«During this time of great change and uncertainty, there have been a number of people who have not opted to come to Oklahoma City. Some who couldn't bring themselves to leave Louisiana in a time of great need. Others had family and things that made the decision to come to Oklahoma City very hard.»

«They reached out to us and made it clear they'd be willing to work with us.»

«We're looking at what makes the most sense.»

«I'm committed to having a presence in Louisiana this season. What form that takes, I'm not sure,»

«We're going to take our resources and spread them across a wider reach. We'll repay the citizens of Oklahoma City and provide them with their best NBA experience, because this might be their only one. But we'll try not to lose step with what we were doing in the New Orleans marketplace. We don't want people (in New Orleans) to ask, 'Where were you?' These are our fans. And our fellow citizens.»

«We'd hope those people would do that. That would be best for us as a company. If it doesn't work for them, and they need that money back, and many people may, we'd refund their money in some fashion.»

«I find it easy to get over any disappointments because of the bigger issues facing everybody's lives,»

«George Shinn is the major reason why I'm here, ... I really like the man and respect him. He is a modest, unassuming man who cares about the right things. The NBA is filled with generous owners, and there's no owner that's more sincerely generous. His view on the people that are in the arena and in the community and in his staff ? he's a visionary, he's a leader. He needed a manager, and I think we've formed a very formidable duo. I believe in his vision, he believes in my ability to execute, and together I think we're doing something pretty special in New Orleans.»

«We've got a terrific basketball operations group, ... That is what these guys do well. My job is to put in my two cents. Where I weigh in more is in the business side. I'm learning a lot. The basketball operations guys have welcomed me into the decision-making process. I think, over time, I will develop a keener eye for talent. I care a lot about character. I just see myself playing a supporting role to what they do and keeping an eye on what they do.»

«They didn't really have a job in mind, but they knew I was knowledgeable about the game and passionate about the game, ... Paul Phipps is one of the great pro sports executives around, and I went to work with him for club services. It was a great learning experience for me, and we had some real success.»