The odds were against me when I arrived at Central Arkansas. I was barely 6-foot-2 and didn't have a scholarship. But I always felt I could make it to the NBA; it was as if I had foreseen my future, and I knew I would make it.
It takes locking in on the task at hand and honing in on what you need to do in order to be successful in the NBA postseason.
While I dealt with my share of injuries throughout my career, I was fortunate to have been healthy for the majority of our run in the 1990s. The same can be said about Michael Jordan.
As a player, NBA All-Star Weekend contains a lot of joy and a lot of excitement. Even with all the hype built into the game, it's really a special honor to be selected among many great players.
I don't believe being a Hall of Famer is based on individual accolades. I think winning has a lot to do with it. But perhaps more than that, you simply have to show that you are the best or among the best at what you do.
If you can prove that you're in that elite class on a consistent basis, it speaks volumes about a player's longevity. It also says that as a player, you were steady, stable, and great and that you deserve to be recognized.
It's not common for your best player to also be your most unselfish player.
Chemistry is a very important element for any team that wants to be serious about winning.
Pau Gasol is one of the best big men in the game.
When you speak of the Pat Rileys, the Phil Jacksons, you have to speak of Don Nelson and the success that he has had in the game.
When you look at Jerry Sloan teams, they're all very disciplined. They execute well. They play within themselves.
When it's late in a game and things are tough and you need a basket, someone has to step up. That player has to have the ability to create opportunities and draw fouls.
To be named as one of the finalists for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2010 on Friday was a special moment for me. As a player, it's something that you dream about. It's an honor that you have to earn based on your career and the respect from your peers around you.
Being in the Hall of Fame is where any player wants to be at the end of his career. It's somewhat of a last step for a player in terms of their career, and it's a place where you'll always be remembered for what you accomplished.
There are no guarantees in the league, and the challenges will always be there.
I prefer starting. Anyone in this league does.
I loved playing against the Pacers and Reggie Miller. Reggie was a great competitor, and I enjoyed playing against competitors.
I'm thankful that I was able to have a long, healthy career for the most part.
I wasn't given a scholarship out of high school, and that allowed me to learn what hard work was early on.
I will always be a part of the game.
