Lamar Odom quotes:

You walk in our locker room and you see Pau Gasol, you see Andrew Bynum, you see Kobe, you see Ron Artest ... we have so many players that can play.

I've always been taught to care what other people think. My grandmother and mother taught me to project a positive image of myself.

I've always felt that I'm a natural leader.

There was a possibility I could have been out of the NBA. It's taught me something that was a little deeper than basketball. I'm talking about life decisions.

My grandma always said bad things don't last forever.

My grandmother was always upbeat, a naturally happy person. I think I got that from her.

I just try to focus on the basketball game and not get caught up in all the media.

I think a lot of the media love the game and hate the people who play it.

I'm a role model. I have overcome the negativity, and I'm playing.

Perception rules the world. Everyone knows that. Where we live and where we're from, you just can't escape it.

A little adversity can't hold me down.

Either you can do it or you can't. I think I can overcome anything I put my mind to.

I did some things I regret, and I know there are people who think they know me. I've heard the things they say, and some of them are hurtful.

If I put my mind to something and really want it, I'll go after it and get it.

I'm always going to be under a microscope, and I haven't always handled it well.

I'm just a basketball player, you know? Just put me where you need me.

I'm one of those players that I think I can do what's asked of me. Whether it's putting the ball in the basket, rebounding the ball, diving on the floor, making other people better, I'm willing to do anything just to win.

In New York, the dunk is not the thing. To break somebody down and shoot a J-that's as big as a dunk in New York.

Lamar is just Lamar. My teammates probably can explain that a little better than I can. If I just go out there and do what I do and be myself, it shouldn't be a problem.

Me. I like to have fun. I'm like a kid in a candy story out there.

People have always told me, 'Yo, you're too unselfish. Shoot more.'

Sometimes I still don't know if I'm prepared to go through the entire season, dealing with the different personalities, the crowds, the politics.

The thing I love about the NBA game is that it's a playmaker's league.

There's pressure every night to be the best on the court. I put a lot of pressure on myself. Pressure is part of the game. It is also part of life. I want to prove I can do the work and be a success off the court as well as on it.

When I'm on the court, it's like I'm in heaven.

You want to remain hungry and stay in a good place as a competitor; at the same time, you want to be confident but not cocky. You have to realize that you can lose. We have to stay hungry, because losing is the worst thing that can happen now. That's a road we don't want to go down.

You've got to play with pride and guts.

We're all products of our environment. The key is not to fall.

People tell me that I'm always smilin' on the court. I don't think about it. I just get emotional out there.