"You've got to learn the footwork, the positioning, how to box out, how to pass, how to shoot your free throws. All these things are necessary, not to be the No. 1 player in the world, but maybe you can play against him"

This quote by Oscar Robertson is stressing the value of finding out the fundamentals of basketball. He is stating that even if you are not the best player in the world, you can still compete versus the best if you have mastered the essentials. He mentions footwork, positioning, boxing out, passing, and shooting totally free tosses as vital abilities to have. He is suggesting that if you have a mutual understanding of the principles, you can still compete versus the very best gamers worldwide. This quote is a pointer that even if you are not the best, you can still contend if you have the ideal abilities. It is very important to concentrate on the fundamentals and not just the flashy plays. With the best basics, you can still compete against the very best.