NBA FINALS: CELTICS VS. WARRIORS

June 1, 2022

Otto Porter

Golden State Warriors

Media Day

Q. What's it like for you? I know you're a vet, but this is your first go-round doing something like this, Media Days, like kind of a circus in my opinion. What do you make of it?

OTTO PORTER: What you said, it's a circus, but it's almost like I'm a beginner, my first time. Just going to enjoy the process.

Q. How much of practice did you go through today? Were you able to practice through everything?

OTTO PORTER: Yeah, everything.

Q. It's one thing to sign with a team thinking that, all right, you have a good shot of making a deep run in the playoffs, but it's another thing to actually get to the NBA Finals. What's this postseason run been like for you being able to get this deep in the playoffs the first time?

OTTO PORTER: It was a goal the whole season from the first day, training camp. This is a goal that we had in the back of our mind, and we know it was a process to get here.

Q. Has this season met your expectations, exceeded them?

OTTO PORTER: I knew it was going to be fun. I know that much. Especially for me being my first time playing with team, playing in this system. Played against them my whole career, so to be on the same side as them, it's pretty fun.

Q. After playing against guys like Steph, Klay, Draymond, what’s it been like to play with them and feel your expectations grow?

OTTO PORTER: Yeah, it's been an up-and-down season with COVID and everything. We found a way to stay strong. Our mantra is just Next Man Up, and just find a way every day.

Q. What has it been like to watch Klay get stronger and get his game back as the season has gone on?

OTTO PORTER: It's been amazing. Inspirational for all of us, especially after what he's been through and you know, the way he locked in and dedicated his time off and getting back to being acclimated with everybody, and while he's playing, he's found joy for it and a whole new perspective, and he's shared that with us.

Q. Obviously Draymond is a great defender, but how would you describe what Draymond is able to do on the defensive side that makes him special?

OTTO PORTER: His high IQ for the game. He's in the right place at the right time. You know, you can't touch that, and that's what he brings every time he steps on the floor.

Q. You guys have played a lot of zone this year. How comfortable are you guys playing zone when Draymond is back there and just in general?

OTTO PORTER: I mean, we throw zone out there to confuse the other team. We do it in spurts, and with him out there being the quarterback, it's easier for us to get organized very quick and attack the task at hand. So with him out there, everything is way more smoother with communication from him.

Q. There's been a lot of buzz about Warriors culture. What struck you first when you arrived here?

OTTO PORTER: Just their culture, how they conduct themselves and hold themselves to a standard, accountability, leadership, it shows.

Q. How does that accountability manifest? Obviously, Steve is someone who puts on a pretty positive face in public. I know he can coach you guys pretty hard. Draymond is never one not to get in somebody's ears.

OTTO PORTER: There's no cheating. There's no ways around it. You've got to go through and every day you've got to work. There's no going around it.

Q. How are you feeling? Are you feeling 100 percent?

OTTO PORTER: I can't really put a number to it but I feel okay.

Q. Obviously things are a little bit different here in the Finals as you can clearly see. What are you doing to try and replicate what you would do on a normal practice day, on a normal game day to kind of stay ready for just playing basketball?

OTTO PORTER: Just what I normally do every day. It's no different for me the way I approach the game. Just got to stay focused and just trying to get to tomorrow. Get some rest. Make sure I take care of myself and get ready for the game.