Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Video: Jamaal Wilkes on Pride, Success and His Accomplishments
Lakers NewsVideo

Video: Jamaal Wilkes on Pride, Success and His Accomplishments

Serena Winters
Published: 12/29/2012
3 Min Read
SHARE

Jamaal WilkesAt Jamaal Wilkes’ press conference before the unveiling of his No.52 retired jersey, the Lakers legend shared genuine emotion and vivid stories with those of us in the room. Most notably, Wilkes opened up about his appreciation and admiration for John Wooden, as well as an instinctive and spiritual connection that he had with Magic Johnson and the 1982 Lakers team.

Let’s take a look back at some of the most memorable quotes from his press conference. The entire interview is posted below.

On pride and success:

“I prided myself on winning. I learned at a very young age, you can debate who the best player was or wasn’t, but you can’t debate who won or lost. So, that’s where my priorities went.”

“We had a real sense of pride in our team success. Of course we had issues going on all the time, under currents, but we never let it get in the way of our objective, which was to be the best in the NBA and represent the city of LA as best as we could.”

On the current Lakers team:

“My message would be: five, ten years from now…whatever you feel now, five ten years from now, you’re going to look back and feel differently…and that they have a great opportunity, and I would just encourage them to do whatever it takes. I mean if you’ve got to learn how to play differently or whatever, do whatever it takes to help this team be as successful as they can be, because ultimately that will be their legacy.”

On John Wooden:

“My manhood my credibility and everything was on the line.” (When John Wooden asked to observe his shot)

“For a young guy in LA, he was kinda corny but he really believed it [his philosophy], and I thank god for him.”

On his connection with Magic Johnson:

“Instinctively,  it wasn’t anything we talked about. It was just something that we all tuned into spiritually, we just knew it would be there.”

httpvhd://youtu.be/S6zDWUFRHXA

Reporter and Video Editor: @SerenaWinters

 

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
BySerena Winters
Follow:
Serena Winters was a former reporter for LakersNation.com who also oversaw the video team. You can now find her on NBC Sports Northwest as host of The Bridge. But really, she's probably more known for bringing snacks with her wherever she goes. UCSB alum, Muay Thai lover, foodie (all of it). Email: serenawintersinfo@gmail.com
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?