Indiana Pacers Exit Interview - Tiny Jimenez
"Thank you for doing this exit interview just one day after the NBA Finals' loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Can you describe some of the emotions you're feeling as well as the team?"
"I mean.. I feel the disappointment of losing. You can't forget this feeling but they beat us fair & square & you have to give them credit. I talked to a few of the guys after the game.. Morgan [Sauce], DJ [Porter], & AD [Davis] & just congratulated them because they beat us fair & square. There's no malice. There's a lot of emotions on our end because obviously we're disappointed. This team put a lot into this season & fought till the end. There's a lot of individual adversity as well as collective adversity that all leads up to this moment.. Then we don't come out on the successful side but still.. there's no time to wallow in any sorrows. We just congratulate the other team & we'll move on."
"I recognize the Finals just ended but I know you're ready for these questions. Do you feel you've played your last game for the Pacers?"
"Umm.. I mean I have no idea at this point. The first thing I'll do is consider my family. The last time I was a free agent, the girls were much younger, & now there's 5 other kids since than.. We'll sit down & consider everything but my family is a huge part of what I do & will continue to be that so I don't have an answer for you about that right now, no."
"You'll probably be able to give a bigger perspective, but can you put into perspective for us, not even this last year, but the last few years, what has it been like playing for the Indiana Pacers?"
"It's been incredible. I love Indianapolis. The culture, the team, everything. When I was traded here from Portland I was excited because I was traded to the defending champs. I came into this city excited to be here. I've been a part of numerous projects around the city & watched a lot of growth here. This town loves it's Pacers..haha. We accomplished a lot together. We've won a lot of games.. 2 Eastern Conference championships & 1 NBA championship.. Indiana's home to me."
"What was the key for you to winning the MVP this season & leading this team on another NBA Finals run?"
"This team is the reason I won MVP & the reason we reached the Finals 2 out of my 3 seasons here so far.. My teammates help give me the confidence to be who I am on the court. CJ [McCollum], Greg [Brown], Caris [LeVert], & Josh [Primo] knocked down the jumpers tooth & nail from deep this year & Zion [Williamson] did his thing so I happened to lead the league in assists this year. We had an incredible season that felt like a movie. I wish I could relive it.. Yeah, those guys are the real MVPs."
"You, of course, started under head coach' Rick Carlisle & assistant' Lebron James your first two seasons here to now playing under head coach' Russell Westbrook & assistant' Stephen Curry this season. What was your experience with Russ & the staff?"
"Russ & Steph's communication skill is like top level. They tell you what they need from you. They put you in positions to be successful. It also helps that I played with Russ in Portland, so we already had that communication developed & when you have that going it's easier to play on the floor. They're both champions & they know how to win. They did a tremendous job.."
"You know what an NBA offseason is like.. You know the types of things that work for you.. What are your goals here as you hit the offseason?"
"I'll be back in my MMA gym in a few more days & we'll go from there but overall I just want to keep my body in tip-top shape & get stronger.. I want to work on my 3-point shot & think about different ways I can get my teammates better shots on the floor so we can win games.."
"Lastly, can you give us one word to describe this team?"
"Mm... Winner. These guys are winners at life, on & off the court.."
"Thank you for your time, Tiny. That concludes Tiny Jimenez's 2029-2030 Indiana Pacers' exit interview.."