Golden State Warriors backup point guard Quinn Cook finally has an NBA home after multiple stints with multiple teams. Now, he explains how his time in the Bay has impacted his life and more.
Since being with the Canton Charge for two years, Quinn Cook has been with multiple teams, including the Dallas Mavericks and the New Orleans Pelicans. It seems like he has found a permanent home in the Bay Area and has been playing a key role with the Golden State Warriors.
After being on a two-way contract through much of 2017 and through the early part of 2018, he finally signed a two-year contract back in April, just before the playoffs.
Former NBA player and current Warriors assistant coach Willie Green talked about how the front office should get credit for signing Cook and what he intrigued them as a coaching staff.
"“The credit goes to our upper management for signing Quinn to a two-way deal,” Green said. “But what intrigued us as a staff once Quinn got a chance to play was his performance on the floor when he was given the opportunity. He also is a high character guy off the floor which we loved. He was always supportive of his teammates off the floor when he didn’t play and a genuinely great kid. Combine the two qualities and it’s exactly what we wanted.”"
He was signed to the contract due to the injury of Stephen Curry. In Curry’s absence, Cook has played a key role in the offense. The often-injured Curry has already missed over 10 games this season, plowing a way for Cook to showcase his offensive arsenal.
Cook doesn’t just play behind Curry: he learns from him. He elaborated on that a little bit more as well.
"“Just for my game,” Cook said. “Believe in myself. That’s really it. I just gained a lot of confidence from all of my teammates, coaches and everybody in the organization given me confidence to play my game and I had some success.”"
Green talked about what impressed him the most when Cook started for Curry.
"“What impressed me most was how prepared Quinn was for the moment,” Green said. “He was playing with Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green. You would think as well as Quinn played during that time he was with us all season long. I‘ve seen guys unable to produce on the big stage but Quinn to his credit was ready and all of his teammates and coaching staff rallied around him.”More from Blue Man Hoop3x champion may come to regret forgoing Golden State Warriors reunionGolden State Warriors: History shows USA may need Stephen Curry for more than the Olympics7 players Golden State Warriors might replace Klay Thompson with by the trade deadlineGolden State Warriors villain pours on more pain to end USA’s World CupGolden State Warriors: Stephen Curry continues philanthropic efforts off the court"
With Cook spending a lot of time in the G-League, patiently waiting for an opportunity, he talked about he talked about what he learned during that time to put him in the position he is in today. After all, the top of the mountain doesn’t mean as much as the journey there.
"“Just never take anything for granted,” Cook said. “Stand ready for any opportunity. You never know when you get opportunity. You never know the hour it comes or when it comes. Stay ready and if you fall ten times, get back up eleven times. I just think that’s a great lesson to provide in my journey.”"
With Cook getting more minutes this season with the team, Green expects Cook’s confidence to be very high.
"“I think Quinn is coming in with very high confidence this season, which he should,” Green said. “He was a huge reason we won a championship last season and played a big role with us. On all levels of sports confidence is everything. He has to just continue to believe in himself. And when the opportunity presents itself be ready to take full advantage of it.”"
The move that shocked the NBA and sports world over the summer was when the team signed all-star center DeMarcus Cousins. Cook gave his thoughts on the signing.
"“I was happy,” Cook said. “I was happy that we got better and I was also happy for him that he has an opportunity to get better, to finally show the world what he can do in the playoffs,” Cook said. “He’d never been to the playoffs … Special days in the playoffs. And, you know, we played together in the New Orleans. He’s been my friend for ten plus years so I’m happy to be back around him every day.”"
The Warriors have multiple free agents next summer, which includes Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins and also Cook, who will be a restricted free agent. There have been talks about this being the last go-around for the team, however, Cook does not feel it will be the last year for this team being together.
"“I definitely think this will stick together for a couple more years, obviously,” Cook said. “We just focused on this year and the task at hand. I think everybody notices that we have something special here at Golden State. We all like each other. We all seem to be happy for each other so I think this will be around for a while.”"
Over the course of the summer and the offseason, players will usually workout and practice and work on their game. Coaches sometimes join in on the workouts and training too, but, due to the long season, head coach Steve Kerr did not think it was necessary as he trusts his players.
"“We did not work much together this summer,” Green said. “Coach Kerr believes our guys need a little break from the staff after a long season. But we trust that all of our guys are going to evaluate areas that they can improve and come back better the next season.”"
Cook confirmed that he worked on everything regarding his game this past summer.
Cook talked about the goals for him and the team this season.
"“For everybody’s to get better,” Cook said. “For everybody to stand ready and being the best player they can be in their role, really. And for myself, to just keep getting better. Keep learning from all of these guys. And I want to have a long NBA career so I just want to keep learning as much as possible.”"
Green talks about what he feels Cook needs to work on the most within his game.
"“I think what Quinn is adding to his arsenal is impacting the game defensively as well as offensively,” Green said. “We know Quinn can score at a high level. We want him to continue that. But also defensively pressuring opposing guards full court just being a pest on the defensive end will add to his value.”"
Green was shocked no other teams in the league signed Cook when they had the opportunity too. But, he says the Warriors organization is happy to have him on their team.
"“Knowing how good Quinn is as a player and person yes, I am surprised that other teams did not sign him before we did,” Green said. “However, I think we are all thrilled we have Quinn in our organization. I can’t say enough good things about him. He is a winner. He works extremely hard. His teammates love him. Quinn will have a long career in the NBA because he understands how to be a pro on and off the floor. We are so happy to have him in the Warriors organization.”"
The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in the NBA Finals this past summer, marking it three out of the four years they’ve been in The Finals they won a title. However, this was Cook’s first NBA title.
"“It was great to beat Cleveland,” Cook said. “The group of guys that we had and go through the season that we did, obviously to finish off with a championship, it was a great feeling.”"
We appreciate Cook and Green taking their time to talk with us and hope you enjoyed getting to know them a bit better.