Q: How did your game evolve from the Team USA experience?
A: Playing against the competition we had at training camp and just practicing against each other, I just felt like I got better and more confidence knowing if I can compete against the guys on Team USA, I can do it against anybody in the league. It was a fun experience every day; when we played five-on-five you couldn’t rest out there because there were nine other guys who were world class players on the court.
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Q: We keep hearing that there’s more pressure on you this year, but it seems that you don’t care about any of that stuff.
A: Yeah, you’re right. If you’re in the NBA, there’s pressure on you wherever you go. And I mean, if there’s pressure on me I’ll embrace it and that’s what makes playing this game fun is the heightened stakes and intensity. I think there’s pressure on all of us, not only me, just because we’ve had success in the last two years as far as a taste of the playoffs and whatnot. We want to give this fan base more and give Oakland something to watch here in June. And like I said before, there’s pressure every time you step on this court and it’s just how you handle it. If you embrace it and you play as hard as you can, everything will take care of itself, that’s what I believe at least.
Q: Do you ever read any [media] about yourself?
A: I look at Twitter at night, and we’ve got good fans at Golden State. You know, in whatever you’re doing life is going to have harsh critics, but I try to look at the positive and try and look at our fans who give us support and watch every single game. We’ve got some of the best in the world, not just the NBA, in the world and you want to play for them. I really try to not read a lot though about myself just because the way I look at it, nothing really great can come from it. You either get too big-headed or too low on yourself, and it’s hard to stay level headed when you read a lot about yourself.
Q: Did playing for Team USA change the way you want to develop as a player? Is there anything you learned, saying “I want to be able to do that a couple years from now or be able to do that this season”?
A: Definitely, just the way I prepared for every game. With Team USA, it was such a great experience and it was different because we only played 10 games, but I played as hard as I could and I would never get tired because we only played 20-25 minutes max. What I’m taking away from Team USA is not even really much about basketball, it’s just what I learned from Coach K and the rest of the coaching staff on how to be a better team. And, you know, how to develop chemistry amongst each other and be a man who will look you in the eye and tell the truth, and I really learned about that the most from being on Team USA.
Q: What did it do for your confidence level?
A: I feel great, I feel like I’m in great shape. It was so nice playing games and not having to work out on your own, playing against some of the best competition in the world every day. And it was fun to see another part of the world. I have all-time high confidence right now just because if I can do it with Team USA and be a key factor on a team with some of the best players in the world, I know I can be one of the go-to guys on this team if I just keep working.
Q: How about the changes to the back court, Barbosa and Livingston, what will they bring to the team? How does the team change?
A: I played against Leandro about a month ago now, and he looked as explosive as ever. He was tough to guard, running around, coming off screens, and he had some buckets on me. I endorsed him after playing against him, I was like “man, we should get this guy.” He’s going to be very explosive for us off the bench”. Same with Shaun, I can’t wait to play with him. He’s a two-way player, he’s a great post player and he’s a great facilitator. Any time you have a 6’7” long point guard who can do what he does, it’s a great asset. And to have B-Rush back, you know, he was so good for us my rookie year. He shot 46% from three, and we have another burner in the back court so that’s great. All of those guys will help us so much.
Q: This being your biggest offseason to date as a pro, is fatigue going to be a factor? Maybe not during the beginning of the season, but past the All-Star break and as the season goes on through the playoffs?
A: I don’t think so because over these last few years I’ve really learned not only how to pace yourself but how to take care of yourself. It’s more about preparing for the mental drive than the physical, and I’m only 24 years old so I’ll be good. During the season, we’re practicing six days a week and travelling a lot. It gets kind of routine and mundane, but you have to keep your mind fresh and of course keep your body healthy. You’ve got to prepare like you’re going to play at the gym, and that’s what I’m doing.
Q: It seems like you’re doing a good job with that pin-down pass off the screen, has that been a focus?
A: Yeah, I’m not worried about that because that’s my best pass. That pin-down, pocket-pass is one I’ve had since my rookie year. The pass that I’m going to have to make is like the one Steph’s so good at, drawing his defender away from the pick so well. That’ll come with my ballhandling and my passing off the pick-and-roll, but my pocket-pass has been there for me. My pick-and-roll game is what’s next.
Q: How do you set your individual goals?
A: I try to keep it simple, and that’s just play hard and be efficient. I feel like my efficiency was better last year, but I could have so much more room to grow. So, individually for me, it’s just to play both ends of the floor and play as hard as I can. If I can do that and have that mindset, I can be successful and I know I will be.