Top Inspirational Basketball Quotes by Basketball Legends

Basketball is a competitive sport, and it can be challenging to get through some of the hardships of being an athlete. Much of this has to do with the mental aspect of the game, as many players struggle to keep their emotions in check when things aren’t going their way.

But to succeed as a basketball player, you must keep calm under pressure. So, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best basketball quotes from some of the greatest players in history. By reading these quotes, you can learn how to stay motivated and keep moving forward even when things don’t go your way.

Basketball Quotes to Inspire You

Quote

“When you’re not practicing, someone else is getting better.” –Allen Iverson.

Meaning

Basketball requires constant practice, and if you want to be the best player, you must invest the time. If you’re not practicing, someone else is getting better than you. This quote can serve as a reminder of why it’s so important to stay motivated and keep working hard on your game.

Quote

You can’t get much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good. ”—Jerry West.

Meaning

Life isn’t always easy; sometimes, you must push through the bad days. Whether working on your basketball skills or going to school, if you want something badly enough, you need to stay focused no matter how you’re feeling. This quote can remind you that no matter what life throws at you, it’s essential to keep going forward.

Quote

“Commitment separates those who live their dreams from those who live their lives regretting the opportunities they have squandered.”—Bill Russell.

Meaning

Between your first game as a basketball player and the day you retire, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to quit. You might get injured, or your team might lose a game they should have won. It’s easy to give up when things don’t go your way, but if you want to succeed as a basketball player, then it’s crucial not just to play well but also to stay focused on the sport even when things aren’t going your way.

Quote

“Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.” – Kevin Durant.

Meaning

If you want to be a great basketball player, then hard work is what it takes. Talent can only get you so far; the rest of your success will come from dedication and discipline. Making time for practice every day and pushing yourself as much as possible on and off the court will help you improve as a player and become better than those who don’t put in the same effort.

Quote

“Some people want it to happen; some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”—Michael Jordan.

Meaning

Many people want to be talented basketball players, but only those who make it happen are the ones who reach that level. If you want to be a skilled basketball player, don’t just sit around wishing for it to happen; go out and work hard to make yourself better so that one day you can achieve your dream.

Quote

“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.

Meaning

Many people will tell you it’s impossible to achieve your dreams, but that doesn’t mean it is. You have to figure out how to make it happen, even if that means putting in more work than others. Even if you run into many obstacles on the way there, they don’t have to stop you from achieving what you want—figure out how to get past them.

Quote

“Keep practicing. Never let anyone tell you’re too small or too slow.”—Chris Paul.

Meaning

The top basketball legends didn’t become great overnight. They had to practice their skills repeatedly to improve, which is why anyone can achieve their goals if they put in enough effort. If you want something bad enough, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise—keep working hard until you achieve it.

Quote

“I’ve got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end.”—Larry Bird.

Meaning

Basketball can be challenging to play, but if you want to be good at it, you must give 100 percent in every game. This means working hard every day and playing your hardest, even when things aren’t going well. Good things will happen for you in the long run if you do that.

Quote

“Never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best.”—Tim Duncan.

Meaning

The best basketball present you can give yourself is constantly striving to improve. To be the best player, you must work hard every day and never settle for mediocrity. Good things will happen for you in the long run if you do that.

Quote

“A lot of late nights in the gym, a lot of early mornings, especially when your friends are going out, you’re going to the gym, those are the sacrifices that you have to make if you want to be an NBA basketball player.”—Jason Kidd.

Meaning

Nothing good comes easily, so you must work hard for your wants. It will take a lot of hard work and dedication if you want to be an NBA basketball player. You can’t be lazy and expect things to fall into place for you; instead, you must put in the hours at practice and off-season training sessions.

Quote

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six 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.

Meaning

This quote shows how even the most incredible athletes can fail, but they don’t let that failure get in their way. They learn from it and use those lessons to improve their performance. It’s important not to fall into the trap of believing that you will succeed every time; instead, learn from your mistakes and try again.

Quote

“I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I have a fear of failure. I have nights when I show up at the arena and I’m like, ‘My back hurts, my feet hurt, my knees hurt. I don’t have it. I just want to chill.’ We all have self-doubt. You don’t deny it, but you also don’t capitulate to it. You embrace it.”—Kobe Bryant.

Meaning

When you have doubts, it’s important to remember that everyone has them. It’s easy to get down on yourself when things aren’t going well, and it can be tempting to give up when self-doubt creeps in; however, letting these feelings win out will prevent you from achieving your goals.

Conclusion:

Basketball quotes are a great way to motivate yourself and others. They can inspire, help you get through tough times, or make you laugh. If you’re looking for some new quotes or want to share some of your favorites with the world, the ones we listed above are great places to start.