Stars Banchero and Black reveal how communication and defense fueled their playoff win, urging focus beyond the initial success.
Paolo Banchero:
On the meaning behind "don't drink the Kool-Aid":
"Just that we can't overreact to one win. Game 1—it's a long series. As we all know how the media is, they'll jump back on board, so I'm just reminding guys: don't buy into that. Stay locked in on the mission and don't overreact to one game. We got to come out and do it again."
On the team-wide communication that helps maintain composure during runs:
"It's really a team-wide thing. I think it starts with the starting five. When it's any of us out there, it's our responsibility to be vocal and help the team. Whether we're in huddles in the timeouts or dead balls on the court, just coming back together and communicating—that's what keeps everything flowing. It allows you to be able to stop the bleeding or fix whatever is not going right in the moment. Like I said, we just got to continue to do that here on the road."
On the defensive success in neutralizing Detroit’s supporting cast:
"I thought we were on a string—just communicating and talking out coverages. I think it's just going to continue to take that—being the aggressors on defense and not trying to give them much. Obviously, they're going to make shots, but we’re just not trying to give them any free looks."
On Wendell Carter Jr.’s defensive impact in Game 1:
"He was huge. Just him keeping a body on their bigs and being aggressive on offense, on the glass, and around the rim. That's what we're going to need from him, and he played well."
Anthony Black:
On the meaning of "don’t drink the Kool-Aid":
"To me it means what you just said. It's one game. Seven-game series. You have to win four. Just a good start, but you still got to win four games. We know it's important that we come and win the second game."
On the team's effort and handling adversity in Game 1:
"Just how we withstood the adversity, withstood runs. Late third quarter, start of the fourth, they started making some shots, some tough finishes, but we didn't get behind ever in the game. We did a good job responding to all their tough buckets."
On Wendell Carter Jr.’s defensive versatility:
"Special. Wendell's ability to switch one through five, pick up MVP-caliber players above the three-point line, and sit down and guard—those are all things that you don't see often from big men. It was huge and he kept Duren basically out of the game. That's really big for us. We know how big that is for us and we need him to do that three, four, five—however many more times we need to win."
On his health and finding a rhythm after his injury absence:
"Defensively, I feel great. I picked up my physicality a little bit. Playoff basketball is officiated differently, but offensively, I don't feel bad. Just trying to get back in rhythm. Still feel a little wacky. It was good to see a shot go in last game, so I feel a little different coming in. I was starting to feel a lot better before I rolled my ankle, but I feel good all around and feel healthy. Now it's just on me to just get back out there and play."
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