Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe participated in the Reddit AMA ahead of the Emirates NBA Cup championship game.
Ahead of Tuesday’s Emirates NBA Cup Championship game (8:30 ET, ABC), the NBA’s Reddit team conducted an AMA session with Milwaukee Bucks’ guard Andre Jackson Jr. and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe.
From their thoughts on the NBA Cup courts and how they’re transitioning to the NBA, check out their answers below.
Question: How did this year’s NBA Cup compare to last year’s?
Andre Jackson Jr. (Milwaukee Bucks): I think we are definitely a more solid team this year, and we are better with communication. Being able to communicate with one another when things go bad. I think that a big indicator of how great your team really can be is how you react when things are going bad or aren’t going your way. Are you able to push through adversity? I think that’s what the best teams are able to do.
Q: Opinions on the NBA Cup courts so far? Which ones are the best and which ones are the worst?
AJJ: I like the Vegas one a lot. That’s probably my favorite one so far. I liked our court as well. We had the blue one this year — it was good, it was nice. I like the NBA Cup because it brings a little more intensity to games early in the season.
Q: Question for AJJ, are you good with the “Ajax” nickname as you’ve been anointed by Bucks fans and the local broadcast team? If not, what nickname do you prefer?
AJJ: Yeah, I am good with Ajax. I like it. Where focus goes, energy flows, so I am just riding with it, and as long as the Bucks fans and Bucks nation like it, I’m rockin’ with it.
Q: Action Jackson, what are the biggest learnings you have been able to transfer to the pros from your time at [the University of Connecticut]?
AJJ: So many things. Learning how to guard honestly. Where to be positionally, how to be able to guard multiple positions, understanding offensive sets, and understanding defensive coverages and rotations. There are so many things that UConn has done to prepare me for this level.
Q; Mr. Jackson, you bring fantastic energy to the team regardless of if you play 3 minutes or 30 minutes. How do you maintain this every night and inspire others?
AJJ: I just play with a chip on my shoulder and I understand that every opportunity could be my last. God could take this opportunity from you at any point so, every time I go out there I leave it all out there. That’s all I can do. That’s why I want to. There are so many kids right now probably looking through this phone wishing they could be in my position, and I was that same little kid so why would I go out there and take it for granted?
Q: For the players who have experienced playing in the playoffs: how do these Cup games stack up to the playoffs? Does it have the same kind of experience and how serious do teams take these kinds of games?
AJJ: It can compare, but the playoffs are really, really intense. It is just a different level of desperation, but this is the closest thing to it. I think it’s great, honestly. You have two of the best teams right now ready to face off in the Championship and that’s not for no reason. The Thunder are — if you look at the analytics and all the other stuff — up there and so are we. It just shows the character of all the guys on the team and who really wants to win.
Q: Which skill do you think was most important for earning your rotation spot/coach’s trust?
AJJ: When on the court, being able to adapt. I think that’s the biggest thing.
Q: Isaiah, does this Thunder team get along with one another as much as it seems on TV?
Isaiah Joe (Oklahoma City Thunder): Sure are, off the court we are a together team. We do everything.
Q: Which game do you consider your “best game” so far in your careers and why do you consider that game your “best game”?
IJ: Probably my Dallas game, my first game getting some minutes here in OKC. Coming back from a big deficit in the 4th quarter.
Q: Isaiah, thoughts on a potential nickname for you? Isaiah “Water” Joe — because the shot is wet and you bring the energy.
IJ: I never heard of that one before. We are gonna have to test it out to see how it goes. I am not sure.
Q: Isaiah – What’s on your pregame playlist? And, as a follow-up, which Thunder player’s music taste is least like yours?
IJ: “March Madness” by Future, always a go to. I think Dub (Jalen WIlliams) has a good taste in music, for sure.
Q: Which vet do you think has helped your development the most?
AJJ: I think Taurean Prince. All of them have helped me in different ways. Dame, he helped me and put me with his trainer over the summer. Giannis, I worked with his guy last year a lot and they both taught me a ton. I say Taurean because we have a similar role and we are out there together a lot, and we have a lot of shared experiences so I think that is someone I am definitely talking to a lot.
IJ: Probably K (Kenrich Williams). He brings a different type of intensity to the game. I think it spreads to everybody else.
Q: Best friend on the team?
AJJ: Best pal? AJ Green, AKA “Dairy Bird” that’s my brother. Been holding me down since I got here.
Q: Hello Isaiah Joe. Last year you had a pretty crazy dunk against Houston. What was your reaction to that slam and highlights of it realising what you have done?
IJ: I surprised myself, you know! I get like one good jump a month and so, anytime I can get to it, it’s a good feeling.
Q: What’s one word you’d use to describe how your team is playing right now?
IJ: Together.
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