"I won't play if Chuck ain't the coach. I think they did him wrong. As far as Rothstein, I don't have anything against him. But because of what he did, I would not play for him.'' -- Detroit Piston, Dennis Rodman threatened not to play for new coach Ron Rothstein.

"The insults didn't bother us. With all the injuries we played through, you couldn't be cream puffs or marshmallows and win 57 games.'' -- Cleveland Cavaliers' coach Lenny Wilkins after his team blew out the world champion Chcago Bulls in game two of their Eastern Conference Championship series.

"They can call you names and say what they want, but they can eat crow now.

We realise this is just one game and we need to win three more to make it mean something.'' -- Mark Price, Cleveland's star point guard responding to the critics.

"It was just natural. I knew I was going to win the race.'' -- 1992 Marathon Derby champion Errol Cormack.

"I have been nothing but a contender each time I have entered, but this time I finally did it.'' -- Sinclair Packwood, winner of the Heritage Day Cycle Race.

"I think realistically my time has passed and it's time for other people.'' -- 33-year-old John McEnroe, ousted in the first round of the French Open.

"There's no pressure on me...the only pressure was raising the money to go.'' -- Bermuda's world champion one-armed golfer Quinn Talbot, before flying off to defend his title in Scotland.

"This group of players is not intimidated by anybody. I just hope the folks at home appreciate what we've done.'' -- Bermuda national soccer team manager Gary Darrell aiming a verbal jab at critics of the national programme.