I was never one to feed into what the media was saying about us, especially out there in Portland because I was so in-touch with the people everyday.
If I retire from this league and I haven't won at least one championship, I'll feel like all my years in the league would be a failure.
Two minutes, 30 minutes, whatever, as long as I'm contributing to the team for the 'W.' If I score a point and we win, hey, it's the sorriest point I've ever scored but we got the win.
I lived across the street from my elementary school, and in the schoolyard we could always go play there and know we were safe.
Every kid likes to be read to, or just even have an adult play with them, no matter if it's little girls with a tea party or boys playing in the dirt, it's all part of being a kid. It's something we all went through.
Some of the technicals I deserved. Cussing at the officials or throwing something. But some of them I didn't deserve.
A wise man knows when to go 'head and back off so you gotta pick and choose your fights. I know how to pick and choose.
Two of my bread and butters are my ankle and knee. That's why I always wore high-tops. I had to protect my ankles no matter if I taped my ankles or wore ankle braces. I gotta protect my ankles. Gotta protect the money maker. That's why I've always rocked the Air Force 1s. Of course, I put in orthotics in there 'cause these joints is flat.
Of course, everyone knows my history as far as technical fouls, but I don't think you can match the intensity that I bring to the floor.
To me it seemed in college ball, guys are more hungry. It's for a different circumstance when you're talking about playing for money and playing for heart. Not saying that guys in the NBA don't play for heart, but once you get that money, you're under a different mindset.