NBA FINALS: CELTICS VS. WARRIORS

June 9, 2022

Otto Porter Jr.

Golden State Warriors

Practice Day

Q. Playing with a sense of desperation. I would imagine it's the same, so how do you get off to a good start in the first quarter? Not kind of play from behind, but stay out in front, how important is it?

OTTO PORTER JR.: You're right. It is desperate. We have to win Game 4, for sure. I mean, we just have to stay poised in the first quarter and just meet their physicality.

We know being at home they're going to bring the extra force, playing in front of their home crowd. That's what they did Game 3, so Game 4 they'll be doing that. We have to match their energy.

Q. Can you explain or quantify the championship experience that Steph, Dray, Klay, Andre provide for guys that maybe haven't been in the Finals on your team and how that kind of plays out?

OTTO PORTER JR.: Just being poised. I think just being poised and not getting rattled. Just sticking with the game plan.

We know they're going to be amped up being at home. We just have to find a way to get the job done.

Q. When Klay gets going, what does that do for you guys, and how can that provide a boost for you guys in the series going forward?

OTTO PORTER JR.: We get Klay going, that's what we want to do. He creates so many opportunities for everybody. Attack the rim, get his three ball going, gives our defense a chance. We're going to need him. We're going to need him.

Q. What's your biggest focus when you are out on the floor for you personally when you get your minutes, and what do you try to provide?

OTTO PORTER JR.: I just try to provide defense, rebounding. I try to use my size and offensively just set screens, space the floor, knock down open shots.

Q. With all the pressure and all this stuff, can a player enjoy the NBA Finals? Is it possible?

OTTO PORTER JR.: Absolutely. Absolutely enjoyable, especially for me, my first time being in the NBA Finals, playing at the highest level. I don't think there's any pressure on me, for sure. Just going out there and having fun, competing, playing my hardest.

Q. All the focus for the next game is the team that lost the previous game. Is that something weird or expected?

OTTO PORTER JR.: You can pretty much expect it. When a team comes out and throws the first punch, you assume that the other team is going to do that the next game. So it's all about who can withstand the punches, who can withstand the runs, who can stop the runs and who can gain control of the game.

Q. I love how you fit in the Warriors. Do you feel the same as a player? You think you're a better player before the Warriors and after the Warriors?

OTTO PORTER JR.: I think I'm the same player. I mean, I only play how I play. Nobody else plays like me.

Being just versatile. I feel like I can bring a lot of things to this team. Spacing, defense. Try to get extra possessions for my team. Try to have all those guys' backs.

Q. I was saying for the Warriors, that they play nice quality basketball, and maybe you can learn something extra.

OTTO PORTER JR.: Yeah, I mean, it's not just for me, but the whole organization. They play a unique style of basketball, kind of how I grew up playing. I just fit seamlessly with how they play. That's just a testament to how I grew up playing basketball.