Once you are labeled 'the best' you want to stay up there, and you can't do it by loafing around. read more

Once you are labeled 'the best' you want to stay up there, and you can't do it by loafing around. If I don't keep changing. I'm history.

The first time I shot the hook, I was in fourth grade, and I was about five feet eight inches read more

The first time I shot the hook, I was in fourth grade, and I was about five feet eight inches tall. I put the ball up and felt totally at ease with the shot. I was completely confident it would go in and I've been shooting it ever since.

I hate them with all the hate you can hate with. Can you hate more than that? If you can, read more

I hate them with all the hate you can hate with. Can you hate more than that? If you can, I hate them more than that.

You don't play against opponents, you play against the game of basketball.

You don't play against opponents, you play against the game of basketball.

If I weren't earning $3 million a year to dunk a basketball, most people on the street would run in read more

If I weren't earning $3 million a year to dunk a basketball, most people on the street would run in the other direction if they saw me coming.

The key is not the "will to win" . . . everybody has that. It is the will to prepare read more

The key is not the "will to win" . . . everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important.

Mental toughness is to physical as four is to one.

Mental toughness is to physical as four is to one.

Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.

Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.

When I was young, I never wanted to leave the court until I got things exactly correct. My dream was read more

When I was young, I never wanted to leave the court until I got things exactly correct. My dream was to become a pro.