Sports Context Quotes

I speak all my languages basically every day with the people in the dressing room, and it's a pleasure to be able to do so. On the pitch, if it's a group of players I'm trying to communicate with, then I use English because you need to make sure everyone understands what you are saying.

I wouldn't want to be the guy who went out and won a championship in a horrible year but never made a comment on the issues that we are dealing with in our society.

Second doesn't mean anything in cycling.

I became a starter in Portland, and then I lost my spot, but for what reason? It wasn't explained to me. I thought it was unfair.

The players have to come and play. Today we did.

I've got to warm up to warm up and then play. I understand that now.

Sometimes a 1-yard gain on third-and-1 is a big play. People take that for granted.

The only thing I wanted to change in the past was being a little bit more disciplined on the defensive end.

I mean, I'm 6-11, and I'm pretty athletic, I think.

I was just having fun because everybody was so much shorter than me. Honestly, my stats in high school were ridiculous. They made no sense.

I'm no different than others with cancer. I just happen to play professional baseball. I'm part of those statistics that cancer has touched as well.

When I need to get into details, I like French. But when I want to do something stronger, English is better. The swear words are stronger in English. And on the court, 'Allez!' is light. 'Come on!' That's strong.

But I want you to know that what I'm doing here I'm doing as a ballplayer, a major league ballplayer.

I was giving some of my teammates a hard time, saying I've got more pop than they do.

I'm not a huge offensive lineman.

Teams want fast players. That's not me. But I know my strengths.

You need an over to get your confidence going.

There are so many other way more popular athletes than me.

To imagine being in Germany having a home crowd is kind of silly, but we'll take it.

I do swear a lot, but the advantage is that having played abroad, I can choose a different language from the referee's.

Of course I have an advantage with my size on set pieces.

Rebounding in practice and rebounding in games are two completely different things.

I've learned that the first half of the season is always very important.

I usually just speak in English when I'm on the basketball court. For some reason, my mind never even tried to cross any other language when I'm playing basketball.

To be a well-rounded person and know what's going on in the world around you, to have a perspective outside of your sport, is important for every athlete. I'm blessed that our parents gave us that.