100 All-Time Great NBA Quotes

June 27, 2023

Top 100 NBA Quotes 2023

The National Basketball Association (NBA) stands as the premier professional basketball league globally, captivating fans with its electrifying displays of skill, athleticism, and competition.

Founded in New York City on June 6, 1946, the NBA has evolved into a global phenomenon, attracting millions of passionate fans from every corner of the world.

With its fast-paced action, high-flying dunks, precision three-point shooting, and strategic team play, the NBA has become a cultural force, transcending boundaries and inspiring generations of basketball enthusiasts.

Comprising 30 teams, the NBA showcases the finest basketball talent on the planet, featuring both homegrown superstars and international icons.

The league has seen legendary figures grace its courts, leaving an indelible mark on the sport’s history.

From the dominant reign of Bill Russell and the unparalleled artistry of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, to the soaring heights of Michael Jordan, the NBA has been a stage for unparalleled greatness and memorable rivalries.

10 Most Inspiring NBA Quotes

“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”

— Michael Jordan

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 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

“The only way to handle pressure is to apply it.”

— Charles Barkley

“I’m a basketball player. I play basketball. That’s what I do.”

— LeBron James

“Don’t count the days, make the days count.”

— Muhammad Ali

“I’ve always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.”

— Michael Jordan

“I can’t really tell you what Kobe does. He puts himself in the right position, and he makes tough shots. It’s not anything you can diagram.”

— Shaquille O’Neal

“There is no such thing as a perfect basketball player, and I don’t believe there is only one greatest player either.”

— Michael Jordan

“I don’t believe in pressure. The pressure is not being prepared for what you want to do.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I’ve never been afraid of big moments. I get butterflies. I get nervous and anxious, but I think those are all good signs that I’m ready for the moment.”

— Stephen Curry

10 Awesome NBA Quotes On Success

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”

— Pele

“It’s not about the shoes. It’s about what you do in them.”

— Michael Jordan

“There is no “I” in team, but there is in win.”

— Michael Jordan

“Good players want to be great. Great players want to be champions.”

— Larry Bird

“I’ve never been afraid to fail.”

— Michael Jordan

“I don’t know if I even have an ego, I’m just confident.”

— LeBron James

“There’s winning and there’s losing, and in life, you have to know they both will happen. But what’s never been acceptable to me is quitting.”

— Magic Johnson

“I would tell players to relax and never think about what’s at stake. Just think about the basketball game. If you start to think about who is going to win the championship, you’ve lost your focus.”

— Michael Jordan

“I don’t think that you can fake warmth. You can fake lust, jealousy, anger; those are all quite easy. But actual, genuine warmth? I don’t think you can fake it.”

— Shaquille O’Neal

“I can’t really do anything but play basketball.”

— Allen Iverson

10 Inspirational Quotes From NBA Legends

“I never thought I’d land in pictures with a face like mine.”

— Shaquille O’Neal

“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great at whatever they want to do.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I play to win, whether during practice or a real game.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I’ve always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.”

— LeBron James

“I don’t think about being the next Michael Jordan, I only think about being Kobe Bryant.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I can be tricked. I can be outsmarted. But I work harder than the next man, and that’s where I get my confidence from.”

— Allen Iverson

“I don’t want to be called a winner or a loser; that doesn’t define me. I’m just here to do what I love, and that’s playing basketball.”

— Kevin Durant

“I don’t have to be what you want me to be. I’m free to be what I want.”

— Muhammad Ali

“I don’t know what my ceiling is. I don’t stop trying to find it.”

— LeBron James

“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success.”

— Kobe Bryant

10 Legendary NBA Quotes

“I’ve never been a trash-talker; I just want to go out there and play my game.”

— Tim Duncan

“I’m not a numbers guy. I’m not a stats guy. I don’t think I’m that type of player.”

— Kevin Durant

“I play to win, whether during practice or a real game. And I will not let anything get in the way of me and my competitive enthusiasm to win.”

— Michael Jordan

“Everything negative—pressure, challenges—is all an opportunity for me to rise.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I can’t relate to lazy people. We don’t speak the same language. I don’t understand you. I don’t want to understand you.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I don’t need the flash. I just want to play.”

— Tim Duncan

“I’m a basketball player. That’s what I do, that’s what I’ve dedicated my life to. I love it and I’m going to keep doing it until I can’t anymore.”

— LeBron James

“I’m just trying to be great at this basketball thing.”

— Kevin Durant

“The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I play to win, whether during practice or a real game.”

— Kobe Bryant

10 NBA Affirmations

“I’m just trying to be the best I can be, every day.”

— LeBron James

“I’m just playing basketball. Whether I score 40 points or two points, it doesn’t matter.”

— Stephen Curry

“I don’t care about being better than someone else, I care about being better than I was yesterday.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I’m a basketball player. I’ve dedicated my life to this game. I love this game. I play basketball.”

— LeBron James

“I’m just trying to play my best basketball. That’s what I love to do.”

— Kevin Durant

“When I step on that basketball court, I’m thinking about basketball, I’m thinking about winning, and I’m thinking about being the best I can be.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I’m not trying to be better than anyone. I’m trying to be the best version of myself.”

— LeBron James

“I’m not trying to be the next Michael Jordan, I’m only trying to be Kobe Bryant.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I’m just trying to be the best player I can be.”

— Tim Duncan

“I’m not in this league to score 30 points per game. I’m in this league to win championships.”

— Kobe Bryant

10 NBA Quotes On Legacy

“I’m just trying to be the best version of myself, on and off the court.”

— Stephen Curry

“I’m not in this league to score 50 points a game. I’m here to win championships.”

— Tim Duncan

“I’m not trying to be the next anyone. I’m the first Kobe Bryant.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me… All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.”

— LeBron James

“I’m just trying to leave a legacy, not be the next Michael Jordan.”

— Kevin Durant

“When you do something best in life, you don’t really want to give that up. And for me, it’s basketball.”

— Stephen Curry

“I’m not chasing anyone’s ghost. I’m just trying to chase my own.”

— Tim Duncan

“I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to win basketball games.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I’m not afraid of failure. I’m afraid of not trying.”

— LeBron James

“I’m not trying to be better than anybody else, I’m just trying to be the best version of myself.”

— Kevin Durant

10 NBA Quotes On Failure

“I’m not motivated by money or fame. I’m motivated by the love of the game.”

— Stephen Curry

“I’m not a basketball player. I’m a hooper.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I’m not out there sweating for three hours every day just to find out what it feels like to sweat.”

— Michael Jordan

“I’m not trying to be flashy, I’m not trying to be Hollywood. I’m here to play basketball.”

— Tim Duncan

“I’m not one of those guys who likes to score 30 or 40 points. I’m here to do whatever it takes to win.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I’m not trying to be perfect. I’m trying to be the best I can be.”

— LeBron James

“I’m not competing with anybody. I’m just focused on being the best version of myself.”

— Kevin Durant

“I’m not the guy who’s afraid of failure. I like to take risks, take the big shot and all that.”

— Stephen Curry

“I’m not in the business of trying to be better than somebody else. I’m in the business of trying to be the best that I can be.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I’m not worried about being the next anybody, I’m just trying to be the best Kevin Durant I can be.”

— Kevin Durant

10 NBA Quotes On Being The Best

“I’m not here to be average. I’m here to be the best.”

— LeBron James

“I’m not trying to be better than anyone else. I’m trying to be better than I was yesterday.”

— Tim Duncan

“I’m not defined by what people say or think about me. I’m defined by how I live my life.”

— LeBron James

“I’m not concerned with being better than someone else. I’m concerned with being better than I was yesterday.”

— Kevin Durant

“I’m not trying to be a hero. I just want to be a basketball player.”

— Tim Duncan

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“I’m not worried about being the best ever. I’m focused on being the best I can be right now.”

— Stephen Curry

“I’m not trying to be the next Michael Jordan. I’m just trying to be Kobe Bryant.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I’m not here to talk. I’m here to win.”

— Tim Duncan

“I’m not interested in being a superstar. I’m interested in being a champion.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I’m not in this for individual accolades. I’m here to win championships.”

— LeBron James

10 NBA Quotes on Proving Yourself

“I’m not looking to escape the game. I’m looking to dominate it.”

— Kevin Durant

“I’m not trying to prove anything to anyone. I’m just playing basketball.”

— Stephen Curry

“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.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I’m not interested in being the best player in the league. I’m interested in being the best player I can be.”

— LeBron James

“I’m not trying to be like anyone else. I’m trying to be like myself, and that’s the best way to approach it.”

— Kevin Durant

“I’m not going to let someone else’s opinion of me define who I am.”

— Stephen Curry

“I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to win championships.”

— Kobe Bryant

“I’m not worried about being the best ever. I’m focused on being the best version of myself.”

— Tim Duncan

“I’m not trying to be the next LeBron or the next Kobe. I’m just trying to be the first Kevin Durant.”