Derek Fisher

“Life for me outweighs the game of basketball.”

“You know, I have a responsibility to my team that if I'm going to be on the floor, then I have to make a difference.”

“I don't feel like basketball is the only way to make a living.”

“You have to work hard at things.”

“I have people that I'm close to that give me things to read throughout the season, and in particular in the playoffs and the postseason.”

“With my responsibilities comes having to manage my time more efficiently.”

“I don't know how many people feel strongly about what I do.”

“I'm not chasing money, so I'm not looking at just trying to stretch out a deal artificially just to have a certain number.”

“Nothing means more to me than helping my team win.”

“I would venture to guess that if I was a construction worker... who requested a transfer to another department for the betterment of his family, I would be commended for it. But because it's sports, there's just so much passion added to it.”

“I am and always will be a leader.”

“I feel like I'm capable of doing so many things to help people around the country and the world.”

“Teams are often pretty clear about what they can do or are willing to do.”

“My character has always been important to me. That was the one thing that I knew, no matter what, I had to hold that strong.”

“Nothing prepares a family for having multiple children at once.”

“I am not a passenger in anything I do.”

“Basketball used to be my top priority.”

“The source of my power and strength is God, and I know it, without a shadow of a doubt.”

“I really have to make sure that I'm staying true to who I am, and that I know my responsibilities to current N.B.A. players, to future N.B.A. players, to our past and retired N.B.A. Players.”

“I've discovered new parts of my manhood, places I couldn't get to without loving someone else unconditionally and putting others before myself.”