Warriors two-way guard Nate Williams explains how his Rochester upbringing shaped his fearless mentality. He describes guarding Kawhi Leonard as no different from any opponent because "he bleeds just like I bleed," and credits Steve Kerr's trust and on-court lessons from Stephen Curry with helping him grow comfortable in the NBA.
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I think 4 games in 4 days. Just how crazy has this— these last few days been for you?
It's not crazy. It's a blessing. I'm blessed to play this game. I'm blessed to play this sport. God is just amazing.
And then I saw there was one possession in the third quarter where you were like picking up Kawhi full court when he didn't even have the ball. Just what kind of challenge is it to guard a guy like that?
I mean, he's a great player, but he bleeds just like I bleed. I'm not— I don't fear no challenge.
Yeah. I saw you and Steph talking on the bench in-game. How are those conversations and what's it like kind of being coached up by him in-game?
It was great. You know, he gave me some, some great dialogue, just talking about spacing and stuff. So it was really good to learn from one of the best players to ever play the game. So that was a dope moment for me.
Your, your competitive spirit guarding Kawhi, saying he bleeds just like I bleed. Where does that mentality come from?
I fear God, you know, that's the only man I fear. And I'm from Rochester, New York, you know, in the back streets. So if you go in my neighborhood, you would know why I'm this way. Yeah.
What's helped you get comfortable here so far with Golden State?
I'm just being myself and the team allows me to do that. You know, I give all thanks to Steve Kerr and the coaching staff for giving me an opportunity. You know, they just let me be myself and they just, they just put me on game as I, as I go along. You know, they just teaching me telling me the plays and just throwing me in the fire. So I'm loving it.
Uh, Ker was talking about how it's hard to sustain that defensive intensity that you guys had in the first half when you're so undermanned, given obviously the competitive spirit that you have. And you're new to the team, obviously, but still there's a need right now for a go-to guy or go-to scorer. Tonight you were that in so many different situations. Is there any pressure to kind of take on that role? Given this opportunity?
No, it's no pressure at all. I, I just go out there and play my game and I let the chips fall where they fall. God already planted the seed. I'm just doing the work. For sure. That's it. Thank y'all. Stay blessed.
