Greatest Basketball Quotes

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  Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.

  Michael Jordan

  Inspirational, Life, Motivational

  286 Copy quote

• I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.

  Michael Jordan

  Inspirational, Motivational, Inspiring

  Michael Jordan (1994). “I can't accept not trying: Michael Jordan on the pursuit of excellence”

  89 Copy quote

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• 

  I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying.

  Michael Jordan

  Inspirational, Motivational, Change

  "I Can't Accept Not Trying : Michael Jordan on the Pursuit of Excellence". Book by Michael Jordan (p. 129), 1994.

  211 Copy quote

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• 

  My attitude is that if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength.

  Michael Jordan

  Inspirational, Motivational, Strength

  Michael Jordan, Walter Iooss, Mark Vancil (1995). “I'm back!: more rare air”, Harpercollins

  79 Copy quote

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• I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.

  Michael Jordan

  Inspirational, Life, Motivational

  "Nike Culture : The Sign of the Swoosh". Book by Robert Goldman, Stephen Papson (p. 49), 1998.

  206 Copy quote

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• I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.

  Michael Jordan

  Inspirational, Life, Motivational

  435 Copy quote
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  You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.

  Michael Jordan

  Inspirational, Motivational, Happiness

  84 Copy quote

• The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot.

  Bill Russell

  Basketball, Motivational Sports, Block

  98 Copy quote
• 

  Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.

  Michael Jordan

  Inspirational, Basketball, Sports

  Michael Jordan (1994). “I can't accept not trying: Michael Jordan on the pursuit of excellence”

  140 Copy quote

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• The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team.

  John Wooden

  Leadership, Basketball, Teamwork

  John Wooden (2013). “Quotes from Coach John Wooden: Winning with Principle”, p.63, B&H Publishing Group

  40 Copy quote

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• 

  I always laugh when people ask me about rebounding techniques. I've got a technique. It's called just go get the damn ball.

  Charles Barkley

  Basketball, Nba, People

  43 Copy quote

• You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one.

  John Wooden

  Inspirational, Basketball, Motivational Sports

  "The Wizard's wisdom: 'Woodenisms'", www.espn.com. June 4, 2010.

  24 Copy quote

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• I play to win, whether during practice or a real game.

  Michael Jordan

  Inspirational, Basketball, Real

  29 Copy quote

• I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.
  Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.
  I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying.

  Michael Jordan

  Basketball, People, Wish

  8 Copy quote

• You got to believe in yourself. Hell, I believe I'm the best-looking guy in the world and I might be right.

  Charles Barkley

  Basketball, Believe, Guy

  13 Copy quote

• I don't hate anyone, at least not for more than 48 minutes, barring overtime.

  Charles Barkley

  Basketball, Hate, Minutes

  7 Copy quote

• If you go out with a girl and they say she has a great personality, she's ugly. If they tell you a guy works hard, he can't play a lick. Same thing.

  Charles Barkley

  Basketball, Girl, Hard Work

  "Dear diary: More Chuck, less gimmicks" by Bill Simmons, www.espn.com.

  5 Copy quote

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• If you're not doing what is best for your body, you are the one who lose.

  Julius Erving

  Fitness, Health, Loss

  10 Copy quote

• To do the right thing at the right season is a great art.

  Helio Gracie

  Basketball, Art, Mma

  79 Copy quote

• If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes.

  John Wooden

  Life, Positive, Basketball

  "The Wizard's wisdom: 'Woodenisms'", www.espn.com. June 4, 2010.

  13 Copy quote

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• Even when I'm old and grey, I won't be able to play it, but I'll still love the game.

  Michael Jordan

  Love, Motivational, Basketball

  16 Copy quote

• I try to do the right thing at the right time. They may just be little things, but usually they make the difference between winning and losing.

  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

  Life, Motivational, Success

  38 Copy quote

• Never mistake activity for achievement.

  John Wooden

  Inspirational, Basketball, Motivational Sports

  John Wooden (1997). “Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court”, p.8, McGraw Hill Professional

  15 Copy quote

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• You can't win unless you learn how to lose.

  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

  Basketball, Sports, Winning

  75 Copy quote

• I play to win, whether during practice or a real game. And I will not let anything get in the way of me and my competitive enthusiasm to win.

  Michael Jordan

  Success, Basketball, Inspirational Sports

  9 Copy quote