The game gave me so much, I am in debt forever.

Not one Argentinian in history had made it to the NBA. So why was it going to be me? There was no way me or anyone that was near me could ever envision a career like this.

I started playing pro in Argentina. Then I went to second division in Italy. Then after a lot of work, I made it to first division. And at 25, I got here in the NBA.

I have a real sense of appreciation of being in the NBA with all that I'd gone through.

The Madison Square Garden is a great arena to play at.

I've been very lucky to play with so many gifted players.

We left, I think, a footprint in FIBA basketball. Proud of it.

When you can't dunk anymore, you have to find a way to make it into the news.

When I got to the league, nobody knew me.

Forever is a very wide word, but I'll be connected to the Spurs, if not contractually at least emotionally.

If I'm not playing good, it's just because I'm not playing good, not because my body is limiting me.

I really don't care about coming from the bench if that helps the team to win a championship.

That is what I'm going to remember when I retire, the rings I have. Not the fact I played 28 minutes or 33 or my name being called in the starting lineup.

I want the best for the Spurs.

I played until I felt like it. Some have to retire due to injuries or other issues ahead of time. But I played until I was 40 years old.

I bet it isn't easy to have each one of you moves overanalyzed.

We all wish to be healthy all the time, and it doesn't happen like that.

You try to get the best shots possible, try to find the open teammate.

It's a different thing when you play on a team that has to win, that doesn't consider it a good year unless you win the championship.

My city was very basketball-minded so I was born playing basketball and I didn't like playing soccer that much.

I never even think of playing soccer.

I watched the NBA a lot growing up. I was a big fan, especially of the Bulls in the early 90s.

There were a lot of people I really admired and that I liked watching, but not that I tried to compare myself or emulate or nothing like that.

I know with Coach Messina I started to understand where my teammates were, how to use them and make them better for the benefit of the team.

I was happy to be in the Argentina league. Then I started to play slowly, and I went to Italy and I started in the second division.

I had to play on many other teams before I made it on the Spurs. When you make that kind of journey, it only helps you when you get here.

Some people think, 'Who is this guy? Where did he come from? I never heard of him.' But it took me time to become a good NBA player.

First, confidence in your talent and then confidence that the team is going to look for you, because they need you. And when you reach that point, it changes a lot, because your mindset is completely different.

The fans in the United States, they are, well, more polite. The fans in Argentina can get wild, crazy. If you meet people in a restaurant, it is fine, but when they get in groups, woooo - it gets dangerous.

It makes me feel good to do some things for my people. I believe we really help. I know we are not changing the world, but we try to help different people in different situations and we think we are accomplishing it.

There's always somebody better than you.

If I can hit a couple shots early, the opponent guards me in a different way.

Many times, we athletes have a camera in front of us and in many cases a lot of people with that same background or history do not have that opportunity.

A few kids maybe never had a chance to go to a game, watch us on TV, so to see us around could be important to some kids.

I came to San Antonio without knowing anything about the city.

If you're from Argentina, you don't dream about these things. You probably dream about being in an Olympic game, but winning it? Going there and beating the NBA stars' team... you don't dream about that.

I'm not going to live off the past.

I think most of the compliments I've received during the years has been about my competitiveness. My desire to win and do things for the team to get to that goal. I think that was the one I heard the most.

Playing with Fabricio Oberto for four years was incredible.

I think you got to live in the present and once it's over, it's over.

It's always tough to see a teammate go unless he is willing to go.

It is always painful when you see a teammate leaving. You create a bond, and you have been together for so long, and you are going to do your best with your guys.

Winning is a very exciting thing, for a moment.

I need and want to spend time with my kids.

I'm not good with long rests.

I don't follow the NFL.

I don't buy this 'be a leader' thing. You don't force a leader. It just happens.

When you get blitzed on every pick-and-roll aggressively, you've just got to find the open teammate.

I know a lot of people want to buy puppies, but adopting a dog who needs a home is doing something good.

Some dogs are escape artists.