San Antonio Spurs center Zach Collins speaks with the media following his team's victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
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00:00 What was the mood in the locker room?
00:03 >> It's great, we won, so it's fantastic, it's great.
00:10 >> Does this feel like a normal win?
00:12 >> Well, we forgot what a normal win feels like, to be honest, man.
00:17 But yeah, this is big.
00:20 We know we've been trending in the right direction, so
00:22 nobody's shocked as far as the players go.
00:26 We just knew we had to catch a couple of breaks, make some more shots,
00:28 cuz we knew our defense was getting better, so we feel good about it.
00:32 >> What was it like to not only break the streak, but against a team led by LeBron
00:36 and a big stage, Webby was talking about it almost felt like a playoff game.
00:40 What did you guys feel about that?
00:43 >> Yeah, the worry you have with guys like LeBron and
00:47 superstars in the league is when that fourth quarter comes around,
00:50 that's when they're their best.
00:52 And like Pop said, LeBron is one of the best game managers of all time and
00:57 obviously in the league right now, so we held on to the game when he tried to get
01:02 in there and make plays and get the lead down.
01:05 So that's what makes it tough going up against teams like that.
01:08 But then obviously, the Lakers have such a strong following that
01:12 their fans are gonna be at our games no matter what.
01:14 So yeah, it was a great atmosphere.
01:17 >> What was the note at halftime after they cut the 25 point lead down to 87?
01:24 >> It was really just figuring out that zone that they went to.
01:27 We couldn't, sometimes we were trying to run man plays and
01:31 sometimes we were slowing down when we should have just ran and played in flow.
01:35 And then the other times we didn't run our zone offense when we did run it
01:38 correctly, so that was really our problem.
01:41 We did a good job defensively and we just couldn't score towards the end of the half.
01:45 So the vibes are still good.
01:48 We made so many mistakes offensively and we were still up seven, so
01:50 we were pretty optimistic, but we knew that their quarter was big.
01:53 >> Have you reached a comfort zone now coming off the bench?
01:56 And is that working out well for you and the starting unit as well?
02:00 >> Yeah, I mean, it's only been a couple games, but seems to be working well.
02:04 Like I said, our defense has gotten a lot better.
02:06 And I don't know if the defense,
02:07 I can't remember if the defense was getting better before I went to the bench or
02:10 what, I don't remember.
02:10 But it's getting better.
02:14 I think we have to hang our hat on defense being what wins us games and
02:18 the shots will come.
02:18 So hopefully, these lineups continue to work.
02:22 >> What are the biggest lessons learned during losing streak?
02:24 Be careful with y'all.
02:28 >> 48 minute games.
02:30 Tonight we had a 20 point lead and we were all telling each other, look,
02:34 we've been here before.
02:35 We can't keep doing what we're doing.
02:37 We have to play another 24 minutes in the second half.
02:40 That's probably the biggest lesson.
02:41 We just gotta keep playing like that.
02:42 >> You probably have a lot else on your mind, but just as a fan of basketball,
02:45 did you find yourself appreciating the moments when Victor and
02:50 LeBron were kind of one on one?
02:53 >> Honestly, no, I wasn't even watching, or paying attention to be honest.
02:58 But I mean, obviously Victor is probably that next guy that's gonna be a huge,
03:03 huge name in this league for a long time.
03:05 And LeBron is still carrying that title, that mantle, which is crazy.
03:10 But yeah, a lot of talent on the floor that we'll be able to talk about for
03:14 a long time.
03:15 >> Right before the game, Pop was saying that you and
03:17 Trey as a second unit kind of provide some stability to the team.
03:20 Can you talk about just embracing that newer role?
03:23 You said it's just been a few games, but
03:25 what does that look like, especially moving forward?
03:27 >> Yeah, I love playing with Trey.
03:28 I think anytime you have a strong second unit, you have way more confidence taking
03:34 the starters out, giving them rest, and sticking with good rotations the whole
03:37 game when you know there's no drop off on the bench.
03:40 That's been a formula here for a long time,
03:43 especially when the Spurs are winning championships.
03:45 There's a lot of talent coming off the bench.
03:46 So yeah, I like it.
03:49 I think it's gonna be good for us.
03:50 >> Has anybody mentioned that if Manu Ginobili can come off the bench,
03:54 anybody can come?
03:55 >> Well, I'll never forget that quote, but he said that earlier in the year.
03:58 Yeah, so I mean, that was definitely on my mind when I went to the bench.
04:00 Like, yeah, I ain't complaining, man.
04:01 It's about trying to win games.
04:02 So yeah, I like it.
04:05 It's gonna work.
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