122 Basketball Quotes: Quotes about Basketball Players, Teams and Famous Games

Over 120 Basketball Quotes For All Hoops Fans: Quotes About Basketball Teams, Players and Famous Games

A compilation of over 100 Basketball quotes for all fans of the NBA, college and international basketball.

The game of Basketball has provided us with some of the most quotable characters, players and situations in sports history.

This collection of basketball quotes will provide inspiration, humour and insight into the game of basketball.

19 Quotes About the Game of Basketball

1. "Basketball doesn't build character, it reveals it." - Unknown

2. "The invention of basketball was not an accident. It was developed to meet a need. Those boys simply would not play 'Drop the Handkerchief.'" - James Naismith

3. "Basketball is like poetry in motion." - Julius Erving

4. "Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best." - Tim Duncan

5. "The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win." - Bobby Knight

6. "The only difference between a good shot and a bad shot is if it goes in or not." - Charles Barkley

7. "I've missed more than 9,000 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

8. "It's not about the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog." - Magic Johnson

9. "You can't be afraid to fail. It's the only way you succeed. You're not gonna succeed all the time and I know that." - LeBron James

10. "I tell kids to pursue their basketball dreams, but I tell them to not let that be their only dream." - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

11. "The best teams have chemistry. They communicate with each other and they sacrifice personal glory for the common goal." - Dave DeBusschere

12. "The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team." - Phil Jackson

13. "In basketball, the game isn't over until the final buzzer." - Mike Ditka

14. "Basketball is a beautiful game when the five players on the court play with one heartbeat." - Dean Smith

15. "You don't play against opponents; you play against the game of basketball." - Bobby Orr

16. "Basketball is a sport that involves the subtle interweaving of players at full speed to the point where they are thinking and moving as one." - Phil Jackson

17. "You can't get much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good." - Jerry West

18. "There are really only two plays: Romeo and Juliet, and put the darn ball in the basket." - Abe Lemons

19. "I've learned that something constructive comes from every defeat." - Tom Landry

20 Basketball Quotes About the NBA Finals

1. "The NBA Finals is the ultimate goal for any basketball player." - LeBron James

2. "Winning the NBA Finals is the greatest thing that can ever happen to you." - Isiah Thomas

3. "The NBA Finals is where legends are made." - Kevin Durant

4. "In the NBA Finals, every possession counts." - Kobe Bryant

5. "The NBA Finals is the grandest stage in basketball." - Tim Duncan

6. "The intensity of the NBA Finals is like no other." - Larry Bird

7. "The NBA Finals is where you find out who your real friends are." - Shaquille O'Neal

8. "The NBA Finals is a battle of wills." - Michael Jordan

9. "Winning the NBA Finals requires sacrifice and teamwork." - Magic Johnson

10. "The NBA Finals is where dreams come true." - Dirk Nowitzki

11. "The NBA Finals is where you see the heart of a champion." - Hakeem Olajuwon

12. "The NBA Finals is where you leave everything on the court." - Bill Russell

13. "In the NBA Finals, every player wants to be the hero." - Stephen Curry

14. "The NBA Finals is where greatness is defined." - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

15. "The NBA Finals is the culmination of a season's worth of hard work." - Larry Brown

16. "In the NBA Finals, you have to be willing to take the big shot." - Ray Allen

17. "The NBA Finals is where the true leaders emerge." - Scottie Pippen

18. "Winning the NBA Finals is a lifelong dream for every player." - Charles Barkley

19. "The NBA Finals is where you write your legacy." - Kevin Garnett

20. "The NBA Finals is where you find out what you're made of." - Chris Bosh

18 Basketball Quotes About Michael Jordan

1. "He's the greatest basketball player I've ever seen." - Larry Bird

2. "Michael Jordan was the ultimate competitor." - Magic Johnson

3. "He changed the game of basketball forever." - Shaquille O'Neal

4. "Michael Jordan was like a god on the basketball court." - Charles Barkley

5. "He was a killer on the basketball court, but off the court, he's a great guy." - Kobe Bryant

6. "Michael Jordan is the standard by which greatness is measured." - LeBron James

7. "He was a basketball genius." - Phil Jackson

8. "I've never seen a player with more heart than Michael Jordan." - Scottie Pippen

9. "He had an aura of invincibility on the basketball court." - Larry Brown

10. "Michael Jordan's impact on the game goes beyond statistics." - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

11. "He was a magician with a basketball in his hands." - Isiah Thomas

12. "He was the definition of clutch." - Reggie Miller

13. "Michael Jordan was a true leader, on and off the court." - David Stern

14. "He was the embodiment of basketball excellence." - Bill Russell

15. "Michael Jordan was a basketball savant." - Steve Kerr

16. "His competitive spirit was second to none." - Pat Riley

17. "He was the best ever, and there will never be another like him." - Karl Malone

18. "He made everyone around him better." - Dennis Rodman

10 Basketball Quotes about Kobe Bryant

1. "Kobe was a basketball genius; there's no other way to describe him." - Shaquille O'Neal

2. "Kobe's work ethic was second to none; he inspired all of us to work harder." - LeBron James

3. "Kobe's footwork and fundamentals were impeccable, and he studied the game like no one else." - Tim Duncan

4. "Kobe was the closest thing to Michael Jordan that we'll ever see." - Larry Bird

5. "He was a fearless competitor, and his killer instinct was unmatched." - Magic Johnson

6. "Kobe was a true artist on the basketball court, a maestro of the game." - Pau Gasol

7. "Kobe's legacy will live on forever, not just in basketball but in all aspects of life." - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

8. "He was a mentor to so many young players and always gave back to the game." - Phil Jackson

9. "Kobe's impact on the game of basketball extended far beyond his playing career." - Dirk Nowitzki

10. "He was a warrior on the court and a loving father and husband off it." - Charles Barkley

15 Basketball Quotes About Larry Bird

1. "Larry Bird was the best I ever played against." - Magic Johnson

2. "Bird was a basketball genius. He saw the game like no one else." - Michael Jordan

3. "Larry Bird was the ultimate competitor, a true warrior on the court." - Kevin McHale

4. "His basketball IQ was off the charts. He made everyone around him better." - Danny Ainge

5. "Bird was the definition of clutch. He wanted the ball in the toughest moments." - Bill Walton

6. "He had a deadly combination of skill, basketball IQ, and work ethic." - Isiah Thomas

7. "Larry Bird was the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics during their championship runs." - Red Auerbach

8. "He was a once-in-a-generation player who left an indelible mark on the game." - Charles Barkley

9. "Bird was a complete player, equally effective on offense and defense." - Rick Carlisle

10. "Larry Bird's impact on the game of basketball is immeasurable." - Bob Cousy

11. "He had a unique ability to make the difficult look easy on the basketball court." - Kevin Durant

12. "Bird was a fierce competitor who would do whatever it took to win." - Scottie Pippen

13. "His work ethic and dedication to the game were an inspiration to all of us." - Reggie Miller

14. "Larry Bird was a basketball savant, a true student of the game." - Paul Pierce

15. "He was a legend on the court and remains an icon of the sport." - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

10 Basketball Quotes About the Boston Celtics

1. "The Boston Celtics are not a basketball team, they are a way of life." - Red Auerbach

2. "The Boston Celtics are all about tradition and pride." - Bill Russell

3. "When you put on that jersey, you are not just playing for a team; you are playing for a whole city." - Paul Pierce

4. "The Boston Celtics represent excellence and winning at the highest level." - Larry Bird

5. "The Celtics are more than a franchise; they are a family." - Kevin Garnett

6. "The Boston Celtics have the most passionate and knowledgeable fans in the world." - Doc Rivers

7. "Playing for the Celtics means embracing the responsibility of carrying on a rich legacy." - Tommy Heinsohn

8. "The Celtics are synonymous with teamwork and unselfish play." - Bob Cousy

9. "The Celtics pride themselves on their toughness and resilience." - Bill Walton

10. "The Boston Celtics are not just a basketball team; they are a symbol of unity and community." - Jo Jo White

10 Basketball Quotes About The New York Knicks

1. "Playing for the New York Knicks is like playing for the mecca of basketball." - Patrick Ewing

2. "The New York Knicks are not just a team; they are a representation of the city." - Charles Oakley

3. "The Garden is my favorite place to play. I love the New York Knicks." - Reggie Miller

4. "There's no place in the world like Madison Square Garden, and no fans like Knicks fans." - Clyde Frazier

5. "When the Knicks are winning, there's an energy in New York City like no other." - Bernard King

6. "Playing for the Knicks is a dream come true for any basketball player." - Willis Reed

7. "The New York Knicks are a reflection of the city's grit and determination." - Earl Monroe

8. "The Knicks have some of the most passionate fans in the world. It's an honor to play for them." - Amar'e Stoudemire

9. "The Knicks have a storied history, and I'm proud to be a part of it." - Bill Bradley

10. "Winning a championship with the New York Knicks would mean everything to me and this city." - Carmelo Anthony

10 Quotes About the Los Angeles Lakers

1. "The Lakers are not just a basketball team; they are a way of life in Los Angeles." - Jerry West

2. "Playing for the Lakers is like playing for the most iconic franchise in sports history." - Magic Johnson

3. "The Lakers have a tradition of excellence that is unmatched in the NBA." - Shaquille O'Neal

4. "The Lakers represent Hollywood, showtime, and the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles." - Kobe Bryant

5. "When you think of the Lakers, you think of championships and winning." - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

6. "There's something magical about the purple and gold of the Lakers." - James Worthy

7. "The Lakers have the most passionate and dedicated fan base in the world." - Pau Gasol

8. "Winning a championship with the Lakers is the pinnacle of a basketball career." - Derek Fisher

9. "The Lakers embody the spirit of Los Angeles and its diverse culture." - Jeanie Buss

10. "The Lakers are more than a team; they are a symbol of excellence and success." - Phil Jackson

Read more on our NBA blog