Q. Ty, just as you look back at the 72-game season and a short, condensed period of time, and kind of all the obstacles that every NBA player had to face, what did you think of the way that this team kind of handled everything that was thrown at them and went through every day?
TY JEROME: I thought we handled it really well. We didn't have a positive test all season. I think that speaks to the level of how serious everyone took the protocols. We grew closer as the times got tougher. We had good relationships on the court and off the court.
Looking back with all the given factors we had to deal with, we handled it really well. That's a big credit to the staff on how everything was ran.
Q. How about you personally? Six months ago, could you have envisioned, were you envisioning maybe what you were doing on the floor over the last couple months and just how consistently you were contributing in such a productive way?
TY JEROME: Yeah, I definitely envisioned it. I envisioned it last year at the times when I wasn't playing in Phoenix too, but you just never know how it's going to happen. So I just tried to stay ready. Yeah, I definitely envisioned it.
Q. Ty, when this season started, I assume that one of your goals was to prove you belonged in the NBA. It looks like mission accomplished. The way you performed, you proved that. Is that the way you feel? When do you think that sort of realization came to you?
TY JEROME: That's a loaded question. I think I'm so far from saying, oh, I've arrived. I'm not even close to where I want to be or where I think I can be in this league, but I've taken a step in the right direction. I think I've shown people that I can play at this level, but from where I am to where I want to be, where I think I can be in this league, I'm not close to there yet, but it definitely was a big step in the right direction for sure.
Q. Just kind of going back to that first question and just reflecting on how far you've come this season -- obviously, overcoming injury, going down to the G-League bubble, and being a major part of the rotation in the back half of the season -- is there any part of your game in particular that you're most proud of that you were able to grow?
TY JEROME: I think the thing I was most proud of is just the times I wasn't playing last year or times when I was hurt this year watching or when I was in the G-League bubble, just the vision I had and all the work I put in, being able to translate it, for it being able to pay off -- consistently too, I guess is what I'm most proud of. It wasn't one game here and one game there. It was a pretty consistent effort. But like I said earlier, I think I have a whole 'nother level that I can get to.
Q. You mentioned not feeling like you arrived yet. Have you gotten any guidance, or do you have a feel for what exactly you need to work on to kind of get there to achieve those goals?
TY JEROME: Yeah, for sure. Some of it is just going to be coming with getting stronger, more experience, playing more, sharpening up all areas of my skills. I think, when you work, the longer you're going to lead, the better you're going to get just naturally through work, through experiences, through games, just a lot of that stuff. But some of it's opportunity too. So all of that mixed together.
Q. Is some of that too the deep range three, which is something you brought out quite a bit towards the end of the season. Is that something as well?
TY JEROME: For sure. I want to expand my range even more, to be honest. You see where some of these guys shoot from, and that can only help you. But even as an example, like those shots, I didn't even think about taking last year. It's all part of taking baby steps to get to where you want to go.
Q. Is there anybody you watch that you model that after that shoots those ridiculously deep range threes?
TY JEROME: Guys like Steph and Dame. Steph, in my opinion, is the most entertaining guy to watch. He's unreal. Steph and Dame, for sure, but to be honest, I've been shooting pretty deep since I was in high school and college. It's just about earning your stripes. You can't step on the court and take a 30-footer if nobody thinks you have that ability. So like I said, it's baby steps forward.
Q. Much earlier in the season, you were talking about how this role has been simplified for you. What type of responsibilities were added onto your plate as you proved you could handle more of a role?
TY JEROME: I think the ball was in my hands more towards the end with Shai being out. We had two real point guards, myself and Theo, so the ball was in my hands more. Got to play in more ball screens, I guess stuff like that, more minutes, obviously, a little more of a lead, a little more of a voice, stuff like that.
Q. Ty, off the court, it appears that you and Shai became really close this season. What have you kind of experienced in that friendship, and what's that been like getting to know each other?
TY JEROME: I really don't like him that much. I just think he's one of the better players in the league, so it's good to be friends with somebody like that, but like I really don't like him that much.
(Laughter)
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