Playing Smart Quotes

Play within the system. Be a decision maker.

I'm just trying to affect the game in some way whenever I get an opportunity. If that's stealing a base, making a catch, beating out a double play, whatever it may be.

Basketball is a game and their primary reason for participating in the sport is simply for the pleasure they experience while playing. Don't be afraid to lose. Have fun while you're busy playing hard and playing smart.

Ball security is job security here.

I'm not too worried about points and all that stuff. It's about making the right play.

If you prepare well and you play smart, there's times you'll dirt the ball or throw it away if you feel it's not there, but there's other times when you have to be aggressive and let your guys make plays.

When you get to that level, it's not a matter of talent anymore - because all the players are so talented - it's about preparation, about playing smart and making good decisions. If I don't believe it, then they don't need me on the court. I've just got to believe that in my heart.

No, I don't think you can ever worry about playing not to get hurt. I think that's when you get hurt.

When you get to the tee on a really long par 5, I know what you're feeling. You want to let the shaft out on the driver and try to bomb it down there. I get the same feeling. But a big tee shot is not always the best strategy, especially on a long hole.

The hardest thing to do is be a point guard, learn how to be a point guard in the NBA as a young player because you gotta earn your respect first of all the old guys, all the old heads. You gotta command where to go, know the plays.

When you get to that level, it's not a matter of talent anymore - because all the players are so talented - it's about preparation, about playing smart and making good decisions.

I feel like I've matured in that area too, taking what the defense gives you, not trying to make too much. If it's two, just stick your head in there, and drive to get the two.

For me, it's about finding ways. Obviously I'm not a great hitter, but I'm going to try and beat you anyway I can. I think about that in every aspect of the game. Running? I'm not the fastest runner, but I can steal a base. For me it's about taking advantage of what I can.

A lot of people think that in your second year you might struggle because you're gonna try to do a lot more, and you can struggle because you might be forcing things. But as long as you play within yourself, I feel like you should grow as a player, and you should be getting better.

I was a creative player, but I got some bad injuries early on and I decided that if this was a jungle we were playing in then it's better to be a lion than a lamb.

Not everyone gets to have one of the few super-dominant, all-pro, superstars in this league, and so playing with the pass and playing with space and playing quick is a really good backup.

I can score the ball a little bit. But sometimes I put myself in a bind.

I play the way it's most effective for the team. They used to say I hit the ball too many times.

As a small guard, you need to understand how you impact the game and make sure you impact it in the way that you can showcase your talent on the floor and having that understanding of the game. Tony Bennett was a smaller guard, too. We all have different strengths.

I learned a lot my rookie season - the pace of the game. Playing at the right pace, not 100 miles an hour.

What makes me unique is my ability to adapt to different situations and switch onto smaller guards and stay out there. Another component to being out there on the floor - and this is something that I learned as my college career went on - was staying on the floor, literally, comes down to not picking up fouls.

I love playing smart and tough and having funny lines.