Quotage: Mike Brown, Kyrie Irving and David West weigh in

Picking himself up

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey, on his most controversial draft selection: “I take some sort of pride in that you could argue that Royce White is the worst first-round pick ever. He’s the only one that never played a minute in the NBA that wasn’t just a foreign guy staying in Europe. It just shows that we swing for the fence.”

Here to stay?

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, on rumors he had been telling people he wants to leave his team: “It’s not about me and it’s not about this controversy — ‘Do I privately want out when my contract is up?’ I’m still in my rookie contract and I’m happy to be here. And I’m pretty sure I’m going to be here for a long time.”

Ready to grumble

Indiana forward David West, on the Eastern Conference coaches deciding not to pick Pacers teammate Lance Stephenson as an All-Star reserve: “I just think it’s unfortunate that Lance didn’t make it. It’s a slap in the face. He has to use it as motivation.”

Non-compete clause

Cleveland Cavaliers Coach Mike Brown, after a 100-89 loss to New Orleans that completed a 1-4 homestand: “Our competitive spirit is nonexistent. Maybe I need to shake some things up.”