The minute you get away from fundamentals – whether its proper technique, work ethic or mental preparation – the bottom can fall out of your game, your schoolwork, your job, whatever you’re doing.

People say they wish they were Michael Jordan. OK, do it for a year. Do it for two years. Do it for five years. When you get past the fun part, then go do the part where you get into cities at three a.m. and you have fifteen people waiting for autographs when you're as tired as hell.

How many times have your parents told you not to do things, and the next thing you know, you go do it? And you realized you shouldn't have done it.

I don't do things half-heartedly. Because I know if I do, I can expect half-hearted results. Most people get it the honest way by setting their goals and committing themselves to achieving their goals. That's the only way I did it anyway. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.

I knew where I wanted to go, what kind of player I wanted to become and I focused on getting there.

Accept a loss as a learning experience, and never point fingers at your teammates

My body could stand the crutches but my mind couldn't stand the sideline.