Erik Spoelstra Quotes

Matches are won and lost so many times in the locker room.

I probably visualize myself, the shots I'm going to get in the game, how I'm going to play defense, what we have to do to stop the other team's best player, what it's going to take out of me, the whole aspect of the game.

My mental approach is totally different. My coach predicated everything on defense. He always talked about defense, defense, defense. I took it to heart that if you play defense, you can take the heart from an offensive player.

You don't win tournaments by playing well and thinking poorly.

You can't go into a game lax and acting like somebody isn't trying to beat you.

I don't think I will play every game, depending on the tactical situation, depending on the opponent, but I will do everything to try and help the team.

Preparation goes on even when you are out of the team, as you can do it anywhere.

Each game, each series, there's so many different things that are going on and you have to find different ways to impact winning.

You take it one game at a time because it's the most important game of the season.

In international sport you get distractions all the time, but at the end of the day that shouldn't affect how you deliver a ball or how you hit a ball.

I don't adjust my training for any of my opponents. I don't watch films on my opponents.

Well, I guess I needed this tough first round to really put me into that tournament, to really erase what happened at Indian Wells, which is now the case, you know.

Great execution. That's what you have to do when you're playing great teams.

As professional cricketers, we have to ensure that we are battle-ready all the time.

You can teach all the other stuff, you know. You can teach shooting the ball, you can teach having a good touch... passing and whatnot, but when you get out there on the field, it's just a mindset you need to go into the game with.

I'm nervous when I play in the Masters or most other tournaments.

Just because you lost your last game doesn't mean you change anything.

People expect you to play your best, so I go through a routine to prepare myself so that I know I'm physically and mentally ready - prepared for the game.

Like I said, when you have to play against a great player every night, that defines who you are if you can compete on that same level night in and night out.

Just try to focus one game at a time, not worry about points or anything like that. Worry about playing the right way and see what comes of it.

Whenever I have played a game of cricket, whether it is under-16, under-19, or State level, my approach has been the same.

I think the biggest part of my game that's underestimated is the mental part of it.

You try to say every week that you're facing a faceless opponent. No matter who it is, you want to have the same mindset, no matter what type of game it is - first game of the season, last game of the season.

Feelings aren't going to help me win a game.

People don't understand the analogy of football and acting, but there's a great deal of it that's the same. You get dressed in the room, and you think you've got it all prepared, and later on in the game you wish you had put on more pads 'cause they're just kicking the hell out of you. God almighty, I've been beat up by the best.