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.

[The NBA] used to be a small band of basketball groupies. Now there are a lot more corporate-type people working in the league.

I enjoy winning, but more importantly I enjoy the people I'm around.

When time is running out and the score is close, most players are thinking, I don't want to be the one to lose the game, but I'm thinking, What do I have to do to win?

As you get older, every chance to win a championship is more crucial, because you are going to have less and less of them.

I've seen a lot in my life. I've seen a lot of winning. I've seen a lot of testing times. I think when you're tested, you really find out what you're made of.

The only thing I care about is winning. That's all. If you don't want to win, you don't want to be around me.