I know I put forth an effort to try to build a championship team and to be a champion. And it hasn't worked out.
I think winning a championship, for me, it put things in perspective. You can either be a great player on a so-so team, or you can be a role player on a championship team, or, in an extreme case, a great player on a championship team.
For me, my first big heartbreak is actually sports-related. The team went out and got spanked on our home field. I'll never forget how I cried after the game, because I'd been denied the opportunity to help the team in the championship game. It was like the coach forgot what had gotten us there. So, I never got to hold the trophy or savor a state championship. And I'll never forget that first bitter heartbreak.
If you're going to be a championship-caliber team or a threat to be a championship-caliber team you have to play a 200-foot game and you have to produce on both ends of the ice.
It's very tough to build a championship team. It takes time and good players, and you have to get lucky as well.
An opportunity to help a team to a championship would be very appealing.
It's all about the team first, then myself. As I continue to help the team, I'll continue to build on my success, but it all starts with the team.
In general, if I owned a sports team, no matter what team it was, and someone asked me, 'Hey, you won the championship. Would you go to the White House?' I'd say, hey, guys, you won the championship. You decide what you want to do.
Passing and defense are two things that help build your team, brings the best out of people.
It doesn't change much, my job from one team to the another. What I bring to the table. Helping the team be better and helping the young teams grow and help the talent already here. Get the best out of them.
I tell our team all the time, nobody once in the history of this great game - nor will they ever, I hope - has stood at a championship stage or podium holding a championship trophy and say, 'We out-finessed everybody.'
I don't build championship teams, I build championship boys.
You can take a sidewards step in the Premier League, go to a team in the Championship or come to a team in League One.
After I left the Nets, I found out what it takes to not just make the Finals, but to win a championship. I think I have a sense now of how you build a championship structure and how you maintain that structure.
The way I figure is we win as a team and we lose as a team, but I've got to figure out some way where I can have a better April and help the team get off to a better start. I normally heat up when it gets warm, but it would be nice to come out of April and everybody is chasing you.
I've played center, power forward. Wherever I can help my team be successful, whether that's playing power forward or center, I'm going to come out and do my job. Nothing changes.