Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

I don't blame David Stern because a player gets on the court and he doesn't put out competitively. No one can make you play if you don't want to play.

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

Now, I guess, people want stars. People are trying to invent stars.

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

Who do I think was the greatest? This might shock you: Elgin Baylor. He did so many great things. Nobody could guard him, playing in the forward spot. I'd love to see some of today's greats playing against Elgin. They couldn't guard him. Nobody could.

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

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.

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

I don't think that players learn how to play any other aspect of the game in high school or college.

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

When you play against different people from all walks of life you can't do the same thing against every player defensively or offensively. You have to change up the way you go at a player.

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

You look at today, it's a different situation. You have a game that has been transformed into a game where almost every shot is either an outside shot - a three-point shot - or a dunk.

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

But I think the image that's thrown out on television is a bad image. Because you see players who want to imitate hip-hop stars. And the NBA is taking advantage of the situation.

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

Basketball is basketball.

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

But I like to think an athlete is an athlete.

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

But if people are buying the products, naturally they're gonna use them.

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

I think that basketball players should get the job done no matter how it looks on the screen.

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

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

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

I think that teaching coaches are the norm now.

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

I was taught to play that way when I was in high school and even before I got to high school.

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

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.

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

If you're a basketball player, you've got to shoot.

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

It's a sad commentary when I have to say that sometimes in our country we are real sensitive to race.

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

It's like all guys want to do is make a dunk, grab their shirt and yell out and scream - they could be down 30 points but that's what they do. Okay, so you made a dunk. Get back down the floor on defense!

Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson

Some players are more physical than others, some play with more finesse. Some are just really great all-around players. So you have to change your game.