They said it

By Mike Baldwin, Staff Writer Comments 0
Published: November 1, 2009
Modified: October 31, 2009 at 10:15 pm

Kobe Bryant on receiving his ring last Tuesday

"I’ve been through so much. We didn’t make the playoffs (in 2005). We went through down-and-out times. I think me having the intestinal fortitude to try to get us back to the top — having to fight through so many different things — makes it a different kind of emotion as opposed to me being 20 years old, just coming in here and winning a championship.”

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Rasheed Wallace on fitting in with the Celtics

"As far as personalities, gelling, that was never an issue from Day One. These are good guys. Nobody here is Hollywood. Everyone’s down to earth.”

Raymond Felton on receiving 15 stitches after being slammed to the court in a loss to Celtics

"They were taking parts of the floor (paint chips) right out of my mouth.”

Kurt Rambis on finally getting a head-coaching job after being an interim coach with the Lakers 10 years ago

"I definitely wanted another chance. I always thought I’d get another chance. Then years went by and I started to wonder if I would get another chance. I had other opportunities with other ballclubs. They just weren’t right. (Minnesota) is the right opportunity for me. This is the right time for me. I fully expect to be here for a long time.”

TNT’s Kenny Smith on the Lakers starting 20-1.

"Most people say that the two things that will stop the Lakers are Lamar Odom’s wedding and Ron Artest running into the stands. If those are the only two things you have to worry about with a winning a championship as a coach, you want that every single year. Basketball-wise, they don’t have any holes. Ron Artest is usually the first or second (best) player on a team. Now he is the third or fourth option. He can carry you for weeks at a time. He can actually play defense, get 20 points and stop someone from scoring 20 points. I don’t know three guys in the NBA that can do that.”

Shaquille O’Neal on playing with LeBron James

"I’m a realist. I know he’s the best player in the world. I know that. My children know that. Everybody realizes that. I once had that title when I was his age. But now I’m 37 and on my way out. So it would be very foolish for me to come in and take over something that was already pretty good. It’s fortunate for me to be inserted into a good team and not lose anybody. I’m not crazy.”

Coach Mike D’Antoni after the Knicks shot 37.9 percent

"I don’t need shooters. I need makers.”