People think I would never take on a team that has no legitimate chance to win a championship, This is one of the major misconceptions about me. Success can be measured in many different ways. . . . Either way, I would find the challenge invigorating.

You can't force your will on people. If you want them to act differently, you need to inspire them to change themselves

Yes, victory is sweet, but it doesn't necessarily make life any easier the next season or even the next day.

The sign of a great player is how much he elevates his colleagues' performance.

If you give the future all your attention, the present will pass you by.

Kobe was hell-bent on surpassing Jordan as the greatest player in the game. His obsession with Michael was striking. When we played in Chicago that season, I orchestrated a meeting between the two of them, thinking that Michael might help shift Kobe’s attitude toward selfless teamwork. After they shook hands, the first words out of Kobe’s mouth were, ‘You know I can kick your ass one on one.’

I don't believe in curfews, because you can't treat men like they were boys without forfeiting a certain level of trust.