Top Inspirational Quotes by Famous Basketball Players - Hoop Group (2024)

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Michael Jordan Phil Jackson FAQs

Blog Kaitlyn Fedor

Basketball is not only an entertaining sport that's incredibly fun to play, but it can also be truly inspiring. Since its beginning, it has become a global sport with people playing from the Philippines to Latvia. Basketball in particular, is a sport that truly needs passion to succeed. Even with all the talent in the world, you still need to find a way to motivate yourself to train and become the best player you can be.

At times, you'll find the grueling training to be completely unenjoyable. You may want to ditch practice to play video games or some other sort of instant gratification. Below, we've listed some basketball quotes from some of the greatest minds to be involved with the sport. These quotes are designed to encourage you and keep you motivated towards your goals.

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan is known as the greatest basketball player, for good reason. Not only was he exceptionally talented and blessed with incredible athleticism, but Michael Jordan was also a hard worker that faced extreme adversity on his road to becoming the best. Other than his skills and techniques, his drive to succeed despite his fails are what differentiates him and other players from other individuals on the courts. These quotes speak to Michael Jordan's drive. You should also set lofty goals for yourself. If you expect greatness and put in the effort, you have the ability to achieve greatness.

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

  • “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, and others make it happen.”

  • “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 again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

  • “Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”

  • “You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them.”

Phil Jackson

Phil Jackson is another great basketball player who was the mastermind behind the great Bulls and Lakers teams of the 90s and 2000s. Here are some of his famous takes on basketball and what it takes to succeed. He often reminded players of their own innate ability and how trusting each other will lead them down the path to victory.

  • “To inspire the players, I adapted a quote from Walt Whitman and taped it on their lockers before the first game of the playoffs, against the Miami Heat. 'Henceforth we seek not good fortune, we are ourselves good fortune'.”

  • “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.”

  • “The most we can hope for is to create the best possible conditions for success, then let go of the outcome. The ride is a lot more that way.”

If you're ever feeling down when playing on the basketball courts or during skills training, check some of the quotes from these exceptional athletes to keep you motivated!

Top Inspirational Quotes by Famous Basketball Players - Hoop Group (2024)

FAQs

Top Inspirational Quotes by Famous Basketball Players - Hoop Group? ›

You can't be afraid to fail. It's the only way you succeed - you're not gonna succeed all the time, and I know that. You have to be able to accept failure to get better.

What is the most famous basketball quote? ›

Top 40 Basketball Quotes (2024 Update)
  • “If nobody will help you, do it alone.” ...
  • “A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his goals.” ...
  • “If you're afraid to fail, then you're probably going to fail.” ...
  • “Just play.

What are words of encouragement for a basketball team? ›

  • "Ask not what your teammates can do for you. ...
  • "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships." ...
  • "When you're not practicing, someone else is getting better." ...
  • "Great players are willing to give up their own personal achievement for the achievement of the group. ...
  • "Stop by stop by stop.

What is an inspirational quote by Lebron? ›

You can't be afraid to fail. It's the only way you succeed - you're not gonna succeed all the time, and I know that. You have to be able to accept failure to get better.

What are some of Kobe Bryant's quotes? ›

Kobe's career in 24 quotes and 24 snapshots
  • ''The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do'' ...
  • "Everything negative -- pressure, challenges -- is all an opportunity for me to rise." ...
  • ''Once you know what failure feels like, determination chases success.

What is Michael Jordan most famous quote? ›

1. "The key to success is failure." 2. "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career.

What is Larry Bird's famous quote? ›

Larry Bird, the legendary basketball player, once said, "I don't know if I practiced more than anybody, but I sure practiced enough. I still wonder if somebody - somewhere - was practicing more than me." This quote encapsulates Bird's relentless work ethic and insatiable drive for greatness.

What is the quote for success in basketball? ›

If you´re not focused and disciplined, you´re not going to be successful." - Larry Bird. "The key to being successful in basketball is to have a strong work ethic and to never give up." - Tim Duncan. "The only way to improve in basketball is to push yourself to be better every day." - Jason Kidd.

How to motivate a basketball team? ›

Praise your players, both in times of success and defeat. Offering simple words of encouragement and praise can give your players the boost they need to finish the game strong. Praise doesn't have to just come from coaches. Encourage parents and even team members to praise each other for good work on and off the court.

What is a famous quote from Shaquille O'Neal? ›

You are what you repeatedly do. Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do. In this quote, Shaquille O'Neal, the legendary basketball player, emphasizes the importance of consistency and repetitive action in achieving excellence.

Who is the most inspiring NBA player? ›

Michael Jordan's influence not only throughout the NBA but on the world stage is unprecedented. He has cemented himself as the sport's greatest athlete of all time, going a record 6-0 in the NBA Finals and leading his Chicago Bulls to their first and only championships in franchise history, including two three-peats.

What was Kobe focus quotes? ›

I always focused on the fact that I had to try something to get it, and once I got it, I'd have another tool in my arsenal. If the price was a lot of work and a few missed shots, I was OK with that. I wasn't willing to sacrifice my game, but I also wasn't willing to sacrifice my family time.

What is the Mamba mindset quote? ›

The quote by The Mamba Mentality, "Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses," emphasizes the importance of dedication and tenacity in achieving greatness. It advocates for pushing oneself beyond limits, refusing to accept excuses or setbacks.

What are the most famous quote? ›

Best Quotes by Famous People
  • 1. “ Imagination is more important than knowledge.” – Albert Einstein.
  • 2. “ Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.
  • 3. “ ...
  • “I have a dream.” ...
  • 5. “ ...
  • 6. “ ...
  • “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” ...
  • 8. “

What is a famous quote from sports? ›

Best Motivational Quotes from Famous Athletes
  • 1) “If something stands between you and your success, move it. ...
  • 2) “Don't be afraid of failure. ...
  • 3) “You dream. ...
  • 4) "You must not only have competitiveness but ability, regardless of the circ*mstance you face, to never quit." ...
  • 5) “I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career.
Nov 18, 2023

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