I always wanted the ball in my hands with a game on the line, as I think any real competitor does.

The trick in writing children's books is to set up danger, mystery and excitement on page one. Force the kid to turn the page . . . Then in the middle of each chapter there's a dramatic point of excitement, and at chapter's end, a cliffhanger.

I'm just ultracompetitive. I will be till they put me in the grave.

You can't ever totally know what's inside of someone else, or see the kind of will someone like Magic has. You have to rely on your instincts to find people who hate losing and know how to win.

You can't get much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good.

I don't think people fully appreciate the trauma associated with losing. It takes a lot out of you, year after year.

I was disappointed if I didn't have a chance to win a game, and if I had the chance and didn't do it.