Michael Jordan Quotes About Basketball

Micheal Jordan is a role model for countless basketball players. If you’re an athlete especially, a basketball player, then his words will inspire you. In this post, I’m going to share Michael Jordan quotes about basketball that will motivate you.

Michael Jordan is a former basketball player and regarded as one of the greatest of all time. He started playing major basketball games in 1984 and won six titles for his team Chicago Bulls. He played his last basketball match against the Philadelphia 76ers in 2003.

Let’s directly move on to inspirational Michael Jordan basketball quotes to know more about his life and playing career.

Short Motivational Quotes of Michael Jordan on Basketball

  1. “I’ve never lost a game I just ran out of time.” ― Michael Jordan
  2. “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” ― Michael Jordan
  3. “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” ― Michael Jordan
  4. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. ― Michael Jordan
  5. Stay reachable. Stay in touch. Don’t isolate.” ― Michael Jordan
  6. “To be successful you have to be selfish, or else you never achieve. ― Michael Jordan
  7. Basketball isn’t my job. ―  Michael Jordan
  8. “If you quit ONCE it becomes a habit. Never quit!!!” ― Michael Jordan
  9. “Everybody has talent, but ability takes hard work.” ― Michael Jordan
  10. “Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation.” ― Michael Jordan
  11. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships. ―  Michael Jordan
  12. “To learn to succeed, you must first learn to fail.” ― Michael Jordan
  13. “Don’t let them drag you down by rumors just go with what you believe in.” ― Michael Jordan
  14. When I’m in the basketball court, no one can bother me…” ― Michael Jordan
  15. Failure always made me try harder next time. ―  Michael Jordan
  16. You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them. ― Michael Jordan
  17. Another day, another opportunity to prove everyone who doubts you wrong. ― Michael Jordan
  18. “The harder I prepare, the luckier I seem to get.” ― Michael Jordan
  19. Winners don’t just learn the fundamentals, they master them. ― Michael Jordan
  20. “Everybody has talent, but ability takes hard work.” ― Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan Quotes on Basketball That will Inspire You

21. “The basketball court for me, during a game, is the most peaceful place I can imagine. On the basketball court, I worry about nothing. When I’m out there, no one can bother me…” ― Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan Quotes About Basketball

22. 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 (GoodRaad)

23. The game is my wife. It demands loyalty and responsibility, and it gives me back fulfillment and peace. ― Michael Jordan

24. I heave the basketball; I know it sails in a parabola, exhibiting perfect symmetry, which is interrupted by the basket. It’s funny, but it is always interrupted by the basket. ― Michael Jordan

25. Basketball isn’t just about the bright lights, packed arenas, and highlight reels. Basketball is a way of life. Basketball is a relationship between you and the ball, you and your teammates. If you love the game, nobody can take that from you. ― Michael Jordan

26. Sometimes, things may not go your way, but the effort should be there every single night. ― Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan Quotes on Basketball

27. “The basketball court for me, during a game, is the most peaceful place I can imagine. On the basketball court, I worry about nothing. When I’m out there, no one can bother me.” ― Michael Jordan

28. “To be successful you have to be selfish, or else you never achieve. And once you get to your highest level, then you have to be unselfish. Stay reachable. Stay in touch. Don’t isolate.” ― Michael Jordan

29. In college, I never realized the opportunities available to a pro athlete. I’ve been given the chance to meet all kinds of people, to travel and expand my financial capabilities, to get ideas and learn about the life, to create a world apart from basketball. ― Michael Jordan

30. “Every time I feel tired while I am exercising and training, I close my eyes to see that picture, to see that list with my name. This usually motivates me to work again.” ― Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan on Basketball

31. “Great players never look in the mirror and think I’m a great basketball player. You ask yourself, Am I the best player I can be?” ― Michael Jordan

32. “You have competition every day because you set such high standards for yourself that you have to go out every day and live up to that.” ― Michael Jordan

33. “If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But 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.” ― Michael Jordan

Be true to the game – MJ Quotes for Basketball

34. “Be true to the game, because the game will be true to you. If you try to shortcut the game, then the game will shortcut you. If you put forth the effort, good things will be bestowed upon you. That’s truly about the game, and in some ways, that’s about life too.” ― Michael Jordan

Be true to the game - MJ Quotes for Basketball

35. “So, the next time you’re out working on your game and they pass you the rock, don’t just take it to the hole. Take it to the next level. Don’t just bend rims. Bend expectations. Let them see you and feel you and by the very virtue of your love, the truth in your game, they will hear you. Let your game speak.” ― Michael Jordan

36. “Sometimes, things may not go your way, but the effort should be there every single night.” ― Michael Jordan

37. “When I step onto the basketball court, I’m ready to play. If you’re going up against me, you’d better be ready. If you’re not going to compete, I will dominate you.” ― Michael Jordan

38. “I truly love the game; I wouldn’t be playing if I didn’t love the game. I’m not getting paid astronomical dollars; it’s true for the love of the game of basketball.” ― Michael Jordan

39. “The game of basketball has been everything to me. My place of refuge, a place I’ve always gone where I needed comfort and peace. It’s been the site of intense pain and the most intense feelings of joy and satisfaction. It’s a relationship that has evolved over time, given me the greatest respect and love for the game.” ― Michael Jordan

quotes on basketball by MJ

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Image by Honza NedomaCC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons and Edited by me.