Quotes

[on why he's not joining the 2018 Olympic USA basketball team] I could use the rest.

[on the teammates his played with thus far] I've always [taken] a lot of pride, and I get more of a rush seeing my teammates succeed more than myself. And that's what an assist is all about. I was taught the game the right way, and seeing my teammates succeed has always been something that I've cared about more than anything, and that's what it's all about

[on becoming the first player in NBA history to achieve 27,000 points, 7,000 rebounds and 7,000 assists during the course of his career ]I really don't know, I don't know what to say.I've played with two great organizations that I've been able to do what I do. They've allowed me to be the player that I want to be. It just shows that's the triple threat of me, to rebound, to pass, to put the ball in the hole a little bit. I'm just honored, just blessed and I just try to continue to give it to my teammates, give it to my fans, give it to this organization every single night that I go out there.[December 2016]

on the recent sports players kneeling during the National anthem]I'm doing OK for myself, my family is doing OK. Even if we weren't doing OK financially, I'd still be trying to find a way to inspire the youth. Personally, my voice is more important than my knee

[on President Donald Trump calling for the NFL to fire or suspend those who kneel during The Star-Spangled Banner]He used the sports platform to divide us. Sports is so amazing, what sports can do for everyone, no matter shape, size, race, or brings people together like no other. I'm not going to let one individual no matter the power, the impact he or she should have ever use sport as a platform to divide us. The people run this country, not one person. And damn sure not him

[on NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem in support of equality]It's powerful what all these athletes are doing. It's not about the disrespect of our flag and the military that's made this world free.

[on Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the National anthem]I salute Colin for being as powerful as he was. I wish I owned an NFL team right now. I'd sign him today

[Apr 2023] [on breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's highest NBA scoring record with 38,388 points] Everybody that has ever been a part of this run with me the last 20-plus years, I want to say thank you so much because I wouldn't be me without all y'all. All y'all helped. All y'all's passion and sacrifices helped me to get to this point. To my beautiful wife, my daughter, my two boys, my friends, my boys, my family, my mother ... everybody who's ever been a part of this ride with me the last 20 years, 20-plus years, I just want to say I thank you so much and to the NBA to Adam Silver, to the late great David Stern, thank you very much for allowing me to be a part of something I always dreamed about. I would never ever in a million years dreamt this even better than what it is tonight. F***, man, thank you guys.