I like being the underdog so they don't expect what's going to happen. It pushes me to work harder and do the things I'm not doing better.
Kawhi Leonard
I'm always trying to come down with a win. That's what matters to me and my squad.
I'll never try to win an award. I'm out there just playing for my team.
I'm just the same guy... I don't need to be a celebrity or a superstar.
I rarely eat breakfast because of our schedule, actually. If I do, though, I'll try to do an egg-white omelet with some bell peppers and mushrooms. Maybe a side of a bunch of different fruits.
I'm just playing basketball. I just want to be a great player. That's it. That's all I'm thinking about. If the other stuff comes, it comes, but I'm just fortunate to play in the NBA Finals and just to play basketball, period.
I'm just a low-key guy.
It's just the game itself that drives me. I just want to be able to compete at a high level.
As long as you give your best effort, I feel like that's all you can do.
I love the game of basketball, and as long as I can do that, keep playing and try to get some more championships with the organization, I'll be happy.
When I was growing up, I didn't have a hometown hero.
It's an honor to have been considered for the team, and I hope that in the future I will have the chance to represent my country by playing for U.S.A. Basketball.
I want the kids to know that it's not a myth that somebody from their city plays and wins in the NBA. I just want to influence them to work hard and do whatever they want to do in life, whether it's to be a basketball player or scientist... if they believe in themselves, they can do anything.
My mindset is the same every game.
I was good. I probably could have gone to the NFL. I just hated practice.
I definitely don't like to eat a lot before I play. I don't like to play on a full stomach. Sometimes, if I'm feeling hungry before a game, I'll eat one of those protein bars, but that's it.
I'm trying to be one of the greatest players, so whatever level that consists of is where I want to take my game.
I just have to move forward and keep working on my game and getting better.
I didn't work out with Kobe. I don't know where that came from. I wish I could have.
I could be on the court for two hours, and it felt like 10 minutes. It made time go by.
I've always liked home-cooked meals.
My dad leaving my life. That's the biggest thing that happened to me. I just remember what he tells me, the memories, and try to move on forward each day, knowing that he's still here, looking down on me.
I don't care about winning an MVP - the MVP doesn't mean you're the best player in the league.
People would ask what college are you going to, and I'd say, 'San Diego State.' And they'd say, 'Why?'
I'm just living in the moment, trying to win every game. That's all I'm focused on.
People always want to compare their hands to mine. Pretty much everywhere I go.
When I'm away from basketball, I hang out with my friends, chill, and that's about it.
That's how I grew up. Just play defense - and make a basket.
I just want to keep improving, to keep getting better.
I'm just going out there to do my role, the same role - defense first - and then see how the ball turns out on the offensive end.
Coming to a team like the Spurs, you're automatically going to learn how to play the game the right way.
Everything outside doesn't matter when I'm on the court; it's just me and nothing else. Family problems, school, what happened to my father, all the stress goes away.
I don't like to bring attention to myself. I don't like to make a scene.
I always wanted to play both ends of the floor. I never wanted to be one-dimensional.
I could have gone to a bigger school. I use it as motivation going to a school that loved me. I wanted to put them on the map and show everyone that you don't need to go to a top school to make it in the NBA.
People in the NBA are just as athletic as you. That's the game. You have to have the change of pace. You have to change speeds to get around people.
I just think repetition and getting the game reps shooting the ball in games really helps, rather than just practicing. You can get game timing.
I remember being a teenager and watching 40-year-old Michael Jordan compete in his final All-Star game.
I've been working hard to be one of the focal points in the NBA, one of the top guys.
At the end of the day, we all know what the Jordan logo means, and you can't take anything away from that. But it's pretty cool to have my own logo on a Jordan shoe.
I can't be impatient. It would show on the floor, and I won't compete if I'm thinking about getting the ball.
Playing football helped me a lot. Just reading the quarterback's eyes and reading receivers, figuring out what they want to do.
When I'm on the court, I feel all problems go away.
I just try to play every game like it's Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
It's all mental. I just have to worry about my game.
Not all water is great for you. I drink a lot of water during the day, but I stay away from certain waters because their pH levels are low. Stick to alkaline waters with a higher pH. Trust me.
I'm not one of the guys in the league for the fame. I'm here so I can take of my family, my mom, my friends and take care of myself.
I want to play against the best, and that's what I'm doing, just going out there and being focused, just competing every possession.
Oh man, I like Chevys.
I'm just trying to pass Tim Duncan in championships if I can one day. That's my motivation; that's what I strive for. Tim is one of the greatest players who has ever played, so if I could get close or reach that plateau and have my name on that list.
