Boston is a very proud franchise. The NBA misses them when they are not in the mix. They, along with teams like the Knicks and 76ers are a big part of the heart, soul and history of the league.

As I look back on the day I signed my professional contract in 1973, I've never gone to sleep wondering if I could pay the bills or take care of my family. That's what basketball has done for me. It's given me the greatest of thrills from high school to college to the Olympics to coaching to broadcasting.

I was taught by teachers, and if it's one thing I have it's a basketball mind and I try to pass it on and pay it forward.

To change a team you must change their comfort zone.

I'm a numbers guy, and I think numbers sometimes tell stories and sometimes they don't. When you look at the NBA, when teams shoot 45% or better from the floor, what is their record? And if they shoot under that what is their record?

The one thing about players today is that they're very sensitive, and very fragile. They didn't grow up with tough coaches.

The great thing about basketball is you work as hard as you can to individually get better so that your team can win

I think that Paul Gasol is the most skilled big man in the NBA today with his ability to post on either block, the way he runs the floor, and the way he can shoot the mid-range jump shot.

I remember when I went to try out for the Olympic team in 1972, Coach Iba told me he didn't care how many points I could score because if I couldn't guard anybody, I wasn't going to make the team. I knew to make the team I had to become a better defender. If you can play offense, you can defend. It just comes down to competitive will.

Work as hard as you can to become as good an individual player as you can to help your team win

Aside from an intervention, which I don't think is on anybody's mind, Iraq is going to have defend for itself.

When hired three years ago, I willingly accepted the challenge of leading the Bulls back to the type of team this city richly deserves. I'm proud of the fact that each year the team has taken another step toward an NBA championship, and played with intense pride and determination.

When your teammate looks you in the eye and holds you accountable, that's the greatest kind of leadership there is

I've always said you have to go through a lot of heartache in life to feel joy.

The 76ers hold a special place in my heart and I am intrigued by the opportunity to return to Philadelphia, where I was part of a rebuilding program, joining the team the year after it went 9-73 and going to the NBA Finals just four years later.