GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS MEDIA CONFERENCE

September 27, 2021

Nemanja Bjelica

Media Conference

Q. Give us an idea about the Warriors approached you, what about the situation made you think, this is the place for me to go?

NEMANJA BJELICA: I mean, like I said, it took less than a minute. I think this is the best place for me right now, opportunity, and to be part of this franchise, especially what I accomplished last seven, ten years, when they were really growing as a team, when the guys like Steph and Klay, who definitely like challenge two guys' basketball. It's one of the best team in the league and you know, I'm happy to be here.

Q. You mentioned Steph and Klay there. Are you working forward to some post-workout shooting competitions with those two?

NEMANJA BJELICA: Yeah, definitely. I'm happy to be part of that now. I did some workouts with Steph in Vegas. The guy is unbelievable. It's like video game, you know. For him, he is such a good player that whatever he do, everything looks easy. But the things what he's doing on the court, it's tough for some other guys. So that's why he's so unique and special.

Like I said, he definitely change today's basketball and that's why like most of the teams are trying to play small ball, shorter ball. That's how good he is.

Q. How do you see yourself fitting into it team and have you been given an indication you'll be playing the center spot and how comfortable are you playing the five?

NEMANJA BJELICA: When I was seeing previous years and how Golden State plays, they play fast, they play simple. I know I'm a stretch four in NBA, but I think here on this team, I can do so many other things. I hope I'm going to show that. Doesn't matter which position I'm going to play. You know, ten years ago, I was playing -- like now I can play stretch five. As long as I am on the court and I can help the team win, I'm ready to go.

The most important thing is winning.

Q. Could you elaborate more about what you thought about the Warriors before coming to the organization, what you noticed about their philosophies on offense and defense?

NEMANJA BJELICA: First of all, before I signed here, hb, Harrison Barnes and Luke Walton who was my coach, they told me, this is one of the best organization, great people, great fans. I would like it -- I would love to play here. And like, you know, the way Steve is coaching, what I heard, you have to be discipline but it's -- you just need to play basketball, have fun and enjoy.

At the end of the day, it's only basketball, but like as long as you are happy on the court, off the court, there is great people here, teammates, everybody is super humble, and I think I'm in the right place.

Q. Is your first name Nemanja or Nemanja?

NEMANJA BJELICA: Nemanja.

Q. Talk about playing the five. That obviously brings a defensive component. Have you talked with the coaching staff about kind of ways that you can hold your own as a defensive five if that's how they decide to use you?

NEMANJA BJELICA: Yeah, like I said, basketball change a lot the last couple of years. I mean, our training camp starts tomorrow. I'm definitely going to talk with the coaches. I'm familiar with position five to play. Of course for me it's better to play offense as a five than defense, but you know, basketball is a team sport. This is the best league in the world. Like of course you have to guard your guy one-on-one but like maybe I would need some people.

But you know, I am excited just to be here and to see what the coaching staff want for me, and like this is my seventh year, and I will be myself playing basketball trying to give my best. Make my teammates better, and that's it.

Q. You know Andrew well from being teammates in the past and he's a low-key guy and he's becoming the story of Media Day, essentially, with what's going on with him. Have you talked with him much and how are you seeing him navigate what's going on?

NEMANJA BJELICA: I mean, Andrew is one of the nicest people I ever met. I met him seven years ago when he was -- I mean, when both of us, we were rookie in Minnesota. I was like -- I was rookie when I was 27.

I don't follow, like, media much. But like I heard about, you know, Andrew case, and me and you know, my teammates, we are supporting him; whatever he needs. Like I said, he's one of the best people I've ever met and great, great guy.

Q. As a guy who is known as a shooter, do you look forward to practices with Steph and Klay, the best shooters in the game, or is there any part of it that might be intimidating because they are so good at it?

NEMANJA BJELICA: Definitely. I want to see -- I heard a lot of stories about Steph and Klay, and I want to see that in person. Some of that, I saw in Vegas, the way how Steph is working out, his work ethic. Like I said, it looks like it's a video game. It's tough. But like a great opportunity for me, as, let's say, the guy who want to shoot the ball, stretch four.

I think everybody when you're on the court with those two guys and also Draymond who knows how to play, everything is open. So it's going to be hard for everybody, like everybody going to be focused to guard Steph. He's the guy who can every night put like 30 points, and you can't do nothing about that. So for me, it going to be a great opportunity.

Q. Do you feel like you can hang, participate in some shooting competitions?

NEMANJA BJELICA: Definitely. I will always bet on myself. I mean, I am a different position than him. He's one of the best players ever, you know. But like there is also, you know, great shooters on the team, the way how we going to play this year. So like I said, I think this is great fit for me.

You know, just to be around these guys, it's going to be easier for me I think.