Quotes and Sayings about Basketball

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

Failures & Mistakes Ambition

Kobe Bryant, in my opinion, is the greatest player in the league since me.

Michael Jordan

Kobe Bryant

You really need to consider the message you're sending this boys by ending the lockout. It's the same message that we as a culture send to our professional athletes; and that is that they are above the law. If these boys cannot honor the simple rules of a basketball contract, how long do you think it will be before they're out there breaking the law? I played ball here at Richmond High 30 years ago. It was the same thing then; some of my teammates went to prison, some of them even ended up dead. If you vote to end the lockout, you won't have to terminate me; I'll quit.

Ken Carter in Coach Carter

Sports

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

Michael Jordan

Age

Ted: "You name a chubby white kid LeBron and he's the one getting stuffed in the basketball hoop."
Marshall: "Then I'm also crossing off Shaquille, Hakeem and Dikembe."

Ted Mosby in How I Met Your Mother - Season 6 Episode 6

I think the worst thing you can do as a shooter is to hesitate. You must keep believing the next one's going in.

Dirk Nowitzki

Most of basketball is in the mind. But it helps to have big hands.

Scottie Pippen

Hands

As long as I play ball, I can get any woman I want.

Dennis Rodman

We have temporarily suspended our season in response to the coronavirus pandemic. This hiatus will last at least 30 days and we intend to resume the season, if and when it becomes safe for all concerned.

Adam Silver (as NBA Commissioner) - March 2020

Coronavirus

I'm not a role model... Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids.

Charles Barkley

Role Models

And I was like, Momma, this air bubble right here, it’s gonna make me fly
I hit that court, and when I jumped, I jumped, I swear I got so high
I touched the net, Mom I touched the net, this is the best day of my life

Macklemore - Wings

My job ist to come in, run the show, set the table and make sure that everyone eats.

Michael-Hakim Jordan (Aufbauspieler der Gießen 46ers)

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

John Wooden (Most successful coach in NCAA history)

The most valuable player is the player that makes the most players valuable.

Josh Giddey - March 2022

Teams

Guys like Steph and Dame obviously revolutionised the game in the way they shoot the ball and now when you see little kids play, that's who they want to try and be like. They want to shoot the ball from 40 feet, make deep threes.

Josh Giddey - February 2022

Stephen Curry

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

Tim Duncan

Every sound in the gym is so fantastic. The screams of the fans, the whistle of the ref, the teammates calling to each other, the sounds of the ball touching the wooden floor, the sneakers touching the floor, and the sounds of the fight, the muscle and the sweat. Oh, and the last one – when the ball goes through the net. Don't laugh at my sensitivity and romanticism – those sounds really attract me.

Yao Ming

You don't have to be best friends as basketball players but I do believe in chemistry. I think it makes everything different if a team is really together and they're all on that same page.

Dwight Howard

A good player knows where he is on court. A great player knows where everybody else is.

Stanley Sugerman in Hustle

Don't think, shoot! Soon as you start thinking you miss.

Steve Kerr

The game of basketball brings people together. It really doesn't matter where you are coming from. It's a game all of us love.

Vlade Divac

Basketball is the opposite of selfishness, basketball is solely about giving and sharing and caring for one another.

Vlade Divac

In Texas, it's football. In Georgia, football. There's an appreciation from the average person about football more than anywhere else. And we have that for basketball in New York. And we'll always have that in New York.

Kenny Smith

American Football Texas Georgia

My high school coach used to tell me there's no correct way to shoot, that the only correct way was to get the ball into the basket.

Kenny Smith

With the ball in your hands as the point guard, you want to be able to control the game and take care of it.

Rajon Rondo

Bill Murray: "It's because I'm white, isn't it?"
Michael Jordan: "Larry's white!"
Bill Murray: "Larry's not white. Larry's clear!"

Bill Murray in Space Jam

Larry Bird

Michael Jordan and Magic and myself all learned how to play the game in college programs that emphasized the team.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Michael Jordan Magic Johnson Teams

I tell kids to pursue their basketball dreams, but I tell them to not let that be their only dream.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I'll play the game for free, but you get paid for the bullshit after you leave the floor.

Dennis Rodman in The Last Dance - Episode 3

Push yourself again and again. Don't give an inch until the final buzzer sounds.

Larry Bird

Motivation

Strong college basketball is great for the NBA.

Adam Silver

I want to become one of the best players, so if you want to be one the best, you have to elevate all aspects of your game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

As you guys might expect, this is my final home game, I put you guys on a heck of a ride with a lot of ups and downs in my career and you always supported me and I appreciate it.

Dirk Nowitzki

2019 Dallas Mavericks

I always wanted to be a basketball player. Nothing more, nothing less.

Dirk Nowitzki

I love the gym; I love basketball. I'm really passionate about it.

Kyrie Irving

Hockey is a sport for white men. Basketball is a sport for black men. Golf is a sport for white men dressed like black pimps.

Tiger Woods

Golf Hockey

I played basketball when I was little because it was fun for me. It still is now. I just love it. I have a passion for it.

Kawhi Leonard

I'm not playing for other people; if I start thinking in those terms I would put too much pressure on myself. I play basketball because that is what I love to do.

Jeremy Lin

The only difference between a good shot and a bad one is if it goes in or not.

Charles Barkley

Welcome to your Kodak moment, Anderson Verejao!

Reggie Miller - about being dunked on by Dwayne Wade

Me shooting 40% at the foul line is just God's way to say nobody's perfect.

Shaquille O'Neal

The game has changed my life because it's taught me how to set goals, strive to achieve those goals, and never get complacent with those goals.

Michael Jordan

I'm gonna miss a lot about the game. I'm going to miss the competition, the friendship, the fans, joking with the media and I'm really going to miss the free-throws.

Shaquille O'Neal - Announcing retirement

2011

Even in the NBA Finals, J.J. Barea inspired all of us with those drives to the hoop.

Barack Obama

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I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough.

Michael Jordan - June 2020

Racism 2020 Death of George Floyd

Walked into a restaurant yesterday and guy comes up and says: "Aren't you Rik Smits?"
Not quite but I appreciated his hoops knowledge…

Dirk Nowitzki - December 2023

Sky is the limit for her and what she can do on the court, in terms of her impact in the game but also the court as well... It's been fun to watch her journey.

Stephen Curry - February 2024

Sabrina Ionescu

I think it's just God disguised as Michael Jordan.

Larry Bird in The Last Dance

Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls

I learned a lot I wouldn't have learned roaming the streets of Dallas.

Dennis Rodman

Dallas

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