At age 31, in 1981, I was voted the best player in basketball, and the most valuable player in the league.

I grabbed 19 rebounds in my first professional game, and somehow found a way to score 20 points. I felt real good about it. I felt that this was the beginning of something good.

If you get depressed about being the second-best team in the world, then you've got a problem.

I think I started learning lessons about being a good person long before I ever knew what basketball was. And that starts in the home, it starts with the parental influence.

Right up until the time I retired at age 37, I felt like there were still things that I could do better.

I firmly believe that respect is a lot more important, and a lot greater, than popularity.

You can feel the vibes, feel the people pulling for you.