Quotes from around the NBA

What about grandma?

Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo on his dislike for other teams: “We are competing — there’s no friends on the court. Even if you were playing against a family member like your mother, you still go out there and try to beat her.�

Read the clips, please

Brooklyn Coach Avery Johnson on his team’s credentials, only a few weeks after star guard Joe Johnson said the Nets could beat the Miami Heat to win a title: “Nobody said we’re on Miami’s level. Nobody ever said it.�

Smart players for $400

Miami’s Shane Battier, who graduated from Duke with a degree in religion, on his mental prowess: “Playing Jeopardy! I like my chances against any power forward in the league. Print that.�

The Obama rules

Former Chicago Bulls star Scottie Pippen on playing basketball with President Barack Obama: “I thought the lanes opened up when Michael Jordan used to drive. I used to be like, ‘Wow.’ But when I saw the president drive, I thought they were bringing the whole motorcade through the lane, it was so wide.�