NBA FINALS: CELTICS VS. WARRIORS

June 12, 2022

Otto Porter

Golden State Warriors

Practice Day

Q. What did you think about getting a start the other night? Did that kind of change things for you a little bit in terms of preparation or anything like that?

OTTO PORTER JR.: No. No. It was just the game plan for Game 4, starting me. Yeah, just be ready to play.

Q. Did Steve give you any indication if he was going to go that direction again tomorrow or just be ready for anything?

OTTO PORTER JR.: I've just got to be ready for anything.

Q. Talk about the opportunity that you have now after getting one on the road and then coming back here, a chance to go up 3-2.

OTTO PORTER JR.: Big chance for us to go up, take home court. Must-win game for us.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about all the travel you do all year to all your events. What helps you get focused these days?

OTTO PORTER JR.: Just basically playing the game. You've got media, travel, stuff like that. Just take care of your body as much as possible before going to practice or going to the game. A lot of game film just to stay focused.

Q. What have you learned from being on the Finals team so far through four games?

OTTO PORTER JR.: One is attention to detail. Game by game, things change constantly, quarter by quarter. Just a level of intensity that you bring to the Finals, it is fun to play at the highest level and to compete at the highest level. And then all the traveling and everything that comes with it.

Q. When you were getting the free agent pitch from Bob to come here, did you think that you'd be in this position that you are now? Were they pretty hell-bent on that they could get back here and that was part of the pitch to you?

OTTO PORTER JR.: Yeah, for sure. We knew that Klay was going to come back. But it's just another chance for me to help a team that's trying to get back to where they were, and then trying to get myself back to play at a high level that I was. It just worked out.

Q. With all the stress coming when you're playing in the NBA Finals, are you managing to have fun, as well?

OTTO PORTER JR.: Yeah, this is fun for me. Every game, every practice. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

Q. What's the difference with any kind of practice at this stage of the Finals versus two weeks ago when this all started? How are practices different?

OTTO PORTER JR.: I mean, it's the playoffs. Everything about the playoffs is different than regular season.

Q. But now compared to at the start of the Finals, what are some of the changes that happen maybe in the structure of practice or in the way that you guys --

OTTO PORTER JR.: I mean, it just varies from game to game. Obviously, the first game is different from Game 5 or 6. You're seeing the same team over and over again, so you just continue to make adjustments. Then off the court you just continue to get rest, use different methods to heal faster, to get ready.

Q. What's it been like playing with Steph and to see him be able to do the incredible things on the biggest stage?

OTTO PORTER JR.: He's been doing it for a long time. I don't think anything is different. You know what you're going to get from him, so our job is to make it easier for him.