LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS MEDIA CONFERENCE

June 10, 2021

Quin Snyder

Press Conference

Q. You guys only had seven turnovers in Game 1 and obviously that's a very good number for you guys. Was that just consistency of execution from Donovan in particular or kind of what goes into that low turnover night?

QUIN SNYDER: You know, it's interesting because our turnovers have been something that I think, as you know, historically, we have talked about, and what's happened with our team, I would like to not miss 20 straight shots, but by shooting the ball when we're open, you don't turn it over. So there's obviously a balance there where sometimes taking, if you have a good shooter even a contested shot can be the right play because if you pass up that shot, particularly against a team that's as long, that helps as much as they do, that's as aggressive off the ball as the Clippers are, you're probably not going to get a better shot, and you're also going to have a chance to turn the ball over. So I would like for us to shoot a higher percentage, but those are shots that you have a chance to rebound too. So it's been a point of emphasis. It remains one. I think Donovan's decision-making, him being aggressive shooting the ball and also obviously picking his spots when he's driving and passing and finding that balance. But it's not just Donovan. It's our whole group, and we have, we call them hot spots, where guys, you can predict that there's certain situations where guys can get into some trouble that we're aware of, and we work on and try to raise awareness there and give guys the tools to make those plays, and it's always good when you have a night like that where you see guys executing and playing off two feet when they need to and using ball fakes. I think all those little things that you talk about back when you're going to camp growing up become really important against a team that's as good defensively as they are.

Q. Obviously we have seen what Jordan Clarkson brings athletically to this team, but in terms of what he brings off the floor, his personality or his leadership, what is it about him that kind of completes the puzzle, so to speak?

QUIN SNYDER: I think that the word that kind of jumps out in front with Jordan is authenticity. There's a sincerity about who he is as a person. He knows who he is. He's authentic, and he's also, he's just a giving human being in so many respects, one of those people that, we've all known people when you walk in the door and you see them, your day gets better, and I think that's who he is and it just comes naturally to him. He doesn't try to do those things. He's just, he's kind and thoughtful, and I think, as I said too, there's a charisma about him that is unique and, again, it's authentic, and I think that manifests itself in the way he plays as well. You see that come out and I think that for all of us when you're around people like that in your life, not only do you respect them, but they have a magnetic quality.

Q. Can you comment on how Rudy has evolved over the three defensive Player of the Year awards and as a defensive player and how he's improved?

QUIN SNYDER: Yeah, I think it's kind of has run parallel to, as we have seen the game evolve, particularly on the offensive end, where a few years back I can remember asking about pick-and-pop bigs, and Rudy being able to get back to his man when he's popping in pick-and-roll. Then have you play-making bigs where Rudy's defending the ball out on the floor. Then you have isolation situations where he's guarding smaller players. And I just think he's continued to stretch himself. And from my standpoint and our standpoint as a staff, and I think his teammates understand this more than anyone, he's capable of making multiple plays. And the way the game is played now, his rim protection is still clearly the way that he impacts the game consistently on the highest level, but it doesn't stop there, and he's able to make plays and then make -- and still get back and protect the rim and still get back and rebound.

So I think his versatility on the defensive end has continued to evolve where he's able to impact the game in different ways, and we have tried to continue to give him the flexibility and freedom to be instinctive, and I think he's found a really good balance between anchoring a defensive system that's built around him, but at the same time recognizing when he can make plays, and that becomes part of the system.

Q. You've talked about how there's not really secrets anymore between teams when you've seen each other this many times. Do you like then that it becomes a game where you're just involved in execution and talent and rolling the ball out and just seeing who finishes on top? Do you enjoy that as a coach?

QUIN SNYDER: I wouldn't go quite as far as saying you just roll it out and see what happens. I think that there's just base things that you kind of can anticipate that really relate to a team's personnel and who they are. I don't think that the Clippers right now are preparing for Rudy to shoot threes. I think they're preparing for how to attack Rudy.

But after, on a general level no different from us and how we want to try to defend PG. But as players, players are so good. PG is so good that they always figure out ways to adjust to whatever it is that teams are doing. So I think there's kind of a constant flow to that, but I do think as this series goes on, teams have seen things and seen plays and they become more aware, more instinctive, and that's why a lot of times the playoffs are so competitive and so exciting and compelling to watch.

Q. Having full houses again and having that noise level, having that playoff intensity in your crowd, obviously it makes a difference, but is it something that you missed during pandemic basketball and how much of a difference does it make to have that noise like the other night when you guys are starting to get it rolling?

QUIN SNYDER: Yeah, I think it's generally true. It's kind of to me too what the noise represents. There's an enthusiasm, and I think you mentioned the word energy that can, it's infused. Particularly, there's times when teams crave it on the other end. That energy and emotion can, even when it's not positive, can be used to generate a higher level, and I think that's what players are capable of doing. And in our case, the support of the fans, and particularly I think there's a sense, I think with our crowd. I think they have an idea when we need them more and when we need them most. So if we do miss 20-some straight shots, I know everyone wants the next shot to go in, but they're still active, they're still loud, they're supportive and maybe even more so because your team may be struggling at a certain point.