#love that heika came in to impart Deep Meaning to a fist bump

[kitnita]

mavrik bourque pre-game   —   MIN vs DAL   —   12.27.24 

[how’s your relationship with roope been so far? it seems like you two are starting to get some chemistry.]   yeah, it’s been good. um, roope’s one of the guys that, uh, kind of took me under his wing since, since i got here and, uh … no, it’s, it’s fun, and he, uh — he doesn’t talk much but, uh, he just most of the time tells me to play my game, and — and, be confident. i think that’s his main point about me is, be confident. and he said he was there in the past, his first year here, and, um … yeah, just play my game and make some plays out there.  [you played a lot of center. does it give you an idea of what he’s trying to do as well, ‘cause you know what he’s thinking?]   uh, yeah, obviously he’s a — well, he’s a different type of player than me, he’s big, strong, and really fast, so, um … but obviously you always learn from those guys every day.  [i think he gave you a fist-bump, i asked about this earlier, in the middle of the game. how — what’s it like, the process of a young guy getting into the league and getting that relationship where a veteran is saying ‘hey, great job?’ i think that’s gotta be a great feeling.]   yeah. yeah, you want, uh, obviously, he’s driving that line and, uh, you want — for my side, just playing my game, and, um. i think i just gotta stay focused and like i said, if i start to do stuff that i’m not usually used to or trying to fit too much, that’s where you get in trouble, so, i’m just trying to play my game and uh, i think my game can fit with those two guys.