Q. Did it feel that way to you in real time by the end of the season?
CASON WALLACE: Definitely. Confidence was higher than we started at the start of the season. Physically felt better. Mentally I definitely noticed how my game went.
Q. Any specific areas where you feel most like, wow, that was a big jump and kind of gives you a different type of runway heading into the summer?
CASON WALLACE: The way I shot the ball towards the end of the season. Just having different looks that I seen throughout the whole season. Got to be ready for the games later in the season.
Q. Your role changed a lot throughout the season. How mentally tough is that to go into a game and you don't know if you're starting, you might start, you might play limited minutes? How tough is it to come to that mindset, I got to come in and just do what I'm supposed to do no matter what?
CASON WALLACE: Yeah, it's fun, actually, because, you know, you have a role and you do it so many games and then you're asked to do something different, and it's like another challenge to take on. So it's always fun just being able to challenge myself and go compete at the highest level.
Q. Your total basketball career, haven't lost that much, you and Chet are the two winningest players in the history. How have you evolved throughout the season?
CASON WALLACE: We're competitors, so obviously we're going to lose. So can't win 'em all, but we're going to compete and hopefully win more than lose.
Q. You're up for a contract extension this summer, how motivated are you to stay a part of the Oklahoma City Thunder?
CASON WALLACE: I love the Thunder. But I'm more focused on getting better this summer and being able to go back out there and compete.
Q. Since you've come into the league, you've been in the high 30s to 40s from three. Mark's a big proponent of you can't take everything away. What's the mental gymnastics of -- obviously you're a good shooter, but whenever they're trying to take away Shai, Dub, and guys like that, you're going to get shots that are pretty open. Is that hard at all or what's that equation?
CASON WALLACE: No, I mean, you know, it is less to think about when you're open, so I would say those are the easier shots. But you just got to make 'em.
Q. How proud are you guys of the way with all the injuries that you guys dealt with so far this season, just the amount of guys that stepped up to keep the team going?
CASON WALLACE: Yeah, I'm pretty sure every player on this team has said we have the next man up mindset. We have the most confidence in everybody that steps on the floor. We all want to see each other succeed at the highest level.
So just the resilience to just keep showing up every game and not knowing the rotations or who was in, who was out, and still go out there and perform.
Q. Coach talked about how hard you worked. Where do you see the work paying off, especially this year?
CASON WALLACE: In the highest stakes games when you're out there and you're just competing and not really thinking about too much, you just let all your work take over and you know it's going to show.
Q. What aspects of your specific game have you seen the most growth? Obviously shooting, but like other aspects of the game where the work this season has paid off?
CASON WALLACE: Paint decisions. Obviously worked on a lot of shots. You know, my role is to come in and make shots on the offensive end. But being able to touch the paint and make the right play.
Q. Your team is a big proponent of watching film and it helped you make All Defensive Team. How has watching extra tape helped you this season?
CASON WALLACE: Because I see what I can do better. They send me my mistakes as well, my trainer. Seeing those clips and just wanting to be a better player. If I keep doing the same thing over and over, it's not going to go well for me, so being able to see those clips and do something different.
Q. How proud are you of making All Defensive, Chet and yourself All Defense? How gratifying is that for you to see?
CASON WALLACE: That was fun. Chet, he did very good this season at the rim, protecting the paint. And I was holding it down on the perimeter. So us getting those awards are big time.
Q. Saw Keaton was at the game yesterday and big season for both of you guys. All Defensive, what's it been like for you guys to sort of share this basketball journey together?
CASON WALLACE: Great. I can't ask for a better big brother. He's always there for me at my highest and at my lowest. So just having him in my corner is very special.
Q. Focusing on getting better, how do you focus on specifically the money, the bigger role, big situation? How do you take all that extra stuff and just focus on wanting to get better?
CASON WALLACE: I'm not money driven. I want to compete, that's the main focus of me. So whether I get paid this summer or not, you know, I'm going to get better because that's what I have to do to stay in this league.
Q. You had a stretch in February where you had the ball in your hands a lot more, your role was different really due to injuries, but you really thrived in that role. How often do you think about that specific period of time compared to what your role has been mostly here at OKC?
CASON WALLACE: That was a fun point in time. That was fun having the ball and just being able to showcase my game and just do what the team needed me to do to win. That's what it's all about at the end of the day is just going out there and trying to win, so I look at those clips and think about that.
Q. (No Microphone.)
CASON WALLACE: Not all the time, but it's hard not to.
Q. Do you have a favorite game clip that you go back to?
CASON WALLACE: I don't.
Q. What do you do in the offseason as far as to decompress?
CASON WALLACE: I like watching shows. So I watch about two, three shows, binge watch 'em and that's what I do with my time.
Q. What's some shows you watch?
CASON WALLACE: Watching The Chi right now, so that's it.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports