Vit Krejci | Phoenix Suns Post-Game | Feb. 24, 2022
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:03 >> Nick LOKCthunder.com, just how did it feel to be out there in front of the home
00:08 crowd getting extended minutes and made a couple huge big baskets there?
00:13 >> Yeah, I mean, it just felt amazing just to be on court and
00:16 especially in front of the home crowd.
00:19 That's what I've been working for for a year and a half now,
00:23 dreaming about this moment.
00:25 Not talking about the shots, not talking about anything else,
00:28 just to be able to be on the court and play basketball.
00:31 So it's just an amazing feeling.
00:33 >> What did you like best about the whole team's effort in the first half and
00:38 what could have been better in that second half, particularly the fourth quarter?
00:43 >> Yeah, I mean, I think the main thing that we gotta get better at was,
00:48 we let them shoot a lot of open threes, especially after pre-enroll.
00:53 So I think we gotta work on that.
00:55 They're a great team, so it's hard to stop them.
01:00 But I think we competed well and we competed about 48 minutes.
01:04 Obviously, there was things that we could do better, there always are, but
01:08 overall, I think we competed.
01:10 >> Paris Lawson, OKCthunder.com, just kind of piggybacking off that question.
01:14 You guys bounced back from 19 points down in the first half and
01:17 it was really the second unit that kind of sparked that there.
01:19 What got going for you guys, particularly in that second quarter,
01:22 on the defensive end to help kind of spark that for you?
01:25 >> I think just play a little bit more aggressive.
01:28 I think from the beginning, they were a little comfortable.
01:32 And they have amazing players, so if you let them play comfortable,
01:35 it's gonna be hard to guard them.
01:38 So I think with the second unit coming in, we kind of speed the game up.
01:43 Maybe played even too crazy, but
01:47 we just had to speed the game up a little bit, try to play our way.
01:51 And I think that's the main key that helped us get back out there.
01:56 >> And then for you specifically, you were two for two from three,
01:59 you stepped into a couple of shots,
02:00 looked like you were really in rhythm and comfortable.
02:02 Just how comfortable did you feel out there with those guys tonight?
02:05 >> Yeah, I mean, I got my confidence in first quarter, believe it or not.
02:11 I didn't score in the basket, but I was out there and I was playing good defense.
02:17 Even though I didn't shot basketball or didn't made a huge place,
02:21 I just gained confidence by just defending well, being on the court.
02:25 So then that carried on to the second half where I was able to knock down some shots.
02:29 >> Joe Masato, the Oklahoman,
02:32 your first two years have obviously been interrupted by injuries.
02:35 Just how much do you gain game to game,
02:38 just being comfortable just being out there and being able to play?
02:42 >> Yeah, I mean, that come from preparation.
02:45 We did a lot of good work.
02:47 The organization helped me a lot to get back out there as soon as possible and
02:51 the healthiest as possible.
02:53 It wasn't an easy season, I had a lot of problems with the knee,
02:57 then the ankle again.
02:58 It was frustrating to just keep not playing.
03:03 It was frustrating, but moments like this, being on the court makes it worth and
03:09 makes it worth all the work that we put in.
03:11 >> How do you feel physically now?
03:13 >> Good, good, I mean, obviously I can still feel the knee a little bit.
03:17 But I feel comfortable that it's not limiting me on whatever I'm doing.
03:21 I can feel it obviously a little bit after the game.
03:23 But ankle feels good.
03:26 There's some problems in the knee that we need to deal with after the season.
03:31 But like I said, it's not limiting me playing.
03:35 So that's the main thing.
03:36 >> And just like to the athletic, you guys have a lot of players on the team
03:41 that can pass well, that kind of understand spacing well.
03:44 Is it fun playing out there with guys like that?
03:46 >> Yeah, I mean, we have a lot of guys that can do that.
03:52 And I think the main thing for us is to figure it out,
03:55 how to play the best together.
03:57 Everybody gotta play within the role they got on the team.
04:01 And I think from the beginning of the year till now, we did a good job.
04:07 And recognizing who's good at what and play out of our advantages.
04:13 >> And who's kind of showing you the most support amongst the team as you're kind
04:17 of having this journey back on to the court?
04:20 >> I would say everybody on team, everybody's just helping me to get through it.
04:24 Obviously, with guys like Poku or
04:30 more like the European guys who are a little more closer.
04:33 But like I said, it's just the whole team,
04:35 it's a great group of guys that helped me get through it.
04:38 And moments like this, it just makes it worth all the work.
04:43 >> Sorry, just wanted to follow up, is the knee, not injury, but
04:51 whatever you're feeling in your knee, is that a result of the ACL tear or?
04:55 >> Yeah, so the problem is it's more of a meniscus.
04:58 I still gotta do a scope after the season.
05:01 But like I said, it's not limiting me from playing basketball.
05:06 I'm feeling good out there.
05:08 It's just something that long term could have been a problem.
05:12 But like I said, right now, it's not a problem at all.
05:13 We're taking good care of it.
05:16 So as long as it's not limiting me playing basketball,
05:19 it's not limiting me being faster or stronger, it's good.
05:23 >> Thanks.