I've got to worry about Alonzo Mourning, because a year or two ago there was a chance that Alonzo Mourning wouldn't be standing here talking to you. That's the cold reality of it.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
LeBron's been like a big brother to me, watching me play and giving me pointers on just little things. I really look up to him.
The one thing that always bothered me when I played in the NBA was I really got irritated when they put a white guy on me.
You guys know the way I play. And what's so ironic is, KG is the same way. I'm looking at him in practice and going, 'Wow, I'm always that guy,' you know?
The NBA has made a real issue about really making these superstars the premium that everybody wants to go to. That's their calling card and their marketing tool. But the coaches at the other end of the sphere are trying to make everybody on the team, even nine, 10, 11, 12, just as important, and have a real role that's meaningful.
Maybe the ones burning my jersey were never LeBron fans anyway.
I'm a huge LeBron James fan. I love The Heat. He's an incredible basketball player.
Man, I'm 31 years old and a husband with four kids; I hope I'm no thug. I hear all those negative things and don't hear anything positive. I think that's all those people feel... that way that's all they hear about when you hear Allen Iverson did something negative or something.
It's really annoying for me. That's not what I'm playing for, to be the face of the NBA or to be this or that or to take LeBron's throne or whatever.
I kind of knew. I said, 'Yeah, I'm not going to be able to play in the NBA. That's just not going to happen. Let that dream go.'
Not only is Rip Hamilton an outstanding basketball player, he is also known for giving back to his community.