Heat 120, Wizards 94
Q. What did you like about your performance tonight? What do you feel like you need to improve on?
TRISTAN VUKCEVIC: A lot of things. I think I wasn't focused from the jump. I missed a lot of shots that I should make and had some leak outs on the defensive end, and that's just like a learning process.
Q. How are you approaching the last 10 games, the remaining bit of the season as you try and make a case to the coaching staff and the organization?
TRISTAN VUKCEVIC: Just play my game, just show how I can help the team, just making winning plays, using my IQ. I think that's like the main thing that I'm trying to show them, and my improvement from when I came here to now. I had some injuries. I think we put a lot of work in with the coaching staff, and I think it's showing up.
Q. Are you happy with what you've shown them to date?
TRISTAN VUKCEVIC: No.
Q. How would you compare where you're at compared to a year ago, as you mentioned, when you first got here? What do you think you've improved in?
TRISTAN VUKCEVIC: I think I got a lot stronger. I put on weight. I think I'm understanding the game a little bit better because when I got here I had no idea what was going on. I'm not going to lie to you.
I think just understanding the game, the system that we're trying to play for the upcoming years and everything. Just understanding that part of the game and my role on the team.
Q. You said you're not happy with what you've shown them so far --
TRISTAN VUKCEVIC: No, no, today.
Q. But not overall, the work --
TRISTAN VUKCEVIC: No, I think I've done pretty good. Obviously there's a lot of room for improvement. I'm still young. Didn't play the first half of the season, so just getting my confidence back and trusting the work I've put in. I think that's the main focus.
Q. Getting reps against a dominant center like Bam Adebayo, how does that help you improve defensively?
TRISTAN VUKCEVIC: A lot because you can see how he impacts the ball on both ends of the floor, and he's a very highly skilled and highly talked-about big man, and just seeing it up front is great. You can see how he's moving, the way he's approaching, the way he's talking and everything.
Q. What did you think about JP setting the franchise record for threes?
TRISTAN VUKCEVIC: Yeah, it was unbelievable. We talked about it, the work he's put in, countless hours of work. We always see him giving his all in practice, and as a teammate you really respect that, him being the leader, as the leader of the team. We really respect that, and we obviously trust him with shots he's taking, and he's shooting at a very high percentage, I believe, and he'll keep going.
Q. Did you guys do anything in here like splash him with water bottles or anything like that?
TRISTAN VUKCEVIC: No, we got together. We gave him the game ball. AG and BK gave a little speech congratulating him because it's a big thing. It's a big thing for him, obviously, and the organization. Like I said, he's been working very hard, and it's not something we're surprised, to be honest, knowing how he plays and the work he puts in. Like I said, it was expected for him to break the record. He's a great player.
Q. One of the maybe underrated storylines for the season was that Bub could play all 82 games this season. What does that say about his sturdiness?
TRISTAN VUKCEVIC: Yeah, it's crazy what he's doing. First year, 19 years old. I think we call it the Iron Man award or whatever. We all hope he can finish the year with 82 games. That's a big accomplishment, and that just shows how much he cares, and he approaches every game with the same mentality.
Q. Obviously you guys were facing off against Bam Adebayo tonight. Do you ever learn stuff from centers of that caliber at the top of the league when you face off against them?
TRISTAN VUKCEVIC: Yeah, of course. Every All-Star or big player, all these -- especially, like you said, the big men having the same position. I'm not like in the game looking how to get better. I have a memory and I'll go home, think about it, and watch film the next day with the coaches. I don't want to copy anyone. I want to be my own player, be myself, but definitely there's obviously something you can take from each player.
Q. Can you name an example today like from Bam?
TRISTAN VUKCEVIC: Just his pump fakes, how when he gets a bump-off and he goes in the paint, how he's not rushing to his shot. He's just taking his time. That's a big thing.
Q. On defense what's something you feel really proud about to this point and what do you feel like is the next step for you?
TRISTAN VUKCEVIC: Getting lower and protecting the rim. I think I've done a great job in that. Being more active, obviously. Just being -- interchanging between the 4 and the 5, so it's a learning process, and I think that's the main thing, just activity with the hands and disrupting balls and being active on defense. I think that's the big thing.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports