WATCH: Everything From Jalen Johnson After Hawks Victory Over the Spurs
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00:00 For you to continue having nights of career success,
00:03 just what does it say about your continued improvement and growth this season?
00:06 >> I think it's just a testament to the hard work I did
00:11 throughout the course of my career.
00:15 Things are absolutely just starting to click.
00:17 My teammates, they help me with all that as well.
00:21 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:25 >> So Jalen, in the first half today, you had a historic first half,
00:29 especially with you had 10 points, several rebounds, six assists, five steals.
00:33 And I think it really spoke to your diverse skill set and
00:36 how many things you can do on the court.
00:37 So could you just speak to how you've been empowered this season?
00:40 Because it really looks like you finally starting to break out, and
00:42 by most metrics, the most improved player in the NBA.
00:44 >> Yeah, like I said, it's a testament to hard work.
00:49 And my teammates and coaches just put me in the right position and
00:52 allowing me to have the freedom just to be me within it.
00:57 So having that support, people around you like that,
01:03 it gives you a clear mind, especially when you're going out on the court,
01:07 you're not overthinking.
01:08 That's all it really is.
01:09 >> Jalen, you guys have had some struggles in the second half.
01:14 Coach talked about you guys needing to improve your focus.
01:18 What areas of growth do you guys see that you need to do to kind of
01:23 get away from these second half lows that you have?
01:26 >> I really think it's probably those first five minutes of the half.
01:31 A lot of times when we get a good lead in the first half,
01:34 we call a timeout cuz they go on a run.
01:37 We gotta just cut back on that, stop allowing that to happen,
01:41 cuz that gives the other team confidence.
01:43 And you've seen it tonight, we cut the lead to, I think it was six at one point.
01:47 So just understanding we just need to do it in the second half,
01:52 we can do it in the first half all we want.
01:54 But yeah.
01:57 >> Jalen, Hawks held the Spurs to 34 points in the first half.
02:01 What was working sort of defensively in the first half and
02:05 what did the Spurs do in the second half to kind of shake free of that?
02:08 >> I think what they did in the second half, I think it was more on us,
02:12 I think, than anything.
02:13 I think we took our foot off the gas and that's just what the result was.
02:19 I'm coming back, making a lead, gaining confidence.
02:22 You've seen it came out starting their bench.
02:26 So I think when we saw that, it was kind of just a let up.
02:31 And we can't have that regardless of who's on the floor, who's playing, who's not.
02:35 So we just gotta be better in that aspect.
02:36 >> I know you talk about it shouldn't matter with who's on the floor,
02:40 who's not.
02:41 But when you're guarding a guy like Wimby,
02:42 how do you try to go about slowing him down?
02:46 >> I mean, he's still really young, so just kind of being physical with him
02:51 as much as possible, of course.
02:53 He's gonna get you in buckets, he's 74 or whatever he is.
02:56 So like I said, just trying to be physical with him,
03:00 just trying to push him around, play more physical with him, yeah.
03:05 >> What's up, Jaylon?
03:08 Rashad Milligan rolling out.
03:10 Speaking of Wimby, you had a play where you kind of made a power move to the bucket
03:14 and kind of made a screen to him and the crowd.
03:17 Just how was that moment like for you?
03:19 What do you remember about that play in particular?
03:21 >> I don't really remember that play.
03:24 >> [LAUGH] >> Okay, all right, well,
03:27 we could go this way.
03:29 Just what was the energy like in Atlanta in that second half?
03:33 You guys coming down MLK Day, National TV game.
03:36 Just what was the energy like in the building?
03:38 >> It was great tonight, I think.
03:40 For me personally, just playing in a lot of the arenas now,
03:44 I feel like State Farm just separates itself from everybody else.
03:47 Just as far as the energy everybody brings, just the crowd interactions.
03:53 It's really fun to play here.
03:55 So especially, I have a game on MLK Day, it was huge.
04:00 Especially to get the W, so that was really good.
04:04 >> Hey, Jaylon, you had six steals today.
04:09 Is that something you want your teammates to look to you to maybe be as a leader on
04:13 the defensive end, that you are setting the tone for the team out there?
04:17 >> I mean, just personally, I just try to play hard on defense and
04:21 then just making the right reads, making the right plays.
04:25 And I feel like as a unit, our rotations were a lot better than that first half
04:30 tonight, which led to a lot of easy steals for me.
04:33 A lot of the times, most of my steals came from one of our guys getting stops and
04:38 throwing balls on the ground, and that comes up as my steal.
04:41 But I think it was just a collective team effort, and
04:44 as far as just taking pride in our matchups and
04:47 forcing them in tough situations where they lose the ball.
04:51 >> Jaylon, another question about tonight and MLK Day.
04:56 What does MLK mean to you in general?
04:58 >> MLK, that means a lot, especially just kinda understanding
05:02 just kinda what it was about, equality, standing for what you believe.
05:08 And I think everybody somewhat kinda applies that to their everyday life,
05:13 just trying to stand for what you believe and stand for what's right,
05:16 most importantly.
05:17 The impact he has on us today, it's immortal, so it's everlasting.
05:23 We just try to honor him and represent that as best as possible.
05:27 >> Last one.
05:27 >> Just Jaylon, when things are getting kinda tough out there on the court,
05:31 who are those voices of leadership amongst the team that say, hey,
05:35 everything's gonna be okay?
05:37 Who are those voices on the team?
05:39 >> I think we all say something to each other.
05:41 There's not just one really vocal, vocal guy, but
05:44 I think with how we interact with each other, I think we just tell each other,
05:49 let's go, let's pick it up.
05:51 And then coach, he emphasizes it as well.
05:55 So, and actually, Wesley.
05:59 >> [LAUGH] >> Wesley's real good at that.
06:04 Just kinda being that OG veteran guy, he's in the huddles talking to us,
06:10 kinda letting us know, let's pick it up, let's pick it up.
06:12 So yeah, Wes, but a lot of us, we still have that interaction amongst each other.
06:18 >> Thank you, Jay.