When my game is going well, everything gets much easier, offensively and defensively.
Just try to make an impact on the game somehow whether it is on the defensive or offensive end. I think that has always been something that I have hung my hat on especially offensively. If it is not the night, then go make a play defensively and get after, dive for loose balls, create a charge, make an impact that way.
I know what I bring to the table. I know my game offensively and defensively. I think I'm one of the best, if not the best, playing two-ways.
I'd rather have a good game defensively before offensively.
Both sides of the game, defensively and offensively, are important.
I was better at both ends, defensively and offensively, It was more of a well-rounded game.
I want to add to that.
Just knowing the game of basketball, it's important to be able to see it from a different perspective, not only offensively but also defensively.
Playing the game at a high level, understanding what it's like to get to where I've already been and where they want to go. I tell those kids that we're going to develop you, we're going to teach you, and we're going to have you ready off the court and on the court to be an NBA player.
For the team to be successful, we've got to set team goals. I go out every game and make sure that I'm contributing, whether that's defensively or offensively.
I'm not just shooting 3s. I'm working on my mid-range game, working in the post as well, trying to mix in everything and be the most complete player I can both offensively and defensively.
When you see the floor and you understand the game and you're trying to break it down with what you have in front of you, you can do it offensively and defensively. And you try to take advantage of it both ways. You see where the offense's head is and you can kind of read what you want to do.
I love fast breaks, and I love playing full-court basketball, but offensively in the half court, I kind of take my time, let guys cut, and let the defense move. Then, if I have a move, I'll go. If not, I'll just hand it off to a teammate.
I could handle the basketball but I wasn't quick enough to move defensively. Offensively, I was fine. I could get around, I could do stuff, but defensively I wasn't quick enough. I couldn't keep up. That was the biggest thing. And that was at the Division II level.
Guys aren't going to have it going offensively every game so you need to find ways to contribute to the game, whether it's hustle plays, defense or whatever.
Both offensively and defensively, the presence that I have is pretty profound.
Because [Russel Westbrook] is so rare and impacts the game in so many different ways, you see the usage and the amount of time he's playing and say, 'is this sustainable?' I look at it the other way. Are we playing the right way, are we playing together as a team, and what are his minutes like? This is not a guy that's playing 42 minutes a night. When he goes out there he's going to play to who he is, and I think he also understands that in order for our team to be the best we can be he's got to incorporate and help everybody grow as players.