“I was just a big fan of tattoos always growing up, and I wanted something cool that symbolizes what I’ve been through in my life, and everything on my chest and my back is like a collage.”

I’ve learned that it’s harder to try to put on this goody two-shoes persona when that’s not me.

This city, all they want us to be is ourselves. You love us how we are. We’re all a work in progress as men and you still love us and I thank you so much for embracing us.

It’s hard to play well, but it’s easy to work hard.

You know, I think more people should watch women’s basketball. It’d do so much for the game.

I want people to know what they didn’t know about me. I just wanted them to know the real side.

This was an extremely difficult decision as I take great pride in representing our country. I know that I owe it to my USA Basketball teammates to be totally invested in the experience. After going through training camp with USAB.

It’s all about knowing the balance, because I like to remain somewhat of a mystery. You need to have that, you know what I mean?

I feel like I can get a good feel for people.

I’m not the type of guy who’s just going to throw the ball inbounds to a guy who’s wide open. I can make the right pass.

I was always in the gym. People would look at me crazy because I spent so much time there. But that’s what it was about. I’m glad I did it.

How I grew up, everybody was telling me, “You can’t do this, you can’t get tattoos, you’ve got to look a certain way.” Now, I’m like, “Why?”

I love playing it, I just never thought I’d make it to college, NBA, or be standing up here today. It is a surreal feeling. So many people doubted me and motivated me.

I probably play games more than I practice.

Every memory I have from when I was a kid involves basketball.

So many people doubted me. They motivated me every single day, to be, who I am.

If I’d gone straight to the NBA, I don’t think I would have been ready as a player or a person.

Maybe a first love exists to remind you to be brave in the moment, to stand up for your feelings, instead of shrinking back in the face of potential loneliness.

But I want to be the first back to have back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons.

As we got back on the right track last season, including making up an eight-point gap in a few games, we just need to stay calm.

Looking back, now, I realize that you only ever need one person who lights up that way when you enter a room.

Regardless of whether they loved us back or treated us fairly or understood our shortcomings.

When I go back in to re-record a line. I’m the icing on the cake, but the cake is the thing.

You are not doing it to be loved back. Its value is to inspire you.

I’m looking forward to getting back on the field, it’s what I love to do.