Basketball Quotes

They scored 26 points in three quarters. That's solid defense.

It's not tough at all as long as the fans are yelling, screaming and hollering.

No one missed more basketball in the history of NBA than I did. I played 14 seasons, on the roster for 14 years, and I missed more than nine-and-a-half full seasons.

Tracy McGrady is doing things we've never seen from anybody - from any planet!

At 49, I can say something I never would have said when I was a player. I am a better person because of my failures and disgraces.

I'm going to be working on my shot. Working on extending my range. Keep working on everything, and really studying the game.

Teams want me to do something stupid. You want to get to the point where nothing affects you, where you control them.

We lived in Yorkville until 1940, at which point we moved into the St. Albans neighborhood of Queens.

Bob Brannum was my body guard on the court. He was 6'-6 and built like a bulldog.

The NBA wasn't a big deal at that time, so it wasn't really in my career plans.

I grew up in the heart of the Depression.

We had a strong relationship with Walter Brown, and felt that he was the best owner in the league.

Cooper was my road roommate, and also happened to be the first African American player drafted by a National Basketball Association team.

My biggest win was getting the meal money bumped from $5 to $7.

Russell joined the team in December, 1956, following the Olympics.

That seemed to be the case with most of the teams based in the smaller towns - the fans were more rabid, and they wanted to literally kill the opposition.

How do you build a successful organization or culture? It's the people. The people part, in business and basketball, is huge.

When The Phenoix Suns are missing two basketballs, they'll know where to look!

There are times when my passion for basketball led me into confrontations that I could have handled a lot better. I've always been too confrontational, especially when I know I'm right.

Good basketball always starts with good defense!

I always designed my practice plans the night before and then made tweaks a few hours before practice began

I hate casual shooting. Every shot is preceded by working to get open and catch and shoot under game like conditions

If I came in to recruit your son, I would tell you, your wife, and your son, that I will be the most demanding coach your son can play for.

Walking has been ridiculous in college basketball the past 15 years.

Every year it's been people saying I can't do this or I can't do that. Y'all will see something different, I can tell you that.

To go out there and play and have fun and hopefully win a championship. That's my goal.

Man, I think the sky is the limit for this team.

We're still getting better as a team. We're still learning how to play basketball as a team and how to win tough games.

I sail, scuba dive, play football, basketball.

My teammates know I'm down to earth. I'll joke with them. But when it comes to basketball, I try to be serious about it.

I just go out there and play basketball. God's given me the ability. The only thing I can do is go out and play.

Being black or white isn't an accomplishment. What you do with your life - or what you accomplish with your life - dictates what you should be proud of.

I came to the realization a couple months ago that I am fat. If you get tired from walking - and that's all that golf is - then you are officially fat.

I don't think of myself as giving interviews. I just have conversations. That gets me in trouble.

I'm just what America needs: another unemployed black man. (on his retirement from basketball)

I think that the team that wins game five will win the series. Unless we lose game five.

I don't know what that gas is made of, but it can't smell any worse than Ernie Johnson 's gym bag.

I love New York City; I've got a gun.

Defense can't guard two things in a row.

Flowers are the free throw of love. You're looking for the clutch three-pointer from downtown.

There's a great quote by Julius Irving that went, 'Being a professional is doing the things you love to do, on the days you don't feel like doing them.'

It's not the NBA Finals, it's not even a regular-season game. It's the All-Star game, it's a celebration. A celebration of talent, speed, grace. Let's put it on display and have some fun.

The best way to build team chemistry is the way Rupp used to substitute, when they fouled out.

Any old coach will say the game was meant for finesse. It's a beautiful game, especially on television.

Why should I try to make you believe the things I believe in?

I'm trying to find new ways to make this game more attractive.

I've been homeless. I've worked at 7-Eleven.

I don't fit into the mold of the NBA man, and I think I've been punished financially for it.

When a high-profile personality lives like I do, everybody thinks that person is fated to die young.

Some people want to have controversy between the races.