Can't wait to get around those guys - Alex Toohey

The Warriors are in such a win-now mode that they tend to look for players who could play. To what level do you feel ready to contribute this year?

I think I'm definitely ready. It's obviously an adjustment from any league to the NBA. I mean, the athletes are better, the pace is faster. Being able to have that mental fortitude to kind of adapt and be ready in different situations and then continue to just get better each day, they're gonna appreciate that. And then eventually, if you're ready, you can help out.

Lead the way, man. Alex Toohey is here.

Yeah, he is here and he's just getting the headset on and You know, when, when you see somebody— Alex Toohey, welcome to Willard and Dibs. I'm Dibs, my partner Willard is back in San Francisco. And you know, I kept looking for a 6'8 guy to stroll up, and here you are. How you liking Vegas so far, Alex?

It's hot, it's really hot.

Wait, hold on a minute, are you telling me that 109, you consider that hot?

The thing about Australia is we don't live in the places where it's not meant to be lived in. We live in the, the nice areas, but it's Yeah, this heat's next level for me.

But there are places in Australia, like, I guess the middle of the country where it would get this hot.

It gets this hot all the time, but I just stay away from those places.

Alex, if it helps at all, don't worry. The NBA and America, we do the opposite as well. So when you hit Minnesota for a roadie in December, you get to do that too when it's like 4 degrees.

I can't wait.

Yeah. Yeah. So hey, I know far and away the best performance that you've had So far, how did that feel? Was there like a light bulb that kind of came on? Like, take us through the journey so far.

Yeah, I mean, not the, the start I was kind of looking for in those first 2 games, but I think just kind of adjusting to the pace and, um, the level of physicality and that sort of thing. And I think now just being comfortable playing with these guys and, um, feeling comfortable in the system and, um, still not kind of playing at the level I'd like to, but definitely a good step in the right direction. So, um, Yeah, keep getting better each day. And yeah, we've got a few more to go, so hopefully keep progressing as a team.

And do you like that sort of pace and that sort of style of ball? Because I mean, the Warriors last year, they wanted to be up and down and go, go, go and play fast and shoot 3s. Is that something that makes you comfortable on the court?

Definitely. That's kind of one of the reasons I stayed in Australia, like the 24-second shot clock and playing in a high-paced offense. So it's definitely something that excites me. And I think it's hard to guard. Like, guys don't want to play that fast for 48 minutes. Obviously the shooters and the smart players the Warriors have, I think it plays to their advantage. And different teams have different play styles that suit their players, but I think the Warriors playing fast is something that I enjoy, and I can't wait to really do it.

Alex, have you connected with any teammates so far? We know that some of the guys are there in Vegas— Buddy Hield, Draymond, Pods, etc. Have you had any conversations with guys yet?

Yeah, so I met Draymond and Buddy yesterday, which was exciting, and seeing them around at the facility here and how they're training and showing their commitment to the team, and they're supporting the young guys coming to watch games. And then kind of QP, BP, and, and Trey, seeing those guys around, and they've been training with us a little bit in the lead-up and the California Classic. So seeing them around, and they're great guys, they'll have a conversation with anyone on the team if they're on the roster or not. So Yeah, it's just a great organization and, um, yeah, just great leaders all around.

You mentioned QP, Quentin Post. How much has he been somebody that you can, you know, model yourself after in that, you know, he came in and took him a little while, but then he was able to find the shot and make an impact? Do you look at a player like that as far as your own trajectory?

Yeah, I think he's, he's a great story. And, um, obviously being a 2nd round pick like myself and Will, I think Just shows that the Warriors value talent, and if you're good enough to play, they'll find room for you. So it's definitely exciting that if you're good enough, you know, you're gonna find a spot somewhere. So I think just the conversations with him— he's a great person, and he's a chill guy. He knows what it's like. He knows the business now. So yeah, he's definitely given me a lot of advice.

Alex, I know that, you know, you're probably aware of this— the Warriors are in such a win-now mode that when they get to the draft, They tend to look for players who are not necessarily projects, maybe guys who could play right away. What, what is your thought on that, and to what level do you feel ready to contribute this year?

I think I'm definitely ready. It's, it's obviously an adjustment, um, from any league to the NBA. I mean, the athletes are better, the, the pace is faster, but I think, um, the faster you can adapt to different situations and adapt to the, the daily routine and the offense. I think that's kind of stuff that sets players apart, and I think I'm one of those guys that can pick that stuff up pretty quickly and find ways to understand what, what certain players on the team like and how to get players in the right area. So I think just, yeah, being able to have that, that mental fortitude to kind of adapt and be ready in different situations, and then, yeah, continuing to get in the gym and work on your shot every day and Understanding that might not be that many minutes at the start, but if you're in the G League for a bit and showing what you can do down there and continue to just get better each day, they're gonna appreciate that. And then eventually, if you're ready, you can, you can help out.

Yeah, you'll force your way up here if you play well enough in Santa Cruz. And I wonder, being down in Australia, how much of the NBA growing up you watched, and, you know, which team and which player did you gravitate toward?

The NBA when I was growing up, it was kind of hard. It wasn't really on TV in Australia, um, and it was more just like YouTube highlights. So, um, kind of like that, that Lob City Blake Griffin era, that was when I started to really get in the—

You hear that, Mark? Lob City Blake Griffin.

Yeah, that was when I really got into it. Um, and then, yeah, I mean, like Steph Curry and the Warriors are such a big deal in Australia, so I like watching them. And then Klay Thompson's one of those guys that I like to watch and Obviously his shooting is incredible, but his footwork and how he gets to his spot. And then, I mean, defensively, Draymond and how much he changes the defensive scheme of the team. And he's always in the right areas telling guys where to be. So yeah, I think everyone always has a bit of information and I can't wait to get around those guys and try and pick off as much as I can.

Alex, allow me to be the 800th person to ask you about Andrew Bogut. And so, but I'd love to know just kind of what conversations What happened there, uh, with regard to knowing that you're coming to the Warriors and the fact that he played for, uh, you know, he played for this coach, he played with some of these players? How— what did he tell you about what you're about to experience?

He was super honest. He said they value smart players that can shoot, pass, and dribble. So, um, he thinks I'll fit in that area. And then it's just from there that the league is a different level of physicality. The pace is Another level, but kind of the guys that can adapt to that and understand the flow and the cadence of the game are the guys that last a long time. So having pretty good conversations with him, and he's pretty blunt in his texts about, about what he sees. So I definitely value that from him.

Have you gotten some texts since you've been out here? Like, has he given you some real-time feedback on your couple of games here in Vegas?

Yeah, definitely. And kind of asking him about the physicality, and he's like, yeah, that's how it goes. Superstars will get their calls in the season, so you've got to expect nothing as a rookie coming in, and everything you get away with, you've got to take it.

Alex, you said he's blunt. That means he's giving you some constructive criticism. I'd love to hear more about that. What does he see?

Uh, he just thinks I'm playing a bit timid right now, which is, which is probably fair. I think just trust myself a little bit more, find my ways, and kind of let the game come to me. So yeah, he's definitely a big help, and Um, I also messaged Delly when I, when I signed and I said, hey man, give me some tips on guarding Steph. What do you got for me?

So, uh, hold on, does Delly— and when you say Delly, Matthew Dellavedova— does he actually still think that he, that he's the Steph stopper?

Uh, Delly's a great guy. I think he, he plays every game as it is and he's still going down in the NBL. So, um, yeah, he believes in himself and I think he's done some great things in his career and He's just, yeah, appreciative of everything that's gone his way, and he's kind of one of the hardest workers and kind of like that TJ McConnell. He probably shouldn't be where he is, but he found a way and got it done. So, um, definitely kind of epitomizes that Australian toughness and culture.

Yeah, and we have a soft spot for him because Dellavedova went to St. Mary's, which is in the town where I actually live in the Bay Area. And so I wonder about you as a kid, did you ever— thank you— did you ever have any thought about American college, and did you get recruited by Randy Bennett to go to St. Mary's?

I did. I did. I got recruited by Randy, um, but in the end I, I decided to commit to Gonzaga and then went back to the, the NBL and stayed in Australia. And I loved my time there, and I think it definitely prepared me. But this last offseason, I got all the Australians there I'm very close with. So last offseason, I drove up from LA and saw them all, and I was like, hey, can I watch a practice? I was like, oh, Randy's gonna be so mad at me. But he was The nicest dude I've ever met, like so genuine. And, um, yeah, it just shows the character of him. And, um, the Aussie pipeline they've had for ages is super cool, and I'm glad to be around them, and I'll definitely pop in.

Is it hard getting to know your teammates in Summer League knowing that, you know, the majority of them are going to wind up in other places? In other words, a Summer League team, you want to be a team, right? But at the same time, you're— you've got to kind of be out for yourself as well. Is that a little bit of a weird experience?

I don't think so. I think the Warriors, um, they've done a great job of finding good guys. And I think watching some teams play Summer League, it's just like it's an iso ball game where the stars just trying to get their own. And I think they've done a good job of finding guys that play the right way, share the ball. And I think that's kind of the way the Warriors play. So, and those, those guys are generally the guys you want to hang around and build connections with. And I feel like I've definitely done that with these guys. So, um, obviously end of the day everyone will split up and do their own thing, but, um, it's kind of those memories you'll, you'll build forever. And like thinking of this, uh, Joe Ingles played Summer League for the Warriors. Yeah, like that's kind of random that some of these guys I'm sure will be having some great NBA careers eventually. So it's definitely cool and kind of build that connection now and then link up whenever we see each other again.

Alex, it's really fascinating to hear you talk about all of these connections With the Australian players, especially obviously those conversations that you're saying you have with Bogut. And, and, and it got me to thinking, 'cause I, I think most people know Andrew is part owner of a team for which you played over there in Australia. Does this go back maybe to even before the draft? In other words, were there conversations maybe even between the Warriors and Bogut that you think led to them being interested in you?

Maybe not like off the bat. I think obviously you've got to be good enough to make it to that level, but I think, um, after that initial interest of this guy's a good player and kind of realizing that, oh, we've got someone that we've had around and we enjoyed having around in Bogut, and then they can reach out and be like, hey, what's he like off the court and, um, how's he in training and that sort of thing. So I think that's probably the, the further connection where they probably found out a little bit more than the average scout's able to find out. So having that, and then Luke Longley's another owner as well, and Luke obviously played with Steve Kerr and very fond of each other, and Luke's been a big help in this process as well. And yeah, he's been super supportive. Both those owners have been in my whole journey.

And when did you realize that your journey might percolate into this? Was there a moment where you're playing and you're playing well and you're starting to get noticed? Because Australia's Half, literally half the world away. And I don't know how much Australian basketball my partner watches, but I'll be honest and say I don't watch any. And then you see these prospects come over. I wonder for you when it really started, when it hit you that this dream might actually be realized.

Probably, um, I had a tournament over here in Atlanta with our, um, our NBA Academy team and kind of got a few offers out of that. And that was kind of the start of, all right, like There's steps to getting where you want to get, and it's making the high school varsity team's the biggest deal. And then you make that and it's like, I want to go play Division 1 college or play pro. And then kind of looking at that, and when you're one step away in the NBL or in college, I think that's when you can kind of eye towards, if I get to the NBA, what's it going to look like? What do I need to do to get there? What position would I be in? So I think the NBL definitely helped me prepare for that. And then— Being in Australia and seeing Giddey and Dyson and kind of being with them before they are who they are and kind of seeing them when they're in high school and their habits and the things they do and then being like, oh, I can, I can probably do what Giddey does, or I can take pieces of Dyson's defense and kind of apply that in my own way. And then from there you just get confident and you get to not just watch NBA as a fan but kind of analyze it and realize that I can be in that position or This guy's probably in the wrong spot to, to get this catch-and-shoot shot. So I think you get— just get confident in watching and playing, and then you kind of have that intrinsic confidence in yourself that you're ready.

Alex, great stuff. Um, all right, take us inside your trip and your experience. Have you had any sort of like starstruck moments? Who, who have you run into across the league?

Seen a lot. Um, pretty cool seeing like Wemby walking around the hotel and Kawhi Leonard as well. And I think meeting Draymond was pretty cool as well. And he's been around for a while. And my brother played Division II basketball at Saginaw Valley State University, so got to talk about that for a while. Yeah. But yeah, it's, it's been cool and meeting all these guys and they're just humble people. They're superstars from afar, but when you meet them, they're just ordinary people too.

What did Draymond say to you?

It was just a brief, brief hello. He was, he was taking off and we were coming in. But yeah, we'll have some good conversations.