of yourself. You’re about to go to Minnesota. Quick turnaround. Go Bear, the size of Minnesota. What do you need to do in that series? And and I guess how do you have to keep that similar type? Yeah, I have to keep it similar for my guys. Uh, forget anybody else. Um, but for my guys, I need to stay that way. So, I’ll be locked in. Um, it’ll be good. But finding that balance, finding that line, not crossing it is important for me and and this team. And I gave him my word. I’ll continue to give him my word. Hey, Dmon. Steve said he didn’t have you guys ready for last game. Apparently, you were ready this game. what did he do to to help that process new? Number one was coming into the locker room right after game six and saying that’s on me. I ain’t had y’all ready to play. Um so the accountability and leadership uh number one. But number two, just the belief I would tell y’all Steve’s so calm in these situations. Everybody get rattled, he just be just like this. So when you have a coach that walks in like that, it settles everybody down. And you know, um, obviously he’s the best in the business when it comes to game plans this time of year. There were some pretty jubilant scenes with you and Steph late in the game. There’s been some hostility with the Houston crowd. Do you guys enjoy playing in in this arena and winning in this city? It’s always fun winning in the city and winning in this arena. Saw Fred has made a comment earlier in the series said, “This ain’t that team. It’s that organization though.” and we we like coming to this cities and playing in these situations. It’s been good to us. And also, I think what you saw from us is like this stuff is hard, man. He told me the other day, he said, “I got a question.” They were saying like, “Yo, this is tougher than it used to be.” It’s like, man, it ain’t It’s always been hard and we know how hard it is. Um just looked easy, but it’s always been hard. And so just, you know, to get over that hump, first hump. Now, you feel good about it, enjoy it, appreciate it tonight, and move on from it tomorrow. Draymond, there was a lot of, you know, back and forth physicality throughout this entire series, you know, between you and the other teams. I mean, I’m sorry, you and some of the other players, but at the end of the day, all of them gave you respect and said that you’re a very good player. Fred just got through talking about how good of a person you are, good of a player you are. What does that mean to you knowing that all of the the the negative things you hear about yourself, but knowing that the players respect you like that? It’s always about players from respect from your peers. Uh fans will feel how they feel. The public will feel how they feel. It’s okay. I’m really not here to appease to them. Um but when you got respect amongst your peers, that’s the most important thing. And like I said, they they earned my respect. Um always got a lot of love for Fred. You know, we’ve had our battles, but Fred is a standup guy. The way he led those guys this year, um, coming in last year is tough. Continued to lead, believe, brought to carry this team to a two seed. We’re probably an average age of 24. So special. Uh, but Fred is a special leader. I told y’all the other day, he’s the reason we lost to Toronto. Uh, everybody try to make like, oh, he’s not giving Karate respect. No, it’s not that. Fred was that X factor. He We had no match up for him. We couldn’t get matched up with him and he beat us. Uh big shot after big shot. Uh but it’s a lot, like I said, I got a lot of respect for those guys, man. They took us to the brink. They never backed down from anything. That’s they got a bright future. Uh if they can continue to work and put it together, uh really bright future cuz that’s a tough tough team. Athletic dogs. didn’t back down at all. So, I got a lot of love and respect for those guys. They made me better this series. I had to get better in order for us to win this series. And um that was because of what they did. Buddy, buddy, buddy, buddy. Oh my boy. Can you please Well, I I guess uh what can you say about Buddy’s performance tonight? Um, Buddy gets paid a lot of money to to play at a high level. Um, you know, Buddy was Buddy tonight. Good for you, buddy. Butter, good for you. No, Buddy. Buddy was huge. Uh but we we we know the type of basketball player that he is and he’s a tough cover for sure whenever he’s making shots, but he made so many right plays on the defensive side of the ball getting the ball where it needed to go. Um but he was really really really uh big for us tonight. What did you see from Draymond today? Draymond talked about how he took accountability for I guess how he was in game six and he made a speech at pregame dinner. Wondering what what did you see? Uh, I just saw Dre being Dre, staying poised, not let all the nonsense get to him. Um, expecting what’s going to happen. Um, I think that was the the biggest thing for him, not letting any of that get him out of character, compete, stay in the game, and and and be the anchor for us on the defensive side of the floor, and then um make some big shots, start us off the right way, and um control the offensive side as well. Jimmy, uh, Buddy had said that team meeting was he called it emotional, but he credited your leadership, Steph and Draymond, with really getting him to lock in and everybody else. What did you say and what was it like going through your first game seven with Draymond and Steph? Um, I mean, it was it’s a pleasure to be able to compete in a game seven on the road with those two Hall of Famers. And uh I mean my message to to my guys was I wasn’t being who I was in a sense of pumping confidence into my guys. I think that’s a part of um my leadership that I’ve I’ve learned and gained throughout my years of playing this game at a high level. And um I wasn’t doing that for the first six games. So I wanted to make sure to let them know that I was going to let you know everything was going to be fine. We’re right where we wanted to be and I think uh I got back to being who I’m supposed to be. How much did you guys need? Seemed like the last couple games showed you really needed a secondary shooter, someone besides you and stuff to be making those shots the way Buddy did tonight from beyond your entertaining byplay with him strategically. How much did you need that and what what allowed that? Was there more space for him tonight or No, I think we actually rebounded the ball better. We got to the loose balls. It’s easier to score whenever you get the opportunity to to shoot the ball at that side of the floor. Um, we didn’t turn the ball over. All of that plays a role in in Buddy having a game that he did and guys been able to make shots at the clip that we did. Um, so as long as we get the ball, secure the rebound, play in transition, um, it gets easier for everybody. Jimmy, Fred Van Vleet have been an issue for y’all the last few last few games. Um, what was it about tonight or how did y’all defend him differently tonight? Draymond was in here talking about him earlier, but how much of a focus was he for y’all and and what were y’all able to do against him tonight? I mean, Fred’s a tough cover. Um, along with a lot of guys on that roster, but I think it’s just making everything difficult, contesting every shot, not losing him in transition or in the half court. Um, and then rebounding the basketball. you know, whenever you don’t rebound and then they’re kicking it out and you’re walking in the open threes, um the basket gets bigger for anybody in this league. Uh so I think we we did a good job of controlling that. This your first time through with this with these guys. Uh you mentioned obviously Draymond and Steph and put Kerr in there too. He’s been through with some of these and Draymond said that after game six Kurt put it on himself, but he didn’t have you guys prepared. What’s it just been like to go through it with that kind of accountability from those three guys? Uh, I think that’s what um real leaders do. They always try to take all the burden, but that’s that’s not the case. You know, Steve can’t control if we’re not getting to lose balls. He can tell us, but we’re the ones that have to go out there and do it. He can draw up all the plays that he wants, but we’re the ones that have to go out there and execute and play hard. Um, but the fact that he’s willing to take that for the guys is is huge. You know, same with Draymond, same with Steph, same with myself, actually, and so many guys on his roster. So, you know, we just talked about um controlling what we can control, go out there and compete and um we know if we do that, we will win a game. Jimmy, obviously Steph only had three points in the first half, but he still was leading in defensive rebounds, assists, steals, blocks. How do you explain his impact when his shots aren’t falling? Also knowing that he could go off at any time. Yeah. Uh I think that’s a true definition of like uh I don’t I don’t even know what you call it. best player, one of the greatest is that they impact the game in more than just scoring or or shooting. So to be able to guard, to be able to rebound, to find guys when they’re open, um it’s a hard job for him because he always got three people that’s on him and he’s always making the right play over and over and over again. But uh we needed it and then when it was time for him to make some shots, we needed it and uh he came through. you haven’t had time to stop thinking about this game, but you’ve got you going back to Minnesota second round series. Uh just what comes to your mind about this series, about this challenge, obviously quick turnaround for game one. Honestly, I got to like midnight to enjoy this win. So, that’s what I’m going to do. And then I’ll focus on Minnesota come uh after midnight, but uh worried about how I’m going to get my coffee machine to Minnesota and how I’m going to get my kids there. Uh Jimmy, uh Draymond was in here earlier. He said that this series actually made him a better player. Just curious, is there anything that you’re going to take into the next series that you might have picked up from playing this scene? Um I’m going to take how resilient we are as a group. Um coming from where they were, you know, post trade before I got here and the way that everybody locked in and and made me feel welcome and we took off this way and we never wavered. the confidence never went anywhere. Um, really good group of hoopers, really good group of people. Um, so that’s what I’m going to take into this next round is we got some guys that can play at an extremely high level and on any given night it could be anybody’s night. So much of this series was about you and Draymond battling their, you know, double center lineup. Um, you’ve been with Draymond now a few months seeing, you know, 65, 66 maybe. uh what you know more appreciation do you have for what he physically has done over the last decade as basically a center? Uh a lot but he’s been doing that since he came into the league. What I respect more than anything is the way like he can talk to anybody and everybody and it’s so like on point and it’s it’s quick like the fact that you tell me hey that’s two loose balls you didn’t get no more. And I’m like, you’re right. You know, like or you talk to Steph and you can talk to BP and whoever it is. And it’s like, you don’t got to repeat it. I got it. Like that’s I didn’t know. And um I respect it so much now that he’ll talk to anybody and everybody quick to the point because it’s all about winning. So all the battles that he goes through, it’s his leadership quality of like getting to the point and moving on that I respect the most. How would you qualify how physical this series was for you and him down there? Very physical. more so for him because he gotta switch. He got to battle both of the bigs. Only got to battle, you know, the big a couple times and I get to move out there to the guards. But, uh, all of that physicality, uh, ended with four wins for us. So, we’re happy. Appreciate that.

Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler’s full postgame press conferences after the Golden State Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets in Game 7 of their first round series.

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0:00 Steph Curry
14:22 Draymond Green
30:27 Jimmy Butler

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