There's something lonely about Tony. He takes a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. ... I think it's made him a great manager, but it also leads to loneliness.

So much he did was providing bread and circuses to the people and getting people to believe in themselves. I just can't see Michael in a pair of shark swimming trunks jumping in a city pool and getting away with it.

That was such a horrible, tragic moment. I thought it said a lot about Tony, the way he coaxed the team into playing. ... I know the players were shell-shocked. Athletes aren't prone to feeling mortal about themselves.

Trying to interview him before a game is completely and totally worthless. He gives you these kind of guttural grunts. He basically mumbles anyway, so I had difficulty understanding him.

When he's not managing, he's open and forthcoming, I had to be far more quiet [about being around] and pick my spots with Tony. And never after a loss.

To get that 10th [straight win], we've got a fight on our hands. This is a big basketball game for us. Mentally we know we've beat every team in the league.