"I play to win, whether during practice or a real game. And I will not let anything get in the way of me and my competitive enthusiasm to win."

"I hope the millions of people I've touched have the optimism and desire to share their goals and hard work and persevere with a positive attitude."

"It's a heavy duty to try to do everything and please everybody. My job was to go out there and play the game of basketball as best I can and provide entertainment for everyone who wanted to watch basketball. Obviously, people may not agree with that; again, I can't live with what everyone's impression of what I should or what I shouldn't do."

"The best evaluation I can make of a player is to look in his eyes and see how scared they are."

"Theist and atheist: the fight between them is as to whether God shall be called God or shall have some other name."

"A humble soul understands that the purest joy is found in giving without expectation."

"A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history."

"For hundreds of millions of Americans who believe in God, prayer is our bridge between Earth and Heaven, our way of opening our hearts to the Lord. Through this intimate relationship we find peace and guidance."