My observance as a practicing Muslim in the NBA is somewhat uncommon. Since joining the league in 2011, my dedication to my faith has aroused the curiosity of teammates, coaches, trainers and fans.

When I look back at my basketball career, I want to say I tried to inspire as much as I could.

My job is to go out there and play as hard as I can. Because the fans are paying so much money to come and see the game.

I've been to playoffs before. That should be everybody's goal is the playoffs.

I moved to Humble under really unfortunate circumstances obviously, Hurricane Katrina, so our family was displaced here for four months. Humble was a home for us.

Holiday food is rich and indulgent. Going-home-to-see-family food is richer and even more indulgent.

If you're just focused on work, my view is that you'll never get enough back from any organization, no matter how fantastic the role is, and you have to have a full life so that you really get enriched in a lot of different ways, and that can be family and kids. It can be, for others, sports.

We had to make ends meet. My parents were divorced, so my father wasn't really in my life. We grew up like most kids, just wanting things.