I had no desire to leave ECW, but in '95, I was reaching my mid 30s. I'd been the World Champ multiple times... I'd pretty much done everything in ECW - all I could do is repeat.
At the age of 31, I feel like I'm in my prime, baby.
I've always said that as I've gotten older and come into my prime, when I turned 28 would be my best time.
It is a paradox that as we reach out prime, we also see there is a place where it finishes.
When I was younger, I thought I would finish in my mid-30s because that is normal for most players.
I'm 42 now, what I would consider prime time.
I don't want to be one of those players towards the end - nothing against those guys who've done it like that in the past - but I want to make sure that I'm at the top of my game when I do go out.
(Mantle) was clearly a greater player in his peak years.
Forty to 60 I would say is your prime. That's when you know the most, you've seen the most, you understand the most, and you still have some physical energy.
It's just kind of ironic with how I came into the NBA with all the expectations. You would've thought coming in the way I did that my career would last long. You'd think I'd have my more peak years in the beginning or middle. Mine just came a little later.
