Iman Shumpert
I was told I was going undrafted. That's what I was told by everybody. I guess I wasn't good enough in everybody else's eyes.
I was called fool's gold. That's what I was called in the draft combine. That's how I remember it. I took it personal.
I can't have people always having their opinions floating my way.
I like playing in Chicago.
If an athlete plays the guitar, they say, 'That's so cool, he can play the guitar.' But if a guy raps, they say, 'Please don't be another rapper,' only because the rappers are so bad. I promise I'm not anything like that.
I'm not making music to get played in a club.
A lot of people celebrate the '80s. I was a '90s guy. The best music, and basketball, was at its high in the '90s, with all of the best players, playing the best style of basketball in that era, and Michael Jordan winning six rings in the city I grew up in.
The way I rap isn't about me boasting. Rarely will I do that.
Of course there's going to be times when I'm going to have to step up and knock down corner 3s, but I don't want to settle all the time.
Everybody in this league waits on an opportunity when you don't play the starter minutes, when you don't play the type of minutes you want. And with each given opportunity, you got to be ready to come out and perform.
I'd rather somebody expect a lot out of me than nothing at all.
I can't begin to try to articulate the competitive nature I possess.
Truth is, none of us professional athletes are ever 100 percent healthy. We just decide what we're going to tape up and push through without making it worse.
My high threshold for pain will allow me to battle through pretty much anything if I find a way to run and slide.
My father, my first coach, would never let me punk out if I was capable of helping the team.
To me, rapping is an art.
I express myself through song when I can't let people in on my thoughts otherwise. I need the creative process.
The NBA actually encourages balanced living. Realistically, basketball only takes up about six hours of your day before it becomes counterproductive.
Rap isn't that time-consuming for me, compared to an ordinary artist. I do not stay in the studio all day.
As I go back and look at the film, if I look at my first year, every time I caught the ball, I was looking to do something.
It doesn't matter what position they put me at; I've just got to make sure that I come out and play right.
I think when I started playing against some of the best guys on the AAU circuit, I started to look at myself and say, 'I am one of these guys.'
Everyone will say something about confidence or something if you miss a couple shots. You've just got to keep shooting.
I've started most of the time I've been in a Knick jersey, so I just think they want me to bring a certain energy every night. They want me to bring that defensive presence because they know I can make something out of nothing on defense, and I think they just want me to bring that defensive presence every day.
As long as we win, I'm happy.
I don't think I have whatever that thing is that makes some athletes bad with money.
I'm a taco guy, so I like Mexican food, and any form of a taco, I'm going to eat it. During the season, I'll make it a grilled chicken taco. But after the season, give me a regular beef taco and fill it to capacity. I need meat, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, pico de gallo, and everything you got.
Having a routine makes for a better professional.
I think early on in the league, my biggest problem was I tried to put out what I believe was an innocent fire because I felt it was a conflict with other stars.
You should dress so that somebody remembers you.
I was always growing, so it made no sense for my mom and dad to load me up with a bunch of clothes. But I hated coming to school and feeling like a girl could be like, 'Iman's probably gon' wear this today.' So I would always have to mix and match and find a way to look different. I took a lot of pride in that.
I can go toe-to-toe with somebody with my shoes. But you can't do it with LeBron, 'cause what shoe does he not have?
I always liked crop tops after I saw it on 'Fresh Prince.'
I like art; if I could just draw pictures all day, I would, but I can't; I'm horrible. I practiced at it, still didn't get better - gave it up. I'm good with words, though, so I write music, poetry; sometimes I just journal in my phone.
I think, a lot of times, the mistake in music - even rappers that are trying to be big time - if you're broke, rap about being broke. If you're sensitive, rap about being sensitive, 'cause there are other sensitive people. If you're sensitive, but you talk about being a tough person that doesn't care about anything, people will call your bluff.
My music, you know I'm not lying about anything, and the way you can tell is how in-depth I can get about everything I'm talking about.
I like to paint pictures with words, 'cause I can't draw for anything.
Since I entered the league, half of my checks have always gone into a separate account... I pride myself on doing that. I've done it no matter the size of my contract or salary.
Because of what I've saved, I don't really have a lot of worries about money.
I'm glad Phil Jackson got the rings for Chicago. You traded me away from New York, cool. It's all business; it's all love, whatever. But I'm a grownup now. You not my hero no more.
I wish I was in my 20s during the '90s to really fully live it. I feel like that was a pretty exciting time being from Chicago, seeing Jordan win six rings.
With Cleveland, I think they did a great job in knowing what their team needed, and when I came, I just did my job, and they fully embraced me.
I believe all men that are desired by masses of women due to looks, drive, and character are all more than likely to be seeing multiple women (Rightfully so if they are single).
Don't let men fool you... we all want love; we just know that it can leave us very vulnerable, and we seek a woman who understands and protects that with her life.
I just write verses. I don't write all day long. When I have something that needs to be said, I just write it down on my notepad in my iPhone.
I ain't got time to pay somebody to drive my vehicle.
You're not going to find me in something someone else is wearing. Unless, of course, he's a very swaggy individual.Collection: Individual
I don't want the attention. I want the respect.Collection: Attention
By the time I got to the league I knew the cameras were going to be there and to turn it on.Collection: League