THE SECRET

The Golden State Warriors beat the Oklahoma City Thunder last night in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals 96-88.

Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry were amazing. The “Splash Brothers” shot a combined 13-23 from long distance.

But it’s the “other” guys on the Warriors that help win these games too.

Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and the bench players always seem to step up and do the little things.

Whether it’s coming up with a loose ball. Getting a rebound. Blocking a shot, setting a screen for a teammate or running the floor hard and finishing, these lesser known players get the job done.

NBA Finals rematch starts Thursday night vs the Cleveland Cavaliers.

KLAY THOMPSON

“I never let my confidence waver.”

BISMACK BIYOMBO

Last night in game 3 of the Eastern conference finals the big man for the Toronto Raptors pulled down 26 rebounds in a 99-84 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

B.B. also blocked four shots.

What’s incredible is Biyombo attempted just six shots. (3-6).

Bismack was awarded the PTRW Player of the Game…

“It was amazing, honestly,” DeMar DeRozan said about Biyombo’s performance. “He was big time tonight. Without him, we probably wouldn’t get this win.”

 

BILLY DONOVAN

On a “bad attitude.”

“Always assuming there is something wrong with other people and not with yourself.”

JAYLEN BROWN

“I knew there was something special about Berkeley when I got there but I was sure when I took my first class. The stuff I took from Berkeley I’ll take with me for the rest of my life. The things I learned in those classrooms and the relationships I built with those professors was tremendous. I still have all of them on contact and in email and they talk to me throughout this process. They’re proud of me for the decision I made, so that’s big.”

Source: http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/5/15/11677792/nba-draft-2016-brandon-ingram-jaylen-brown-sunday-shootaround

DENZEL VALENTINE

Interview from the NBA Combine in Chicago:

“That’s one of the beneficial things I bring to the table — I got to develop. I bring maturity to the next level. I played four years, got to develop my game and develop as a man off the court. But I know I wasn’t ready after my freshman year. But hey, if you are, then you are.”

“I can play a lot of positions. I can also guard a lot of positions, and the way the game is going right now and the way teams are playing, it’s beneficial to me. So I think I add a lot to an NBA roster.”

“Hopefully I go to an organization that has great people, work hard and win. At the end of the day, winning is the goal.

“This is what I want to do for my profession. This what I love to do, this is what I have a passion for, so I’m desperate.

“I haven’t played one possession in the NBA. I haven’t done anything. I’m back to the bottom of the totem pole. I’ve got to work my way all the way back up. That’s my motivation. I want to be one of the greatest in the game, I want to be like Draymond, I want to be mentioned, I want to be an all-star. … I want to be great.”

“The things (Green) brings to the table — the winning mentality, toughness, a leadership role, high basketball IQ, doing a lot of different things on the court, I definitely compare myself to him.”

Source: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports/columnists/graham-couch/2016/05/14/denzel-valentine-deyonta-davis-nba-draft/84375302/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

JUSTIN ANDERSON

“Lionhearted, relentless,” he said about describing himself in his first season. “It’s not about my numbers. It’s about the energy, bringing a spark, being that glue guy. And not backing down from any challenge.

JIM VALVANO

“You can accomplish great things with two aspects; get fired up and have the proper attitude.”

TONY PARKER

“Everybody has an ego, but on our team, everybody thinks about the team first. If you want to be successful in a team sport, you have to put your ego to the side.”

DWANE CASEY

“We have to play hard. These guys in uniform have to play with a sense of urgency.”