NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: HAWKS VS. BUCKS

June 23, 2021

Mike Budenholzer

Milwaukee Bucks

Game 1: Pregame

Q. How the head space for the bench guys; physically how do you see them trying to stay sharp, considering their role may change?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: Yeah, I mean, we have what we call play groups. We've done some play groups. You know, even on some days when nobody else is in the gym, those guys might be in the gym and playing a little bit, three-on-three, four-on-four, whatever it may be. You know, individual work. So I think they are all in a good place, ready, as ready as you can be.

Q. Who are your starters going to be?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: The same that we basically kind of finished with.

Q. P.J.?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: Correct.

Q. For you just in the series, Jrue obviously struggled with the start and had that really big stretch in the fourth quarter, how do you keep him aggressive and confident?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: Yeah, you know, I think it's been a theme for us, for him to be aggressive. He knows that that's important to us. He knows that's when we're at our best. You know, so I think it's just kind of an ongoing, continuing conversations that a lot of the things that happens in the playoffs are hopefully things that you've been talking about or working on during the season and building habits, building the mindset, and he's been good that way.

Q. With P.J. in the starting lineup, how do you get him to be active offensively?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: I think we need P. J. to be P.J. We need us to be us offensively. But I think he can be a screener. He can be a ball mover. He can work the offensive glass. You know, at the end of the day, if you're locked up with him in a corner, then somebody's getting to the paint. I think we just want to play basketball. You know, P.J. knows how to function at a high level for us and how we play.

Q. Since the protocols have been loosened up, have you been able to do any Break Breads?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: Yeah, we've had Break Breads as the season wound down, and now going into the playoffs. Yes, some of those lifting of restrictions have made it just more logistically possible to do some of the things that keep us together.

Q. What was the first one like? And you actually had a couple days off between Game 7 and now, were you able to get to one in the last several days?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: We did not do one over the last couple days. I can't remember the first one. I mean, you know, to be honest with you, I think probably every team and us not being any different, we're pushing the envelope for whatever was allowed at that particular point in the season. So at some point it may have been a Break Bread in a hotel ball room with plastic silverware and it may have been a Break Bread with silverware and somebody actually asking you what you wanted.

So there's just been this kind of evolution that every team's gone through. I don't know that there was a first. It's just like a continuing, always updated and changing.

Q. You talked about changes from series to series. What have you seen from guys over the last couple days, any higher level of focus or changes you've seen how they are dialing in?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: You know, I think that the thing I feel like that's been consistent is the focus. I think starting with the first round, starting with the second round. And to be honest, I think the intensity is at a high level Game 1 of the first round and through it. As the series goes on, you learn more about each other and there's things that maybe you can dial in more and just kind of be on point.

But the focus has been good the last couple days. But I would say the focus has been good, really, since the playoffs have started. I think the opponents have been incredible to date, and they are going be to incredible going forward. You know, I think the mindset has been good from the beginning.

Q. Giannis says he sees Trae Young as just an unbelievable player, especially for his size. As you're looking at the film of him, what has stood out to you in particular?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: Yeah, he's very unique. Very, very skilled and talented. I think takes advantage of every opportunity to create advantages. He's very smart. Very creative. He's a great passer. Obviously great at creating contact and getting to the free throw line and a great shooter. So he's got a package and he's got a toughness, too, that I think is maybe not appreciated enough. You know, he keeps coming, and I think there's a lot of respect for Trae Young, and really, for their whole roster.

Q. You talked how you faced three different versions of the Brooklyn Nets with guys coming in and out. How does that help you prepare for the possibility of different combinations?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: Yeah, the thing we said, you've just got to be ready to play whoever's out there. You know, there are things that can change, but a ton of just fundamental basic things, defensively, offensively, where you've got to be, you know, high focus and high execution. You've got to play basketball regardless of who is playing.

Q. You worked and coached with Ime Udoka in San Antonio. What is a fond memory you have of working with him?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: Yeah, a lot of fond memories of Ime. One of the toughest, strongest, smartest players that I have been around. Nobody could move him or really mess with him. He's just got this quiet that everybody knew, and there's a great toughness, a guy behind that. I think that's kind of what the Celtics would expect, just a guy that's highly intelligent, but also has a toughness, has a way of communicating and connecting with players. He's just got a great way about him. Very happy for Ime and wish him well.

Q. Coming off such a long and exhausting sort of emotional series, there could be a tendency to have almost an emotional letdown. Are you kind of on guard for that? Have you sort of maybe mentioned that to the players because Atlanta is not Brooklyn and Kevin Durant? Is that something you're on guard for or do you have the appropriate fear and focus that you mentioned earlier?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: I mean, you know, coaches, we try and take advantage of every opportunity to get the team ready. You know, talk about the mental approach, being mentally right, you know, regardless of the circumstances. You're just trying to find a way to win and advance and take the right mental approach and mental focus. Like I was saying a little bit earlier, the group has been in a good place that way and the last few days have been good.

It's what we've got to expect of each other, and I think we will.