Too soon to quit

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, on his resolve to keep playing despite recently suffering a second significant knee injury that will force him to miss the rest of the season: “I could get hurt 10 more times — I’m never going to stop.”


That’s a good thing?

Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter, on Coach Ty Corbin’s decision to break up the team’s twin-tower starting lineup and make Kanter come off the bench: “Whatever Coach gives me. Come from the bench or the starting five, it doesn’t matter. In the end you still play for the Jazz.”


Ready for battle

Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert, tweeting to Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge and including a photo of protective gear after the Trail Blazers’ 106-102 victory that included several physical exchanges: “Next time . . . I’m wearing a cup.”


Rural relations

Denver Nuggets assistant coach Melvin Hunt, on his bond with center Timofey Mozgov: “He’s from Russia, I’m from Louisiana — basically, it’s the same place. We’re so different, but he’s so respectful, and I think the reason why we click so well is because he knows I care about him.”


—Ben Bolch