You've got to learn the footwork, the positioning, how to box out, how to pass, how to shoot your free throws. All these things are necessary, not to be the No. 1 player in the world, but maybe you can play against him.

But I like to think an athlete is an athlete.

I think that everyone should be able to dribble. Everyone should be able to pass. Otherwise, why are you out there?

The players have no real self-esteem when it comes to putting the best image out there in a real competitive fashion.

I think no one has written a history of the great coaches who were around 30 to 40 years ago who taught the fundamentals.

When I started playing, I wasn't fast, I was gangly, my jumpshot was terrible.

I'd like to think that the nature of the two teams - Boston being a championship team over the years and the Lakers, same thing - was a lot bigger than Larry Bird or Magic Johnson.