Q. Last season you mentioned you wanted to spend the off-season getting faster and stronger. How have you improved your body over the course of the summer?
ALEKSEJ POKUSEVSKI: I was working out pretty much. I was putting some weight on. (Indiscernible). I think I got better there. I hope it's going to show up during the season, and just getting started.
Q. How do you see your role developing on this team now? Also, talking about getting stronger, you had a good finish to last season. How much do you think you can carry over to this season?
ALEKSEJ POKUSEVSKI: So probably just being like a guy that is going into his third year (indiscernible) we have some rookies, and I'm just going to try to show the right way to play for the team, being inside the team.
(Indiscernible) better way to getting stronger. I think like most of it is on the defensive end, being prepared at multiple positions and our offense being efficient. That's what I'm going to try to do. I'm going to try to have a good start to the season.
Q. Obviously everybody over the off-season once Chet was drafted talked about the thin towers. Are you excited for that to finally get going and start terrorizing people next year after Chet gets back after his injury?
ALEKSEJ POKUSEVSKI: Yeah, obviously work, you know, he's in the weight room working out, getting better, I'm sure. He's young. He's going to have his team in this league for sure. I'm happy for him that he got drafted, and I'm waiting right now.
We can always talk to each other and be there for each other. I can't wait for him to get back.
Q. The whole time you've been here it's felt like you were the new guy. Rookie season last year, start of the season, now you have a whole new class coming in. You've been in the locker room now for two years, in the system. What's it like for your role as far as all these new guys coming in behind you?
ALEKSEJ POKUSEVSKI: I mean, you are right, like every year new players come in. I'm 20 years old going into my third year, so it doesn't really matter how old are you, it's just how you see the game and doing the right thing.
That's how you're going to show your -- how big you are as a player. Being inside (indiscernible) what you can do, showing the new guys what this team is about, that's what I'm going to try to do.
Q. In two years here what have you learned about yourself?
ALEKSEJ POKUSEVSKI: You know, going through some bad times on the court and being able to get through those and finish strong and get better. That was my main goal, was just getting better.
I think I got better, and I'm just going to keep going and getting stronger.
Q. You're going to be eligible for a contract extension next summer. How much will that be on your mind this season?
ALEKSEJ POKUSEVSKI: I think every guy who plays that is somewhere on their mind, but (indiscernible) help the team be better. That's the way you should (indiscernible).
Q. With Shai, Mark was talking about leadership with him. I think probably because of the kind of player he is, he sort of falls into that. Have you sensed him evolved as a leader on this team and just sort of how he approaches that aspect of things?
ALEKSEJ POKUSEVSKI: A lot. My first year I was here until now I've seen him grow as a leader. He's a great example of a guy that can be a good player and still be inside the team and show the right way.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports