Mike Muscala | Phoenix Suns Post-Game | Dec. 29, 2021
Mike Muscala | Phoenix Suns Post-Game | Dec. 29, 2021
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00:00 a couple of games, just what have you done in a way
00:02 different guys have been able to step up
00:04 and you guys have been able to do?
00:06 Yeah, they've done a great job.
00:08 Ty played great tonight.
00:09 Obviously, I wish Che being out.
00:12 I thought the new guys have really just stepped in
00:17 and it's been pretty seamless, it
00:18 seems, in terms of just our understanding of offense
00:22 and defense and brought some good energy and positivity.
00:24 I thought Scotty Houston brought some good minutes tonight.
00:27 I thought Olivier did well last night.
00:31 We had it pretty close there in the fourth and tonight, too.
00:35 And just credit to Phoenix, they made some big shots
00:39 and we just couldn't do enough on offense.
00:43 But yeah, the new guys have done really well.
00:47 I wanted to ask you about Ty specifically.
00:49 You just told us that he's been working this season
00:51 on making the most out of the minutes
00:52 that he gets on the floor and he gets a real big opportunity
00:55 like the one he had tonight.
00:56 What did you see from him?
00:58 Yeah, I thought he did a great job
01:00 of facilitating the offense and attacking the rim,
01:06 getting us into plays, making some good passes.
01:11 And then he scored a lot of points, too.
01:13 He finished well at the rim.
01:15 He's really crafty in there with his finishing and his passing.
01:19 One more for me, just this is the second night of a back to
01:21 back and against a really, really tough opponent
01:23 like Phoenix.
01:24 Just talk about the fight that you guys
01:26 pushed through to make it all the way to the quarterfinals.
01:30 Yeah, I mean, I think that's why it was frustrating for me
01:33 at least because I feel like we had a chance there
01:36 in the fourth.
01:37 Like I said, it was a six point game.
01:39 And we definitely fought.
01:43 But I think to turn the corner, we just got to win these games.
01:49 And it's like, Phoenix is a great team.
01:52 But I feel like we got to just believe
01:55 that we're going to do it.
01:58 And I think we do.
01:59 But I think that they say no moral victories, which
02:04 like, I don't know.
02:06 I just feel like we brought really good energy.
02:09 And I'm really proud of everybody.
02:10 But I believe in this team.
02:12 I really do.
02:12 And I feel like we're close to turning the page.
02:16 What did you see from--
02:18 what impresses you about Eric when he had the chance
02:20 to see him play?
02:21 Especially in the last few games with a lot of guys.
02:25 I mean, yeah, his defense has been really, really good.
02:28 And then tonight, he was so aggressive attacking the rim.
02:30 He can shoot well, too.
02:36 He's a complete player.
02:37 He's very athletic.
02:39 But especially his defense, getting the passing lanes,
02:41 getting steals.
02:43 And then, yeah, driving to the rim tonight,
02:45 he was really, really good.
02:46 So great game for him tonight.
02:48 He's been playing well recently.
02:49 And then with Mike Wilkes stepping in for Mark,
02:53 he's lost a couple of games.
02:54 What is it that Mike did right for him?
02:57 I thought he did a great job.
02:59 He made some great play calls tonight.
03:01 He was very composed.
03:02 You can tell he sees a lot out there on the floor.
03:08 And yeah, it was fun to play for him.
03:10 I thought he did a really good job.
03:12 Scotty Hobson, he's in his 30s.
03:14 He's been a pro for a really long time.
03:16 It seemed like it was a sweet moment
03:19 that he said it was when he got his first player NBA basket.
03:22 Just your thoughts on him getting this opportunity
03:25 to do him out?
03:26 Yeah, he came right in, didn't miss a beat.
03:29 He just right in for that pull-up jumper.
03:33 And I played some pickup with him the last couple of years
03:40 in OKC with some of the other Thunder guys.
03:42 And I always really liked his game.
03:44 And I told him that I was hoping he
03:48 was going to come to the bubble with us,
03:50 because he's a great player and he's a good teammate.
03:54 He's athletic.
03:55 He's skilled.
03:56 So for him to--
03:59 in his 30s, like you said, and after all that time,
04:02 very deserving, because I know how hard he's worked
04:04 and how bad he's wanted it.
04:06 So it's cool.
04:07 And kind of opposite of the spectrum,
04:09 I didn't get to talk to you last night, but Olivier Sarr,
04:14 didn't expect to be coming to the NBA this early.
04:16 But he seemed to be able to just play his game
04:19 and be a number five for a sec, all that kind of stuff.
04:21 Yeah.
04:22 [INAUDIBLE]
04:23 Yeah, I like his game.
04:24 He asks questions, too.
04:25 He wants to learn.
04:27 He's athletic.
04:28 He can shoot, too.
04:30 He's a good shot blocker.
04:31 He can bring presents, like you said.
04:34 And just seems competitive and motivated.
04:38 So I've enjoyed getting to know him a little bit.
04:42 I think he has a bright future.
04:45 We'll go one to the Zoom.
04:46 Christos, go ahead with your question.
04:50 Hey, Mike.
04:51 Hope you're doing well.
04:53 Hey.
04:54 As one of the most experienced guys in this roster,
04:58 what did you see about the progress of Ty's
05:00 enrollment, Aaron Wiggins, as the season goes on?
05:04 What is the most impressive part from your perspective?
05:08 From Ty, I would just say his skill set.
05:12 He, like I said, his finishing in the paint and around the rim
05:19 is really impressive.
05:20 His footwork and his passing, even defensively,
05:26 his knowing where to be in certain spots.
05:29 He's just a very, very skilled player
05:32 and does a really good job leading the team into offense.
05:36 And then also a great talker on defense.
05:39 And with Wiggs, I would say his defense and his athleticism,
05:46 which translate into really good footwork on offense.
05:50 But you saw some of that tonight, driving to the rim.
05:53 That dunk he had tonight was really impressive.
05:55 So two big games out of them tonight, for sure.
05:59 Thanks, Mike.
05:59 Yeah.
06:01 to no longer the old--
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