NBA FINALS: HEAT VS. NUGGETS

June 3, 2023

Jeff Green

Denver Nuggets

Practice Day

JEFF GREEN: I actually live in Miami in the off-season. My wife is from there. And he's somebody who whenever I see him, we break bread and we speak. He's somebody I look up to as far as his longevity, how he grinded through the league. He paved his way; he did it his way.

For me, that's somebody who you've got to look up to, you've got to respect. For me, he's somebody who I can always count on when I need some knowledge.

Q. Watching after the first game, you are 1-0 right now. The day before the game, did you change something for you guys?

JEFF GREEN: I think for us it's about looking at film and figuring out things we can get better at. I think at the end of the day it's about effort, but there's some things we can change that we can get better at that we've spoken about. We've just got to go out there on the floor and just execute those plans.

Q. You talked about the grind. What's been the key for you to survive that grind or even thrive in it?

JEFF GREEN: Oh, man. To keep it short, I think it's mostly just staying positive in that grind. Sometimes when you're battling it uphill, you're trying to figure out a way -- things might not go your way. That's when the negativity can kick in.

But for me, it's about keeping the positivity and everything to do with being prepared to work every day, not being afraid of messing up or being uncomfortable. It's about growth.

I've been through it all.

Q. Is it driving the negative out or --

JEFF GREEN: Negative is always going to be there somehow, some way, in some form. It's always going to creep. But I think that positivity has just got to override it.

Q. What stood out about Aaron's game to you in Game 1 and just his approach in general to these Finals? What has impressed you or stood out to you?

JEFF GREEN: I think he kept the game simple. I think he uses his size to his ability. He was a force down low, and that was great for us to get us off to a good start.

Q. Was there something you thought would be there going into that game?

JEFF GREEN: You can't ever predetermine how a game is going to go. I think you just try to read the game, and I think that's something he did very well at the beginning of the game. He got to his spots, got out in transition, got smaller guys on him, and used his size.

Q. How would you compare the energy in Game 1 to the time you made it to the Finals in Cleveland with our buddy Jordan Clarkson? How was it different or the same?

JEFF GREEN: I mean, it's the Finals. The energy is always going to be electric. I think if anything it's more so just the personnel who was there. You had LeBron in Cleveland, you had KD, Golden State, Steph. It was just different personnel.

But it's the Finals, man. This is everything. The energy is the same.

Q. I know you have a Brazilian guy on your staff. What can you say about the work with Felipe Eichenberger?

JEFF GREEN: He's a great guy. His energy that he brings every day, it keeps us going. His passion for his work is amazing. He gives us great energy, and I love Felipe, man, even Claus. They come in and they come to work and they prepare us each day to guard our own floor. They keep our strength right. They're a big part of what we do.

Q. Talking about Brazil, you have a lot of fans in Brazil.

JEFF GREEN: I do? I've been there before. Barbosa took me there, I can't tell you, it was a long time ago. We were in Boston. We went for All-Star break. I had a great time.

Q. Do you want to say something to your friends in Brazil?

JEFF GREEN: Yes, thank you for all your support. I can't speak the language, but thank you.

Q. Do you prefer a one-day break or a two-day break?

JEFF GREEN: I really don't care. I just want to play. To be honest, I don't care how long we've got. My job is just to be prepared for the time I'm given on the floor, be there for my teammates.

So one day, two days, three days, it doesn't matter. On game day, I'll be prepared and I'll be ready.

Q. Are you getting anxious, though?

JEFF GREEN: Yeah, 100 percent. I could have played yesterday. That's the energy that the Finals gives you. This is what you live for. This is what you play for. You sacrifice everything for these moments.

I'm just excited to be here, and right now we have a 1-0 lead, but we have to continue to protect home court, try to go up 2-0.

Q. Can you get a good sleep before a game in the Finals?

JEFF GREEN: My wife and kids are gone right now. They've gone home to Miami for when we get there, so I'll be able to get some sleep tonight.