In the immortal words of Empty the Bench: “The Season’s Over” — for fans of the Raptors and thirteen other teams. But if you’re also a fan of good NBA basketball, it’s not a total loss. There are meaningful games ahead. There are also interesting things to be said, if history holds true.

I asked blogosphere denizens what their favorite quotes were. Here are their answers; be inspired and amused.

How sweet it is! – Clyde Drexler, upon finally winning a Championship with Houston in ‘95 (contributed by Mookie, A Stern Warning)

Fo’, Fo’, Fo’ — Moses Malone, predicting a triple sweep for the Sixers (Jared, Both Teams Played Hard)

It’s all f***ing entertainment. You all should know that sh**. It’s all f***ing entertainment. — Rasheed Wallace, not a fan of the flop (Brian, Empty The Bench)

The SHOT ON EHLO…. — Jim Durham calls Michael Jordan’s game winner over the Cavs in ‘89 (Kellex, Blaze of Love)

You shake a tree, a leopard’s gonna fall out. — Kobe Bryant warns J.R. Smith not to, um, shake his tree (Brendan, 2nd Round Reach)

*shrugs* — Jordan, after scoring a record six treys in a half – in a Finals – against the Blazers (Brett, Queen City Hoops)

Challenge me. Treat me like a game of checkers and play me. That’s all I’m asking, just play me. Treat me like Sega and play me. – Shaquille O’Neal spars with Dikembe Mutombo (QC Hoops)

That game was dedicated to Rick Adelman. I’m at home, in the bathroom, trying to take a dump, flipping through the channels and he’s complaining (on TV) about how I’m stepping over the line. I can’t even do a No. 2 in peace. I’m sitting there grunting at 12:30 at night. Can I go one day without somebody saying something negative about me? — Shaq, in response to then-Sacramento coach Rick Adelman, who had complained about O’Neal stepping over the free-throw line (College Wolf, TWolves Blog)

Who’s coming in second? — Larry Bird is really, really confident about winning the three-point contest (Sheed, Bust a Bucket) [Pete's note: Bird might've said that about any given playoff game, too.]

The key is not the ‘will to win’ . . . everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important. — Bobby Knight (Erik, Points In The Paint)

It doesn’t matter if you win by an inch or a mile; winning’s winning. (PITP) [Pete's note: Anyone care to guess who said this? Put your hand down, Erik.]

Were you inspired? Did you laugh? Yes? Good. No? Add your favorite quote in the comments below.