Banchero shares his thoughts on Seattle's NBA expansion dreams and navigating tough defensive matchups after a challenging losing streak.
On the coaches' message in the locker room after the game:
"Just that we got to go back home, protect home court, and yeah."
On the defensive issues, especially when Donovan Mitchell and James Harden got going:
"Those are two of the best one-on-one scorers in the league. Harden kind of started it off and then Mitchell just got going as the game went on. He's always a tough cover for us. It seemed like every time we got within one possession, two possession game, they made a shot or got a three for somebody else. So got to just tip your cap to players like that."
On what's been helping him offensively lately:
"Just being aggressive. That's it."
On Jamal Cain's first start:
"I thought he had great energy. Thought he was just really active. He was on the offensive glass, running the floor. So yeah, he definitely gave us good minutes."
On the keys defensively when missing four of the best defenders:
"Just being together, trying to communicate, having each other's back, being in position. Thought we could have did a little better job tonight and last game. So till we get some of those guys back, just got to lock in on defense."
On the possibility of Seattle getting an expansion NBA team (as someone who grew up there):
"Yeah, I saw that. I think it's just been a long time coming for the city. Obviously the Sonics left. I think I was like five, six years old, so never got to see the NBA at home. The city has great fans. If they do vote to have a team, I think the city will definitely get behind and support right away."
"It's been a long time coming. I don't think the city wanted to see the Sonics go. Everybody was pretty bummed out when they left and since then it's just been waiting for them to come back, hoping that one day they would come back. So I'm sure with the news everybody's excited and I know I'm excited for all the kids growing up cuz Seattle's a really big basketball city. Those kids that hopefully get to grow up and see NBA basketball in their hometown—excited for them to get the opportunity."
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