Iman Shumpert

Truth is, none of us professional athletes are ever 100 percent healthy. We just decide what we're going to tape up and push through without making it worse.

As long as we win, I'm happy.

I've started most of the time I've been in a Knick jersey, so I just think they want me to bring a certain energy every night. They want me to bring that defensive presence because they know I can make something out of nothing on defense, and I think they just want me to bring that defensive presence every day.

Everyone will say something about confidence or something if you miss a couple shots. You've just got to keep shooting.

I think when I started playing against some of the best guys on the AAU circuit, I started to look at myself and say, 'I am one of these guys.'

It doesn't matter what position they put me at; I've just got to make sure that I come out and play right.

As I go back and look at the film, if I look at my first year, every time I caught the ball, I was looking to do something.

Rap isn't that time-consuming for me, compared to an ordinary artist. I do not stay in the studio all day.

The NBA actually encourages balanced living. Realistically, basketball only takes up about six hours of your day before it becomes counterproductive.

I express myself through song when I can't let people in on my thoughts otherwise. I need the creative process.

To me, rapping is an art.

My father, my first coach, would never let me punk out if I was capable of helping the team.

My high threshold for pain will allow me to battle through pretty much anything if I find a way to run and slide.

When you have a lot of communication, it picks up the aggressiveness with everybody on the court.

I can't begin to try to articulate the competitive nature I possess.

I'd rather somebody expect a lot out of me than nothing at all.

Everybody in this league waits on an opportunity when you don't play the starter minutes, when you don't play the type of minutes you want. And with each given opportunity, you got to be ready to come out and perform.

Of course there's going to be times when I'm going to have to step up and knock down corner 3s, but I don't want to settle all the time.

The way I rap isn't about me boasting. Rarely will I do that.

A lot of people celebrate the '80s. I was a '90s guy. The best music, and basketball, was at its high in the '90s, with all of the best players, playing the best style of basketball in that era, and Michael Jordan winning six rings in the city I grew up in.

I'm not making music to get played in a club.

If an athlete plays the guitar, they say, 'That's so cool, he can play the guitar.' But if a guy raps, they say, 'Please don't be another rapper,' only because the rappers are so bad. I promise I'm not anything like that.

I like playing in Chicago.

I can't have people always having their opinions floating my way.

I was told I was going undrafted. That's what I was told by everybody. I guess I wasn't good enough in everybody else's eyes.

I like to paint pictures with words, 'cause I can't draw for anything.

I ain't got time to pay somebody to drive my vehicle.

I just write verses. I don't write all day long. When I have something that needs to be said, I just write it down on my notepad in my iPhone.

Love is one of the only reminders besides pain that things are real. It's one of the only things worth fighting for.

Don't let men fool you... we all want love; we just know that it can leave us very vulnerable, and we seek a woman who understands and protects that with her life.

I believe all men that are desired by masses of women due to looks, drive, and character are all more than likely to be seeing multiple women (Rightfully so if they are single).

Love is one of the most powerful and most dangerous things I've ever encountered and, within the same breath, one of the most beautiful and relevant journeys of my life.

With Cleveland, I think they did a great job in knowing what their team needed, and when I came, I just did my job, and they fully embraced me.

I wish I was in my 20s during the '90s to really fully live it. I feel like that was a pretty exciting time being from Chicago, seeing Jordan win six rings.

I'm glad Phil Jackson got the rings for Chicago. You traded me away from New York, cool. It's all business; it's all love, whatever. But I'm a grownup now. You not my hero no more.

Because of what I've saved, I don't really have a lot of worries about money.

Since I entered the league, half of my checks have always gone into a separate account... I pride myself on doing that. I've done it no matter the size of my contract or salary.

My worst day, I'm just going to try and smile.

My music, you know I'm not lying about anything, and the way you can tell is how in-depth I can get about everything I'm talking about.

I think, a lot of times, the mistake in music - even rappers that are trying to be big time - if you're broke, rap about being broke. If you're sensitive, rap about being sensitive, 'cause there are other sensitive people. If you're sensitive, but you talk about being a tough person that doesn't care about anything, people will call your bluff.

I like art; if I could just draw pictures all day, I would, but I can't; I'm horrible. I practiced at it, still didn't get better - gave it up. I'm good with words, though, so I write music, poetry; sometimes I just journal in my phone.

I always liked crop tops after I saw it on 'Fresh Prince.'

I can go toe-to-toe with somebody with my shoes. But you can't do it with LeBron, 'cause what shoe does he not have?

I was always growing, so it made no sense for my mom and dad to load me up with a bunch of clothes. But I hated coming to school and feeling like a girl could be like, 'Iman's probably gon' wear this today.' So I would always have to mix and match and find a way to look different. I took a lot of pride in that.

You should dress so that somebody remembers you.

I think early on in the league, my biggest problem was I tried to put out what I believe was an innocent fire because I felt it was a conflict with other stars.

Having a routine makes for a better professional.

I'm a taco guy, so I like Mexican food, and any form of a taco, I'm going to eat it. During the season, I'll make it a grilled chicken taco. But after the season, give me a regular beef taco and fill it to capacity. I need meat, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, pico de gallo, and everything you got.

I don't think I have whatever that thing is that makes some athletes bad with money.

I've been doing music for the longest time.