AD, Reaves, D-Lo, Coach Ham x James Worthy React To Lakers/Suns | March 22, 2023

Lakers pick up a big win over the Phoenix Suns. It's the first time they've beaten the Suns since May of 2021. And with the Jazz losing, the Lakers slide into that 10th spot now, tied for ninth with the Mavs, but the Mavs do have the tiebreak. A very balanced game, especially offensively, guys. Lakers shot 56%, made 36 free throws. They were attack mode all night long, big game, James, and they turned 17 turnovers into 27 points. Yeah, I thought, overall, an efficient game in a lot of categories. Had 27 assists tonight. That means the ball was moving. Reeds was a big part of that, handling the ball. I thought A.D.'s second half in the third quarter, he really started to, you know, show his strength and his dominance on the inside a little bit. They started to take the game away, and I thought Gabriel, again, you know, with his hustle plays, just a really complete team play tonight. They needed it at home. Yeah, I think so. I thought A.D., in the first half, he was playing a little bit too much team ball for me, but in the second half, he inserted himself into the team type of concept, and it works well. Brez, hold your thoughts. I'm coming to you in a moment because we're going back downtown. You know who's talking? Austin Reeds with Mike Trudeau. All right, Austin, I do think it's safe to say that you're not getting water doused in your head, but now I'm a little bit gun-shy from last time, so that's good. After the career high in points last game, you get the call into the starting lineup. You do get a career high in assists tonight with 11, but what's the mindset coming in, and is anything for you changed as you now enter a starting lineup with a couple of different guys out there? Yeah, I mean, like I've told you a million times, I'm just trying to play the right way, obviously, without Brian, try to be a little bit more aggressive and try to fill a little void because he, you know, brings so much to the table. You know, everybody's got to chip in on that aspect, and everybody did tonight as a go-win, and, you know, hopefully we can keep it going. The games are starting to dwindle. Obviously, you guys understand the stakes. I think the building and the fan base have understood the stakes. How do you guys just deal with that? And it's probably pressure, but in a good way, to try and make sure that you're delivering every night, even if it's not technically the playoffs. Feels like it. Yeah, for sure. I mean, Lakers Nation's the best. Obviously, you know, the atmosphere is great. It's been great the whole season, but especially these last couple games, you know, we need that. We need the energy in the building to kind of push us through some times during the game that we're struggling a little bit. So, shout-out Laker Nation, and, you know, it's a good win. You get the 25 points, and you do it on only 10 shot attempts. And a lot of that comes because of the skill that you've shown getting to the free-throw line. That's been a consistent part of the diet lately. What are you looking to do with the defense the way that they're covering you to get to the free-throw line? Yeah, I mean, I'm just trying to use my pivots and, you know, get good looks. I mean, I'm not, you know, going to get fouled or anything. I'm trying to just play the right way and, you know, kind of play the way I've always played. Yeah, that's really it. I mean, I like to use my pivots in the lane and, you know, maybe one, two, maybe one tonight, three. So, you know, it's fun, and that's the way I like to play. Last one for you. What do you just take out of this game as you've got to finish this homestand before the last long road trip? And how important is it to keep this level of urgency and energy? Nah, I mean, it's do or die right now. You know, I don't know what happened in the standings tonight, but, you know, if we control what we can control, and that's our game every night, and we go out and compete and, you know, play with a sense of urgency like we did tonight in the last couple games, then we'll be fine. But no, that's really it. Just keeping an edge and knowing that we got to have these down the stretch. Well, winning's better than losing in the standings, right? Always. All right, thanks, Austin. Appreciate you. Austin Reeves, a tremendous night and an all-around great team win. You talk about a guy like Vando who had to guard Booker all night long and also went perfect from the field, 5-for-5 at 13 points. AD and D'Lo were great. I want to talk about that in a moment. Brez, I do want to start with Austin Reeves. Gets the walk-off once again. He's coming off an unbelievable performance where we said in the last, what, 30 years of the NBA, there's just a handful of guys who came off the bench and got 35-6-6. He starts tonight. And now here he is getting the MVP chance two games in a row now. The fans are in love with him. We like watching him in the conference room where we watch the games on two giant TVs. I'll tell you what, to start this game, he had like 10 points right away with the starting unit. I'm like, okay, is he going to be able to create for others? Is he going to be able to, you know, find other people like he did? He has for the last month or so with that second unit. 11 assists. Career-high assists. Career-high. I mean, it's unbelievable what this kid is doing right now, scoring and setting up teammates, James. Chris Paul's one of the greats of all time, along with like James Harden, guys like Kobe that were able to draw contact and score. And it was kind of fun to see Austin Reeves do it to Chris Paul, who's been doing it and driving everyone crazy for years, his ability to get to the line. It's fun to watch the game with you guys and for you to watch Austin Reeves in your pull-in form. What have you liked, Metta, from what you're seeing from him? From, I think, I like the longevity, you know, for CP. I think I like, you're talking about CP, right? Austin Reeves. Austin, sorry, I thought you said CP. But with Austin, I think I like, I don't know what made me say CP, but I think with Austin, I like the fact that he's playing very consistent. I also like the fact that he's driving and attacking. This is super crucial right now, this month, right now. So with that being said, the way they're approaching the game and not panicking, I like that. It seems like they can carry that over nine more games. I like that he said consistent. I remember asking you last year, towards the end of the year, what is something Austin Reeves has to learn how to do in this league? And you said, be consistent. It's the hardest thing to go to that next level. That's what we've seen, James. I think that's what's been so impressive. And he even said it. These are must-win games. Your nation knows it. We know it. They came out tonight and delivered. Yeah, he said it was do or die. I mean, he knows. Efficient, you know, consistent for sure. But just his mental approach to the game. He's always on top of the game. Like, doesn't make a ton of mistakes. Always ready to play. That's what I like about him. His approach, his attitude. And then the way he plays the game. Always under control. Can't be sped up. He knows exactly what he wants to do. And he plays according to where he's being guarded. If he's being guarded a certain way, he tries to get the contact. If he doesn't, he tries to make the pass. He's an exception of all players. That's starting out to be a star in this league. If he continues on this path. I want to go back to last week. You had the bizarre loss in Houston. Then the Lakers come back here. And they have that tragic loss to Dallas. D'Angelo in each of those games. He shot five for 17. Last game, we saw a little bit, you know, against Orlando. A little bit of him coming back to himself. He made four threes. I thought tonight, he absolutely controlled this game. 26 points, six assists. He shot nine for 13. That's like an AD line right there. Nine for 13 for a point guard. It seemed like every time Phoenix made a little run, D'Angelo was the guy to kind of push them back with a floater or a three-point shot. Also went to the line quite a few times tonight. I thought he was a really good player tonight. Again, after two tough games last week. Jump in there, big game. I agree. I mean, D'Angelo Russell, you know, he had a couple inconsistent games, but the ability to snap back from those and come back and play the way he can play. He's very crafty and very unorthodox. So he can look you off with his eyes and he does that a lot. And then he'll just flip in a layup on you. So he's very, very critical to the lineup. I'd love to see him when everybody gets back. But thus far, I mean, he's holding it down and making, you know, a big contribution from that position. By the way, it was a good defensive game by all those guys as well. Everyone was working hard on both ends of the floor. Let's take a look at the at the Western Conference play in standings because it's it's getting insane. Metta World. Like a little trick up the sleeve. Your mom. Yeah, let's start with that. Get a career high and points out of Austin Reeves on Sunday career high and assist for him tonight. How do you think his insertion to the starting lineup helped your overall effort tonight? I think it was huge. You know, he got us help get us off to a great start his ability to play downhill draw files, you know, score at all three levels find guys, you know, his ability to play make. I mean, he was huge for us and you know, he's been huge for us all year. You mentioned last game, you know, he he's in a great space right now filling him his grant his game and just locked into what we're trying to accomplish. And I just felt like it made all the sense in the world and you know, salute the bees being a pros pro understanding that the strategic part of it and bees was locked in ready came off the bench hit two big threes for us and competed and and so that's what we need man. That's that's that's the competitiveness but yet the togetherness that I've mentioned all year and a D again. We've talked about it before the game is accountability, you know, really and not thinking that he was aggressive enough in previous games coming out and really not selling and going hard downhill to the rim as well. So it's a great team win Vando defended his butt off Dennis all of those guys everyone that participated winning. I mentioned Malik, you know, Dennis is it's those guys fought and compete. That's a tough team down the hall. That's only going to get tougher when they get KD back. So it was great to get a win huge win to get and you know, a definitely a big step in the right direction. Darvin just thinking of Vanderbilt and some of the wings that he's defended this year and some but oftentimes, you know, you have him almost having to defend big guys just with LeBron out. What does it do for you though? And a night like tonight when you can switch out in the perimeter like that and how does that kind of balance the rest of the roster man? I said it from day one. I think he's a Swiss Army knife, you know, he's able to guard smalls on a perimeter bang out with the bigs come up with big rebounds and 50-50 balls steals. He's just versatile. His versatility, you know, a lot of times in the game of basketball specifically in the NBA, we tend to talk about guys as versatility offensively and the defensive versatility guys never really get that much shine. He's one of those guys and he's able to make plays with the ball in his hand make the right reads, but he was huge and we challenged him and he accepts that challenge. He actually asked for the matchup and Jordan not, you know, oblige them who Jordan not, you know, one of my coaches front of the bench coaches that it was his scout tonight and you know, that's what you love, you know, that that's that's what you want to see that that that competitive edge being revealed by a guy, you know, wanting to accept that type of challenge and book is by no means an easy walk in the park, you know, he he's going to keep coming and the shots you think you're forcing into the difficult shots. Those are his bread and butter shot. So you really can't get discouraged. You have to have a next play mentality and move on and Vando was great. He picked up a few fouls, but he stood he stayed the course. Darvin, they obviously I think you guys are up nine with 50 seconds left in the third. They cut it to three that they have that steel and one and then you guys obviously pull away in the fourth like what what did you see is kind of the difference there where we've seen it gone the other way where a team makes a run against you guys in the second half. They end up pulling away but kind of the distance there in that fourth quarter that you're able to create. Yeah, you know, we just we just stayed encouraged. The energy was great on the sidelines. Your guys talking each other up. We're going to weather this storm, you know, hey, we got to have a next play mentality a next time down. Let's do this do that guys talking strategy talking focus talking, you know, positive spirit and things like that, you know, you runs are going to happen. You know, the league is what it is in terms of his talent talent level, which I think is at all time high and with the three ball, especially and the pace of the game. No lead is safe. And so the thing you have to do is really just lock in have a short memory and try to compete as much as you can possession by possession and we did that and but the whole team was locked in and yes, you know, we expect them to make a run at the Phoenix Suns. They are who they are for a reason and we just had to be have that endurance. You know, we have this saying be the most competitive together team for 48 minutes and I think the people saw that tonight. I think you said something to us yesterday along the lines of like you aren't your team to like love and live in the paint. Yes. I think it was you guys shot. What's the number like 46 free throws? I think tonight. What did you like about your team's aggression in that area and and with some of the shooting challenges of the right word, but like the way this team is constructed. How important is it for you guys to get to the line on a regular basis? I think it's huge. It's a huge weapon that we can totally take advantage of, you know, so many times we get over concerned when I say we I'm talking about just all every us and all other 29 teams in the league about defending the three-point line. You definitely have to do that. But if you don't have an open three, you got to take the ball downhill to the rim. You can't take a couple dribbles in and settles a lot of times you have wide open run runways directly to the basket and I encourage my guys, you know, each and every game. We want to win the free throw line. We want to be the first team to the bonus each quarter that puts a lot of pressure on the defense, you know, it allows them to it forces them. I should say to play on their heels. They have to, you know, kind of scale down their aggression when they know they're in the bonus or the penalty and we're in the bonus. And so it's definitely a huge weapon that we try to take advantage of. Darvin 80 had six shots in the first half, but 10 in the third quarter. What changed for him? And did you guys have any conversation with him at halftime? Now his dumbass coach just start calling this play plays more call this number more. But no, you know, he and I've talked and I told him I'm force-feeding man and just be aggressive. Don't worry about it. Just be aggressive going to the rim and he did that tonight. You know, he had a swagger about him. He wasn't settling, you know, he's one of the best mid-range shooters. I've ever been around more than capable of knocking down threes. But again, he was loving and living in the paint tonight and that's the ad we need. That's the ad that's gonna that aggression and him forcing his will forcing him that knowing they can't guard them to file him. It speeds up the process of us getting into the bonus and that helps everyone else. So now it's a block and file out on a perimeter. Austin gets to go to the free throw line D low Dennis bees these guys and if they've been struggling a little bit with their jump shot, they get to see a couple go in. Hopefully we missed in free throws tonight, but hopefully they get to see their shot go in and it helps boost their confidence and it just has a ripple effect up and down the roster. Darvin with Austin, you know, obviously the scoring and the free throws kind of speak for themselves, but career-high 11 assist tonight for him. How much of that decision was for his playmaking skills and specifically his his pick and roll with ad and how did you see that play out tonight for better for worse? I thought it played out great man again when you he's just a talented all-around highly skilled basketball player. That's competitive one of the most competitive players and people I've ever been around. So I just felt like, you know, the move that that would benefit us and all of us again, shout out the bees being a pro understanding where I was coming from with the thought process of it and he came out ready to play as well, you know, knocking out two huge threes that when he made them we definitely needed them. So but Austin just again his ability not to make plays for just himself but to be able to play make as a secondary ballhandler in the pick and roll or DHO or in transition making the right reads making the right place. And so those 11 11 assists speaks volumes in that regard. At one point I think it was like 99 98 really close D'Angelo Russell come makes a couple of really big plays and he's clapping to the crowd. He's getting the crowd into it too. What did you see from him tonight in terms of not only energy but quality of play? He was huge. I mean, he's a very smart and extremely talented ballplayer fun to be around loves getting the crowd going, you know, that's, you know, obviously we have our guys that come in off the bench, but the really most powerful six man is when you can have your crowd engaged. They chant defense. They're chanting MVP for Austin there as he gets them going. They're standing up clapping as he's waving them to stand up. That's the type of energy that you know, you're accustomed to playing in a Lakers building and that's the thing we wanted to reestablish and I feel like a foundation is being being laid and you know, everyone is excited and we just want to bottle that up and continue day by day to continue to improve and get better and stack days and build upon what we got going on specifically tonight. Darwin's looking ahead to the next game, you know, seems to be pretty obvious. What's at stake and if I'm not incorrect, the tiebreaker including that against OKC and just what's what's the mindset and how is that kind of continue what it's been in the push that you've been trying to get out of these guys from an energy and urgency standpoint. Well, as I mentioned before the guys know what's at stake. We have to take advantage of this homestand. We'll go back look at the film. See what we did. Well today, see we didn't do so well take care of our bodies get the work in that we need to get in and be efficient about it and come out ready to compete. At a high level for 48 minutes on Friday. It goes without being said, you know, some of the games that slip through our fingers, but that's old news. Now, you know, we have what we have in front of us and all we can do is take day by day. Try to improve in some type of some eat not one or more one or more areas in terms of how we present ourselves the best version of ourselves and you know, hopefully Friday will come out with the same type of juice and energy that we had tonight. Austin you just take us behind the scenes when you found out from Darwin you'd be starting. Obviously you start with this team before that's not like it's it's a brand new thing. But considering where the team is right now how you process that news and your approach was tonight. He pulled me aside yesterday after practice and told me that I would be starting. But for me is it's really the same mindset going into every game and it's when it all costs when and that's all that really matters. So there's not much difference starting not starting for me is it's really just go out and play basketball that I the way that I always have and the way that I love. I think it's two and a half games right now separate the well three games. I guess if you want to separate the fourth from the 12th seed. Oh wow. What's what do you think that these next couple weeks are going to be like in terms of intensity feeling like the stakes that felt like a big game obviously in a big win tonight. What are you kind of anticipating as everything so packed together like this? I think it's basically the same as it has been the last couple games or last couple weeks for us. Obviously, we don't want to be in this position. We'd like to be, you know first in the league, but this is the position that we're in and you know, it's it's really about us. Like if we go take care of our business lock into, you know, coaching staff the scouting report all that the talent we have is we have a lot of talent and I feel like we can win against anybody. So it's going to be hectic, but this is why you play the game. You want high-pressure moments and you really want to you know, play under the lights Austin 25 points in a career-high 11 assists, I guess what type of offensive rhythm have you been in over the last week or so, you know getting to the free throw line, you know finding your teammates and just kind of being a reliable score for this team. Yeah, I mean, you know since bronze been out you had to have multiple guys feel what he does because he you know does everything on the court. And so I've been I've tried to be more aggressive, you know offensively both ways getting teammates involved and then also scoring and getting to the line. So it's really just been, you know, going back and playing basketball, you know, the way that I love the way that I've always played and you know, having fun with it. Austin, obviously you impacted the game a number of ways tonight, but also the way the whistle was going for both teams at times, but certainly 46 free throw times for you guys. Was there a point in the game where you kind of felt like okay, it's going to be this type of game and maybe with my skill set I can I can really make an impact at the line. It's never really that approach. I just try to get to you know, the spots that I like to do on the court and you know, just read how the defenders playing. I like to obviously as everybody knows I like to pivot. I can't go dunk everything. So stay below the rim pivot and you know, a lot of times if you're patient doing that the defender will at some point think you're shooting. So I don't really, you know, attack or see, you know, how the refs are calling it to, you know, change my game. I kind of just play the same way regardless. So yeah, I mean 46 free throws is a lot but if you get downhill a lot and you have, you know, guys like a DD load that are really crafty. Then, you know, there's going to be fouls. Yeah. Awesome. Just thinking specifically about the OKC game coming up and you know, all of these games have felt like a pressure and playoff implications and all that but tiebreaker on the line like they're kind of right next to in the standings you split with them earlier. What have you seen from them this year and a young team that's playing? Well, and what do you think you feel like you guys have to carry into that game? Yeah, they're a young team. That's very talented that plays hard plays the right way and plays for each other. So it's like I've said before it's going to be about us focusing on, you know, how we approach the game how we play the game and you know, really just come out from the gate and try to dominate the game. Obviously, it's basketball and things happen here and there and is a game of runs. But with the talent that we have, like I said, we feel comfortable with where we're at. Thank you. I was aggressive. The consistency in the aggressiveness. You're right. They kept attacking kept attacking, you know, Gable attacking Reeves everybody. So that free throw disparity is legitimate. If you say it's a lot different than if I said, I appreciate that. Second 27 to 9 for AD. He's in the locker room with Ali. AD Darvin called it a great team win from a whole squad standpoint. What stood out? You must have impressed you most. Yeah. Defensively. I think we were really good. You know, we had some slip ups, but for the most part, I think we did a good job defensively. Randall did a good job on both. Just making it tough for him. He made some tough shots, you know, also was on him. Dennis just making it tough for him all night. Nothing really easy. No rebound the basketball and you know, just playing free having fun. So a lot of guys play well stepped up and it's a big win for us for sure. He made it a priority to make sure everyone feels involved. But for example, in the third quarter when you take over what tells you in that moment, it's time. Just know how big of a game this was. No, I'm just trying to get myself going in the first half. Not that I wasn't looking for my shots, but you know, the plays were just, you know, Austin getting fouled or, you know, getting a shot, Dennis Delo. And then the second half, it just, you know, by them being aggressive in the first half, it just kind of opened up for me in the third quarter and was able to take advantage of opportunities. You know, just try to do, you know, what I do and kind of open up again for them a little bit in the fourth. So like I said, it was a great team win. I mean, a must win for us and we came out and played that way. That those couple minutes. I mean, you had the dunk on Jock and then you had to dunk on TJ. Is that the kind of version of yourself offensively that you're kind of looking to unlock more and especially in this last stretch of games? Man, I don't care if it's a dunk or whatever. I just want to, you know, be able to put the ball in the basket and do what I have to do to help the team. And obviously, you know, being more aggressive like I was in that third quarter, you know, helps. I would just, you know, you know, myself, but, you know, with the entire team, you know, kind of open things up for for all the other guys. Like I said, you know, early on, you know, some good looks, but I feel like, you know, the game was going for everybody else. And then third quarter, it was more like, all right, AD, this is your turn. It's your time now. So go ahead. So had a good game plan. You know, it kind of worked out for us. I was asking Darvin about what may have been said at halftime to get you going in the third quarter. I think he said something like dumbass AD. I mean this dumbass. You said this dumbass coach called more plays for him. And was that the case or was it just more of you? I mean, we, I mean both, a little bit of both. I mean, we, you know, made it an effort to kind of call all my plays, basically the whole third quarter, you know, different looks to give me the ball, but they couldn't double. And then it was me just like, all right, now just, you know, go score, you know, the coaching staff and, you know, the other four players on the floor doing a good job of putting me in a situation to be effective. And now it's my job to be effective. So it's a little bit of both of, you know, my mindset is coming out being aggressive after half and then, you know, also coaching, even our front guards, you know, you know, Dennis Delo, AR were also, you know, anytime a defensive end, they score a rebound, you know, slow it down or AD what you want. And we get into it and I decided to make a play out of it. What has D'Angelo Russell brought to this team in terms of energy and everything else he's brought? Yeah, a lot. I mean, his scoring ability, his communication, his playmaking, he does a lot for us and making big shots, you know, he's getting the crowd involved like he did tonight. So, you know, having a player like that takes a lot of pressure off. Everyone else, you know, the time that he was out. Obviously, you know, we miss him, you know, with a lot of the ball handling responsibilities on Dennis and Austin. Now they able to play off the ball and we can run, you know, kind of manipulate different actions, you know, with them three on the floor. That's all of them are, you know, great ball handlers. They obviously didn't have DeAndre or KD. But is there any measuring stick factor with this team knowing that, you know, you guys want to get to the playoffs are going to be in the playoffs and that could be a team that you face again like you didn't play so well. No, I mean, we're not whole. We're not whole. I think it was just a regular season game that we just needed. You know, you can't really look at this game as you know, like I said, measuring stick, you know, tour there, you know, players out and then, you know, six is out. can't really, you know, kind of measure it up. But definitely a good game for us to win for sure. But, you know, when they get healthy, we get healthy. If we see him in the playoffs, pretty sure be a good matchup. What did you make of the new starting group with Austin and how he fit in tonight? You know, it was, it was, it was you know, different. Also, usually the guy coming off the bench, bringing the energy, you know, when we need it. So we're kind of, you know, curious to see how it play out, you know, and they can be kind of feeling that will come in, hit two, three. So doing a lot of things for us. So, I mean, it was, it was a it was good for us, you know, obviously getting off to a fast start and not getting behind, you know, 10, 12, like we usually do. So Austin come in with his, I think it's more like 10 in the first quarter, you know, kind of help us get going and that was good for us. But it's been, it's been a while since you guys beat that team. A while. Does that feel something about any, anything about that feel good knowing that it was against them a big game at a big time? No, I mean, it just feels good to get a win. Knowing what position we're in, but it's a good team. I mean, we've been one of the top teams the last couple years, three years. You know, so anytime you can beat a team like that, play great defensively like that against a team like that, obviously, like I said, they're not whole. So we didn't get, you know, the full firepower, but anytime you can, you know, get a win against one of the top teams in the league, you know, always give you a little bit confidence. That's a cool, cool five. Yep. Yeah, D'Angelo, just want to get your take on playing next to Austin for as long as you did tonight. Both of you over 60% from the field, still able to get AD and others involved. What do you like about that pairing? And what are the things that you, that you think play out in the court like that? I mean, I think just having guards out there that are skilled, you know, it makes the game easy for everybody. So, around the league, you know, it's a guard heavy league. So, trying to be out there and match it up with guys that are, you know, can create and can score the ball is a positive to have as a coach. So, I thought it was successful tonight for sure. D'Angelo, you told us a few games back that you anticipate moments over the course of the game where if you hit this shot, you know, that the crowd can get behind you. Tonight, there was a couple breaks in the action and you were employing the crowd. What type of atmosphere was there in the building tonight? And how much can you guys feed off that? You got two more home games before you're on the road. It's huge. Like I said, I've been here, you know, in the past. I remember that, you know, Kobe and guys like that controlling that, that, that environment from you just dominating the game and the fans can't wait to cheer for it. So, even if it's Austin Reeves, you know, I guess they love Austin. So, whenever we can get him going and it helps our team. So, I know it. I think a lot of the guys know it whenever we can return a favor like that. I think it's good for both sides. Hi, there was one point. I think it was 99-98 where you hit a shot. You went and shook hands with somebody in the front row. Was that Robert Horry? It was. I recognize the familiar face. What was that like? I mean, you brought so much energy. Is that part of what you want to, wanted to do when you came back here? Is that part of how you saw your role? Definitely. Obviously trying to be focused on the main task and get the win, but in the midst of that getting the crowd going and, you know, not being distracted by who's in the stands, but obviously Robert Horry is a Laker great, you know, and I recognized him. I was in that area. Just want to show some love. Hey, D'Angelo, you've been playing with Malik Beasley for a while. He gets sent to the bench. What does it say about him that he comes in and hits two threes and doesn't, you know, pout or anything about the, you know, I mean, I think you just, just being a professional at this level. Nobody wants to look crazy, you know, when the game's televised and things like that and stuff that you might disagree on. So, I just think him being a professional, obviously, they say whatever they want to say about the guy and you just mentioned that won't, that won't go unnoticed because I'm going to talk about it and it's huge for, you know, just younger pros in the league as well. You know, you're not going to always have what you want, but when you can take advantage of what you get, you know, people see that. kudos to him and he's changed a lot since I've been around him and a lot of people are wrong about him as well. D'Angelo, what did you think about the way AD played in the third quarter? Dominant, dominant. I mean, he's more than capable, you know, so when the guards are taking the pressure off him and making teams have to fan out and and respect us along the perimeter and things like that. It opens up the game for him, you know, and he dominated from inside out, you know, he's, they were sending a double on the dribble. He's going fast. He's getting to the free throw line. He's just dominating the game and y'all, y'all saw it front row. Just staying on AD, even while LeBron is out, having him in that mode. What type of belief factor does that do for the group? Like when you look across your locker room and you say, I got him. Yeah, that's no LeBron. I look across the locker room and see we got Austin Reeves, man. I'm not gonna lie to you, dude. It's good, man. But nah, AD's, he's, he's who he is. He's been dominating the league for a long time and to see him back comfortable, happy, and just, you know, embracing the challenge of not having LeBron and carrying the load and things like that. We got his back, you know, and when we win, he did, he did his part and flowers to him for sure. D'Lo, from the time that you were drafted by the Lakers to returning, I would like to say that you become a pro's pro. How have you evolved off the court that has impacted your game on the court? I'm just at peace to be honest. I've been at peace for a long time. So coming into any environment. I'm already me as I could possibly be and I'm comfortable with it. And then when I was here people judge me off of being young and being here. So going back and watching my interviews and watching how I interacted and things like that. I seen ways that I could grow and and not make it a distraction on my image. So that allowed me to kind of lock into that. And also I've always been good at basketball. So now people notice that when you don't have distractions off the floor and things like that. just do you feel at home? Not yet. No, why not? I'm a free agent this summer. Okay. I've been traded midseason. So to get comfortable somewhere it's not easy for me. So I mean till I am I won't be comfortable. I won't feel like it's home. Cool. Yep. Thank you.