Defense is something I take pride in. I feel it's just as important as offense. They should have RBIs for defensive plays.

I felt I was good in basketball but I wasn't a blue-chip prospect.

I want to be on that team that wins the world championship here in Chicago and sees the city go crazy.

If you write in the paper 'Lee stinks,' that's not going to affect me. I'll just laugh. And if you write 'Derrek Lee is the best player in the league,' that won't affect me either. I'll laugh.

It's not like I'm an introvert. You get to know me, I can have a conversation with you. But in front of the media, I'm probably more of a quiet guy.

Sometimes it's more fun to compete with your friends, because you can talk a little trash with them.

I miss basketball every now and then.