Even when there are adverse circumstances, I try to do my job. And I usually do.

This is what I would have done if I had to have a real job: I would have been a history teacher.

I needed to go to class; I needed to go to practice; I needed to have a life away from basketball.

I don't really care who's doing drugs in the NBA as long as the scene isn't adversely affecting my team and teammates. I've known enough drug users-going as far back as grade school and the streets of New York-not to view them as pariahs or lost souls. I've certainly smoked more than my quota of weed.

I had a moment like that with Wilt (Chamberlain). He knocked me out of bounds, I came back and faked him, came across the middle and dunked on him.

But people don't know if I can teach the game. I know I can. My experience in Oklahoma was positive. It opened my eyes to how the game is played - the interaction among players, fans and media, how all that works. You have to know about the business of the game and how the actions of players and coaches affect the business. I think I have it down now.

High school dropouts are forfeiting their opportunity to pursue the American Dream.