Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 Thank you.
00:01 [inaudible]
00:08 I think just, you know,
00:10 having them taking a chance on me last year
00:14 after like at the start of literally like a training camp
00:18 or like when the season was about to start,
00:20 I think it was something that I appreciated.
00:23 And with how the year went and I felt like
00:28 we like getting more established with the team,
00:31 getting to learn coaching staff,
00:33 players a little bit more.
00:34 I felt like that was the right move to do.
00:36 [inaudible]
00:51 It's always a plus, you know,
00:53 to have somebody that you've been knowing
00:55 before getting to a league,
00:58 a guy that we was in France,
01:01 played together, playing against.
01:04 It was always good.
01:05 So, you know, we just try to take care of each other
01:07 and try to make sure we both make the best
01:11 of our opportunities here.
01:14 After playing out of Tulane last year,
01:16 was there any disappointment?
01:18 Tulane were a standard,
01:20 they did contract and had to be out of that.
01:22 I think it was a goal, yeah, for sure.
01:24 But, you know, ultimately, you know,
01:26 I feel like it's kind of just same
01:27 as when you get drafted,
01:29 the number or the contract don't really matter.
01:31 What matters is what you do when you get the opportunity.
01:34 And that's really what I'm focused on
01:36 to make the most out of it.
01:38 Whether it's at practice, games,
01:40 back in the G League for a little bit,
01:42 just anywhere I go, just trying to make sure
01:44 that I make the most out of it.
01:47 Like a lot of returning guys have put in such an urgency
01:50 to see the next step take place.
01:54 How evident is that conversation?
01:56 It's not just with Flip, but the next fall,
01:59 if you got that?
02:00 Yeah, I think it's been, yeah, like you said,
02:02 with the returning guys,
02:04 that would be a point that they made.
02:06 I feel like they really want to feel like
02:09 they want to take the next step
02:10 and start proving the team that we can be.
02:14 So it really starts with, you know,
02:16 the way we come to the gym, the way we work out,
02:19 the way we handle ourselves.
02:21 But obviously, we want to have a big year
02:24 and it's on us to put the work in
02:27 and get the results that we deserve.
02:29 Dennis, obviously, not hearing more,
02:33 just sort of like, just a clear back up point
02:36 or like it's kind of settled right now.
02:39 So I'm going to talk to you guys about how
02:43 the position for that spot, you know,
02:44 take a look at your icon,
02:48 that spot.
02:49 No, we haven't really talked about it with Flip
02:55 in terms of your question,
02:56 but obviously, everybody want to get some play time
02:59 and that's a part of basketball, this competition.
03:01 So, you know, every time we get the chance
03:04 to prove ourselves,
03:05 I think that's something we want to do.
03:09 And obviously, I want it to be a healthy competition,
03:12 but everybody wants that spot.
03:14 So, you know, it's always good competition.
03:17 You see this, obviously, as a big opportunity.
03:22 Obviously, Dennis, you see this as a big opportunity
03:30 for you to get that spot.
03:31 Does it discourage you some here in New Jersey?
03:34 Yeah, for sure it is, you know,
03:36 but I'm not the coach.
03:38 I'm not deciding which means I'm going to get,
03:41 but I can decide the way I enjoy myself.
03:43 I practice the way I'm being professional
03:46 when I come into the gym or whatever I'm asked to do.
03:49 And that's what I'm intending to do, for sure.
03:52 You're obviously a point guard on the smaller side.
03:56 You're one of the better players last year
03:58 in terms of drawing fouls for Charlotte.
04:00 What do you attribute that to?
04:02 And why is it so important as a point guard
04:04 to get it down low and long the top?
04:07 I think it's a huge part of my game, for sure.
04:09 You know, to be able to draw fouls,
04:11 get free points at the free throw line.
04:14 Technically, like the free throw is the most efficient shot
04:17 that you can get on the court.
04:19 So being able to add that to my game
04:25 to be in a way that I'm efficient,
04:27 I think it's something that is huge for me.
04:29 And I think it's always something that
04:32 I was being somebody that loves to get to the paint.
04:34 And like, I feel like it's pretty confident
04:37 making decision when I'm driving
04:39 or just playing out the picking role.
04:40 And so I just want to use it as much as possible.
04:44 [inaudible]
04:49 Yeah.
04:50 [inaudible]
05:08 Yeah, it was for sure a little bit hard, you know,
05:11 like to shift myself from the Rockets directly to Ole Miss.
05:15 And the season literally was about to start
05:17 when I got here.
05:19 I think we had like maybe like one preseason game
05:21 or not even.
05:23 But I just got thrown into the fire.
05:25 And so I didn't really have the time to think
05:27 or get acclimated, just kind of go.
05:31 And like the question you asked me earlier,
05:34 you know, I feel way more confident,
05:37 you know, having a whole season,
05:38 being able to be there for training camp
05:40 and to get to learn and keep learning coaches,
05:44 players, teammates.
05:45 I think it's a huge plus for me compared to last year.
05:49 [inaudible]
05:58 I wasn't really trying to focus on that during the summer.
06:01 I think a huge part was really making,
06:05 improving my game, you know,
06:07 and let my agents do what's best for me.
06:10 I know that as soon as they offered the restricted offer,
06:15 the qualifying offer, I think it was something
06:18 that was in my mind for sure.
06:21 But I really was focused on how I can improve my game
06:23 and be ready at training camp and during the season
06:27 to show the team that I improved
06:28 and that I can handle more responsibility to help the team.
06:34 All right. Thank you, Taylor.
06:35 Thank you.
06:36 [BLANK_AUDIO]