Timing is everything in this league, and I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I never lost my confidence. Atlanta was changing coaches and systems. I knew they'd make personnel changes.
Guys pay extra attention to detail. They are looking at every little thing on the scouting report.
Mark Jackson played 19, 20 years in the NBA. Shouldn't even have probably been in the league, and he's the third-ranked assist guy in the NBA. But you describe his game: Can he jump? No, not really. How's his outside shot? Eh, it's inconsistent. Can he defend? Nah, he can't stay in front of guys. And he played 19 years!
I like to dribble to Queen's 'Another One Bites the Dust.'
Kobe Bryant should know how to defend a pick and roll.
The one thing in most communities, the staple is the basketball court. And when that looks good, I think the community feels good about itself, knowing that people care and have an opportunity to not only play there, but it's also a social meeting place.
When you play, you get an opportunity to hone your craft.
I think that for me, as a UNC graduate, I value my education - I think everyone who's gone to that university values education.
The Rockets have a philosophy of what they think their coach should be.
That's all my brother and I do, talk basketball, and I'd like to think I bring some of that casual quality with me on the air.
When someone is in 'the struggle,' which many of our black communities are in, they are living with a lack of educational facilities, high unemployment, and poor recreational facilities.
It's not always the result. It's the journey to get to the result.
There are a lot more famous fathers out there than me with daughters who wouldn't mind singing careers... but the talent and the work ethic have to be on point. Kayla's blessed to have all that.
The expectation levels aren't as high because a team is expected to win on its home court. That takes a little of the pressure off us on the road.
You can dribble on carpet. I grew up in Queens, and we had carpet in our living room. And actually, even in some of these gymnasiums where we're playing the game, we're on carpet. If you're 12 or 13 years old, you've dribbled on the carpet in your mom's house.
You really don't believe that winning at home or winning on the road makes a difference. The Lakers have that mind-set. They don't look at it as 'We're at home, we're on the road.'
NCAA is looking at how to do a better job enforcing their rules instead of looking at why the predatorial environment is created. There's a predatorial environment that their rules have created, which makes people feel undervalued.
I want people to know that it's all right to come back to New Orleans. You can drink the water. The only way that the city can come back is if you come back. Tourism is a big part of it.
You don't get the accolades unless you win. It took me a while to understand. No one will remember how Kenny Smith played in Game 1 unless we win the series. The thrill is in winning.
When you're from New York, people take a second look at you. In Virginia, the other players always asked about the fast life we live. They want to know about the crime. As a player, they expect you to be able to do things that excite a crowd. And they always want to beat you. You're the New Yorker.
