"I'm a Knicks fan, but I respect your game," and "Reggie, you play hard, man, I got to give it to you; I still like the Knicks".
Arriving at a basketball court is a seemingly casual thing, but who actually gets to play is determined by a number of Byzantine rituals involving such things as how well known you are to the regulars, how well respected your game is, how you look, what color you are (and there are a very wide range of colors), how you dress, walk, talk.
"As long as you're respecting your opponent and respecting the game, you can pretty much get away with anything.
"Our guys are professional and I have as many warriors on my team as anybody in the league -- respect the game, respect your teammates -- but they don't have the reputation or the credentials that Zo, Malone or Patrick would have.
Rivalries form, and you genuinely grow to hate, and sometimes respect, your adversaries a rarity in games, where enemies are usually no more than faceless drones.
Rivalries form, and you genuinely grow to hate, and sometimes respect, your adversaries – a rarity in games, where enemies are usually no more than faceless drones.
"Respect your teammates, respect your opponents, respect the game".
It's about respecting the game and your opponents".
"I just know when you work hard, have determination and patience, that eventually your game gets respected.
For me it's about respecting the game.
