Q. Not playing in Summer League, how are you feeling?
NIKOLA TOPIC: I feel good. I feel better, and I can't wait to be out there.
Q. And just from your first impressions with some of the new guys in the mix, the rookies, what have you seen out of them so far?
NIKOLA TOPIC: I haven't played with them. I don't know the basketball side -- they are obviously great players. That's why they are here. But they are also great people, and I'm enjoying their company.
Q. With health issues and injuries, there's been so many stops and starts in your NBA career. How have you managed that mentally?
NIKOLA TOPIC: I'm just trying to go day by day and take one day at a time every day. That was kind of -- I was doing that from a young age. So it wasn't hard for me to do that.
Q. Saw you at an OU football game with some of your teammates, specifically Jared McCain. How has he helped continue to build the chemistry with guys? He was out in Canada with Shai this summer and L.A. with Chet. What has he done helping build that bond with guys?
NIKOLA TOPIC: He's a great guy. He always wants to hang out, and we try to hang out as much as possible with not just him, with everybody on the team. And everybody is always invited. Doors are open. And I see those players as brothers, not like -- not like teammates.
Q. You mentioned the brotherhood of this team and your teammates. What was it like to see Lu, Wiggs and Joe go?
NIKOLA TOPIC: I mean, obviously I was sad, but I'm also happy for them because I know they are going to do good and perform very well. So I was very sad when I heard the news, but I knew that was the best for them and, obviously, everyone.
I am just really grateful that I have been able to share the court with these guys and to share the locker room because they are great persons, and I'm really grateful that I can call those guys friends.
Q. There's been a number of guys that feel like they were able to grow their game without playing, like Chet obviously missed his rookie season, and there have been others. Do you think your game is in a better spot now, at least knowledge-wise, than a few years ago?
NIKOLA TOPIC: Yeah, definitely. When I came in the league, overseas is always like, NBA is not that good, doesn't play defense, not physicality.
When I came here, I was completely shocked. It's so different. It's so tough -- physically, mentally. 82 games is the season. It's really tough. I've been more aware of that since I came here.
Q. We talk about guys missing rookie seasons with injuries. What was it like of going from being the guy of looking for advice with Chet to now being somebody that Sorber could lean on?
NIKOLA TOPIC: Yeah, that's weird, but that's the circle of life. I'm really grateful that I can speak to him about it and give advice. He's a great guy, and I think he'll do great this season.
And also, I have Chet; so, I mean, those guys are like brothers, and we are like a family. We can talk to everybody about anything, and we are taking good care of each other. So it's really great.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports