he says all the nice and correct things when he’s happy not so much otherwise, still…some of the things I particularly like to hear lol
-Regarding contract structure and incentives:
“I wanted everything that was structured in my contract incentivized to be based on production. And that was it. Wins and how many games I’m playing.
I hear all the noise, so I just wanted to make sure that I had some friendly terms, but also some realistic expectations for myself going into the season. Looking to just play as many games as possible.”
-Regarding relationship w Kidd:
“…I was that 9-year-old kid looking up at J-Kidd leading the New Jersey Nets to those Finals. We share the same birthday. We have had similar relationships that have connected us for life. I was at his Hall of Fame induction. I happened to be sitting next to Dirk, as as well. I don’t believe in coincidences. ……
I think I’m more or less excited about the off-the-court aspect of him teaching me how to be a better man. And be underneath type tutelage, it goes a long way for young guys like me. Life after basketball is important, but we want to enjoy what we’re doing here every single day and he just brings a natural ease. His energy is easygoing. He’s gonna hold you accountable and he’s brutally honest, which I appreciate.”
-Regarding watching Luka in WC:
“Luka already makes the game look easier here in the States, but when he plays with Slovenia it’s like he goes Super Saiyan mode. He just he goes ballistic. And you can see how close his teammates are, how close they are as a team. …… It’s a grind. It’s a sacrifice to be away from your family. And you could see in some of their interviews, the Slovenia players, and tears rolling down their eyes. You can see how passionate they are. So again, the closeness of that group you can see Luka’s being himself.
While he’s here, we just want to create that same environment. And I know Dallas has done that. And that’s what I’m focused on, just keeping him happy and working on the little things that we can get better as a duo and leaders of this team. And just down the stretch, how we trust each other a little bit more.
You know, he’s incredibly talented. I’m incredibly talented. We put a lot of work into this game of ours that we love. So I want to see him be successful and if he’s successful then our team is successful. So I just continue to play that position here as a veteran and continue to be mature about the role I’m here to fulfill and just be real with him. That’s been the fun part. You have somebody that skilled, that young, reminds me and some other guys that I’ve been around throughout the league. You can see that his trajectory is there. He has the potential. And now we just want to put it together with a full team-successful season.”
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https://archive.ph/WMgvf
Removed paywall
he says all the nice and correct things when he’s happy not so much otherwise, still…some of the things I particularly like to hear lol
-Regarding contract structure and incentives:
“I wanted everything that was structured in my contract incentivized to be based on production. And that was it. Wins and how many games I’m playing.
I hear all the noise, so I just wanted to make sure that I had some friendly terms, but also some realistic expectations for myself going into the season. Looking to just play as many games as possible.”
-Regarding relationship w Kidd:
“…I was that 9-year-old kid looking up at J-Kidd leading the New Jersey Nets to those Finals. We share the same birthday. We have had similar relationships that have connected us for life. I was at his Hall of Fame induction. I happened to be sitting next to Dirk, as as well. I don’t believe in coincidences. ……
I think I’m more or less excited about the off-the-court aspect of him teaching me how to be a better man. And be underneath type tutelage, it goes a long way for young guys like me. Life after basketball is important, but we want to enjoy what we’re doing here every single day and he just brings a natural ease. His energy is easygoing. He’s gonna hold you accountable and he’s brutally honest, which I appreciate.”
-Regarding watching Luka in WC:
“Luka already makes the game look easier here in the States, but when he plays with Slovenia it’s like he goes Super Saiyan mode. He just he goes ballistic. And you can see how close his teammates are, how close they are as a team. …… It’s a grind. It’s a sacrifice to be away from your family. And you could see in some of their interviews, the Slovenia players, and tears rolling down their eyes. You can see how passionate they are. So again, the closeness of that group you can see Luka’s being himself.
While he’s here, we just want to create that same environment. And I know Dallas has done that. And that’s what I’m focused on, just keeping him happy and working on the little things that we can get better as a duo and leaders of this team. And just down the stretch, how we trust each other a little bit more.
You know, he’s incredibly talented. I’m incredibly talented. We put a lot of work into this game of ours that we love. So I want to see him be successful and if he’s successful then our team is successful. So I just continue to play that position here as a veteran and continue to be mature about the role I’m here to fulfill and just be real with him. That’s been the fun part. You have somebody that skilled, that young, reminds me and some other guys that I’ve been around throughout the league. You can see that his trajectory is there. He has the potential. And now we just want to put it together with a full team-successful season.”