Michael Carter-Williams Quotes

I feel the need to really get after a guy defensively and showing that.

Any good defensive team has a strong anchor, because he cleans up mistakes.

Think about the deflections. The offense can't score every play. They're just trying to get a good shot. If I can deflect a pass, even if it doesn't cause a turnover, it will throw their timing off half-a-second. That half-a-second might mess up their shot.

That's something you want to preach throughout the whole defense - getting the ball back to the offense.

I was a guy that had a lot of tools and could do a lot of other things, but my main thing was controlling the defensive end of the court.

I played defense in high school, so when the ball's in the air I feel like it's mine. No matter who it is or the situation, I feel like I've got to come down with the ball or at least knock it away.

Blocking a shot can really demoralize a person and defer them from coming to the rim the rest of the game. So being able to do that and change the landscape of the game by one play is pretty amazing.

I think I'm underrated on defense. I try to use my length and feet and put pressure on players.

Defending isn't just about tackling and heading, it's also about getting the ball down and playing - starting the attack from the back.

I want the ball for 90 minutes. When I don't have the ball, I go high pressing because I want the ball.

At Ajax, they are strict when it comes to using the ball as a defender.

I've always felt I had the ability to be a good, elite defender in this league on the wing. I just need to lock in. I feel if I pick that up, I can be a very good all-around player.

Whenever I guard a guard, I don't want to reach too much, but I will poke at the ball once to get him thinking.

Tony Allen is a good defender, very smart.

I just play hard on the defensive end. For me, being a good defender is someone who plays very hard on defense and just tries hard.

I personally like the way John Stones plays because I think he's a great defender.

I like to get physical on defense. I like to get up on a guy as much as possible. I actually need to calm down, though.

I like playing size per position defensively.

If you watch me during the game, I celebrate when we press the ball and it goes out.

I was a great help-side defender in college, but as far as really wanting to lock somebody up, that was never really my focus.

In my day, defenders played you with two hands and an elbow. You're not getting by a guy, especially if he has an elbow and a hand on you and is a strong defensive player.

I think I am a good help defender as well as just bringing a lot of communication to the floor.

I think I stand up more often than I should on defense. I've got to be solid and continue to get better.

The game changes when you play good defense and don't come up with the ball.

I enjoy putting teams under pressure, forcing turn-overs and just being a pain really!