While people can differ on the issues, no one should seek to discourage freedom of speech.
Stan Van Gundy
Peaceful protest is a hallmark of our democracy. It has been in impetus for social change throughout our history.
There are serious issues of inequality and injustice in this country... I stand with those opposing such bigotry.
I really think the people I run into in the NBA, whether it's the front office side or in coaching, everybody wants to work in an atmosphere where everybody's pulling in the same direction.
I was raised in a home where we grew up where we discussed issues. I've always been really politically aware. My wife and four kids are very aware. They make me more attuned to a lot of things I would not think about. Especially women's issues.
Exacerbating the problem of mass incarceration is that, even after someone is released from prison, the stigma of a misdemeanor or felony conviction makes finding gainful employment difficult, if not impossible.
I'm pretty sure that every player who's ever played for me doesn't hate me. Now, we'd have to do a survey, but I've coached a lot of guys, and I'm pretty sure there's one or two that don't hate me. I don't know that any liked me. But I'm pretty sure there's one or two who don't hate me.
When you have privilege, you have to been quiet and listen.
I certainly would not call myself creative. There are other coaches who are innovative and everything else. I wouldn't be that guy, that's for sure.
In this business, if you lose, you're gonna get fired. Now, if you win, you still may get fired. That's the hard part. You see guys having success and getting fired. That's really tough to watch.
Shaq's a very sensitive guy.
I take my job really, really seriously. I also take being a citizen very seriously.
I actually feel sorry for people who have nothing to do on Christmas Day other than watch an NBA game.
My dad coached 41 years, and I was always around coaches.
The criticism from the media never really bothered me. I'd correct it when I can, but that's their job. If stuff wasn't personal, then it really didn't bother me.
I think we get a little carried away with ourselves with sports thinking we're more important than everything else.
Christmas to me, obviously, basketball is very important to me, but there are some days of the year where it's got to take a back seat to something.
I have been in a unique position to hear from players and staff members about the issues they and their families have had to encounter.
I think one of the most important things for a young player's development is that they understand that they will play when they deserve the right to play.
Being twins goes way beyond my relationship with my brother. That's a lot deeper bond.
I've been around a lot of great coaches in college and the NBA, and I knew Erik Spoelstra three months, and I told my wife, father, and brother that this guy is going to be a helluva coach.
At Wisconsin, I wasn't working for people who believed in me.
I think we disregard fans too much. They drive our sport. The money has gotten so big that it has become a corporate league other than the nosebleed seats.
Selling advertising on jerseys is preferable to keep jacking up prices on the fans.
Rondo's a great player, and most teams look at it that anytime you have a chance to get a great player, you do it.
Holding people presumed to be innocent in jail pre-trial simply because they cannot afford to pay their bail extracts huge human and financial costs.
I'm sick of people who supported Trump saying, 'Get over it. You lost.' That's not how America works. We get to critique him the same way they constantly fought Obama. As long as I have a platform, I will continue to speak up because it's my responsibility.
I make an excellent salary and work a great job. A lot of the people who voted for Trump don't. Let's say you say you're out of a job and believe this guy is going to get you on back on your feet. You might overlook some stuff not because you believe it. But you're that desperate. They're wrong. But it's what they believe.
We took the handcheck out of the game to give guys like Steph Curry more freedom. Why didn't we say, 'Just get in the weight room and get stronger?'
Larry Brown had quite a resume.
If I ever feel a sense of anxiety, it's usually over things that I have some control over, or I'm anxious about me making the right decision.
Every coach in every sport, one of their larger concerns is the balance between work and rest. We all think about it all the time.
I meant what I said about how electing Donald Trump will set our country back. I stand by that. However, I do wish that I wouldn't have made the blanket statement about not respecting anybody who voted for Trump.
I do not claim to be an expert on race in America.
Our founding fathers declared independence from Great Britain because they were dissatisfied with the laws and policies that they believed abridged their freedoms. Had they taken the stance that many want our professional athletes to take - to just shut up and honor your country no matter what - we would be living in British colonies.
I am more off-the-cuff and wear my emotions on my sleeve more than I should.
People should never be permitted to feel comfortable while trampling the rights of others.
It's hard to be successful over the long term if you're not unified and there's not that synergy between coach and front office.
I've been privileged to coach a lot of great people, high-character guys, and I don't think I've ever coached a better professional than Joel Anthony.
LeBron is LeBron. They're not going to call offensive fouls on him. He gets to do what he wants.
Sometimes expanding your game isn't better. Sometimes shrinking your game is a little bit better and really get to the things you do well.
Josh Smith, put in the right spots, is an outstanding player. You put Josh down on the right block, in the low post or even on a short isolation - 12 feet, 15 feet from the basket - he can get to the rim. He's outstanding. He's not only a very willing passer but an outstanding passer. I think it's the best part of Josh's game.
I've always believed that. I'm not a guy who comes in with an offensive system, and we try to fit guys to it. I think it goes the other way. 'Here's who we've got. Let's put them in the right spots where they can be productive.'
If I'm going to be grinding, then I want to coach. If I'm not going to be coaching, I want to be semi-retired, at least.
The league has been good to all of us in terms of what we get out of all these TV contracts and everything, so it would be a little disingenuous to complain too much. But if I had my way, we'd take a five-day break at Christmas. I mean it.
We've changed a lot of things to help certain groups of people. We widened the lane from 6 feet to 12 feet to 16 feet to make it so the big guys aren't as dominant. Well, why didn't we just say, 'You've got to learn to play against them in the post?'
Our country was founded on protest. Otherwise, we would still be a colony of England.
Coaches are going to adapt to whatever the rules are. The rules certainly change strategy.
I've argued for a long time here... that I think that one of the things that is absolutely killing parity is the individual maximum salary.
The NCAA is one of the worst organizations - maybe the worst organization - in sports. They certainly don't care about the athlete.
