Joakim Noah Quotes on Basketball (11 Quotes)

They had a lot of great players go through that program, but I don't think that helps you win the game tomorrow. Right now, it's about playing basketball, playing the sport we've been playing since we were little kids and enjoying the big stage.

History doesn't help you win basketball games. What does history do to help you win a basketball game, or what does tradition do to help you win a basketball game like tonight's.

Right now, it's not about tradition. It's about playing basketball.

It was frustrating at the end of the half, but we were up (by four). And there was still a lot of basketball to play.

I know they have a great tradition. I don't think it helps you win the game. It's not about tradition. It's about playing basketball, playing the sport that we've been playing since we were little kids. Just enjoy playing, enjoying every moment, enjoy playing on the big stage.

It doesn't matter it's all about winning the basketball game. I'm not worried about them holding the ball. It doesn't matter if we win 27-26, as long as we get the win.

As a basketball player this is your dream -- to play in the national championship game. It's just such a great feeling that it's finally here. There's been so much hard work and so much sacrifice. There's so many moments that I can go back to -- being a little kid, walking to practice. Now I'm finally playing in the game.

I disagree with coach because history doesn't help you win basketball games. At the end of the day, what does history or tradition do to help you win a basketball game tomorrow.

If we worried about the things you guys (in the media) worry about, our heads would explode. We just play basketball.

We're a young team and sometimes you've got to learn through experiences. ... The good news is there's a lot of basketball left. But ... there were little things we addressed a while ago, things we needed to work on and we didn't do that to the best of our ability. Sometimes when you lose you learn the hard way. And we definitely didn't want to do that.

I remember playing long hours in the gym by myself early in the morning. I was doing whatever it takes to get to this moment and this is, as a basketball player, your dream - to play for a national championship.