Every time a shot went up, I put a body on someone. You have to to get a rebound. It's not just about jumping.

It was very difficult. I knew I had to box out every shot and rebound, but they were just really big.

We just work really well as a team. No one cares about their point totals. If there's an open person, we're going to pass it to them. We're all about that and stopping the other team.

It's not always about the points. You need to bring energy to the game and defense comes first. You create offensive opportunities by playing great defense.

That gave me confidence I could play with it. Now I'm used to it. Playing without it would be like playing without my ankles taped.

Just as the would-be debutante will fret and fuss over every detail till all is perfect, so will the fastidious feline patiently toil until every whiskertip is in place.