Phil Jackson

“I think the most rewarding part of the job, and I think most coaches would say it, is practice. If you have it, a very good practice in which you have 12 guys participate, and they can really get something out of it, lose themselves in practice.”

“I'm a sports-watcher. I played football and baseball, coached baseball. So I watch those things.”

“When I was young, I was dedicated to become a minister - my brothers and I were formally brought in front of the congregation in a dedication ceremony, where we were dedicated to the future service of God.”

“My father was a man who didn't consider himself learned. He was a man who liked to be a farmer. He enjoyed his dairy farm and felt the calling. So there was a dedication. I was dedicated as a child to the service of God, and so there was this continual centering of a greater purpose than your own.”

“You have to be able to psychologically help your players, support-wise, be in touch with them, so I think managing people is very important.”

“My father was the superintendent of the churches in the state of Montana. He was content in his beliefs. He befit the term 'true Christian.' He would turn the other cheek. He was truly a man of peace.”

“Love is the force that ignites the spirit and binds teams together.”

“I played hockey in North Dakota growing up and watch a lot of that.”

“I'm not going to coach again. I've done my coaching, and I think I can put that aside.”

“Basketball is a simple game. Your goal is penetration, get the ball close to the basket, and there are three ways to do that. Pass, dribble and offensive rebound.”

“Always keep an open mind and a compassionate heart.”

“Approach the game with no preset agendas and you'll probably come away surprised at your overall efforts.”

“The NBA has made a real issue about really making these superstars the premium that everybody wants to go to. That's their calling card and their marketing tool. But the coaches at the other end of the sphere are trying to make everybody on the team, even nine, 10, 11, 12, just as important, and have a real role that's meaningful.”

“The winter's a little bit daunting in Montana.”

“My philosophy is that you don't motivate players with speeches; you have motivated players that you draft. That's where they come in, and those are the guys that are competitive. You can not teach competitiveness.”

“I replaced three joints in my hips and one in my knee. I'm hoping that other knee doesn't have to be done. It's one of the toughest things to overcome.”

“Pau is one of the best big men in the game. I mean, Pau Gasol is going to be in the Hall of Fame.”

“As much as we pump iron and we run to build our strength up, we need to build our mental strength up... so we can focus... so we can be in concert with one another.”

“I think the most important thing about coaching is that you have to have a sense of confidence about what you're doing. You have to be a salesman, and you have to get your players, particularly your leaders, to believe in what you're trying to accomplish on the basketball floor.”

“Your problems never cease. They just change.”