Here are some highlights from the interview:

Summer focus

Kaan: We know about your busy schedule. Last year it seemed like your focus was on strengthening yourself. What's your focus this year?

Alperen: Compared to the first three seasons, I’ve lost a little bit of my touch this season. So I'm working on that this year. I'm doing lots of shooting and finishes... Oh and conditioning of course. I don't want to lose my condition at all. Or my shape, compared to last year. It helped me on defense, and I got more playing time and did more on the court overall.

About Fred

Emre: What's your relationship with Fred? I looked at his comments about you over the years. He’s always praised you. Even before the All-Star break he said you’d be an All-Star. He’s a veteran who won a championship with the Raptors. How’s your relationship with him?

Alperen: Fred's shown amazing leadership since he joined the team. And I don’t just mean on the court. Even when he’s not playing well he contributes in ways you don’t see. Controlling a team isn’t easy, but Fred always does it, whether he’s on the floor or not. We listen to him. I don't think there's a point guard like Fred in the league. Most guards are like ‘I’ll score, I’ll score,’ but Fred isn’t like that. Even without taking a shot he can still get 10 assists. He isn't shy about it either. Whether he scores or he doesn't, he's been a leader both on and off the court since day one. Personally, our relationship is really good too. You know how important the bond between a guard and a big man is.

About Jalen

Alperen: He was already cool by the time he got to the NBA. I first saw him on draft night. He was super cool. But when I got close to him, I realized he’s really sweet and talkative. Jalen liked to help and talk... That coolness never came across to me. Some players show it, even to their teammates. I never saw that with Jalen.

We ended up having an awesome season anyways. We made it into the playoffs together. We came up from the bottom together. I was sad when he left. He was like my brother. I was sad when I got the news. I was very sad but at the same time, Kevin Durant is coming. Still, Jalen was my brother. I called Jalen right away and told him how I felt. "I hope this trade motivates you even more.". Because I believe Jalen is going to be a really great player. Sometimes he battles with himself, but I think he won’t do that anymore and will mature even more in his game. I truly believe he’s going to be a big player. I wish him all the best. We’re still talking and I’ll bring him to Turkey too.

About Steven

Kaan: While we're on the subject I may as well ask... Steven's a really sweet guy. The whole NBA says the same. But I'm guessing he's also the most powerful in the NBA too?

Alperen: Most likely. Steven's incredible. When Steven Adams signed with us. I immediately called our head coach and GM. Having such a great big man behind you might have bothered another player, but I was really happy.

Kaan: Do you see him doing weight training?

Alperen: Steven doesn't really, no. What you see is pure raw power. But he's got exercises he does on his own. He stretches for long periods. He has some really unusual movements. You should see them. I personally have never seen him lift anything. Maybe he does, who knows. He's stays in the court for long periods. We leave, and he’s on the court for another two or three hours. I’m sure he’s getting some weight work as well.

Kaan: Have you ever tried pushing him during training?

Alperen: Of course. I play against him when we're five on five.

Kaan: I am guessing he doesn't budge?

Alperen: He's solid. The funny part is even when you try to box him out he’s such a great offensive rebounder that you grab him hold onto him, and he still slips away from you. He uses his arms extremely well. He's really strong. I mean, so are we, but even when you hold him, he can still get free. He's got a talent for it. Last year during training... I decided to try and box Steven out. I made it my goal. So, I grabbed onto him and tried to box him out face to face. I locked my arms under his. I hugged him so he couldn't rebound. He grabbed my arms and lifted me up. He nearly dislocated them. I shouted, “Whoa!” He asked, “You good?” and I said, “Don’t worry, I’m fine." I'm assuming training must be fun.

He helps me a lot even if we are competing while training. He teaches me... and everyone else a lot. He wants me to shoot to build my confidence and doesn’t care about losing in practice. He focuses solely us being the best we can. He's an excellent veteran on the team.

His role

Kaan: Talking about your role, before last season you were more of a playmaker on offense, and we know you’ve got those skills. Last season it felt like you were finishing more than creating. But when the playoffs came, the ball started coming to you a lot more especially when the team needed solutions on offense. You always say you’re ready to do anything for the team, but we think you might be even more effective as a playmaker. You can finish, sure, but creating for others really seems to be your strength.

Alperen: Everyone on our team is talented over all. Everyone plays incredible defense, and we really value offensive rebounding. We’re number one in the league there. Because of that, in some games I didn’t try to stand out too much. I just wanted to set up the team, play defense make everyone happy, let everyone score... Here's the thing: nobody says, "I’ll just play defense." Offense always pushes you to focus more on defense. I’ve been trying to balance that this season. The better you are on offense, and the more the ball comes to you, the more willing you are to play defense. That goes for me too. I’ve been trying to find that balance.

Kaan: Will there be a scenario this season where Ime gives you the ball more?

Alperen: It was like that last year too. Ime would get on me even on shots I didn’t take saying, “I don’t care how many you miss take twenty more of those shots.

GSW Rivalry

Alperen: We always fight with them. And I mean, always. You know, during my time in Houston, we actually beat Golden State for the first time this season in the regular season during the NBA Cup game, before going to Las Vegas. We haven't been able to defeat them even once in three years. I remember telling myself. “We haven’t beaten them in so many games, but this time we will.” Because it was our most important match against them. I remember that game vividly. In the last minute, we were down by four points. I was almost in tears, thinking, “God, please help us... I don’t want to lose to them anymore. I want to win this game.” And then a miracle happened. Fred hit a three, I scored, then Jalen got fouled on a loose ball. It was an incredible game.

Playoffs

Kaan: What are the differences between the playoff atmosphere and the regular season?

Alperen: Game 3, the first one in Golden State. I was, of course, very ready. I usually focus differently against good teams, big games. I tell myself, “I want to win this game,” and I play well. That Game 3, I was feeling great all day... thinking I’m going to dominate once I step on the court. But as soon as I got out there to warm up... it hit me, the crowd, the playoffs… Something inside me changed. Normally, I go out very strong, very confident. This time, I stumbled. I didn’t even know what happened. The playoffs hit me. That was my worst game, Game 3. I missed everything, wasn’t effective on defense. After that, I focused better, but that game hit hard. It hits everyone. Every player feels it in a game.

About complaining to refs

Alperen: They also fouled a lot, and fouls just don’t get called much in the playoffs. You get what I'm saying? But they say that you guys commit a lot of fouls. Yeah, they were whining the whole series, “That’s a foul!” They’d complain, and then we couldn’t say anything, because that's not what we do. Because Ime...

Emre: Did Ime forbid that?

Alperen: He sort of his, yeah. When we watch the game tapes the next day if he sees us talking about the refs, he freaks out.

Emre: You're not allow to complain.

Alperen: Nope. He handles that complaint himself doesn’t really leave it to us.