Q: When you got hurt in the second game of the 2012-13 season, you looked like you were just about to take that next step in your career’s progression. How devastating was that at the time and where are you now?
A: It was very devastating – going out the second game of the season and not even being able to try to get into some type of flow during that season. It was the perfect situation for me, I was the sixth man off the bench and able to play 20-30 minutes a game, so yeah it was definitely devastating. But right now, I’m in a good mindset, feeling healthy, playing healthy. I’m going into training camp full speed with no limitations or anything like that, so just trying to keep going from there.
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Q: In your last full year here, you looked like the best two-way player this team had. It looked like you took as much pride in your defense as you did in your offense. Where did that come from?
A: Coaches love defense, they love the guys that can play multiple positions and defend multiple positions. So yeah, defense is really important.
Q: People watched the Spurs in the playoffs last season and fell in love with the way they play. Can you explain what the Spurs do and why it’s so unique?
A: I can’t even really tell you what they do – they just have guys that know how to play basketball. They make the right play, make the right pass, shoot the right shots, and they say their coach is kind of crazy.
Q: They say Coach Kerr wants to bring some of that type of motion and passing to this team, what do you think?
A: Yeah, I think that would be perfect because there are guys on this team that can shoot just like the guys on the Spurs. We’ve got down-low presence with Bogut and D Lee like the Spurs have, so I think bringing on that type of system would be ideal for us.
Q: What are your specific goals for training camp?
A: My specific goals are to be able to play everything and just try to earn some minutes that way.