NBA Media Day: Live quotes and video from around the league
We have you covered from coast to coast….
If it seems as if the NBA never went away this offseason, well … it didn’t. Not really. Among the draft, free agency, summer league and the FIBA World Cup, there was plenty to keep even the most avid NBA fans satisfied.
Now the real fun begins. It’s time for training camp, followed quickly by actual preseason games. Before you know it, the Raptors will be raising their championship banner, handing out rings and hosting Zion Williamson for his first NBA game Oct. 22.
But before that happens, players get to meet with the media. We’ll have you covered with all the best media day quotes, anecdotes and shenanigans across the NBA.
Watch Media Day Streaming Live
Monday, Sept. 30
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. pic.twitter.com/on1bPEckro
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) September 30, 2019
“Ask me again in a month or two.” – Bud on how he thinks it will go managing two sets of brothers in Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Brook and Robin Lopez
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) September 30, 2019
Together in their Bucks unis 👀#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/Qnx7luVPqR
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) September 30, 2019
Golden State Warriors
Bob Myers on Klay Thompson’s ACL recovery: “He’s doing fine. We’ll have an update on him at the All-Star break.”
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) September 30, 2019
Bob Myers says Willie Cauley-Stein suffered a left foot strain in practice last week. He will miss training camp. The Warriors will have another update on him in late October.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) September 30, 2019
Kerr says with Cauley-Stein’s injury Kevon Looney ‘probably’ starts the season at center. Kerr goes on to praise Looney — reiterating again how important he is to the roster. “I’d like to play Looney as many minutes as possible.”
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) September 30, 2019
Philadelphia 76ers
Sixers media day gets off to a rousing start.
People are…well, let’s just call it unfazed, as the fire alarm goes off at the Sixers practice facility during Media Day. pic.twitter.com/e1tIsUAdVD
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) September 30, 2019
And then there’s Mike Scott‘s retelling of his highly publicized parking lot fight at the Redskins-Eagles game.
The #Sixers‘ Mike Scott on #Eagles parking lot fight: ‘I should’ve walked away. Definitely got to be the bigger person. It never should’ve gotten to that point. … He was talking crazy. I had to see if he matched that energy’
— Tom Moore (@TomMoorePhilly) September 30, 2019
2:09
76ers forward Mike Scott acknowledges he shouldn’t have fought with Eagles fans, but adds “as far as sympathy for them, I don’t feel any for the individuals.”
Full story – 76ers’ Scott: Should have walked, not fought
New Orleans Pelicans
Zion: Not a savior, maybe not human?
Gentry on Zion Williamson: “He’s not here to save our franchise. He’s a part of what we’re trying to build, something Griff calls sustainable winning. … He’s not here to put on a cape and save the franchise.”
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) September 30, 2019
Media day 📸 @Zionwilliamson | @ZO2_ | @B_Ingram13 pic.twitter.com/ndZnLp4582
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) September 30, 2019
Jrue Holiday just called Zion Williamson a mutant.
So there’s that.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) September 30, 2019
Zion Williamson asked about everything he’s been going through in the last few months: “It’s been fun. Some people may say it’s stressful… it’s just been fun.”
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) September 30, 2019
1:36
Lonzo Ball describes his goals for the upcoming season, his willingness to help Zion Williamson and his injury status.
Ball’s big brand move
🏀 @ZO2_ in the Undefeated Nike Kobe 4 Protro for @PelicansNBA Media Day! #NBAMediaDay #NBAKicks pic.twitter.com/XEMCSwCesZ
— NBA KICKS (@NBAKicks) September 30, 2019
The rivalry is real
Derrick Favors – Atlanta native and Falcons fan – said he realized people in New Orleans take football seriously.
Told a story about how he told his Uber driver that he was a Falcons fan and the driver stopped the car and told him to get out.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) September 30, 2019
Boston Celtics
Don’t sleep on Kemba
Kemba Walker told me he slept in his @celtics jersey the day it was given to him.
Not for the weekend, but “a nap.”
He was not kidding.#CelticsMediaDay
— Kristen Ledlow (@KristenLedlow) September 30, 2019
Kemba Walker notes that this is his ninth media day, and his first with a new team.
“I feel like the new kid in school.”
— Tom Westerholm (@Tom_NBA) September 30, 2019
Kemba Walker said he’s excited to start a new chapter of his career: “I’m excited to be playing for the Boston Celtics, which is a legendary organization. It’s just so much excitement I can’t really put it into words.”
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) September 30, 2019
1:50
Kemba Walker says he isn’t thinking about replacing Kyrie Irving, he’s focusing on bringing leadership and having fun with the Celtics.
It’s Tacko… Monday?
1:21
Tacko Fall says it’s been crazy being recognized all over the country. He also is excited to get to work with Brad Stevens and the Celtics.
Oklahoma City Thunder
CP3 back in OKC
Chris Paul actually began his career in Oklahoma City, playing there when the then-New Orleans Hornets were displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Now, after an offseason trade sent him from the Rockets to the Thunder, he can call OKC home once again.
Chris Paul, Oklahoma City Thunder point guard. pic.twitter.com/BVkZyOlRCc
— Carson Cunningham (@KOCOCarson) September 30, 2019
Chris Paul is doing an excellent job dropping a ton of local Oklahoma references as he recalls back to his two years in OKC to start his career. Approval rating is rising quickly.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) September 30, 2019
Dallas Mavericks
The incredible shrinking JJ
Career-long 6-footer JJ Barea claims that he was officially measured at 5’10” in socks.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) September 30, 2019
High hopes in Dallas
1:07
Luka Doncic likes the Mavericks’ roster going into the new season, saying this team can make the playoffs.
Kristaps Porzingis: “I feel great physically. I feel 100 percent. I actually feel better than I ever have.” As his Instagram followers have seen, Porzingis obviously put in a lot of work this summer.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) September 30, 2019
Orlando Magic
Fresh start for former No. 1 pick
First Magic Media Day for @MarkelleF ☑️ pic.twitter.com/KJXNU06NRb
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) September 30, 2019
Markelle Fultz was just asked whether the goal is for him to play in the Magic’s preseason opener Saturday in San Antonio. He responded by saying playing in the preseason opener indeed is the goal.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) September 30, 2019
Phoenix Suns
Wave Papi’s new drip
The orange wave is coming! 🌊🖤🧡@KELLYOUBREJR pic.twitter.com/al2bgo2Pdi
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) September 30, 2019
Sunday, Sept. 29
LA Clippers
The returning Clippers trio of Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley and Montrezl Harrell welcomed new teammates Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. LA took the eventual champion Golden State Warriors to six games in the opening round of the playoffs last season, and added George and Leonard in one of the biggest moves of the summer.
The new look @LAClippers! #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/fOON9BEs4b
— NBA (@NBA) September 29, 2019
Leonard’s playing time was regulated last season, but the Finals MVP says he is feeling much better as he enters his first season with the Clippers. The more Leonard and George play, the more formidable Doc Rivers’ defense will be. Rivers has two of the best two-way players in the game in Leonard and George to go with the tenacious Beverley among others.
• Full story – Healthier Kawhi has no limits entering season
Paul George’s return
George, who is recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, will not play in the pre-season and will miss the start of the season.
The return date for Paul George is a bit of a moving target. But he told me today he’s out all of training camp and hoping to be back “November-ish” catch the full interview in @SportsCenter later today.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) September 29, 2019
Paul George says he will do some non-contact work in training camp this week pic.twitter.com/T3CuBkuEui
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) September 29, 2019
• Full story – Clips’ George to miss time; targeting Nov. return
New group chat, who dis?
Paul George says after he and Kawhi Leonard joined the Clippers, the players started a group chat and “fast-forward” getting to know one another. Montrezl Harrell said the players have been in the gym working out and bonding since Labor Day. https://t.co/Eg99fne462
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) September 29, 2019
Kawhi Leonard said he could see “a brotherhood” in the Clippers last season and with an experienced coach like Doc Rivers, Leonard sees the championship potential already in the Clippers. https://t.co/8YU1kFfHZ5
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) September 29, 2019
Saturday, Sept. 28
Toronto Raptors
The reigning NBA champions enter the season without Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, but they still have a strong core group of Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol and Pascal Siakam.
Team president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said, “Kawhi decided to go to the Clippers, so our team moves on. I can’t sit here and trade DeMar [DeRozan] and Kawhi leaves us and be upset. That’s the nature of the business. We move on. There are many bright spots with our team.”
“I think Pascal will make another jump,” Ujiri said. He later added, “I think he can become one of the best players in the league.”
On Siakam’s contract status, Ujiri said, “He’s somebody who I’m definitely going to keep for a long time here.”
“We’re excited, whether it’s going to be this fall or in the summer, he’s somebody who I’m definitely going to keep for a long time here. We see what the potential of that could be.”
Masai shed some light on the @Raptors‘ contract talks with Siakam 👀 pic.twitter.com/8wmRC2T2lU
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 28, 2019
Meanwhile, shooting guard Norman Powell is ready for his fifth season with the Raptors.
Year 5 with the champ. @npowell2404 | #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/OyPPJu7AFa
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) September 28, 2019
• Full story – New-look Raptors ‘hungry’ for another title run
Friday, Sept. 27
Brooklyn Nets
Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are teammates in Brooklyn now, and the two of them opened NBA media day Friday.
How KD, Kyrie and DeAndre Jordan came together
Showing off some new moves 🥊🥊 pic.twitter.com/niE0iIbont
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) September 27, 2019
Irving:
“They reached out to my family as soon as I committed. And it felt like they were very inclusive with everything they had going on here. And it felt like it was just a step away, being away from home. And they made me feel as comfortable as I could as well as reaching out to KD and DJ and as well as other guys on the team to make sure they know what’s going on. That this is for the future. We’re here to build.”
Durant: “I just evaluated my life up until this point. And once I did that, it was pretty easy to see the direction that I needed to go into. I had some great options on the table with some championship-winning organizations, some smart business minds behind the scenes as well that I could have dealt with around the league, but ultimately, I couldn’t have made a bad decision, but this one was the perfect one for me.”
DeAndre Jordan: “I mean we always had conference calls. Now we can group FaceTime. That was big. You might want to thank Apple for that.”
[What was that conversation like?]
“I mean, it wasn’t as exciting as me getting locked in my house a few years ago. But it was cool. It wasn’t any crazy conversation. … It was just like, ‘All right. You guys want to do it?'”
On Durant’s injury and rehab process
Irving:
“You have to go inside the mind of a competitor and realize that a lot of people have responsibilities for why that ended up happening the way it happened on a national scale. We all know K was not ready to play in that environment. We all know that, whether people want to admit it or not. He was out 31 days, and we put him on a national stage in the Finals to end up selling a product that came before the person Kevin, and now I’m here to protect that. And I’m going to be the protector of that all throughout the year and not allow people to infiltrate the circle.”
Durant: “When I went down, it felt like everybody wanted to put their arms of protection around me. From people I didn’t know to my best friend Kyrie. So it felt like everybody grew protective of me at this time. And I feel like they will continue to be that way, especially involving my health. But, I make my own decisions.”
• Full story – KD’s focus for season: Health, being teammate
Kyrie goes deep on final season in Boston
Irving:
“So throughout the year, it just became rocky and a lot of the battles that I thought I could battle through from the team environment, I just wasn’t ready for. And I failed those guys in a sense that I didn’t give them everything that I could have during that season, especially with the amount of pieces we had. My relationship with them personally were great, but in terms of me being a leader in that environment and bringing everyone together, I failed.
• Full story – Nets’ Irving: ‘I failed’ my Celtic teammates
Los Angeles Lakers
We know what LeBron did last summer
Frank Vogel on @KingJames coming into this season with the most rest he’s had since 2005: “That’s good news for us and bad news for the rest of the league.”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 27, 2019
LeBron trains year round, so he said the offseason wasn’t necessarily that different, though he did ramp things up differently in the spring when he’d typically be playing in the postseason. Regardless, Pelinka and Vogel said he’s in top shape.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 27, 2019
LeBron says he didn’t miss one playoff game this year. He watched every game. Editorial Note: A lot of players “say” they don’t watch after they lose. I’ve always doubted that. Of course players watch or at least pay attention.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) September 27, 2019
As for next summer…
LeBron on if he’ll play in the 2020 Olympics: “I don’t know. I would love to. … I will address that at some point.” Says he plans to speak to Gregg Popovich at some point to discuss the team.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) September 27, 2019
• Who’s in, who’s out for NBA players at the 2020 Olympics
Anthony Davis ready for basketball, leaving movies behind
Anthony Davis on LeBron James facilitating and wanting to run things through AD pic.twitter.com/Bl5QKIJsud
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) September 27, 2019
Anthony Davis says playing alongside LeBron James will allow him to see more single coverage and put defenses in a bind pic.twitter.com/pUZouHFUj4
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) September 27, 2019
Anthony Davis: “I don’t see myself doing movies in the future. That was a onetime thing. (Space Jam 2) was very time consuming.”
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) September 27, 2019
No Lakers fans, not that one
Kostas Antetokounmpo, the younger brother of reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, signed a two-way deal with the Lakers earlier this summer. On Friday he gave fans a glimpse of what his famous last name looks like in purple and gold.
#37… Mr. @Kostas_ante13 of the @Lakers! #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/adyqgCjkZv
— NBA (@NBA) September 27, 2019
For the record, Giannis cannot become a free agent until the summer of 2021 at the earliest, and he is eligible to sign a five-year, $253.8 million contract extension with Milwaukee next summer. The Bucks have said they intend to offer Giannis that contract, something that already cost them $50,000.
Eyes on the feet
Kyle Kuzma, formerly a Nike athlete, wore these Puma Rhude Alterarion kicks to media day pic.twitter.com/zzgXX3AJFz
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) September 27, 2019
More sneaker stuff: LeBron James wore a Laker color way of the LeBron 7 today. They were the first in his line designed by Jason Petrie, whom he continues to work with, and also have a full length max air cushion, like the new LeBron 17 does. pic.twitter.com/1s8ZKsc7kE
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) September 27, 2019
• Watch SneakerCenter on ESPN+
Houston Rockets
The new star duo in Houston
RT for 0️⃣ & 1️⃣3️⃣#RocketsMediaDay pic.twitter.com/Pb6CMC6DEu
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) September 27, 2019
Russell Westbrook on joining forces with James Harden: “It’s going to be scary. That’s all I can tell you. It’s going to be scary – not for us.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) September 27, 2019
Gerald Green on Russell Westbrook: “There’s two types of dogs in this world, cage dogs and purse dogs, and Russ damn sure ain’t no purse dog.” #Rockets
— Stefano Fusaro (@FusaroESPN) September 27, 2019
Mike D’Antoni: “We need Russell to be Russell. You don’t want to change him. He’s an MVP.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) September 27, 2019
Daryl Morey: “Harden is the greatest half court player I’ve ever seen. And Russell is one of the greatest transition players ever. If we could put those two skills together which I feel that we will, we can be really special.” #Rockets
— Stefano Fusaro (@FusaroESPN) September 27, 2019
Asked about whether he paid attention to the free agency frenzy this summer, James Harden said… “A little bit. I paid attention when Paul George left, because that meant Russ was available!” #Rockets
— Stefano Fusaro (@FusaroESPN) September 27, 2019
• Full story – Russ calls Harden pairing ‘scary’ for rest of NBA
A changing of the gear?
PJ Tucker, considered the NBA’s sneaker king, walked into the Rockets’ media day wearing a pair of New Balance. He had previously been a Nike guy.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) September 27, 2019
• How PJ Tucker, others are changing the NBA sneakerhead world
Rockets owner: ‘I don’t see Mike D’Antoni going anywhere’
Over the summer, Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni broke off contract talks with Houston, choosing to go into the 2019-20 season with one year left on his deal. His status with the team was a hot topic on media day in Houston.
Mike D’Antoni downplayed concerns about going into the season in last year of his contract after extension talks fizzled (twice) over summer, saying he’s “excited” to coach the Rockets. GM Daryl Morey: “I see him here long term. Like he said, we’ll work it out after the season.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) September 27, 2019
Owner Tilman Fertitta: “Everybody tells me that Mike is the right guy for this team. Mike appears to me to be the right guy for this team. … I think he’s a great coach. He’s one of the great offensive minds out there. I truly do not see Mike going anywhere.” https://t.co/RISxYLfixk
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) September 27, 2019
James Harden on Mike D’Antoni: “He’s the right Coach for this situation. We wouldn’t wanna have any other coach. He gives me confidence and he gives Russ confidence. But he gives that 15th player that same confidence.” #Rockets
— Stefano Fusaro (@FusaroESPN) September 27, 2019
Indiana Pacers
No Oladipo to start season
Pacers coach Nate McMillan on Victor Oladipo (ruptured quad tendon in his right knee): “I know that he won’t start the season. I don’t anticipate Victor being available for a while.”
— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNFL) September 27, 2019
.@VicOladipo on why he feels a special connection to Wolverine pic.twitter.com/yVrz2MtMTK
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) September 27, 2019
• Full story – No timetable on Oladipo’s return to Pacers
Sacramento Kings
Watch live as Kings head coach Luke Walton meets with media prior to the team’s 2019 Media Day! 🎥 https://t.co/vGzgkuQV6t
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) September 27, 2019
“We are going to give everything we have to try to get there.” – Coach Walton on the Playoffs
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) September 27, 2019
• Full story – Walton’s focus on Kings amid civil lawsuit
2019 NBA offseason guide
NBA Power Rankings | NBA summer forecast
2019 NBA draft
2019 NBA free agency
2019 NBA summer league
2019 FIBA World Cup
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