Basketball Quotes

Set higher standards for your own performance than anyone else around you, and your only competition will be with yourself

Basketball is a team game. But that doesn't mean all five players should have the same amount of shots.

You just stay patient, that's all.

Nobody should expect more of you than you expect of yourself.

We were excited to win, staying undefeated is just the icing.

The greatest compliment to any player is he is a great teammate. We can't all be great players, but we can all be great teammates

The Big Cactus. I will stick you.

I also tell them that your education can take you way farther than a football, baseball, track, or basketball will - that's just the bottom line.

Coaches win practices, players win games

Encourage 'random' picks on the ball because they cannot be scouted

The time when there is no one there to feel sorry for you or to cheer for you is when a player is made.

We want men here, not just players. Players are a dime a dozen

Don't let talent get in way of team performance. Great players do what's outstanding for team, not what makes them stand out

They talked about teamwork. That's all it is. It's about team effort. No particular player trying to outshine each other. Playing unselfishly and believe. Good things will come.

If you get tough mentally, you can get tough physically and overcome fatigue.

I think a lot of people don't understand that when I sit out it's not because of this year. I'm thinking about long term. I'm thinking about after I'm done with basketball.

X & O's aren't worth a damn without a team. If your team isn't with you it doesn't matter what you draw up. The team must respect what the coach is asking them to do

I don't believe in statistics. There are too many factors that can't be measured. You can't measure a ballplayer's heart.

Great players are willing to give up their own personal achievement for the achievement of the group. It enhances everybody.

False Hustle = cheap fouls, lunging, reaching, etc.

There is a lot of basketball beyond our control, but a player should never let anyone try harder than he does

I'm playing the guys who are going to fight. If you're not into this, I'm going to someone else

You should sub a player out when you see a player not going full-speed or playing selfish basketball.

I really get motivated when I have doubters.

You understand, you do not invent stuff on this team. Guys that invent stuff will not play for me. Make the easy play

You have to make shots to win basketball games and we didn't do that. You also have to get back on defense, so it was a double-whammy.

Being a professional is doing the things you love to do, on the days you don't feel like doing them.

The difference between a good defensive team and a bad defensive team is as little as three possessions

Remember, 'Rome was not built in a day.' Instant success is never possible. Competence results only from sustained, consistent, self-disciplined effort over an extended period of time.

Insist upon yourself. Be original.

Teamwork doesn't come naturally. It must be taught.

I begged my mom for a beat machine, she spent a crazy amount of money - so there were no more Christmases, no more basketball camps, no more birthday gifts. I always knew that's what I wanted to do.

When you watch the game, be a student of the game.

I was the original socially depraved shy ghetto kid.

Give your dreams all you've got, and you'll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you.

Michael Jordan is God disguised as a basketball player.

The coach's job is to be part servant in helping each player reach his goals within the team concept.

Knowledge is not enough to get desired results. You must have the more elusive ability to teach and to motivate. This defines a leader; if you can't teach and you can't motivate, you can't lead.

When I go to the line I'm thinking 'All net.' When I don't think that, I'm likely to miss.

True motivation is not getting people to play to their potential. It's getting people to play beyond their potential

I don't know how it is for you earthlings, but where I'm from, strength is mental.

I'd rather have preparation than motivation. Everyone likes to play, but no one likes to practice.

Your best player has to set a tone of intolerance for anything that gets in the way of winning

It's hard to play well, but it's easy to work hard.

Winning coaches look for opportunities to praise. Anything that reflects a commitment to the team is praiseworthy

Basketball is a pure invention.

Footwork is one of the primary prerequisites to becoming a great player

They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds.

Sometimes you will hate me because I will tell you the truth about your game. And the truth can hurt/humble you

Positioning, anticipation and technique create quickness. Therefore, you can always get quicker