Why did you feel the need to step in and help?

Because I feel like Houston is still a part of me.

Um, community wise.

Obviously, I did some pretty amazing things on the court, but off the court, I was, you know, hopefully as impactful as I was on the court and with this winter storm, you know, it's probably, um, probably crazier than Harvey in the sense of so many people were affected and still affected.

And so I feel like me trying to provide as much food and water as I can and, you know, re plumbing of these people's homes and so they can live and, you know, in their homes and be safe.

And, uh, and be happy.

It's something that I felt like it was needed to do.

So, um, that process is gonna take a long time just because there's so many people that we have to try to get to.

But you have to start somewhere, and, you know, that's, you know, my team is doing an unbelievable job of getting to these people's homes.

You know, we think we're doing 567 homes a day with the plumbing system.

So we're getting there and, uh, you know, we're just trying to We're trying to, you know, get as many people as we can.

I think a lot of people think that this is something that's in the past.

It's already happened.

The storm.

As people are starting to get power back, what would you want those people to know about?

What's going on in Houston?

That is not as not as good as it looks.

You know, it's still some people that are hurting, you know, that are still suffering out there.

And and, yeah, I feel like it's my job to try to get to those people and help them.

Um, anyway, I can, um, and anyone knows anyone else that wants to help, uh, you know, join in.

But there's a lot of people out there that need helps.

That needs help.

And, um, you know, I'm there for walk me through what it was like for you as you're making these calls juggling, trying to get more supplies to Houston.

Yeah.

Uh, it was easy for me because that's something that I'm passionate about doing, like obviously, basketball is one thing.

You know, it's one passion, but helping others And, um, you know, trying to give back trying to put smiles on people's faces is very important for me.

And, um, this this whatever you want to call it, um was worse than Harvey.

Because so many people, um, we're just affected by it that, you know, it still hasn't been hasn't came out yet.

Um, so I just I wanted to to get these people's, you know, back up and running, um, and and put my foot print on that city like I've been doing.

You said that you wish that your exit from Houston had gone a little bit more smoothly.

Was the phrase that you use.

You said you meant no disrespect.

It's so clear from the work you're doing now, how much the city means to you how much the fans mean to you.

What was it like to balance that emotionally with wanting out of the franchise, but also having this connection with all of these people there?

Um, very difficult.

Very, very difficult.

You know, I thought I would never leave that franchise.

I thought I was gonna be Houston, obviously, for the rest of my career, things happen.

Um, you know, I've had different goals, and, you know, I just I've seen a different vision for my myself, my career, my family.

Um, like I said, it doesn't change the fact how I feel about that city, you know?

So, um, I always do whatever it takes to help, you know, if I can, you know, But it just didn't go as well as smooth as I plan, uh, communication between myself and in front office.

Um, you know, I got a little shaky, you know?

You know, now I look back at it and I see these other scenarios other situations that are happening, uh, specifically around in other players that are in Houston, different sports, and their their transition is going very, very smooth, you know, And I would I would hope I would have hoped for mine and go that smooth.

But it didn't.

Um I am where I am now.

I'm very, very happy.

Excited, And there's nothing but the best proceeding in that organization.

And now that you are where you are now.

What did you learn?

Do you think from coming up short in Houston that you can apply here in Brooklyn as you guys chase fulfilling a championship aspiration?

Well, I just try to bring that chemistry, um, that chemistry, that togetherness, you know, because throughout the course of the season, we all know there's ups and downs and you're gonna you're gonna losing streaks, you're going win streaks.

But with all that being said, you have to stay together.

And that's what truly brings out a great team, you know?

So we've had injuries.

We've had losing streaks, you know, here in Brooklyn, Um, and for for me is, I think, bringing everybody together, making sure we attached, no matter what happens on the court, we're still we're sticking together because that carries over and it goes a long way, you know?

And so once we really hit that stride and we're fully healthy, that chemistry, that togetherness will definitely rub off and help us ultimately in the postseason.

You've seen that in every championship team there together.

This just like you know, you can't break that bond these teams are building.

And I want to create that here in Brooklyn.

Right now, Kevin Durant is one of those players that isn't out on the floor with you all.

He's injured.

What do you see your role as when you're trying to help him through this time for him to get back out on the court eventually after the All Star break.

It's tough because Kevin is a like Hooper, like every basketball players say there.

Hooper.

But Kevin like, is a like natural Hooper.

He doesn't care where he's playing that he just loves the game of basketball, you know, and you can put him in any situation on the court and he will be effective in a in a positive way.

But it's very frustrating for him.

I'm sure, um, and even for us, you know, we would love to have him back as soon as possible.

But we know how important this run is, you know, So whenever he's healthy and fully fully ready to go, um, that's when he'll return.

But, um, I'm just excited for us as a whole to be able to play as many games as we can together because of the potential that we have is very, very scary.

We've been playing pretty well, guys, that, you know, whose whose names are being called or stepping up big time.

Um, but just that entire health for our team is very, very important, just like any other team.

And, you know, after the break, hopefully we got everybody back.

And that's that push.

Um, for a long time ago, James, when when you came to Brooklyn, there were so many questions about how you would adapt how you would fit in next to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.

Can you just walk me through the process of trying to tweak your game a little bit?

And what players did you look towards as an example?

Because off the top of my head, I can't think of that many stars in their prime that have been asked to do what you've been asked to do.

There's there's always gonna be people talking about what can they fit in it?

Can they make it work?

Can it happen?

Like one thing about me, I can fit in any situation on any team playing alongside any player just because I my game is very versatile.

And so it was a no brainer.

I knew I knew was going to work, I was going to make it work.

Whereas if I had to sacrifice, um, you know, whatever I was doing, you know that I was willing to do that in order for the greater of the team.

And with Kevin being out, I got to score a little bit more.

That would be a little bit more aggressive.

Um, and then obviously, when Kevin gets back, um, I want Kevin to go out there and average 35 40 points and I know how in Cairo to go out there average 35 40 points and I'll make sure I'll get the other guys involved in making sure everybody else is good and making sure our shooters and our bigs are happy as well.

Um, you know, you can put me in the situation and I'll be great.

When you came to Brooklyn, you coined the phrase scary hours.

How does the way that you all have been playing over the last couple of games live up to what you envisioned when you came here?

That's that's the real definition of it, you know, because obviously we know how we're gonna how great we're going to be when we're all healthy.

But when adversity hits and guys are counting us out and and doubted us and thinking, we're not going to be great, you know, when you know or some certain players are out, that's that's the time where we're still rocking.

The winds were still, you know, fighting.

We're still, you know, just doing whatever it takes to come away with Winds.

And we're doing that right now.

And so the potential is gonna be scarier when you know when Kevin gets back.

But for right now, we're holding it down and we're coming together as a team.

Do you feel like the league has already been put on notice?

I think they know.

But when Katie gets back is, uh, definitely unnoticed.

Thank you so much, James.

I appreciate it.

Thank you.

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