I know, basketball is a dance. I didn't understand the significance of that type of training at first. I was supposed to read poems.

As a star you never know when people are really serious.

I wanted to avoid service, because I was on the road to becoming a professional basketball player.

I'm not the kind of guy who just goes up to women.

When I think about my MVP season, I will also think about the loss to Golden State. But winning the award as Most Valuable Player of the NBA is just a huge honour. I didn't really realise how big it was until Mark Cuban had tears in his eyes at the award ceremony.

Off the floor I'm really laid back, like nothing really fazes me too much. But on the floor I do get emotional and a little carried away. However, I started playing when I was 13 to have fun with my teammates, and that never stopped. I enjoy traveling and having fun in the locker room with the guys. Life is too short to be miserable.

I thought basketball was a game for women. My mother played basketball, and so did my sister.