Quotes of All Topics . Occasions . Authors
It's tough to stay focused and be able to separate life from our job. We are paid to perform, and we are performers. You gotta have good brothers to lean on.
I grew up in the '80s in an era that was tough. The Pistons, Celtics, Knicks, Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason. It wasn't dirty. It was just men playing basketball.
I always wanted to do NBA Cares but they didn't want me to represent the league. I just did Matt Cares instead. I went to Africa by myself to do camps and clinics.
I was playing tackle football in the street at five years old. Always being physical. Always being tough, just like a man's man. It was just always about being tough.
My kids' happiness kind of outweighs everything. Just seeing the smiles on their faces and the anticipation leading up to Christmas is what I love now, having kids of my own.
I'm all for a great fan environment to cheer us if we're home and boo us if we're the opposing team. But some fans are over the line with the stuff they say, the stuff they do.
Yeah, I'm doing some stuff behind the camera. Producing and directing. I feel like my face has been on TV enough in my lifetime that people don't need to see me like that anymore.
I mean, don't get me wrong, being ref is a very tough job - managing 10 of the best athletes in the world. At the same time, I think there is way too much ego from their standpoint.
I was blessed to play 15 years, especially not even supposed to have made it. So, to be able to play 15 years, win a championship, I think that basketball chapter of my life is done.
It's a business when the NBA cuts you, trades you or waives you. But you're a villain, as a player, when you take your future and your happiness in your own hands and it's unfortunate.
I started Athletes vs Cancer as a way to honor my mother, but now giving back has become a part of who I am, and more importantly, this is a key value I hope to pass on to my own sons.
You have to stay locked in. You're so locked in on guarding your guy you figure when the ball goes up the bigs are going to get it. But the possessions not over until you get the rebound.
Even though the city of Memphis and this organization has welcomed me with open arms, I play every game like it's my last. Play as hard as I possibly can. Been no different my whole career.
My mom was my rock, my confidant and my best friend. She was an elementary school teacher who worked with students with disabilities and she lived every day giving back to her family and her community.
I just think, obviously as players, we're held to a higher standard. I've had to watch myself on that, but I think if we're held to higher standards, the owners should be held to even higher standards.
Athletes vs Cancer is a foundation that I started in 2008 after I lost my mom to cancer in 2007, and our goal is early detection, preventative screening and just really spreading knowledge about the cancer disease.
I think what I came from and what I saw molded me into a certain person. Nothing was ever wrapped or a silver spoon, so I don't think I would know how to live and I don't think I'd want to live if it wasn't a grind.
This social media era is giving us a more in-depth look at our favorite people, and it's all aspects, from music to movies to television to sports. I think it has been somewhat of a distraction at times, but also a huge benefit.
When you're in one of the biggest media markets and you have a good team and you're predicted to do well, if you struggle at any point, they're going to come after you. Even when you're playing well, you're not winning by enough.
Overall, Twitter has been a great tool for myself and my family as far as promoting our charity and the events we do and really just kind of interacting with our fans. But it can be in the negative form, and guys have to be careful.
Ever since I lost my mom, I'm really just trying to give back. At first, we were doing screenings and paying for surgeries, but now I've been fortunate enough to team with UCLA, and we're creating a scholarship program for kids who beat cancer.
I was one of those guys that really had to fight to make it in this league. Early on, I really had to do whatever it took, whether it be fight, rough people up, to make the team. I looked at it as it's either me or them - and it was going to be me.
Some guys didn't have fathers. Some guys grew up with great dads but the weight of fatherhood shifts onto their shoulders because they make millions now. Some guys are away from their kids or divorced. I'm letting them all know they aren't alone when it comes to fatherhood issues and to encourage them to make time for their kids.
I think social media is a double-edged sword for athletes and celebrities. I think sometimes it's the worst thing. It gives people who are kind of cowardly the opportunity to kind of take an open shot at you or your family and say the craziest, most outrageous thing that they can think of, knowing that they would never say that to your face.
Co-parenting is probably the toughest situation that I've had to deal with because my ex and I really just don't get along. So, at the end of the day, I would tell any parents listening that once you're separated from your significant other - the father of your children, the mother of your children - the most important thing is the kids' happiness.