Julius Erving

"And from the first time I picked up a basketball at age eight - I had a lot of difficulty when I first picked up a basketball, because I was a scrub - there were things that I liked about it."

"Right up until the time I retired at age 37, I felt like there were still things that I could do better."

"In 1981, at age 31, I was voted the best player in basketball, and the most valuable player in the league."

"One of the most predictable things in life is there will be change. You are better off if you can have a say in the change. But you are ignorant or naive if you don't think there will be change, whether you want it to or not."

"One of the things in the back of my mind is that, after my sports experience, I never want to be, totally consumed by any one endeavor, other than my family life."

"But you know, we have a very normal family. We've had our ups and downs. You know, we've had our issues, but we've had great cause for celebration."