50 inspiring Michael Jordan quotes to help you reach your goals

50 inspiring Michael Jordan quotes to help you reach your goals

Claudia Kogi
updated at April 21, 2023 at 5:36 AM

Besides dictating matters on the court, NBA players and coaches are known for producing motivational words for their audiences and fans. Most of these inspiring and motivational words have helped many navigate their challenges and careers. Inspirational Michael Jordan quotes about being the best are some of the most powerful quotes loved by his fans.

inspirational Michael Jordan quotes about being the best
MJ smiles on stage during the 2021 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony on 11 September 2021 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Photo: Nathaniel S Butler
Source: Getty Images

Who is Michael Jordan? He is an American-based entrepreneur and former professional basketball player renowned for playing for fifteen seasons in the NBA and winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, among many other honours. He is the principal owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA and of 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Michael Jordan's quotes and sayings

The legendary basketball player shared unique, inspiring, motivating, and funny quotes. This article highlights some of the most famous Michael Jordan quotes about teamwork that has consistently made rounds online.

From these quotes, you will realise that great basketball minds such as Jordan can express themselves using powerful quotes summarising their experiences. Moreover, through these words, people understand the sport better and relate to the athletes' challenges.

What is Michael Jordan's famous quote?

The player's inspirational words about his basketball future are one of the most famous among athletes. Many people consider him the greatest basketball player of all time. He achieved significant milestones in the sport, including winning four gold medals with the USA national basketball team and six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls.

Even when I am old and grey, I cannot play it, but I will still love the game.

Michael Jordan quotes about hard work and goals

If there is one thing the famous NBA legend always talks about, people ought to work hard to achieve their goals. He has shared some powerful words from his basketball experience, and it is crystal clear that his enthusiasm and character on the court helped him achieve a lot.

50. Do not just wish for it. Make it happen

Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, and others make it happen.
Michael Jordan quotes and sayings
MJ during the 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony on 15 May 2021 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Photo: Chris Marion
Source: Getty Images

49. Try everything

I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying.

48. Success and failure go hand in hand

I have missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I have been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.

47. This is the secret to winning

Get the fundamentals down, and the level of everything you do will rise.

46. Be open to making mistakes along the way

Once you know what failure feels like, determination chases success.

45. Always be consistent in whatever you do

Dedication makes dreams come true.

44. Always be contented

I see the beauty in getting up in the morning and being in pain because I know all the hard work that it took to get to this point. So, I am not sad about retiring. I am very appreciative of what I have had.

43. Laziness is a vice

I cannot relate to lazy people. We do not speak the same language. I do not understand you. I do not want to understand you.

42. Never be afraid of making that step

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

41. Utilise your resources

Use your success, wealth, and influence to put them in the best position to realise their own dreams and find their true purpose.
Leadership quotes from Michael Jordan and The Last Dance
MJ of Charlotte Hornets claps during the game against the Detroit Pistons on 11 March 2021 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo: Kent Smith
Source: Getty Images

40. Be open and willing to learn

I want to learn how to become the best basketball player in the world. And if I'm going to learn that, I got to learn from the best. Kids go to school to be doctors or lawyers, and so forth, and that's where they study. My place to study is from the best.

39. Do not be afraid of taking the bull by its horns

A lot of leaders fail because they don't have the bravery to touch that nerve or strike that chord.

38. Trust the process

I want to see if I can. I don't know if I can. I want to find out. I want to see it. I'm going to do what I always do: I'm going to break it down to its smallest form and smallest detail and go after it—day by day, one day at a time.

37. You should be your biggest fan

When I have the chance to guard Michael Jordan, I want to guard him. I want him. It's the ultimate challenge.

36. Success and greatness are not a one-day story

A lot of people say they want to be great, but they're not willing to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve greatness.

35. Believe that you are already the best

From the beginning, I wanted to be the best. I had a constant craving, a yearning, to improve and be the best.

34. Always believe in yourself

If you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength.
Michael Jordan quotes about hard work and goals
Michael Jordan speaks during the "Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant" service in Downtown Los Angeles on 24 February 2020. Photo: Fredric J. Brown
Source: Getty Images

33. Greatness is evolutionary

I believe greatness is an evolutionary process that changes and evolves from era to era.

32. Always have a positive mind

I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot. When you think about the consequences, you will always think of the negative result.

31. Everything you ever want is on the other side of fear

I know fear is an obstacle for some people, but it is an illusion to me. Failure always made me try harder the next time.

30. Simplicity and humility are key to success

You have competition every day because you set such high standards for yourself that you have to go out every day and live up to that.

Leadership quotes from Michael Jordan and The Last Dance

Check out more inspiring quotes on leadership from the legendary basketball icon in our collection to gain a better perspective of the sport.

29. Focus on winning

My mentality was to go out and win at any cost. If you do not want to live that regimented mentality, then you do not need to be alongside me.

28. Certainty is at times essential

I knew we were going to do it.

27. Lead from the front

You ask all my teammates, the one thing about Michael Jordan was he never asked me to do something that he did not expletive do.
Michael Jordan quotes about teamwork and competition
MJ attends a press conference before the NBA Paris Game match between Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks on 24 January 2020 in Paris, France. Photo: Aurelien Meunier
Source: Getty Images

26. There are no shortcuts to success

If you do the work, you get rewarded. There are no shortcuts in life.

25. Always have a vision

I want the franchise and the Chicago Bulls to be respected as a team like the Lakers, the Philadelphia 76ers, or the Boston Celtics. It is challenging for something like that to happen. But it is not impossible.

24. What is your narrative?

I knew Jerry Krause loved Dan Majerle. Just because Krause liked him was enough for me. You think he is a great defensive player? Okay, fine. I am going to show you that he is not.

23. Live the present

Why would I think about missing a shot I have not taken?

22. Focus on today

We are entitled to defend what we have until we lose it. No one guarantees that rebuilding will be 2, 3, 4, or 5 years. The Cubs have been rebuilding for 42 years.

21. Great leaders have options

I said from day one that if Phil is not coaching, I will not be part of rebuilding. Phil should be the head coach, and I should not have to be put in the position to play for another coach other than Phil Jackson. I have choices. I will not choose to play for another coach.

20. Smart leaders let their performance speak for them

From the first day in practice, my mentality was whoever was the team leader on that team, I am going after him. And I am not going to do it with my voice because I had no voice. I had no status. I had to do it with the way I play.

Michael Jordan quotes about teamwork and competition

The legendary basketball player often speaks about teamwork and healthy competition among his fans and teammates. Here are some of the best quotes on teamwork and competition that the player often speaks of.

19. You can never succeed alone

Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.
Funny Michael Jordan quotes
Owner of the Charlotte Hornets, MJ hosts a press conference for media before NBA All-Star Weekend at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on 12 February 2019. Photo: Kent Smith
Source: Getty Images

18. Work as a team to succeed

The individual accolades will care for themselves if you think and achieve as a team.

17. Believe your squad is the best

We are not winning because of talent. We are just beating bad teams.

16. Make sacrifices for the best results

Plenty of teams in every sport have great players and never win titles. Most of the time, those players are not willing to sacrifice for the greater good of the team.

15. It is all about sacrifices

The funny thing is, in the end, their unwillingness to sacrifice only makes individual goals more difficult to achieve.

14. Ability takes hard work

Everybody has talent, but ability takes hard work.

13. Always be optimistic

Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation.

12. As a team, though

Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.

11. Be willing and open to learning as a team

When I was young, I had to learn the fundamentals of basketball. You can have all the physical abilities in the world, but you still have to know the fundamentals.

10. Put forth the effort, and watch good things bestow upon you

Be true to the game because the game will be true to you. If you try to shortcut the game, then it will shortcut you. If you put forth the effort, good things will be bestowed upon you. That is true about the game, and in some ways, that's about life too.
Funny Michael Jordan quotes
Owner of the Charlotte Hornets, MJ, attends a food drive to help relief of Hurricane Florence on 21 September 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina at Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. Photo: Williams Smith
Source: Getty Images

Funny Michael Jordan quotes

The legendary basketball player is renowned for his hilarious quotes despite his seriousness regarding success. Below are some of his famous funny quotes that will make you question his sanity too.

9. It is the effort that counts

I am not out there sweating for three hours every day just to find out what it feels like to sweat.

8. Love and cherish what you do

The game is my wife. It demands loyalty and responsibility, and it gives me back fulfillment and peace.

7. I just spent money on this

Do not throw that ball to me. I just got my nails done.

6. Self-belief is vital

People ask me if I could fly, and I said, yeah, for a little while.

5. Race does not define humanity

I realize I am black, but I like to be viewed as a person, which is everybody's wish.

Michael Jordan quotes about Kobe Bryant

Michael Jordan quotes about Kobe Bryant
MJ (L) and Kobe Bryant embrace before the start of their 12 February 2002 game in Los Angeles, CA. Photo: Vince Bucci
Source: Getty Images

Michael and Kobe Bryant were the best allies before the latter passed. They often had so much to say about each other. Here are some of Jordan's best and most famous quotes about his friend, Kobe Bryant.

4. Some friends always become family

When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died.

3. Know your friends

I admired Kobe Bryant because of his passion. You rarely see someone looking at trying to improve every day, not just in sports but as a parent and as a husband.

2. Love what you do

Kobe often gave every last ounce of himself to whatever he was doing.

1. Life is short

Kobe never left anything on the court, and that is what he would want us to do. No one knows how much time we have.

Everyone needs motivation, and the famous Michael Jordan quotes are a perfect recipe for inspiration. NBA players and coaches have experienced much in their careers, from winning to losing matches. Therefore, their sentiments hold more weight and can touch many lives.

READ ALSO: List of all Spanish La Liga teams that have never been relegated

Sportsbrief.com recently listed La Liga clubs that have never been demoted to the second-tier league. The Spanish topflight has many great teams, but not all have escaped relegation in their history.

La Liga consists of 20 teams. The last three clubs often get relegated to the Segunda División to create room for three top teams from the second tier. Only three clubs have survived relegation from La Liga. Follow the above link to discover more.

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Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.
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