Kobe Bryant was the reason I started playing basketball - always was and will be my favorite player of all time. I love the way he could get his shot off, his footwork down in the post, just his determination to be the best player.

There's no better way to start your career than by playing probably the best guy in the league.

It helps being on a good team with a winning culture and just being confident in myself.

Man, I'm always going to back up my teammates.

I was fortunate enough to make it to where I want to be. There could be other kids as talented or more talented than me in whatever they want to be but don't have the resources to pursue their dream. Maybe they have to get a job instead to help their mom with the bills.

I think that's when I have the most fun: when things are on the line.

You've just got to bring it every night. And that's what makes the great players great.

It feels great just finally knowing where I'm going and have some place to call home. And I'm glad it's Boston.

Most guys in my position don't get drafted to such a high-caliber team like the Celtics, so it makes me work harder because I have to compete and earn everything.

I used to watch LeBron on TV growing up, and now I'm playing my first game against him.

I grew up watching LeBron and asking him to follow me back on Twitter, going to his camps. So just to be able to compete against a player like him and be a few shots away from beating him and his team to go to a championship is something I will always remember.

When I was, like, 4 or 5, I'd just always tell - my mom would ask me what I wanted to be when I got older. And I would just be like, 'I wanna be Kobe.' She'd be like, 'You wanna be in the NBA?' 'No, like, I wanna be Kobe.'

I'm a pretty good free-throw shooter, so getting fouled is a good thing.

Just keep having fun. It's basketball. So that's what I'm going to keep doing.

I play the best and have the most fun when the stage is brightest.

I am growing up, but I still need help along the way.

I dreamed of having big moments and having a big role. That obviously came a lot sooner than I thought.

If somebody was to ask me who is the best rookie, I would tell them I was.

I'm not afraid of anything.

I still think it's mind-blowing when famous people know who I am.

Once you get to the tournament, it's like, win or go home.

Every time I shoot, I think it's going in. I get upset when it doesn't.

My relationships with the Duke coaches were the best, and they made me a priority.

I don't really think about it. I just try to find my opportunity and then attack.

Being able to provide for your kids in a way that maybe your parents couldn't do for you is a great feeling.

If I see a spider in my room, I gotta sleep on the couch for, like, two days.

I'm a big candle guy.

One day I'd have 20 points, the next day two points. I was dribbling the ball off my leg. I couldn't understand why. The media started asking me, 'Is this because you are a new dad?' I didn't want to blame my son. There are plenty of people in much worse situations, and they make it work. I have to do that, too.

Obviously, getting stronger is the key, and knowing how to use my body, knowing what to expect.

I don't really want to get too heavy, you know. I still want to be able to move in the paint.

Coach K always wanted me to talk more, even when I was in college. That's something I'm going to do as I get older.

The East is tougher than a lot of people give us credit for.

I just care about winning and doing what I can while I'm on the floor.

I don't know how to handle all the trade talks.

I've always lived with my mom. My whole life.

Thin crust, provolone cheese, marinara sauce - it's just a St. Louis thing. That's what I grew up eating.

When I play bad, I don't get too down on myself. When I play good, I don't get too hot.

I used to hate Boston.

I love Coach K's passion to coach his players and to coach the game. I examined and watched the interaction between him and his staff, along with the players, and was impressed how hard they played.

My mom tried to not let me see how much we were struggling, but I noticed it. I think that's what made me work harder. I saw how hard she was working, and I just wanted a better life for both of us.

Not too many people know what they want to do at 3 and then go do it.

There's a lot of talented guys, but at the end of the day, you've got to go out there and get it. It's really about who's competing and who wants it more on both ends of the floor.

I'm looking to try to do more out there and just taking advantage of the opportunities that I've been given.

The Celtics were always going to pick me No. 1, but Philly didn't know that.

All I used to want to do was shoot fadeaways like Kobe because he was my favorite player.

Growing up with videos and YouTube, being able to see content from the '90s - music and games - that really helped me stay connected with the time before me.

Each person's workout is really different. It's tailored to be what's most needed for them. Everybody's different.

School was very important. But I needed to watch basketball.

I don't have anything to eat in my house but chips and Gatorade.

The Single Mothers Program is something I would love to start if I'm fortunate enough to make it to the NBA and things like that.