NBA FINALS: CELTICS VS. MAVERICKS

June 5, 2024

Dante Exum

Dallas Mavericks

Media Day

Q. The global impact of the game, can you tell us how are the Finals lived in Australia?

DANTE EXUM: Yeah, it's a little different because it's the middle of the day. Obviously, I remember growing up, I wasn't able to watch it being at school. I mean, it's something that everyone watches. I know they have watch parties all over the country. It's a big event and everyone watches it down there.

Q. To go through your journey, what does it mean to you being here in the NBA Finals?

DANTE EXUM: Yeah, you could have asked me two years ago if I was going to be here, I would have been shocked.

I think it's kind of the hard work and dedication that I've put into my game. Staying focused throughout it all, through the ups and downs, injuries. Making sure I always got back to just loving basketball, just wanting to be on the court.

Obviously, when I got this opportunity in Dallas, jump on it. I knew we had a good team, but to even look at a year ago and say I'd be here, it's crazy.

Q. Some players will say I always knew I'd get to this point, some would say I had to work hard. Did you always think you'd be here, get to this point?

DANTE EXUM: I mean, yeah, you always dream about it. I think just being a kid from Australia, even getting to the NBA was a big thing. More and more guys are doing it now, so it's becoming a thing that a lot of kids growing up look at it like, I can do that, it's not so farfetched.

It's definitely something you look at, yeah, I did not see this. It's just hard work and you continue to grind every year.

Q. What sort of insight did Kyrie share about what you're walking into?

DANTE EXUM: Yeah, we've been here during the season, kind of the hostility they showed toward Kyrie. They're just passionate. I'm all for it. I love it. They just want their team to win.

It's going to be the same when they go to Dallas. It's just going to be a fun series.

Q. Your journey getting here ...

DANTE EXUM: Yeah, it's peaks and valleys. The biggest thing I've done is try not to get too high on the highs and low on the lows. There were some very lows. I think I used everything as an opportunity to get better or as a challenge. Definitely going to Europe helped propel my game, build confidence, be a leader on a team of young guys. I think that helped me a lot, to get me to where I am today.