The only way I was able to pick up details on the court, to be aware?of the minutiae on the hardwood, was by training my mind to do?that off?the court and focusing on every detail in my daily life. By?reading, by paying attention in class and in practice, by working, I?strengthened my focus. By doing all of that, I strengthened my?ability to be present and not have a wandering mind.

Just as important as reading was cultivating relationships with the?greats who’d come before me. As evidence of this, look at my?retirement ceremony and who was there. That will tell you how I?managed to get my jerseys up there. You had Bill Russell, Kareem?Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, James Worthy. Those?guys taught me the lessons that gave me an edge over my?competition. That’s why I think it’s so important to have those?mentors, those north stars, who you learn from and look up to.