NBA quotes of the week

It still beats construction

San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich, on the firing of Brooklyn counterpart and former Spur Avery Johnson after the Nets had fallen to 14-14 following an 11-4 start that earned Johnson Eastern Conference coach-of-the-month honors: “It sort of shows what a fickle, volatile business we’re in.”

.500 excuses?

Denver Coach George Karl, on early season schedule imbalances that force some teams such as the Nuggets to play disproportionately more games on the road than at home: “Records are highly overrated right now.”

They are the Clippers, you know

Boston center Kevin Garnett, on his team’s mind-set regarding the Clippers during the Celtics’ loss at Staples Center on Thursday: “I thought we came out with too much respect.”

Not just for kicks

Miami guard Dwyane Wade’s tweet following his kick to the groin of Charlotte guard Ramon Sessions on Thursday that earned Wade a one-game suspension: “I’m far from being a dirty player + my intent was never 2 kick Ramon Sessions. I just reacted to the contact that I got from him.”

Rocky Mountain low

Lakers point guard Steve Nash, on why his team had lower energy than Denver from the start while giving up 126 points in a loss Wednesday: “Sometimes when you don’t have anything nice to say, you just don’t say anything at all.”

—Ben Bolch