" When you graduated Columbia Law School in 66. Did you think you're going to. Spend your life as a traditional lawyer did you have a game plan mapped out before you it involves -- Only aspirations. To be a lawyer. Partner firm. And Bolivia. That was it could tell this story the whole -- our evolution into general counts. Benoit went there in 1966. -- volunteered my time I think Ryan will have time which for a I didn't. And then for the next. Eleven years behind -- a lot of NBA work until. In 1978. I was probably working on him being 85 and 90% of my time. And Larry O'Brien and when you come -- General Counsel. I was afraid that if I didn't think that someone else would it may be the and me he wouldn't. Have a working and all the things only became General Counsel expecting to be -- for two -- three years. That was in 1978. I don't know of the environment is nurturing -- consensus building -- sumo. How do you deal with people -- don't agree with you internally. I that he that I welcomed there. And put. I mean I welcome them hanging on. To their ideas if they believe in them and then as a team we go forward. With whatever the decision that is. I remember. When Rick -- the president of the Suns was here he came in and we should do. The three point shot contest when no one heard of three point shot contest that'll. Gentlemen and that was stupidest thing I've ever heard. He had well you can only objection to -- going into this thing in the minor league who don't care. Which into you know given a shot you know I think it's -- but you know who shot and he did. You're right we liked it wouldn't do it as an all right Kristol think it's a critical blew it. -- their ideas I have has. Tremendous tremendous positive reinforcement -- again to you earlier -- what I thought but he's there was a kind of -- and this is a good thing I want to try and had great. Any particular. Business heroes. That helped define your style or was gonna monogamy and it was an amalgamation nine he had the opportunity. Two. Sit on approach. We knew we couldn't where I could trust -- a little. Mentors that long. Which were focused not so much on the study we'll put on current client interaction. And now that's an issue -- I could have the opportunity to watch all the media companies and consumer product companies that we came in contact with. And that was very I think constructive over the years I didn't. Latch on to any particular one but there was things about old clothes and Owens -- my own management style elements in the but really how I -- of the NBA as well."

" We came on board -- before you think. You're blessed. You are helped because Jordan Olajuwon Barkley Stockton. Came in at that time. Were you hurt because. Leagues economics weren't as good as they could be what what's he care crisis -- I think I would say is that."

" We were struggling. And that we were. Always helped by the influx of great players we always had great players coming and going you know wilt. And Bill Russell. You know Jerry West and Elgin Baylor you name it the Karim. Larry magic I mean it was an endless flow all of that said. We know. Of than to -- Late that -- NBA he was. Predominately -- and bored with the Lakers out there. And and I revenues were. -- And we were blessed by the continued influx of talent than these kinds of changes that took place. In. Building Arenas in -- accelerated growth of television network cable satellite and Internet. And we. What's marketing. Michael Jordan bursting on the scene so so we sort of float along and try to take advantage of changes that affect -- business. Wanna flowing along news giving you less credit than you deserve as far as being proactive and develop strategy for Italy well yes but I I tend to think of it and not not. Not modestly in my I'll leave but factually that. I think I -- and myself and the captain of the tugboat. And we guided the ocean liner that grows. And sure you've got it. No -- easier gonna pick up on May be the captain of the ocean liner. You can't make huge changes but you can sort of focus and direction because tides and currents will change. And we've had to do with lots of those and take advantage of many."

" February 1. This year. -- your 25 anniversary points -- can -- pretty easily you know and -- a secret only if you don't read in -- triple you know. And so did -- who -- 5 PM -- fact that you watch and wait for him to retire what would happen 125."

" I think we had a cake. I have my senior staff meeting and then the group of them put all kinds of totals around. Showing any younger more vibrant. Tarkanian and the -- he showed -- her. Turned and took great delight in and probing and prodding. Showed them my Emily --"