As far as carrying the torch for the years to come, I don't know. I just want to be the best basketball player I can be.

You're my backbone. You're a blessing. You're a piece of my heart. You're the air I breathe. And you're the strongest person I know, and I'm so sorry for having to put you through this and having to put our family through this.

I write all day and outline stories, a sports mythological universe.

It's wonderful for the players. It's a huge challenge and a huge responsibility for us to get our act together, get our butts in gear. Phil isn't going to bail us out because of our mental lapses.

I focus on one thing and one thing only - that's trying to win as many championships as I can.

He [Phil Jackson] is such a basketball genius in terms of the details of the game, the little nuances of the game and the rhythm of the game.

Basketball is my refuge, my sanctuary. I go back to being a kid on the playground. When I get here, it's all good.