Q. Starting off, bringing that trophy home what was that experience for you?
ISAIAH HARTENSTEIN: It was really special, being able to put the first time to come back to Germany I think it was really cool to see. I think especially just seeing the faces of the people out there, seeing especially the faces of the younger generation, I think it's something cool. When I was growing up, I only could really see like NBA and NBA players from afar.
So being able to go back and have them experience that, give them hope that they can also achieve the same things I have achieved was really cool.
Q. You've obviously lived in different places growing up. What does that place mean to you?
ISAIAH HARTENSTEIN: It means a lot. I think for me it helped me a lot in my basketball career. I mean I grew up there. Something really special, and I think as much as I can, I just want to give back and give back to the community, too.
Q. Going into media day last year there was a lot of anticipation seeing you and Chet play together. Where do you think you guys improved as a combo and where do you think you need to improve going forward?
ISAIAH HARTENSTEIN: I think just knowing how to play with each other. He hasn't really played with someone like me and I haven't played with someone the way he played. So I think for us it was figuring out how we can play off each other and I think also defensively how we can rotate and be in certain situations that we both just don't -- we're so instinct active trying to go block a shot that we both just don't go every time.
So little stuff like that and we've been working in the summer, just trying to get better, trying to get the most out of it. And, again, we played 20 games before the playoffs started, and I think we did pretty good.
Q. And then how much did that help? I know you guys are working out the offseason. How much do you think that can help build towards this season?
ISAIAH HARTENSTEIN: I think it helps a lot. First of all responding, working together, pushing each other, that was something really key for us.
Q. You're one year in with the Thunder organization, and you've been probably one of the more outgoing in the community. Like what's that meant to you and like how the community has embraced you and how are you and your family feeling within the OKC community?
ISAIAH HARTENSTEIN: It means a lot. I think I've told the story a couple of times when I first got here. Sam Presti took us through the Memorial and going through that, seeing what the city has been through. But kind of seeing how from like such a dark time that the city made light of it. I think the city came together, and I don't think you see that a lot with different circumstances and how anyone in the streets would give their tee shirts off their back to help the situation.
For me, after seeing that, I really wanted to uphold the Oklahoma standard and kind of really be engrained in the community and really find ways to make a real impact. I'm not just trying to drop off a check and say here, here you go. I mean, for me, it's how do I make a long lasting impact, and yeah.
Q. On the media guide it said that you are up 17 pounds this year from last year. So number one, is that true, and No. 2, why -- if it is true, why?
ISAIAH HARTENSTEIN: I think they haven't -- before they didn't change it since I was like a rookie. So I've probably gained I think like four pounds of muscle. But 17 would be I'd be a little bigger than I am right now.
Q. Isaiah, will you be shooting more threes this year?
ISAIAH HARTENSTEIN: Hope so. Hope so. We'll see when the games start.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports