When he came to the Lakers, Bob McAdoo told me how much the game meant, how it changed everything, how it opened up the world for black kids in the South. I guess I never really thought of it that way, that we were such a big part of history.

When you're getting your ass kicked, you get on to game four. That's what it's about.

When you're getting your ass kicked, you take it, and you go on to game four. They were very good and they were kicking our ass. And then we began to look at the officials. To me, that's not something you want to do.

Bob told me to get off the rail, which I did, when we came out of the first turn. He settled in real nice down the backside. I had three horses up ahead battling, and while it looked like we were losing some ground around the turn, I think the best part of the track was was three or four lanes off the rail — exactly where Bob wanted to see this horse.

I told him when he came back that I was going to treat them to a game, and I'm a man of my word. I'm a huge supporter of the military and all they do.

I think our guys remember that. I think they do remember getting embarrassed and humiliated in that game. It wasn't much fun.