Q. The global impact of the game, can you tell us how are the Finals lived in Australia?
DANTE EXUM: Yeah, it's a little different because it's the middle of the day. Obviously, I remember growing up, I wasn't able to watch it being at school. I mean, it's something that everyone watches. I know they have watch parties all over the country. It's a big event and everyone watches it down there.
Q. To go through your journey, what does it mean to you being here in the NBA Finals?
DANTE EXUM: Yeah, you could have asked me two years ago if I was going to be here, I would have been shocked.
I think it's kind of the hard work and dedication that I've put into my game. Staying focused throughout it all, through the ups and downs, injuries. Making sure I always got back to just loving basketball, just wanting to be on the court.
Obviously, when I got this opportunity in Dallas, jump on it. I knew we had a good team, but to even look at a year ago and say I'd be here, it's crazy.
Q. Some players will say I always knew I'd get to this point, some would say I had to work hard. Did you always think you'd be here, get to this point?
DANTE EXUM: I mean, yeah, you always dream about it. I think just being a kid from Australia, even getting to the NBA was a big thing. More and more guys are doing it now, so it's becoming a thing that a lot of kids growing up look at it like, I can do that, it's not so farfetched.
It's definitely something you look at, yeah, I did not see this. It's just hard work and you continue to grind every year.
Q. What sort of insight did Kyrie share about what you're walking into?
DANTE EXUM: Yeah, we've been here during the season, kind of the hostility they showed toward Kyrie. They're just passionate. I'm all for it. I love it. They just want their team to win.
It's going to be the same when they go to Dallas. It's just going to be a fun series.
Q. Your journey getting here ...
DANTE EXUM: Yeah, it's peaks and valleys. The biggest thing I've done is try not to get too high on the highs and low on the lows. There were some very lows. I think I used everything as an opportunity to get better or as a challenge. Definitely going to Europe helped propel my game, build confidence, be a leader on a team of young guys. I think that helped me a lot, to get me to where I am today.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports