"CNN/Sports Illustrated: A Player for the Ages"

“You can make all the excuses you want, but if you're not mentally tough and you're not prepared to play every night, you're not going to win.”

“When thou was a player, I didn't expect my teammates to play the way I did. I did expect them to work hard hard every day and get better. And I never learned anything by losing.”

“I hate to lose more than I like to win.”

“I know the rigors of the NBA and what these guys can expect. I know my job is to prepare them, to get them in shape. We'll find a good offense and a good defense. And then let's do it.”

“I've always been interested in jobs in the NBA. But I've been in this for 20 years and it might be time to do something else.”

“The guy has been there. What he tells us is not just what he believes deep down, but what he knows, because he has been through it.”