Inspirational basketball Quotes

We win because we play together as a team.

— John Havlicek

Don't let what other people think decide who you are.

— Dennis Rodman

It is not what you teach, but what you emphasize.

— Don Meyer

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

— Don Meyer

You don't have to live anybody else's story.

— Stephen Curry

Shout praise and whisper criticism.

— Don Meyer

Basketball doesn't build character it reveals it.

— James Naismith

It's not how big you are, it's how big you play

— John Wooden

The coach should be the absolute boss, but he still should maintain an open mind.

— Red Auerbach

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

— Helio Gracie

If you are afraid of failure, you don't deserve success.

— Nastia Liukin

The invention of basketball was not an accident. It was developed to meet a need.

— James Naismith

If you're afraid to fail, then you're probably going to fail.

— Kobe Bryant

Prepare for every game like you just lost your last game.

— Lon Kruger

In practice, don't just run basketball drills, teach the players how to play basketball.

— Don Meyer

Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.

— Michael Jordan

This is a team game and one man doesn't win and one man doesn't lose. In the end, the best team usually…

— Wilt Chamberlain

I'm surrounded by nothing but great people. I've been blessed with that, so really, I've got no choice but to be an…

— Tim Duncan

I just love the game of basketball so much. The game! I don't need the 18,000 people screaming and all the peripheral…

— Bobby Knight

You always have to give 100%,because if you don't someone, somewhere will give 100% and they will beat you when you meet.

— Ed Macauley

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

Your program must have an overriding purpose which is clearly visible and which teaches lessons beyond winning.

— Don Meyer

I've never been afraid of big moments. I get butterflies.. I get nervous and anxious, but I think those are all good…

— Stephen Curry

You can run a lot of plays when your X is twice as big as the other guys' O. It makes your…

— Paul Westphal

I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed. Some people want it to…

— Michael Jordan

I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I have fear of failure. I have nights when I show up at the arena and…

— Kobe Bryant

Practice habits were crucial to my development in basketball. I didn't play against the toughest competition in high school, but one reason…

— Larry Bird

Competition is great for everyone. Sports can teach you so much at an early age, including camaraderie and sportsmanship. Competition aspect is…

— Tim Duncan

I was shocked cause I didn't even know that they made my jersey. I didn't know that they made it so fast,…

— Jeremy Lin

Criticize on defense and encourage on offense.

— John Brady

Morale and attitude are the fundamentals to success.

— Bud Wilkinson

You play with your soul as well as your body.

— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

All really successful coaches have a system.

— Jim Valvano

One man cannot make a team.

— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Play the game with a smile.

— Earl Monroe

I don't know what I'm going to do tomorrow. I just know for sure I'm going to keep playing basketball.

— Kevin Durant

Teams that play together beat those with superior players who play more as individuals.

— Jack Ramsay

Character never quits; and with patience and persistence; Dreams do come true!

— Pete Maravich

Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the Me for the We.

— Phil Jackson

Play off your great player... great teams have a go-to player and they play off of him.

— Don Meyer