LeBron.

What was the key defensively?

Not just tonight, but going back to that Portland games.

Is there something that it's been?

It's work collectively there on that end.

Yeah, um, you know, one thing about we we do a good job of taking our film sessions and, um, and applying it to the game situation.

I think tonight in the Portland game was two of those instances where we knew that we didn't play our, you know, the way we're capable of defensively.

And, uh, you know, we watched a lot of films.

We broke down.

Some things were able to get on the floor, get on the floor as well as private facility and walk through some things.

Um, go over some things and I think it's helped us the last two games.

And I guess you can almost think of the same question with a d being out.

If you guys just found finally, uh, since they finally what it was about five games.

If you found some sense of rhythm there and guys knowing where they need to be and where they need to step up around you.

I think?

Yeah.

I mean, listen, when you when you lose a mega piece like 80 is gonna take some time both offensively and defensively on how we want to play and, you know, and what's going to be our rhythm and how we get into our rhythm.

And I think, uh, you know, over the last few games, we we've we've done a good job of trying to, you know, this is where we're gonna have the ball.

This is how we're going to be effective.

This is what we need to run, and, uh, and how we're gonna benefit from one another.

And I also think that, you know, guys knowing when they're going to play their knowing the rotation, things of that nature.

So guys are just staying ready.

Obviously, you always got to stay ready.

But, you know, you know, guys who know their rotations and it's worked out a lot for us.

Okay.

All right.

You told us that you were going to find a way to figure this thing out because you always tweak your game to what your team needs and the eye test from me.

The last couple of games, you playing with more physicality and turning defensive plays into offensive opportunities.

Has that been the game player?

It was just what has presented some of these last couple games.

It's my job to, like you said to figure it out and on both sides of the floor.

And, um, I think defensively, I've just been a little bit more active.

Um, you know, um, you know, trying to be in the right position where, um, that would benefit our team, benefit myself.

Um, but I've just been, um I've just been flying around, and, uh, this helped out our team, and everyone's been flying around to help me out as well, too.

So, um, you know, I'm definitely not okay with losing, And, uh, so it's my job to figure it out was gonna be the best for our team.

And we've done a good job of that Alaska game.

Dan LeBron Before the game, I asked Steve Kerr, kind of, you know, he's an expert at trying to repeat right.

He's done it as a player, as a coach, tons of different times.

Um, he said that he thought this might be the hardest circumstance.

Um, with no fans with games stacked upon each other of any team trying to repeat.

Um, curious.

When you look at this past month, what does that tell you about how tough this is going to be?

And how do you think you guys kind of came through it?

I mean, it's been extremely tough.

I mean, you have to literally, like, self self motivate yourself every single day.

Um, you know, and it's very tough because you're playing every other day, if not back to backs.

And it's not much downtime.

So, you know, um, you have to, like, motivate yourself and being here in California, like you said, you know, us and sack and Eclipse and, uh, G s.

We don't have the luxury of having fans right now.

Um, you know, I've been watching a lot of games of late, and, you know, there's been 1,502,000, you know, whatever the case may be in the fans, and it just gives you an extra boost.

So I'm just waiting.

Hopefully sooner than later, I would love for us to start having fans here in California, especially here at Staples.

Um, you know, it just adds so much for for us and I was also to see our fans to, but yeah, it's very challenging.

And like I said, you just got to have gonna have that self discipline and self motivation.

Um, to know that you're going out there and you just have to be able to use your teammates, use yourself and, you know, and, uh, to get the energy.

18 plus years, LeBron, what?

Soft motivates you still, Um, Because at the end of the day, there's some kids out there that still watching me, Um, they're watching the way I play the game of basketball.

Um, the reading, the narrative of, um, you know, will I be tired or, uh, you know, am I satisfied and things of that nature, Um, and I don't want I don't want to give them an excuse.

No matter the circumstances, you still go out there and, um, you know, you still go out there and play as hard as you can give your you know, your life to the game because the game will give it back to you.

So, um, I have, uh I understand.

I have a responsibility that's beyond myself.

When I hit the floor, they last three column.

LeBron.

Um, obviously you guys play Portland in the playoffs last year and Golden State as a team that you know well with players that you know very well defensively.

How much has that familiarity that you guys have?

And perhaps you personally have with those players played into the performances you've had?

Um, well, I mean, we've our coaching staff has done a great job of putting together a game plan, and we're just trying to execute that.

I definitely got a lot of familiarity with, obviously with GS, you know, and some of the players that they have on the floor, but because they are in the last 10 years, obviously, um, but also, you know, with Portland in a series that we had with them not too long ago.

But, you know, for me, I I kinda always try to keep myself, you know, familiar with whoever we're playing by watching film and then diving into things that they're going to do.

And just to put my team in position to be successful.

Is it kind of fun when some of your study pays off in those anticipation steals, blocks things like that, where you It's what you study, Not what you see right in front of you.

Yeah, Absolutely.

I mean, it puts you in front of, you know, it gives you an opportunity to be ahead of some place as well.

Some of it is reading, reacting, not, you know, obviously.

But, you know, to be able to be in a position where you can, you know, be there before the you know, the actual action takes place because you broke down the film and you want you to help us out a lot.

Bill warm all these crutches, didn't it?

Hey, liberals, this is gonna be a little off topic, but obviously, you know, 17 straight all star games for you, do you?

Sorry.

See that?

Um I'm wondering what you remember about your rookie year when you played in the Rookie Challenge in L.

A.

And what that first all Star weekend experience was like for you.

Um, it was incredible.

First of all, I'm a kid from Akron, Ohio, and, uh, I was in Los Angeles for my first all star game.

Um, and I was in an incredible, um, you know moment for myself, for my family to be here.

Obviously, I wanted to be in the All Star game.

Um, still, kind of irks me a little bit, but I got over it.

But, you know, it's just being here and being around Mellow and D Wade and the rest of the guys, Um, you know, just being a part of the festivities, something I watch my whole life.

And I was like, Wow, how great it be to be a part of All Star weekend.

Where to be my rookie year for me to be, Um you know, um, and the rookie Rookie Challenge.

It was something that I probably never forget.

Um, you know what?

I got an opportunity.

Where some some dope shoes that night to, um you know, the zoom generation.

One weeks.

That's one of my favorite sneakers of all time.

So I was just like I was just hyped.

So, uh, long time ago is along.

That's like it's like the mic and drillers so long ago.

So I'm happy, though.

Last question Rochon by LeBron called Vogel talk.

He went all the way back to those overtime games and how maybe some fatigue set in for you guys during that four game skid.

How much was a night like tonight?

Needed were, you know, big win.

And you only have to play 24 minutes.

Um, well, I mean, you take it, you know, for what it is.

And, um, you know, we was able to take care of business, so it allowed, uh, you know, a lot of our big guys not to play many minutes.

And, yes, we played a lot of minutes because of so many overtime games we've had this year.

But, you know, you take advantage when you can, you know, you prepare as if you got to play 48 you know, you let the game dictate, you know, the game.

So tonight was that was not needed was half of 48 for myself.

And, uh, and I take it So, um, you know, now it's time to start preparing for Tuesday.

Appreciate it.

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