QUOTAGE

FAST LEARNER

Chicago’s Ben Gordon, above, on Kobe Bryant trade rumors:

“After a while you realize people are just starting to throw ideas out there and a lot isn’t true. After a while you stop paying attention.”

NOT SUCH A FAST LEARNER

New York’s Stephon Marbury, on his controversial career to New York Magazine’s Tommy Craggs before the season:

“If I didn’t play the way how I played, I wouldn’t have gotten no max contract. They can talk about whatever they want to talk about me, because I got maxed. I’m a max player. Don’t get mad at me because I’m telling you what’s real. One plus one is two all day long and it’s never going to change. And that’s factorial.”

HAS FINGER ON FANS’ PULSE

Chicago Coach Scott Skiles, on what Bulls fans are thinking:

“Get rid of me?”

FAMOUS LAST WORDS

Detroit Coach Flip Saunders on forward Amir Johnson, who missed a team flight after coming late to several practices:

“He said, ‘It just seems like I’ve had bad luck.’ I said, ‘Well, you’re going to have get better luck or leave a lot earlier.’ ”