Character is more important than any other leadership trait.

I found the bench to be the greatest ally when I had to make individuals comply with what was best for the team

I believe one of the requirements of good leadership is the ability to listen - really listen - to those in your organization. An effective leader is very good at listening, and it's difficult to listen when you are talking.

I discovered early on that the player who learned the fundamentals of basketball is going to have a much better chance of succeeding and rising through the levels of competition than the player who was content to do things his own way. A player should be interested in learning why things are done a certain way. The reasons behind the teaching often go a long way to helping develop the skill.

Champions never complain, they are too busy getting better

Although there is no progress without change, not all change is progress.

I also wanted my basketball players to know that I really cared about them. Forget basketball; as a person, I cared, I cared about their family.