The players today reflect how much the game has evolved and changed both in style and culture. [...] The game now has a wider appeal to a larger market.

It's heavy duty to try to do everything and please everybody . . . My job was to go out there and play the game of basketball as best I can, ... People may not agree with that . . . I can't live with what everyone's impression of what I should or what I shouldn't do.

Even when I'm old and grey, I won't be able to play it, but I'll still love the game.

It's a habit of mine now, noticing labels, logos, shoes.

If it turns out that my best wasn't good enough, at least I won't look back and say that I was afraid to try; failure makes me work even harder.

The NBA is the strongest professional sports league in the world. The league and the game is bigger than any one person, Michael Jordan included, and they always will be. I hope that today players, especially our young players, continue to recognize that simple fact. Nothing is more important than the game itself and the fans who support it.

I think the players win the championship, and the organization has something to do with it, don't get me wrong. But don't try to put the organization above the players.