The second half

!@#$%^&!

Cleveland’s LeBron James, above, who stayed in the dressing room with teammates during the Celtics’ ring ceremony:

“We need to get ready for the game. Congratulations to them, but we’re not the fans of Boston. We don’t need to be out there clapping for them getting rings.”

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Celebrity roast

New Jersey’s Devin Harris, on getting burned by London streetballer Stuart Tanner in a video seen by millions on YouTube:

“They told me one of the Special Olympic kids wanted to play me one-on-one. So he hit the first shot and I was like, ‘OK, he has a little talent.’ Then he just whipped out the other thing. I was kind of confused at that point with all these dribbling moves and before I knew it, he threw it through my legs and laid it up. At that point it was time to go.”

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That’s Mr. O’Neal to you

Utah’s Kyrylo Fesenko on the folly of angering Shaquille O’Neal:

“One time after I push him in the back, he look at me with this look I will probably see in my nightmares.”

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He wishes he was kidding

Denver Coach George Karl, accused of buttering up Utah by picking the Jazz to win their division:

“I think they’ve earned the butter.”

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That’s why

Miami rookie Michael Beasley, before missing 10 of 14 shots in his NBA debut:

“I think the first impression is the best. Why not come in with a bang? Why not come in and let people know you’re here?”