As far as playing, I didn't care who guarded me - red, yellow, black. I just didn't want a white guy guarding me, because it's disrespect to my game.

Once you are labeled 'the best' you want to stay up there, and you can't do it by loafing around.

In the closing seconds of every game, I want the ball in my hands for the last shot - not in anybody else's, not in anybody else's in the world.

First master the fundamentals.

I think you have to work very hard and dedicate yourself and have the respect of your teammates before you're about to go out and just try to take a game over by yourself.

But it is a black man's game, and it will be forever.

The best player I ever played with was Dennis Johnson.