NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: NUGGETS VS WARRIORS

April 16, 2022

Will Barton

Denver Nuggets

Postgame Media Conference

Warriors 123, Nuggets 107

Q. I know you need to probably look at the film and dissect what happened, but initial reaction, what the discrepancy was tonight for them?

WILL BARTON: We didn't defend. We had too many breakdowns, gave up too many threes to Poole, too many to Klay. Steph hit some in the minutes he played, also. We've got to defend better.

Q. Coach mentioned 41 points off turnovers and offensive rebounds, things that you guys can control. They're obviously a very good team, but how do you sharpen up and clean up some of those things that you do have control over?

WILL BARTON: Like you said, we've got to rebound the ball better, not turn it over. Those things are more hustle and energy and heart than anything. We can't keep letting them beat us to loose balls and getting second-chance points and things of that nature. They're already a good enough team and put up enough points as is. We can't give them extra opportunities or they'll make you pay like we did tonight.

Q. Will, Coach Malone said the 18-4 run to end the second quarter kind of stood out to him as the difference maker in the game. I know you weren't out there for all of it, but what stands out about that stretch to you?

WILL BARTON: That we were in the game, and that run took a lot out of us. We can't let them close on that big of a run in that building. It's always going to be hard to overcome with a team like that.

Q. They obviously have so many weapons, but Jordan Poole having the night that he did tonight, how do you make things a little bit more difficult for him?

WILL BARTON: Exactly what you said, just make it more difficult for him, try to take away any of his easy looks, put more pressure on him, don't let him be as comfortable. Obviously we're aware of him. He's had a hell of a year all season. We've just got to get into him a little bit more, make it a little more tough for him, be even more physical with him, and just compete even more on that end. He's a good offensive player, so we've just got to put more pressure on him.

Q. What's the mood in the locker room like? Are guys demoralized that you got beat pretty convincingly or is it just shrug your shoulders, turn the page to Game 2?

WILL BARTON: Definitely not demoralized. We know this is a tough team. We're in their building starting the series off. Our job is to try to get one here. You know, they did what they were supposed to do, they protected home court in Game 1, and we've got to come here Game 2 and get one and take it from there.

Q. They shot 29 free throws to you guys' 13. Does that come down to you guys not being aggressive enough or just the calls not going your way or kind of what needs to change to get that --

WILL BARTON: Definitely wasn't aggressive enough. They were attacking, they were getting all the loose balls, 50/50 balls, second-chance points, offensive rebounding. They were just beating us to the punch tonight.

When you play that way, usually you get the whistle in your favor.

We've got to reverse that energy in Game 2, and we've got to be the ones that are being more aggressive.

Q. Will, Nikola had 25, 10 and 6 but he had to take 25 shots. He only got to the free-throw line two times. What did you see from Golden State, how they kind of approached him?

WILL BARTON: How they always play him, they kind of swarm him. Usually they'll start with Looney on him and swarm with everyone, then they might switch it up and put Draymond on him who's a very good defender and still swarm him. It's tough when you've got Draymond on you who's a very good defender, very smart, very intelligent, and then they're swarming, coming from all different angles.

Jok is an MVP; he'll figure it out. We've just got to keep helping him. But he'll be fine. It's one game. We've got to be ready for Game 2.

Q. Do you feel the biggest adjustment you feel you need to make is kind of the hustle plays, the heart plays, the effort plays that you were talking about earlier?

WILL BARTON: And defending. Can't forget that. That's number one.

Q. Did you hear anything when DeMarcus got the two T's?

WILL BARTON: I don't know. I was so caught up in the game. I think we had made a little push at that point, cut it to 14 and then the techs happened. DeMarcus just has to be aware that -- he knows his reputation, he knows that the slightest little thing is going to get him a technical foul. We have to talk to him and get him to understand that we can't have that. Like I say, we just can't give them any extra points.