My hands make me a little longer, and that's always a good thing.
I'm just living in the moment, trying to win every game. That's all I'm focused on.
Whoever I'm playing against, I go in and try to stop their best scorer and try to get myself going on the offensive end.
I don't eat the same meal or at the same time every single day. You get tired of that real quick. I just try to make sure whatever I'm eating is fresh and clean and good for my body. That's about it.
It's all mental. I just have to worry about my game.
Coming in, I wanted to be a great player, and right now at the beginning of my career, I'm showing some slight sunshine that I can be the player I want.
I'm always trying to come down with a win. That's what matters to me and my squad.
Winning is motivation.
I could be on the court for two hours, and it felt like 10 minutes. It made time go by.
I can't be impatient. It would show on the floor, and I won't compete if I'm thinking about getting the ball.
I've been working hard to be one of the focal points in the NBA, one of the top guys.
Everybody plays back-to-backs.
I'm just going out there to do my role, the same role - defense first - and then see how the ball turns out on the offensive end.
I'm not out here just for the money. I want to be a great player.
People in the NBA are just as athletic as you. That's the game. You have to have the change of pace. You have to change speeds to get around people.
It's an honor to have been considered for the team, and I hope that in the future I will have the chance to represent my country by playing for U.S.A. Basketball.
My dad leaving my life. That's the biggest thing that happened to me. I just remember what he tells me, the memories, and try to move on forward each day, knowing that he's still here, looking down on me.
You just go out there and try to compete and try to make a play for your teammates.
The Spurs are a great organization.
When I'm away from basketball, I hang out with my friends, chill, and that's about it.
At the end of the day, we all know what the Jordan logo means, and you can't take anything away from that. But it's pretty cool to have my own logo on a Jordan shoe.
I'm just happy that people like the way I play.
When I'm on the court, I feel all problems go away.
I'm just playing basketball. I just want to be a great player. That's it. That's all I'm thinking about. If the other stuff comes, it comes, but I'm just fortunate to play in the NBA Finals and just to play basketball, period.
I've got to learn how to create shots for others.
If I get noticed for my individual performance, that's what happens. Other than that, I'm just trying to win the game.
I'm just trying to pass Tim Duncan in championships if I can one day. That's my motivation; that's what I strive for. Tim is one of the greatest players who has ever played, so if I could get close or reach that plateau and have my name on that list.
As long as you give your best effort, I feel like that's all you can do.
People would ask what college are you going to, and I'd say, 'San Diego State.' And they'd say, 'Why?'
I believed I could play in the NBA.
I know people are going to put the main focus on stopping me, so I need to learn how to make my teammates better by passing and creating opportunities for them.
I'll never try to win an award. I'm out there just playing for my team.
That's how I grew up. Just play defense - and make a basket.
I want the kids to know that it's not a myth that somebody from their city plays and wins in the NBA. I just want to influence them to work hard and do whatever they want to do in life, whether it's to be a basketball player or scientist... if they believe in themselves, they can do anything.
I like being the underdog so they don't expect what's going to happen. It pushes me to work harder and do the things I'm not doing better.
It's how I've been playing my whole life, guarding the best player on the other team.
When I was growing up, I didn't have a hometown hero.
My mindset is the same every game.
I like the old-school muscle cars.
Everybody in the NBA works on their game. I just tried to follow that lead when I was in high school, college - and now.
I look at film, but more than watching individual players, I'm trying to watch a team's whole offensive scheme. I'm trying to know their tendencies so I can... guess. That's what it comes down to, really, making the best guess.
People always want to compare their hands to mine. Pretty much everywhere I go.
I just think repetition and getting the game reps shooting the ball in games really helps, rather than just practicing. You can get game timing.
I try to come in with a focus to stop my man and win the game. I'm always trying to be ready to catch them off their strides by being physical enough without getting fouls.
Obviously, I like guys that can defend other positions. Draymond Green is doing a great job with Golden State. Jimmy Butler brings it every night when I'm out there.
My motivation wasn't really to get a $95 million contract, you know?
I rarely eat breakfast because of our schedule, actually. If I do, though, I'll try to do an egg-white omelet with some bell peppers and mushrooms. Maybe a side of a bunch of different fruits.
I could have gone to a bigger school. I use it as motivation going to a school that loved me. I wanted to put them on the map and show everyone that you don't need to go to a top school to make it in the NBA.
I'm just a low-key guy.
