Will Richard scored 20 points off the bench in the Warriors' win over the Suns. He talks about staying ready to contribute, attacking the boards, and the energy plays that matter in tight games. He also discusses guarding Devin Booker and how the home crowd helped in the fourth quarter.
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So, Will Richard, how do you stay ready and come off the bench on fire with 20 tonight? Um, yeah, this is what it's all about, uh, being ready when your name is called. Um, I knew I just wanted to go out there and, uh, make the most of the opportunity and help my team win the game.
What's your mentality on the boards? Because you had 5 rebounds, you had a big offensive rebound where you just cut through the defense, seeing no one's really boxing out. Are you just having fun when it comes to someone shooting and you getting offensive rebounds?
Yeah, just staying aggressive. I mean, the margin of error in an NBA game is so little, so those little plays mean a lot. How about the margin of error with your follow-up? Right before halftime. You think the Warriors needed those 2 points?
Oh, for sure. I mean, just trying to make those little energy plays to help us win in the game. Now you keep talking about energy too. Is that kind of what you pride yourself on? You think about the 3-point shooting, making shots here and there, but just being consistent with your energy. How tough is that for you?
Is that a natural thing? For sure it's natural. I mean, I want to help this organization win as much as possible, so I know my job is to come in here and give some energy and effort and just help us win.
The home crowd in that 4th quarter, Phoenix coming back, you're holding them off. Steph and Jimmy are making plays. You're making plays. What's it like to have everybody rise up the last minute or so and bring it home?
Yeah, that's what it's all about. I mean, we love playing at home because we know our fans are going to be behind us, so that's what it's all about for us.
How tough is it when you're dealing with a guy like Devin Booker who was hot in that game? What were the conversations like? Were you trying to figure out, do we double team, do we stay home? What are the discussions like there?
Um, yeah, he's tough. I mean, you know he's a great player, so you just got to make it as hard as possible on him and just contest, and you can live with some of those because they're tough shots.
Will, we appreciate you stopping. Get ready for Orlando on Monday. Appreciate you. That is Will Richard, the 56th pick in the draft. A 20-point game on 6-of-7 shooting. And where would they have been without the 52 bench points? Man, did the Warriors need that. They take care of the Suns tonight, 119-116, and it's Orlando Monday night.
