Media Day 2022 occurred for the Golden State Warriors today and we have a bevy of videos, notes and quotes below. But… the day actually started with a soundbite from Giannis Antetokuonmpo at the Milwaukee Bucks Media Day — btw we will also have one additional behind-the-scenes video in mobile/portrait/up-close mode posting on the channel and here later:
DISCLAIMER: These are all just notes for my main workflow of YouTube videos, tweeted by beatwriters. I used to transcribe every interview but it became too tedious and not worth the investment for the small amount of views we got on the soundbites on YouTube. The links to the tweets are not available because sometimes I don’t use the full tweet and just having a ton of tweets on this website imo isn’t aesthetically pleasing and gets away from the main goal: transferring information (not so much entertainment) asap.
NOTE: The notes and quotes below are listed in chronological order.
KEVON LOONEY
• Looney on the idea of playing in all 82 regular-season games again: “As long as I feel good like I did last year, I’m going to make it happen…That’s the goal,” acknowledging the training staff will have some input.” (CJ Holmes, Janie McCauley)
• On his goals for 2022-23: “I wanna take another leap on the defensive end and take another leap in rebounding. I want to be elite in those two areas.” (95.7 The Game)
• Looney had a lot of fun this summer doing a lot of different things. Highlights of his summer include his youth camp in Milwaukee, internship with Warner Records and traveling Europe with his girlfriend. (Madeline Kenney)
• Looney had an internship with a record label this summer. Said that and running his camp during were the best things he did this off-season. (Jason Dumas)
• Looney said he wants to grow his leadership role on the Dubs this season: “Just getting more comfortable on being vocal and being a leader on this team. … Being that anchor when Draymond’s not on the court.” (95.7 The Game)
MOSES MOODY
• Moses Moody is eager for Year 2: “I got some battle wounds and been to the promised land.” (95.7 The Game)
• Moody says he’s been adding a lot to his game this offseason, most specifically on-ball defense and shooting, also finishing around the rim and shooting this offseason. Kevon Looney told us after practice yesterday that he’s looking more confident on the practice court entering Year 2. (Dalton Johnson, CJ Holmes)
• On being in the mix for a rotation spot: “It’s just an opportunity. This is what I like to do, compete on the floor. Just doing what I can to make myself useful and put myself in a position to where they need me on the floor…That’s everything. Not many people get that opportunity.” (95.7 The Game, Mark Haynes)
• On being called “champ” this offseason: “It doesn’t get old.” (95.7 The Game)
JORDAN POOLE
• On his contract situation, Warriors guard Jordan Poole said he has “faith and confidence that we will work something out.” Poole said he is looking for to talks progressing after the Warriors return from Tokyo. “However we go into the season is however we go in. I’m to play my game and continue to be me and put everything forth to help us win games, whatever the situation or circumstances.…We did what we needed to do last year, we won a championship as a team. Obviously that’s out there, but I’m going to let my reps handle it.” (Marc Spears, Mark Haynes)
• On what he learned during the team’s championship run this summer: Playoff basketball is “a different demand than it is in the regular season. It’s a lot of ups, a lot of downs… The camaraderie you have as a team is huge.” (Madeline Kenney)
• On what makes a good pool party: music, vibes, water. (Madeline Kenney)
• On what he can improve on: “There are no ceilings. Even when people are talking about ceilings, you can always get better at something, on the court, off the court… there’s always room to grow.” (Madeline Kenney)
• On what he’s looking forward to during the Warriors’ NBA Global Games trip to Japan: “It’s my first time really being overseas… embracing a culture, experiencing different things and different foods.” (NBA)
• On what Andre Iguodala’s leadership means to the Warriors: “He’s extremely knowledgeable, he’s willing to help us and teach us and give us all of the information that he’s gained over the years… being able to have him back is really special.” (NBA)
QUINNDARY WEATHERSPOON
• Quinndary Weatherspoon worked on his jump shot the most this season. Specifically, catch and shoot 3s. Something he said the coaching staff wants to see more of this season. (Jason Dumas)
STEPHEN CURRY
• Steph Curry on the mood around the Dubs: “The championship glow is real. … To get back there was meaningful.” (95.7 The Game)
• Curry said he’s feeling fresh, prime and ready to go. “Feels like in my head I’m still getting better.” (Madeline Kenney)
• On entering Year 14: “I feel like, in my head, I’m still getting better. … Hopefully we can win a couple more championships.” (95.7 The Game)
• Curry upon hearing the Giannis quote of “best in the world” from a reporter: “Thanks for telling me that…I was thinking the same thing about him last year when he was coming off his championship…I don’t know if it was gamemanship. I would’ve said the same thing about the champions… I said the same thing about him last year. I appreciate the compliment. It’s not going to soften me at all.” Steph added, “Thank you, Giannis” with a big smile. (95.7 The Game, Marc Spears, Dalton Johnson, Kerith Burke)
• On the prospect of playing less minutes this season: “I know I can play 36 (minutes) and feel great every single night. That’s me as a competitor.” (95.7 The Game)
• On Andre Iguodala’s return: “People talk about him being a mentor first, that’s the narrative. But he’s not coming back if he doesn’t think he can’t play and contribute…He’s planting his flag now. He’s giving everything he’s got. … He’s a voice of reason for everybody… He’s not here to be a coach first, player second…It was a great podcast to listen to that Andre’s coming back.” (Shayna Rubin, 95.7 The Game, Monte Poole, Madeline Kenney)
• Curry said he talked with Adam Sliver about the Sarver situation, “protecting the integrity of the league”: “I think the outcome is exactly what should have happened. I had conversations directly with Adam Silver about the punishment and protecting the integrity of the league. There should be a standard around what’s tolerable and what’s not…I’m glad we got to the point where the team’s kinda for sale sooner or later.” (Ron Kroichick, 95.7 The Game)
• On how it feels coming off a championship season: “Very excited about what it means to come into this season trying to defend, knowing that there will be new challenges for everybody as a team and everybody individually… and embracing it…. The championship glow is real. Obviously, you enjoy the offseason and know all the work you’ve put in over the course of your career and especially the last three years to get back there. It was meaningful, and you embrace it and appreciate it.” (NBA, Mark Haynes)
• On motivation: “It would be dumb to try to naysay us and actually think people are going to take you seriously.” (NBCSBA)
• On the Bill Russell No. 6 jersey patch: “This is very special, knowing what Bill Russell meant to the league at a very pivotal time. The things he dealt with on and off the court, keeping his spirit alive.” Curry has been reading Russell’s writing about his life, civil rights, etc. (Ron Kroichick)
• Regarding Warriors teammates facing contract decisions (primarily Draymond, Poole, Wiggins), Curry says he “absolutely” would like to see things buttoned up: “We want the best chance to win every single year. We’ve proven with this squad what the results have been. We want to keep it together as long as we can.” (Monte Poole, Anthony Slater)
ANDREW WIGGINS
• Andrew Wiggins on how much contract negotiations are on his mind: “It doesn’t really weigh in a lot. I play basketball, and I just let my agents worry about all that.” (Mark Haynes)
• On returning to training camp: “I feel pretty good, I feel refreshed. I feel like the short offseason was good for me. I’m ready to get going again.” (95.7 The Game)
• On Draymond Green: “Draymond is one-of-a-kind when it comes to defense. When you talk about a guy who guards 1-through-5. I think the greatest part about it is his IQ…he challenges you, he holds you accountable, and he pushes you to that next level.” (95.7 The Game, NBA)
• On coming back after a title run: “Everyone came back with that championship glow. Everyone’s happy, everyone’s excited. We’re ready to get going.” (95.7 The Game)
• Wiggins has confidence in the young players on the Warriors roster: “I think they’re ready. They’re hungry. They’re ready to show the league what they got.” (NBA)
KLAY THOMPSON
• Klay on his healthy offseason: “It was amazing. It was so nice being in the gym and working out and getting shots up…I couldn’t have asked for a better time off…If you’re in the Italian Riviera, who’s not dancing… it’s magical, magical waters.” (NBA, Dalton Johnson)
• Thompson wants to run it back: “We’re all so proud of what we accomplished, but that’s in the past. The greats stay hungry. We all have our motivations to why we want to win another one…To be here, heading into the season healthy. I get chills every day” about the thought of winning a fifth NBA championship with the Warriors. “Five championships. … The greatest players to ever play are in that zone of championships. It’s kinda mind-boggling that we have that opportunity. But we’re gonna seize it. I can feel it.” (Janie McCauley, 95.7 The Game, Marc Spears)
• Thompson doesn’t see Steph Curry stopping any time soon: “Steph works so hard. He’s in great shape and he really just loves the game. I think Steph can do this until he’s 40. His game is suited for it.” (95.7 The Game)
• Thompson said the Dubs are thinking big picture: “It inspires us to keep writing our legacy and keep going hard every day. There’s been a lot of great dynasties in basketball and we want to be part of that fraternity.” (95.7 The Game)
• Klay is still motivated by his 2-and-half year layoff: “I’m as hungry as ever still. I remember those two years I had to watch. I’m eager to play a full season and show what I’m capable of.” Thompson says he didn’t play much 5-on-5 in the off-season due to his previous Achilles injury, but he did watch his diet, weight train and did a lot of stretching. The Warriors star says he will be ready for the season-opener. “I’m just excited to play some October basketball again.” (95.7 The Game, Marc Spears, NBA)
• Thompson: “If you can’t be yelled at by Draymond, you can’t play for the Warriors. It’s kind of a bylaw now.” (Dalton Johnson)
• Thompson told that Kevon Looney wants to play 82 games again: “Does he, back-to-back? Crazy.” (Janie McCauley)
DRAYMOND GREEN
• Draymond Green is committed to making sure the Warriors don’t have a “championship hangover.” (Janie McCauley)
• On the possibility of a contract extension before the season starts: “I don’t think it will happen. For me I’m just focused on this season being as great as I can be and winning another championship…I’ve historically been a guy to bet on myself.” (95.7 The Game, Dalton Johnson)
• Draymond talks about the chips on the Warriors’ shoulders heading into the season: “There are chips… there’s no shortage of chips.” (NBA)
• On setting the tone and mentality for the upcoming season: “It was hard to win a championship — to repeat is way harder.” (NBA)
JAMES WISEMAN
• James Wiseman is feeling good: “This summer, I haven’t missed not one pick up game. I think it shows that I’m in a great state in terms of my health.” (95.7 The Game)
• On his summer workouts: “I just been in the lab, just been working every day tying to get better.” (95.7 The Game)
• Wiseman talked about how difficult being injured has been for him: “I did go to therapy a lot just to express my thoughts and my feelings and how I felt because it was a hard time for me, especially going through the injury because I love basketball so much.” (Mark Haynes)
• On his resilience: “I got that resilience to keep going, it’s in my DNA. I’m not gonna ever give up no matter how hard the situation is.…I’m just blessed to be out there, just playing.” (NBA)
JaMYCHAL GREEN
• JaMychal Green: “Loving the new threads and loving the new team…It’s weird being the new guy.” (95.7 The Game)
• JaMychal Green on bringing his dog mentality to the Warriors: “That’s what I live for. I love it”, says he and Draymond will “get under a lot of people’s skin.” (Dalton Johnson, NBCSBA)
PATRICK BALDWIN, JR.
• Patrick Baldwin Jr. says he’s been cleared to scrimmage since summer league and has no restrictions. He’s feeling good physically and ready for the upcoming season: “Physically I’ve been good for a while. … Feeling good right now, feeling healthy.” (Dalton Johnson, CJ Holmes)
• On playing against vets in practice: “They’re as good as advertised. They’re a championship starting five.” (95.7 The Game)
• “It’s Day 2. Fortunately I haven’t been yelled at by Draymond.” (95.7 The Game)
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