We learn to make a shell for ourselves when we are young and then spend the rest of our lives hoping for someone to reach inside and touch us. Just touch us—anything more than that would be too much for us to bear.

Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory.

What's more important than who's going to be the first black manager is who's going to be the first black sports editor of the New York Times.

Most people have a harder time letting themselves love than finding someone to love them.

The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot.

Durability is part of what makes a great athlete.

I think that David Stern is probably the greatest commissioner that any sport has ever had in the history of this country.

The most important thing to me is the friends that I've made.

People say it was the greatest individual rivalry they've ever seen. I agree with that. Let me assure you that if either Wilt's or Russ' coach had ever told one of them he couldn't guard the other guy, he would have lost that player forever.