NBA FINALS: HEAT VS. NUGGETS

June 8, 2023

Caleb Martin

Miami Heat

Practice Day

Q. You said there's very little room for error. What do you need to do to forget about the pressure and find the laser focus and the response you guys are expecting?

CALEB MARTIN: We've just got to go back to the drawing board, figure out what we did, all the mistakes and just come with a new and better effort, especially at home. Try to take advantage of the games we can, and just have more of a will to get it done.

Q. Spo said intention a lot last night. What does that entail?

CALEB MARTIN: Yeah, just attention to detail, controlling the things that we can control and sticking to the game plan, no matter how the game is going. Just doing what we do, not getting caught up in what those guys are doing making tough shots. We've got to continue to do the things that put us in this position.

Q. You guys have had to deal with their size. What do you think was the difference in rebounding that they had such an advantage?

CALEB MARTIN: I just think that they were just applying pressure on the boards. It seemed like every time they missed a shot, somebody else was there. We've got to do a better job of getting those guys off the glass and doing our work early.

Yeah, they came in with that edge, knowing that they were going on the road. It was going to be a hostile environment. So kind of similar to us in Game 2 on the road.

Q. Thinking about your journey, what makes you proud of being here? It's already a dream come true. What did it take?

CALEB MARTIN: I just think it took just staying with it, just being confident and just understanding that those opportunities, those moments will come. Just preparing yourself mentally and physically for those opportunities to take advantage of them.

I think that has been the biggest thing so far. Obviously a ton of help and a ton of credit to my vets and my coaches and stuff to put me in this position and getting me mentally prepared. But yeah, just staying ready.

Q. What kind of inspiration has Udonis been to you? Both you guys come from humble beginnings. What has he meant to you personally?

CALEB MARTIN: He has meant everything to me. He is on the Mount Rushmore of undrafted guys who have made a living in this league. I'm so fortunate to have someone like him, to be under his wing and take advice from him and just learn from him. It's been an honor, for sure, to be around him and to be able to learn from him.

I've had a big-time luxury of having him on the team and being a part of this run.

Q. What type of desperation do you guys need to come with tomorrow?

CALEB MARTIN: We need to be as desperate as we've ever been to get these next three. It's going to be tough. We've just got to want it more than those guys.

We also love the fact that we're competing against a team like that just because it's going to bring the best out of you, and we're bringing the best out of them. So this is what you play for. You don't get to this point without playing your best ball. You've got to also love and appreciate the level of competition, too.

Q. What does it mean to you when Jimmy and your coach say they have faith in you and tell you to keep shooting?

CALEB MARTIN: It means everything. You have guys like that continue to make the right plays whether you're making or missing, just having that confidence knowing that the shooters are going to continue to get good looks and they're going to eventually fall.

I've got to do a better job of knocking down shots and being more confident, not passing up shots, because when our shooters are shooting with confidence, good things will typically happen.

Q. Living here in such a beautiful place, how do you avoid all the distractions of what Miami has to offer?

CALEB MARTIN: Just not going anywhere. That's how I view it. There will be a time and place to take advantage of those type of things and have fun when you can. You've also got to get away and do things and find ways to keep your mind sane and fresh, especially being in a position like this. But it's not going anywhere. There will be a time and place for that.

Q. When it's the offseason, is there something you like to do to enjoy the city?

CALEB MARTIN: I just love to be outside. I'm a big fisherman, so I'm trying to find some spots. Y'all got any recommendations, put me on y'all's spots. Other than that, right now I just like to chill, get some sun and get back in the gym.

Q. When you fish, what do you like to catch?

CALEB MARTIN: Bass.