“If you’re not totally sold on the Bynum-to-Howard upgrade for the Lakers, watch Spain and Argentina attack the rim against Team USA during the medal round. Had Howard played in the Olympics, nobody would have touched this American team — we could have rolled out LeBron, Howard, Durant, Carmelo, Chris Paul and the cast of The Big Bang Theory and still won every game by double figures.”

“Time is our best friend and our worst enemy. Experience makes you better, but it means you’re running out. You do want to maximize your time and take advantage of situations and the opportunities that present itself. I can’t take advantage if I’m watching or not doing anything.”

“Some time ago, I’m talking to some people and they wanted a bonus if the Lakers make the playoffs. I said, ‘If they don’t make the playoffs, you don’t work here anymore.’”

“We need to have him back, it’s as simple as that. It’s not a question of if he will be back; it’s a matter of when. I don’t care what [the cost] is. … They need to work that out and get him back because his significance to our ballclub and to me cannot be understated.”