I used a lot of visualization in terms of who I would be guarding and who would be guarding me. When I was walking down the street for, say, lunch, I’d imagine those individuals in front of me. I’d imagine going around them.

Isaiah Thomas

I would tell players to relax and never think about what’s at stake. Just think about the basketball game. If you start to think about who is going to win the championship, you’ve lost your focus.

Micheal Jordan

It’s what you get from games you lose that is extremely important.

Pat Riley

In all the research you do as a coach, studying other coaches and championship-type situations, you find that all those teams combined talent with great defense. You’ve got to stop other teams to win.

Pat Riley

As far as carrying the torch for the years to come, I don’t know. I just want to be the best basketball player I can be.

Kobe Bryant

I’ll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it’s sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.

Kobe Bryant