NBA Finals: Stephon Castle Keeps Spurs' Faith Alive: "We Keep Believing We're Going to Win This Series"

Stephon Castle spoke at San Antonio Spurs practice following their Game 3 victory over the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals. The young wing discussed the locker room's confidence, the importance of not relaxing after going up 2-1, defending Jalen Brunson, the value of competing in hostile environments like Madison Square Garden, and a key philosophy for the Spurs: repeat what works, stick to the process, and maintain aggression.

Q. Going back to your perfect February, when I believe you finished 11-0, then you lost the first game in March and that streak broke. What do you remember about the feeling of winning so many games in a row? Obviously that's what New York is experiencing right now. Does it make you more humble? Does it bring you back down to earth? What do you remember about that?

STEPHON CASTLE: I remember that in February we were having a lot of fun playing basketball and we were simply doing all the right things. We were connected on defense, rebounding our misses, getting ourselves extra shots.

I think losing that first game wasn't really an experience that made us more humble, but it did make us realize that we're not invincible. If we don't do the things we're supposed to do, we're still a team that can be beaten.

I think it simply gave us a vision of how good we are when we do all the right things, and when we play the way we're supposed to play and pay close attention to the details, things become much easier for us.

Yeah, I wouldn't say it made us more humble, but it definitely opened our eyes.

Q. Obviously you had a lot of success getting to the rim last night. Dylan did too. Do you expect the Knicks to play a bit higher, force you to shoot from outside? If so, how do you determine: okay, I have an open three-pointer here, or is this what they want me to do, should I do what I want to do?

STEPHON CASTLE: No matter what, I think it's just about being aggressive, whether that's taking an open three off the catch or taking advantage of that space and still trying to touch the paint. I don't think we've let the defense force us to do anything all year. I feel like they've given us things and, most of the time, we take what they give us.

Overall, we kind of dictate where we want to go on the floor. I think that's a skill that both he and I have, and it's very useful. We just have to keep using it.

Q. You've had success on the road in some hostile environments. What does this group have that allows you to perform in an atmosphere like Madison Square Garden?

STEPHON CASTLE: I think it's just our connection. When you go into environments like this, you kind of expect it in a way. It's something you can't hide from, especially with the goals and aspirations we have for our season. We knew it was a game we had to win.

Yeah, just focus on the things that matter during the game and don't pay too much attention to the crowd. They're going to be there no matter what, especially cheering for their team. You should want to play in those environments. I feel like that's when we play our best basketball.

Q. I don't think you've had a streak of three straight losses all year. What do you attribute that to? Why is this team able to respond?

STEPHON CASTLE: I think our coaches do a good job explaining why we lost most of the time and what we can do to help ourselves. I think we do a good job applying it to the game. Even if it looks bad a couple times or doesn't work the first time, I think our process and staying true to the things we do has helped us all year.

Yeah, we haven't lost three games in a row all year, but I feel like it's exactly for that reason—being able to take a loss, look at it, see what we could do better from it, and apply it right away.

Q. You've defended Brunson quite a bit during this series. He and a lot of the Knicks are really good at the end of possessions. They don't usually panic. They make extra passes even with two seconds left on the shot clock if needed. What's the challenge of defending at the end of possessions and what do you have to do differently as a defender, if anything?

STEPHON CASTLE: Yeah, it's just that extra effort, really, especially when you're defending the ball, if we can force them to do something we want them to do. And then you have to make that late rotation, whether you're on the ball or if we see a man open, we have to defend him.

If I'm on the ball and they swing to the corner and there's another pass, and I have to be there, just making that extra effort gives us a lot more chances to get a stop. I feel like we emphasized that last night. I think our rotations were great.

Q. Last night Wemby said that after games he needs to rest both physically and mentally before going back to watch the game. Kobe was famous for being kind of obsessed with film and getting right into it. What's your process between games and how do you find the balance between staying focused, studying, and also trying to give your mind a little break?

STEPHON CASTLE: I think right after, mental rest is definitely necessary. Today is probably when we'll do most of the film work. Physically, these are very physical games. Both teams are taking hits. We're at the end of the year, so everybody's tired at this point. You know, it's not an excuse.

Everybody needs rest. But I think mentally, going back and watching the game, whether we played well or poorly, that little break definitely helps.

Q. It seems like you played really good defense in terms of rotations and forcing the Knicks to take difficult shots. Were there any adjustments from the defensive side, especially in rotations, being physical on defense?

STEPHON CASTLE: I wouldn't say it's something schematic. I feel like for us it's just something of effort. Like I said before, just making that extra effort. When we have them right where we want them and then they make a good late pass or find an open shooter late, just making that extra effort to try to contest the shot. I feel like that's what helped us.

Q. What was the feeling in the locker room after last night's victory? And how much confidence do you have in going all the way and completing this comeback?

STEPHON CASTLE: I think everybody felt good. I didn't want us to get too happy about a win, feel satisfied and ease off the gas for the next game. But I think since the end of Game 2 we've been believing that we're going to win this series, and that's what we plan to do.

I think we're very connected as a team and we all want to win. I think that's just the generosity that runs through our locker room, and it shows every night.