M h m hm m hm, m h m hmmm.

M h m hm m hm, m h m hmmm.

Mm hmm.

Mm hmm.

Things have changed a little bit with you and the fact that the new contract.

Things have changed a little bit with you and the fact that the new contract.

I'm sure that's something that.

I'm sure that's something that.

Uh did it weigh on you during last season?

Uh did it weigh on you during last season?

Yeah, I'm not gonna Yeah, it's it's normal. You know, you want to stay healthy, you want to you just want to stay healthy. For me, it was just stay healthy. So yeah, it did weigh on me. But I'm happy we we got everything figured out.

Yeah, I'm not gonna Yeah, it's it's normal. You know, you want to stay healthy, you want to you just want to stay healthy. For me, it was just stay healthy. So yeah, it did weigh on me. But I'm happy we we got everything figured out.

And a lot of your The decision to stay in Brooklyn, it was there. Was it a tough decision?

And a lot of your The decision to stay in Brooklyn, it was there. Was it a tough decision?

Nah, it was an easy decision. You know, my agents in the front office, they got together, got the numbers together. I mean, it was pretty easy. I love Brooklyn, they loved me, so it was it was an easy decision.

Nah, it was an easy decision. You know, my agents in the front office, they got together, got the numbers together. I mean, it was pretty easy. I love Brooklyn, they loved me, so it was it was an easy decision.

I say, it's like a it's a you know, people think organizations don't want to pay their guys a lot of money. You know that usually they end up paying other people's guys a lot of money.

I say, it's like a it's a you know, people think organizations don't want to pay their guys a lot of money. You know that usually they end up paying other people's guys a lot of money.

But it's a success story for the organization.

But it's a success story for the organization.

I mean, you're the thirty first pick in the draft and you get a major free agent contract. That's a that's a testament to you. But it's also a test with your organization and the work that they put in right, it's a I mean, it's a success story on both ends.

I mean, you're the thirty first pick in the draft and you get a major free agent contract. That's a that's a testament to you. But it's also a test with your organization and the work that they put in right, it's a I mean, it's a success story on both ends.

Yeah, it is, just it's different when you when you have homegrown talent. I feel like it's always best, like I said, to pay your guys and you know everything, it all aligned, and I'm just blessed that they believed in me for for this long and I put the work in and they've put the right pieces in place for me to be in this position. So I'm looking forward to just keep growing.

Yeah, it is, just it's different when you when you have homegrown talent. I feel like it's always best, like I said, to pay your guys and you know everything, it all aligned, and I'm just blessed that they believed in me for for this long and I put the work in and they've put the right pieces in place for me to be in this position. So I'm looking forward to just keep growing.

And aside, you know, contract aside. I mean, now you're in a different position than you've been in before. You're the elder statesman. You're one of the elder statesmen. I know we have guys that have been in the league a little longer, but as far as have been around here, I mean, you've been through everything the last few years. So what does that feel like coming into a season like this?

And aside, you know, contract aside. I mean, now you're in a different position than you've been in before. You're the elder statesman. You're one of the elder statesmen. I know we have guys that have been in the league a little longer, but as far as have been around here, I mean, you've been through everything the last few years. So what does that feel like coming into a season like this?

It feels good. It feels good me being in a position going into my six year in the league, seeing everything that I've seen here in Brooklyn and just maturing. I'm looking forward to being able to help younger guys be in this position. That I'm in now and like that's that's the next part of my growth.

It feels good. It feels good me being in a position going into my six year in the league, seeing everything that I've seen here in Brooklyn and just maturing. I'm looking forward to being able to help younger guys be in this position. That I'm in now and like that's that's the next part of my growth.

They look at you. I mean, Jeordi talked about that. It's some of young players he can he can point to you and say, hey, look at this guy who was the thirty first pick in the draft. Look where he's gone to. You're an example for guys. Now, what about your leadership role in terms of some of the young players on this team. I mean, you're no longer like you came up with Vets. Yeah, and great Vats. You're the vet now, So what's the thing you want to impart on some of these young guys?

They look at you. I mean, Jeordi talked about that. It's some of young players he can he can point to you and say, hey, look at this guy who was the thirty first pick in the draft. Look where he's gone to. You're an example for guys. Now, what about your leadership role in terms of some of the young players on this team. I mean, you're no longer like you came up with Vets. Yeah, and great Vats. You're the vet now, So what's the thing you want to impart on some of these young guys?

Just like you said, I came into the league with some really phenomenal evs like you know, DeAndre Jordan, Kevin Durant, Kyrie and Blake. The list goes on. So I just want to be able to just teach what was taught to me when I my first few years in the league, and I got so much knowledge now just from the game, and I'm looking forward, like I said, and just being able to teach that to the younger guys and being a positive, positive role model on and off the court for those guys.

Just like you said, I came into the league with some really phenomenal evs like you know, DeAndre Jordan, Kevin Durant, Kyrie and Blake. The list goes on. So I just want to be able to just teach what was taught to me when I my first few years in the league, and I got so much knowledge now just from the game, and I'm looking forward, like I said, and just being able to teach that to the younger guys and being a positive, positive role model on and off the court for those guys.

And You've always had confidence but I there's an air about you now too a little bit. Yeah, and some guys whom they get the big contract can rest on it, and then some can use it as motivation to be even better. I would imagine that's kind of something you you still have to you want to prove to people.

And You've always had confidence but I there's an air about you now too a little bit. Yeah, and some guys whom they get the big contract can rest on it, and then some can use it as motivation to be even better. I would imagine that's kind of something you you still have to you want to prove to people.

Right, It's always it's always like I'm always climbing, climbing the mountain. You're always trying to get to that next level. Whether it's being being a defensive Player of the Year, whether it's being an All Star. You always trying to get to that next level. Well, you can't can't be complacent, you know, getting to the next contract. So I definitely, you know, it's definitely not time to put it on cruise control. It's time to take it to another level.

Right, It's always it's always like I'm always climbing, climbing the mountain. You're always trying to get to that next level. Whether it's being being a defensive Player of the Year, whether it's being an All Star. You always trying to get to that next level. Well, you can't can't be complacent, you know, getting to the next contract. So I definitely, you know, it's definitely not time to put it on cruise control. It's time to take it to another level.

The style is a little different, No, it's the hair maybe a little different. Yeah, the personal style though, is that going to change now that that?

The style is a little different, No, it's the hair maybe a little different. Yeah, the personal style though, is that going to change now that that?

Nah, I'm gonna keep my same swag. I'm gonna keep my same swag Like I'm just gonna keep growing, keep the same, keep the same energy about myself. And that's what that's what.

Nah, I'm gonna keep my same swag. I'm gonna keep my same swag Like I'm just gonna keep growing, keep the same, keep the same energy about myself. And that's what that's what.

I bring your game. Where do you think you can grow?

I bring your game. Where do you think you can grow?

We know that Jordi Fernandez's plate has had guys, big men that have had the ball in their hands and a lot of the offense.

We know that Jordi Fernandez's plate has had guys, big men that have had the ball in their hands and a lot of the offense.

Should go through. Uh.

Should go through. Uh.

Have you talked to him about your role? Do you think it always seemed like something you're comfortable with. Yeah, you know, with the with the offense going through you in the high post.

Have you talked to him about your role? Do you think it always seemed like something you're comfortable with. Yeah, you know, with the with the offense going through you in the high post.

Yeah, we talked about that before I even decided to sign back. That's something that he really harped on, you know, the the bigs that he's had in the past, and how to they were able to facilitate facilitate the offense a lot, and that's something that I definitely want to expand in a role I see myself being pretty comfortable in just from having the ball in my hands a lot when I was. When I was growing up.

Yeah, we talked about that before I even decided to sign back. That's something that he really harped on, you know, the the bigs that he's had in the past, and how to they were able to facilitate facilitate the offense a lot, and that's something that I definitely want to expand in a role I see myself being pretty comfortable in just from having the ball in my hands a lot when I was. When I was growing up.

You were you weren't always just tall, right, so you get those guard skills, I guess when you're a little smaller.

You were you weren't always just tall, right, so you get those guard skills, I guess when you're a little smaller.

Right, So it'll be I think it'll be pretty seamless for me, if you know, me having to having to make decisions out there on the court, because you know, I played point guard when I was younger, so that won't be too much of an adjustment.

Right, So it'll be I think it'll be pretty seamless for me, if you know, me having to having to make decisions out there on the court, because you know, I played point guard when I was younger, so that won't be too much of an adjustment.

You had a big growth spurt in high school, right, Yeah, and you took time off from playing yep. What was the thought process behind that?

You had a big growth spurt in high school, right, Yeah, and you took time off from playing yep. What was the thought process behind that?

Uh? You know AU AU now it can be kind of watered down, and my dad he made that decision and I just trusted in his process, his plan for me. That was around the ninth grade summer where I had a big growth spurt and I decided to not play AU that year. I just just locked in in the gym and just worked on my skills, and I came back tenth grade summer where you know, schools are starting to college scouts are actually really starting to look at you.

Uh? You know AU AU now it can be kind of watered down, and my dad he made that decision and I just trusted in his process, his plan for me. That was around the ninth grade summer where I had a big growth spurt and I decided to not play AU that year. I just just locked in in the gym and just worked on my skills, and I came back tenth grade summer where you know, schools are starting to college scouts are actually really starting to look at you.

More, and you're now tall with those guard skills exactly. Your dad big influence on your We played as well.

More, and you're now tall with those guard skills exactly. Your dad big influence on your We played as well.

And huge influence, huge influence. We talk all the time about life, about basketball. Definitely plays a big role in my hoops.

And huge influence, huge influence. We talk all the time about life, about basketball. Definitely plays a big role in my hoops.

As we're taping this, I know, you know he's Georgia. You were Georgia. The Georgia Alabama football game just happened over the weekend. As we're recording this, I'm not sure when we'll release this. Yeah, but man, that was one of the all time I thought Georgia might pull it off. It was a good Man come back ever.

As we're taping this, I know, you know he's Georgia. You were Georgia. The Georgia Alabama football game just happened over the weekend. As we're recording this, I'm not sure when we'll release this. Yeah, but man, that was one of the all time I thought Georgia might pull it off. It was a good Man come back ever.

Yeah, Noah was there and you know, we had a little wager on the game, so it's definitely one that I wanted. But you know, we lost Saturday, but hopefully we see him again later in the season.

Yeah, Noah was there and you know, we had a little wager on the game, so it's definitely one that I wanted. But you know, we lost Saturday, but hopefully we see him again later in the season.

I'm sure you will.

I'm sure you will.

That was always one of the school that when you're a basketball player at Georgia, what's that like because it's such a big football school.

That was always one of the school that when you're a basketball player at Georgia, what's that like because it's such a big football school.

Same thing with Alabama with Noah.

Same thing with Alabama with Noah.

It was cool for me. You know, both of my parents went to Georgia. I just I just bleed red and black and then I got a lot of love from from the university.

It was cool for me. You know, both of my parents went to Georgia. I just I just bleed red and black and then I got a lot of love from from the university.

Yeah, that's cool.

Yeah, that's cool.

Looking ahead to this season two with a lot of young players who talk about that the expectation level of this team maybe not that high. Is that motivation were you and the young players?

Looking ahead to this season two with a lot of young players who talk about that the expectation level of this team maybe not that high. Is that motivation were you and the young players?

You use everything as motivation, and we have to use a motivation, but we also have to be smart. We have to know that you know, with us not having those high expectations, we won't get we may not get a lot of calls, and we have to be extremely scrappy and and feisty oudea on the court, and that's the only way that that will will win some games.

You use everything as motivation, and we have to use a motivation, but we also have to be smart. We have to know that you know, with us not having those high expectations, we won't get we may not get a lot of calls, and we have to be extremely scrappy and and feisty oudea on the court, and that's the only way that that will will win some games.

Cam Thomas always been really polarizing player, interesting, player, can light it up, and then he had periods of time where he really wasn't getting an opportunity to play. I kind of see you two guys as the young cornerstones right now when you think of Cam and his game, I mean, what do you what do you feel?

Cam Thomas always been really polarizing player, interesting, player, can light it up, and then he had periods of time where he really wasn't getting an opportunity to play. I kind of see you two guys as the young cornerstones right now when you think of Cam and his game, I mean, what do you what do you feel?

What do you think? I think when I think of Cam?

What do you think? I think when I think of Cam?

I think, you know, like you said, his his journey, just watching him just over the years when he wasn't getting his opportunity, and how his his work habits, how they never changed. That was impressive, especially coming from a young player. And then you know, like like all of us, we all have a lot of a lot of steps, a lot of strides we can make, and a player with his ceiling, man, I don't. I'm just interested to see how far he can take it.

I think, you know, like you said, his his journey, just watching him just over the years when he wasn't getting his opportunity, and how his his work habits, how they never changed. That was impressive, especially coming from a young player. And then you know, like like all of us, we all have a lot of a lot of steps, a lot of strides we can make, and a player with his ceiling, man, I don't. I'm just interested to see how far he can take it.

You know he can.

You know he can.

He does what he does scoring the ball, but just continuing to grow being a playmaker, continuing to grow on the defensive side of the ball. I'm excited to see what he brings this year.

He does what he does scoring the ball, but just continuing to grow being a playmaker, continuing to grow on the defensive side of the ball. I'm excited to see what he brings this year.

Chemistry of he and you. It Can he help your offensive game?

Chemistry of he and you. It Can he help your offensive game?

For sure?

For sure?

Yeah?

Yeah?

For sure with all the attention that he he brings. Every time that he has the ball in his hand, teams are going one of double team him. They gonna want to get the ball out of his hand. So it's on me to help him be It's on me to help him score, and it's also on him to to find me in my spots when I'm open.

For sure with all the attention that he he brings. Every time that he has the ball in his hand, teams are going one of double team him. They gonna want to get the ball out of his hand. So it's on me to help him be It's on me to help him score, and it's also on him to to find me in my spots when I'm open.

Do you need to like where where is the next step for you? Do you think what's what's the where's the room to improve in your game?

Do you need to like where where is the next step for you? Do you think what's what's the where's the room to improve in your game?

So it's crazy, it's what going to New Year six. There's always so many, so many ways you can improve, you know, like you said earlier, whether it's it's facilitating the ball, being relied on, having a basketball in my hand, being more consistent from the free throw line, extending my game out from just being around the rim, being vocal, being the leader on and off the court. It's always so many different ways to improve, and I'm looking forward to that.

So it's crazy, it's what going to New Year six. There's always so many, so many ways you can improve, you know, like you said earlier, whether it's it's facilitating the ball, being relied on, having a basketball in my hand, being more consistent from the free throw line, extending my game out from just being around the rim, being vocal, being the leader on and off the court. It's always so many different ways to improve, and I'm looking forward to that.

I've always felt that after five years, guys you kind of know who guys are. I think you were so young when you came to the league. I would extend that a little bit with you because they think there's still room for you to grow and change. Like the shooting aspect, do you need to be a threat more shooting or do you think you could still be effective in all the things that you need to do and you know, be just be who you are right now.

I've always felt that after five years, guys you kind of know who guys are. I think you were so young when you came to the league. I would extend that a little bit with you because they think there's still room for you to grow and change. Like the shooting aspect, do you need to be a threat more shooting or do you think you could still be effective in all the things that you need to do and you know, be just be who you are right now.

I can be I can definitely. I can definitely be a threat just doing what I'm doing, being a vertical threat because I've gotten so good at finishing around the rim. But it's definitely, uh an area of my game where I want to be able to stretch the floor and I want to be I want to expand. I don't want to just be in a box. I don't want that's not That's not who I am as a person or as a player. So you know, I have to I have to just continue to work on it and find that confidence and expand.

I can be I can definitely. I can definitely be a threat just doing what I'm doing, being a vertical threat because I've gotten so good at finishing around the rim. But it's definitely, uh an area of my game where I want to be able to stretch the floor and I want to be I want to expand. I don't want to just be in a box. I don't want that's not That's not who I am as a person or as a player. So you know, I have to I have to just continue to work on it and find that confidence and expand.

And you mentioned becoming more consistent free throw shooter. That's kind of one of those Yeah, I see you had a you had a really good stretch last year where you shot the ball well and you improved your percentage. There are guys historically that have been bad free throw shooters in this league that you look and you go, wow, I mean it's just the forms, Terramornie, it look.

And you mentioned becoming more consistent free throw shooter. That's kind of one of those Yeah, I see you had a you had a really good stretch last year where you shot the ball well and you improved your percentage. There are guys historically that have been bad free throw shooters in this league that you look and you go, wow, I mean it's just the forms, Terramornie, it look.

Like you've got it.

Like you've got it.

So what's the what do you feel can be the key to being a little better there, because that would open up your game.

So what's the what do you feel can be the key to being a little better there, because that would open up your game.

It will just finding finding a consistency in my process. Like you said, I have stretches where you know, I may be sixty five seventy, but then I have a stretch where I'm I'm in the fifties. So just finding that consistency shooting one way throughout the year and just trusting in that process.

It will just finding finding a consistency in my process. Like you said, I have stretches where you know, I may be sixty five seventy, but then I have a stretch where I'm I'm in the fifties. So just finding that consistency shooting one way throughout the year and just trusting in that process.

Do you watch yourself kind of thing? Is it?

Do you watch yourself kind of thing? Is it?

Can you the guys work on video with their free throw shooting.

Can you the guys work on video with their free throw shooting.

Yeah, I'm a visual I'm a visual learner, so I definitely like, like, watch and see what I'm doing, and you know, free throws. It can be tricky because you also don't want to You don't want to just start overthinking it, over over compensating too much.

Yeah, I'm a visual I'm a visual learner, so I definitely like, like, watch and see what I'm doing, and you know, free throws. It can be tricky because you also don't want to You don't want to just start overthinking it, over over compensating too much.

One last thing, you got a young guy like Noah Clown. He was always kind of compared to you a little bit.

One last thing, you got a young guy like Noah Clown. He was always kind of compared to you a little bit.

Uh, do your games.

Uh, do your games.

Fit together like you do? You because it would it would be a way sometimes you make cap his minutes, But do you see your games meshing? Because defensively, I mean that could be a heck of an obstacle for other teams. Offenses, the length of you guys can play with together.

Fit together like you do? You because it would it would be a way sometimes you make cap his minutes, But do you see your games meshing? Because defensively, I mean that could be a heck of an obstacle for other teams. Offenses, the length of you guys can play with together.

I think our games definitely fit. Like you said, defensively, I mean we saw it towards the end of the year. We had a few games, we had some good stretches together, and then offensively, I mean, you just see the way that the league is kind of going now. The big man is kind of coming back. You look at the past few years the teams that have won a championship, So you need you need, you need taller guys out there on the court and versus our guys out there on the court, and I think we both provide that.

I think our games definitely fit. Like you said, defensively, I mean we saw it towards the end of the year. We had a few games, we had some good stretches together, and then offensively, I mean, you just see the way that the league is kind of going now. The big man is kind of coming back. You look at the past few years the teams that have won a championship, So you need you need, you need taller guys out there on the court and versus our guys out there on the court, and I think we both provide that.

Just take it easy on them when you're having these little side bets about Alabama and.

Just take it easy on them when you're having these little side bets about Alabama and.

Georgia because I don't know if he's in your league just yet.

Georgia because I don't know if he's in your league just yet.

Well, Nick, it's it's been a pleasure watching you over the last six years. And congratulations if somebody's had a witness to it, see what you've become and what you've gone. And I know this like it's a great contract you signed, but it could be better down the road for sure.

Well, Nick, it's it's been a pleasure watching you over the last six years. And congratulations if somebody's had a witness to it, see what you've become and what you've gone. And I know this like it's a great contract you signed, but it could be better down the road for sure.

Good luck on that.

Good luck on that.

Thank you,

Thank you,