Basketball isn't just about the bright lights, packed arenas and highlight reels. Basketball is a way of life. Basketball is a relationship between you and the ball, you and your teammates. If you love the game, nobody can take that from you.

When I worked on my game, that's what I thought about. When it happened, I set another goal, a reasonable, manageable goal that I could realistically achieve if I worked hard enough. I guess I approached it with the end in mind. I knew exactly where I wanted to go, and I focused on getting there.

Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try.

I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.

Playing sick. That is so hard to do. It has to be a total mental challenge, as well as the physical challenge.

Each time I step on the basketball court, I never know what will happen. I live for the moment. I play for the moment.

I smoked my first cigar in 1991, when we won the championship. Up to that point, I had never smoked a cigar, never smoked anything.