[Lauren L Williams](https://twitter.com/williamslaurenl?s=21&t=WP_CZd5ZAZP6yjdbxI2qyQ)
“That’s what we’ve been talking about the last couple games. We have to close out games, and we have to make plays down the stretch in that fourth quarter. Tonight we did. We did a good job of getting stops when we needed them… I thought DJ’s steal was a big play. You got to make plays like that when you’re in situations like we’ve been in. I thought the last shot big rebound. — Onyeka and John Collins — were big on the boards for us tonight. And then I thought I guys executed offensively… We stepped up knocked down our free throws, and made plays in the fourth quarter to win the game.”
Regarding limiting the Kings to 11 fast break points, Nate said: “Well I like our offense tonight. We weren’t really turning the ball over a lot. I mean, we had some plays that was was a little loose with it. But you know, basically we got back… But we weren’t jacking (up) and taking those quick shots. I thought we made them play our defense, certainly in the second half. I thought we did a better job of making them defend and not bailing them out with quick contested shots…So, you know, we’re seeing that normally takes care of the basketball. Tonight, we did have a couple that were loose with it. But when you have a balanced floor and you can get back on some of those transition plays… But I just liked the way we we fought tonight. We scrapped, and we made a way to win this game.”
On changing up the rotation with Young and DJM, Nate said: “Those guys have been playing the whole quarter in our games, and I just I told them, I gotta give both of them a breather. Because I want them playing both sides of the basketball… And I thought we were a little bit fatigued late into quarters. So I changed the rotation to give them a breather. And it’s a short breather, but it’s a breather, because I need them playing on both sides of the basketball …I don’t need them resting on maybe the defensive end of the floor. I need that energy, that urgency on both ends of the floor. And tonight we changed our rotation as far as how we rotated those guys in.”
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On closing out tonight paying off, DJM said: “I mean, it’s been what, a long week, obviously dropping what, four games. At the end of the day, this is the NBA. It’s a long season. You get to go out and redeem yourself as a unit, as a team… And I feel like we showed that last game in Golden State we fought versus a really good team and you know, they lost what two games besides tonight at home. So, that just shows that we’re trying to go in the right direction… And obviously come into play a great team that’s playing well this year, and obviously at home in Sacramento and we was able to pull out a win.”
DJM on being in the moment of pulling off a win: “I mean, me as individual, I love the moments on the defensive end, the offensive end. I love the moments and at the end of the day as a team, you gotta be able to execute, if you want to go down the road and win… I was in San Antonio my rookie year when we won 60-some games and went to the Conference Finals and I try to take that with me each and every year… When you got new teammates, and obviously being a new situation in Atlanta, and you’re trying to keep that and execution is big, not just for one guy, but whoever’s on the floor all five guys. So I feel like tonight we was together and we executed and we got a great win.”
On the De’Aaron Fox steal DJM said: “Obviously, he’s a great player. Like I said in my postgame interview, you know, I’ve been a fan of him, I hope he becomes an all star this year, because I know that feeling of getting your first one… And he’s playing well. He’s doing a great thing a Sacramento and bringing the city together and winning. But for me, it’s just in those moments, like I said, I love those moments, obviously, on the defensive end and I want to guard the best players… It necessarily don’t have to be a steal every time just getting to stop and we know we needed to stop. And that’s what happened.”
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I did ask JC what he attributes to him scoring 20-plus points in 4 of the last five and DJM actually jumped in to answer. “Giving him the ball. Give him the ball. You can’t take 5 shots, 7 shots, you gotta be in double-figure shot attempts. So he’s getting the ball.”
On his good shooting over the last few games, John Collins said: “It’s great. And it’s finally good to play well, and win, you know what I mean. So that’s that’s been a big thing for me playing however, I played, getting a win at the end of the day is most important… But I got some teammates that trust in me, continue to feed me the ball and encourage me, tell me to continue to play hard, continue to play well. DJ is always telling me every day ‘be special.’ So, I try to just do my best and play on both ends to win games every night… So it’s good to get a good team win. I think four guys had 20 points or something like that. So that’s amazing when everybody can get in on action.”
On what he says to the locker room during the down stretches, JC said: “Just constant words of encouragement, you know what I mean? And to not really think about the negative… Just to think about what’s in front of us the next go and to really just try to learn from our mistakes, hold guys accountable. You know, it sounds boring, but those are things it takes to win. So definitely take it upon ourselves.”
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[Kevin Chouinard](https://twitter.com/klchouinard?s=21&t=WP_CZd5ZAZP6yjdbxI2qyQ)
Nate McMillan, on transition D
“I liked our offense tonight … We got back, but we weren’t jacking and taking those quick shots. I thought we made them play … In the 2H, I thought we did a better job of making them defend and not bailing them out with quick, contested shots.”
Nate McMillan: “I liked the way we fought tonight. We scrapped. We made a way to win tonight.”
by ahend1999
6 Comments
like everything i’m reading here from Nate BUT NAH BRO YOU STILL GOTTA GO
Love DJM’s quote on JC. He needs the ball and shots. I feel like JC should have around 12 shots with 20% usage every night.
I like what Nate is saying here. I think the postgame comments gave me some hope that they’re recognize the issue and problem solving…or at least attempting to, there’s still stuff that needs fixing
and pls if you have to opportunity go support lauren on her page!!! really enjoying her journalism and questions as of late! go show her love!
Yea we FINALLY won, we actually played some good defense this game the only thing we weren’t doing before……… and then THE PISTONS beat the WARRIORS
>Nate McMillan, on transition D
>
>”I liked our offense tonight … We got back, but we weren’t jacking and taking those quick shots. I thought we made them play … In the 2H, I thought we did a better job of making them defend and not bailing them out with quick, contested shots.”
Truth but your the coach. Should have been JUMPING down Trae’s throat to stop that stuff. I love Trae but he has to mature and so far, you haven’t been that coach that can make him realize EXACTLY what you just said. So either help the process or move out of the way.
You said the right things, I hope you can help with positive change.
Why the hell is this buried and only have like 13 upvotes when those shit ass memes have like 150 😡