Bill Walton

Basketball is one of those rare opportunities where you can make a difference, not only for yourself, but for other people as well.

I was a skinny, scrawny guy. I stuttered horrendously, couldn't speak at all. I was a very shy, reserved player and a very shy, reserved person. I found a safe place in life in basketball.

Success at the highest level comes down to one question: Can you decide that your happiness can come from someone else's success?

At 49, I can say something I never would have said when I was a player. I am a better person because of my failures and disgraces.

Where else but the NBA could people like Bill Russell, Spencer Haywood, Ricky Barry, Dennis Rodman, and Allen Iverson come in and be allowed to be who they are?