I think sometimes you just need to play in this league. As a rookie coming out of college, you don't understand the real significance of being a pro unless you're playing other pros. It doesn't help you to play sporadically here or there.

[citation needed]. He is a former player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) who spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers and has coached in both the NBA and WNBA. Michael Jerome Cooper (born April 15 1956) is an American basketball coach and retired professional player.