“What's more important than who's going to be the first black manager is who's going to be the first black sports editor of the New York Times.”

“Who could better motivate Bill Russell than Bill Russell?”

“I lived to play basketball. Growing up as a kid, Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics were my favorite team. The way they played, the teamwork, the sacrifice, the commitment, the joy, the camaraderie, the relationship with the fans.”

“When somebody asks about the greatest players in history, I start with Bill Russell. More than the best player is the MVP, and the MVP in the history of team sports is Bill Russell.”

“Most people have a harder time letting themselves love than finding someone to love them.”

“What's more important than who's going to be the first black manager is who's going to be the first black sports editor of the New York Times.”

“I tried to treat them like me and some of them weren't.”

“Commitment separates those who live their dreams from those who live their lives regretting the opportunities they have squandered.”