Here are Jabari Bird's quotes from Tuesday's press conference.
Jabari Bird on feeling more adapted to the 30 second shot clock after Australia: "Yeah, definitely. Going out to Australia and playing with their shot clock, I think it definitely was a good first test for us to see how we adjust to the faster game. I think our team's built for that."
Jabari Bird on his health: "I'm one hundred percent. I'm one hundred percent healthy. I'm looking to stay healthy the whole year."
Jabari Bird on his ability to relate to the expectations facing Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb: "Definitely, you know I was in their shoes a few years ago, so I know what they're going through. But as far as them handling the situation and everything, they've been great with it on their own. But if they ever need anything, I'm always open to listen and I like to give advice."
Jabari Bird on whether Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb reduce the load for him and whether or not he wants that load: "Not even. I saw it as we brought in two great players, even a third great player in Roman Davis, and I'm just happy to have them apart of the program."
Jabari Bird on whether or not he felt the pressure: "No. I just think you know, having some health issues is hard, to like miss games and come back and to try to find a rhythm. But that's in the past and I'm just looking forward to this year."
Jabari Bird on his role with the team: "Somebody who plays both ends of the floor, you know, defends at a high level, scores the ball, hits open shots, and just tries to be a leader."
Jabari Bird on his biggest strength: "Scoring, perimeter shooting, I think that's what my strongest attribute is to this team right now. That's what I look to bring."
Jabari Bird on whether he could envision Cal being this good: "Definitely. I didn't come here to lose games. Not be a part of a team that doesn't make the tournament. So, having the class we had coming in this year, and having all the attention we're getting right now is definitely what I like dreamed of coming to Cal and hopefully I can just build on it."
Jabari Bird on why he's confident he can stay healthy: "I think it's maturity. I'm older right now. I'm not as fragile as I used to be, I've been in the weight room a lot, trying to get stronger. I'm eating better so I can have a healthier diet, and I'm just feeling a lot more confidence towards being more physical on the court and not worrying about getting hurt."
Jabari Bird on gaining weight: "Not much more, just muscle more than anything. Probably like 5-7 pounds, maybe."
Jabari Bird on the mental toll injuries had: "I think it a lot to do with the mental part of it. I don't know if I knew it at the time but I guess I kind of used them as an excuse like 'Oh, well, I've been hurt.' It messed with my head, I wasn't as confident on the floor, I wasn't taking good shots, I wasn't really playing defense or anything. I was out there doing nothing and not really helping the team. But, hopefully this year I can stay away from all that and just have a healthy year."
Jabari Bird on being more confident to be assertive on the floor and be a go-to guy: "I have a lot of confidence in myself to do that. I've proven I can do it before in little stints, and I'm just looking to be more consistent in that aspect of my game."
Jabari Bird on the SMU game inspiring him: "That was my freshman year, I'm a junior now, so I don't really have to look back that far for some confidence, because I don't really lack confidence, but yeah, I look back on it from time to time and be like 'That was a good game', my last game of my freshman year, it was a memory and that's all it is right now. A memory. Yeah."
Jabari Bird on his defense: "I think what I've improved on the most defensively is my awareness. Just making sure I stay solid, don't get back cut, and being a good team defender, helping others out when they get beat, too. I think I still need to work on my on-ball defense, keeping my man in front of me as well, but I think my overall attention to detail has improved a lot on the defensive end. Because for Coach Martin, if you want to get significant minutes, you have to play defense."
Jabari Bird on getting rebounds: "Yeah, I definitely reach out for more rebounds this year. I think I have the leaping ability to do that and it's just a mindset."
Jabari Bird on what position he'll play (Mostly 2 or 3?): "Wherever Coach Martin wants to play me at, that's where I'll play, but I'm mainly used as a 2 or a 3, but if we get into foul trouble, I could see myself playing the 4."
Jabari Bird on feeling more adapted to the 30 second shot clock after Australia: "Yeah, definitely. Going out to Australia and playing with their shot clock, I think it definitely was a good first test for us to see how we adjust to the faster game. I think our team's built for that."
Jabari Bird on his health: "I'm one hundred percent. I'm one hundred percent healthy. I'm looking to stay healthy the whole year."
Jabari Bird on his ability to relate to the expectations facing Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb: "Definitely, you know I was in their shoes a few years ago, so I know what they're going through. But as far as them handling the situation and everything, they've been great with it on their own. But if they ever need anything, I'm always open to listen and I like to give advice."
Jabari Bird on whether Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb reduce the load for him and whether or not he wants that load: "Not even. I saw it as we brought in two great players, even a third great player in Roman Davis, and I'm just happy to have them apart of the program."
Jabari Bird on whether or not he felt the pressure: "No. I just think you know, having some health issues is hard, to like miss games and come back and to try to find a rhythm. But that's in the past and I'm just looking forward to this year."
Jabari Bird on his role with the team: "Somebody who plays both ends of the floor, you know, defends at a high level, scores the ball, hits open shots, and just tries to be a leader."
Jabari Bird on his biggest strength: "Scoring, perimeter shooting, I think that's what my strongest attribute is to this team right now. That's what I look to bring."
Jabari Bird on whether he could envision Cal being this good: "Definitely. I didn't come here to lose games. Not be a part of a team that doesn't make the tournament. So, having the class we had coming in this year, and having all the attention we're getting right now is definitely what I like dreamed of coming to Cal and hopefully I can just build on it."
Jabari Bird on why he's confident he can stay healthy: "I think it's maturity. I'm older right now. I'm not as fragile as I used to be, I've been in the weight room a lot, trying to get stronger. I'm eating better so I can have a healthier diet, and I'm just feeling a lot more confidence towards being more physical on the court and not worrying about getting hurt."
Jabari Bird on gaining weight: "Not much more, just muscle more than anything. Probably like 5-7 pounds, maybe."
Jabari Bird on the mental toll injuries had: "I think it a lot to do with the mental part of it. I don't know if I knew it at the time but I guess I kind of used them as an excuse like 'Oh, well, I've been hurt.' It messed with my head, I wasn't as confident on the floor, I wasn't taking good shots, I wasn't really playing defense or anything. I was out there doing nothing and not really helping the team. But, hopefully this year I can stay away from all that and just have a healthy year."
Jabari Bird on being more confident to be assertive on the floor and be a go-to guy: "I have a lot of confidence in myself to do that. I've proven I can do it before in little stints, and I'm just looking to be more consistent in that aspect of my game."
Jabari Bird on the SMU game inspiring him: "That was my freshman year, I'm a junior now, so I don't really have to look back that far for some confidence, because I don't really lack confidence, but yeah, I look back on it from time to time and be like 'That was a good game', my last game of my freshman year, it was a memory and that's all it is right now. A memory. Yeah."
Jabari Bird on his defense: "I think what I've improved on the most defensively is my awareness. Just making sure I stay solid, don't get back cut, and being a good team defender, helping others out when they get beat, too. I think I still need to work on my on-ball defense, keeping my man in front of me as well, but I think my overall attention to detail has improved a lot on the defensive end. Because for Coach Martin, if you want to get significant minutes, you have to play defense."
Jabari Bird on getting rebounds: "Yeah, I definitely reach out for more rebounds this year. I think I have the leaping ability to do that and it's just a mindset."
Jabari Bird on what position he'll play (Mostly 2 or 3?): "Wherever Coach Martin wants to play me at, that's where I'll play, but I'm mainly used as a 2 or a 3, but if we get into foul trouble, I could see myself playing the 4."
