Although you do look at the big picture, if you're dealing with the now, it can be kind of frustrating. You're losing basketball games, things not going the way you want it to go or should go, but at the same time we've just got to stay with it. Just stay positive, just stay focused, as a team, as a unit, because the ship easily can sink early.

There weren't any sports figures that I idolized because I didn't really believe in myself back then or think that I could make it here. There were some regular people in my neighborhood that I looked up to growing up but that was it.

I smile all the time, even when I'm in a bad mood. I always try to keep a smile on my face.

I got a picture [tattoo] of Mohammed Ali on my side with one of his quotes. That's my guy. I look up to him. I'm like his number one fan.

I say 'come with it.' I'm not expecting anything easy. You have to earn your place. That's fine with me.

I think I am a smarter player now.

I never envisioned myself playing for the U.S. Olympic team -- growing up, I never envisioned playing in the NBA, to be real with you. I never envisioned that type of stuff. So this is like a dream that I never had come true. It's like I'm a part of what's really going on. It's still very hard for me to believe that I am really going to be a part of the biggest thing in the whole entire world.