WATCH: Bruno Fernando's Exit Interview At End Of The Season
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00:00 But for me, I've just always been someone who's able to just stay through it and
00:08 keep just finding a way.
00:11 And I think to be able to just remain calm under those circumstances and
00:17 just allowing myself to continuously come in and work hard and
00:20 get to the point of where I was in the season once the opportunity showed up,
00:24 I was able to take full advantage of it.
00:26 So I can't really say that it didn't go great for me.
00:30 >> Wesley said you were one of the guys that really stepped up in a vocal
00:33 leadership role.
00:34 Was that an emphasis for you?
00:36 And what does that mean to hear that from a guy like him?
00:39 >> It wasn't an emphasis for me.
00:40 I just think it's a natural thing for me.
00:42 I'm just normally someone who is, I would say I don't talk a lot, but
00:48 I do like to communicate with people.
00:51 And I think just being one of the guys that were here, that was here before and
00:56 then coming back and obviously in the same organization and
01:00 most of the some of the same guys and it makes it easier for
01:03 me to be able to communicate and just talk things through with the guys.
01:07 So that was really all it was for me and it was just a natural thing.
01:11 I didn't really try to do it.
01:14 And obviously seeing what's doing also kind of makes you want to do it.
01:20 >> What were some of the challenges maybe that you guys kind of had this season that
01:24 you had to overcome with all of the injuries and guys in and out of the lineup?
01:28 Trying to find some consistency in that.
01:30 >> Yeah, I mean, I think you touched on it.
01:32 Just a lot of injuries, trying to figure it out.
01:35 It's hard at times as a team when certain guys are so
01:39 used to playing with certain guys and then all of a sudden an injury comes and
01:42 then that guy got to be replaced with someone who probably hasn't had much of
01:45 time and experience with the other guys on the floor.
01:49 So that obviously makes it harder on a team that's trying to figure out
01:54 ways to win games and continue to elevate their game.
01:58 But we never made an excuse and we can't use that as an excuse.
02:02 Every other team in the league got dealt with injuries and stuff like that.
02:05 So we just had to continue to find ways to implement those,
02:12 like myself, coming in and fill those spots and
02:15 just figure out ways to contribute to the team and help win games.
02:20 >> For the first full season under Quinn,
02:23 if you look at the defense from October to April, how did it change or
02:27 grow over the months and what's left, what's the next steps for the defense?
02:31 >> I think it's grown tremendously.
02:34 I think Quinn is a great coach and very detailed, driven guy.
02:38 And from the moment he got here, and we were able to be here and just witness it,
02:44 he's always tried to figure out ways to make sure that we were a more active team
02:48 defensively and figure out ways that he implements a lot more rotation where
02:52 everybody is more involved in moving around.
02:54 So I think it has gotten a lot better,
02:58 especially doing that stretch when we were really good and won some games.
03:02 And I think that we were able to really see our true capabilities defensively as
03:09 a team, so I think that we gotta just continue to put emphasis on that and
03:14 obviously as the guys go into the off season and look back and reflect on the season
03:19 and watch some of the games, which I'm sure everybody's gonna do, I think we're
03:23 gonna have a better understanding of what we need to do for the next season.
03:27 >> For you as you head into the summer, maybe what is one of the things or
03:31 a couple of things that you wanna kinda focus on and work on to get better?
03:37 >> I think for me, one of the things that I realized early on about myself,
03:41 I just gotta continue to stay in shape.
03:44 So I think as a big, that's probably one of the main things, just stay in shape.
03:48 It's gonna help obviously because I have national team stuff to do for
03:52 the Olympics qualifiers this summer.
03:54 So it's kinda gonna help me get the head start at it.
03:58 But I think that's the biggest thing.
03:59 I think I'm on my best when I'm in great shape.
04:02 And I don't think I have even been able to see that of myself yet.
04:05 But just allowing myself to get to that place physically,
04:10 where I'm able to just feel great.
04:14 And I'm naturally an energized person.
04:19 And when I'm on my best, in terms of being in shape,
04:22 I think that's when the best of me comes out.
04:24 So just being able to do that, and I think basketball-wise,
04:27 everybody works on their game.
04:28 Everybody shoots, everybody do hook shots, everybody will do ball handling.
04:32 So I think that there are little areas and specific areas in my game that I
04:37 really kinda wanna do that doesn't really have anything to do with
04:39 touching the basketball.
04:40 But I don't know if I need to get stronger, but I'll try to do that.
04:44 And maybe try to get a little faster and just have quicker reactions at times.
04:50 And I think there are times when I get a little tired,
04:52 then I start to slow down a little bit.
04:53 So, but that has a lot to do with also being in great shape.
04:58 >> What were your conversations like with Colonel Landry just coming back to your
05:01 role here and expectations in the future?
05:04 >> We didn't really talk much about those.
05:06 We just kinda talked about the season and reflected on how it's been.
05:11 And they obviously told me about how much better they've seen it out gun.
05:17 And even obviously Landry was here the first time when I was here.
05:21 And seeing the growth in me and just being able to be ready at all times.
05:26 It was, when you look back from all the way to September when we started
05:31 training camp until February really when Clint got hurt and
05:36 I got an opportunity to step out there and play.
05:38 It wasn't really natural for me.
05:40 I was just like two guys that wasn't came often to shoot around the practices.
05:45 You guys always see me, this is the big man basket.
05:48 And I was just always continuously out here working and
05:51 figure out ways to just continue to stay engaged and better myself.
05:55 So I think the planning for me just remains the same and
05:59 continues to just find ways to get better and
06:02 we'll figure out things as the time comes.
06:05 >> Great, thank you for your time.