35 Quotes From Michael Jordan That Will Inspire You

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Michael Jordan is the epitome of basketball success. Not only did he have a successful NBA career, but he also thrived in all his off-the-court endeavors. As you may have known, young Michael was not looking like he was primed for success. He did suffer several failures on his way to superstardom. His experience of coming up short on multiple occasions made him a colossal quote machine and an inspiration for people from all walks of life. Here are 35 quotes from Michael Jordan to motivate your life, mindset, and more.

Why is Michael Jordan So FamousWhy is Michael Jordan So Famous?

Michael Jordan’s popularity came from the fact that he is considered by many the greatest basketball player of all time. It’s hard to dismiss Jordan’s claim to the GOAT throne. He won six NBA championships, six Finals MVPs, five league MVPs, and one Defensive Player of the Year Award. Jordan never lost a championship series and maintained his dominance by three consecutive titles on two occasions.

Apart from personal accomplishments, Jordan is credited with revolutionizing the game of basketball. When the NBA needed a catalyst from a showmanship perspective, Jordan answered the call with his flashy, athletic style of play. He was instrumental in shaping the game’s modern vision in an attempt to duplicate his popularity.

On the court, Michael Jordan helped make basketball a global phenomenon, big thanks to his exceptional athleticism and outstanding technique. He frequently toys with his opponents at a standstill, feinting with his pivot foot like a swordsman. His dunks are always a thing of beauty, but in a game, he was a layup artist like no other who could seemingly fly into the air as no human could.

Why is Michael Jordan So Famous

As good as he was on the court, he was arguably more brilliant off it. His Airness was also the stimulus behind the sneaker revolution. Sure, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Julius Erving already had shoe deals before him, but MJ was the first one to have his signature line. The infamous “Banned” shoes became a thing of legend, which led to total sales of $126 million back in 1984!

When Nike signed Jordan to a $2.5 million, five-year deal, they hoped for a three million dollar sales yearly. Instead, they saw $126 million, and the sneaker game was never the same again. He revolutionized not only basketball but also merchandising and marketing. His collaboration with Nike ushered in a new era of players selling their own brands. And make no mistake about it, Jordan was, and still is, the alpha male in that space. 

Today, the Jordan line’s retro releases and new models bring in billions in revenue annually. Because of the variety of sneakers available, a new form of hobby has emerged in which people collect and exchange sneakers. These “sneakerheads” are proud of their collections and will buy basketball shoes no matter how much the price has risen. 

Nike began re-releasing classic Air Jordans to the public years after Michael Jordan’s departure and sells these items up literally a couple of hours after their release. Since superstar-named branded shoes became collector’s items for most people, the prices of the shoes have skyrocketed, making them the ultimate status symbol.

7 Michael Jordan Quotes About Winning In Life7 Michael Jordan Quotes About Winning In Life

These Michael Jordan quotes demonstrate why number 23 is the greatest basketball player of all time and why his mindset is far superior to that of his peers.

1. “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.”

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

3. “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”

4. “Limits, like fear, is often an illusion.”

5. “If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome.”

6. “Heart is what separates the good from the great.”

7. “Sometimes, things may not go your way, but the effort should be there every single night.”

7 Michael Jordan Quotes About Winning In Life

7 Michael Jordan Quotes That Show True Dedication7 Michael Jordan Quotes That Show True Dedication

1. “If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But 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.”

2. “The game has its ups and downs, but you can never lose focus of your individual goals and you can’t let yourself be beat because of lack of effort.”

3. “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.”

4. “Be true to the game, because the game will be true to you. If you try to shortcut the game, then the game will shortcut you. If you put forth the effort, good things will be bestowed upon you. That’s truly about the game, and in some ways that’s about life too.”

5. “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.”

6. “What is love? Love is playing every game as if it’s your last.”

7. “The basketball court for me, during a game, is the most peaceful place I can imagine. On the basketball court, I worry about nothing. When I’m out there, no one can bother me.”

7 Michael Jordan Quotes About Leadership7 Michael Jordan Quotes About Leadership

1. “If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But 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.”

7 Michael Jordan Quotes About Leadership

2. “The game has its ups and downs, but you can never lose focus of your individual goals, and you can’t let yourself be beat because of lack of effort.”

3. “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.”

4. “Be true to the game because the game will be true to you. If you try to shortcut the game, then the game will shortcut you. If you put forth the effort, good things will be bestowed upon you. That’s truly about the game, and in some ways, that’s about life too.”

5. “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.”

6. “What is love? Love is playing every game as if it’s your last.”

7. “The basketball court, for me, during a game, is the most peaceful place I can imagine. On the basketball court, I worry about nothing. When I’m out there, no one can bother me.”

7 Michael Jordan Quotes About Failure

7 Michael Jordan Quotes About Failure

1. “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.”

2. “The key to success is failure.” 

3. “​​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.”

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

5. “If it turns out that my best wasn’t good enough, at least I won’t look back and say I was afraid to try.”

6. “Failure is acceptable, but not trying is a whole different ballpark.”

7. “The best come from the worst.”

More Motivational Quotes From Michael JordanMore Motivational Quotes From Michael Jordan

  • “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.”
  • “Sometimes you need to get hit in the head to realize that you’re in a fight.”
  • “I built my talents on the shoulders of someone else’s talent.”
  • “I’m not out there sweating for three hours every day just to find out what it feels like to sweat.”
  • “I’ve never lost a game. I just ran out of time.”
  • “Learning’s a gift, even when pain is your teacher.”
  • “The harder I prepare, the luckier I seem to get.”

Wrapping Things Up: 35 Quotes From Michael Jordan That Will Inspire You

Michael Jordan built himself from the ground up and took the whole city of Chicago with him. Because Jordan came from humble beginnings and had to claw his way to success, it’s no wonder he often comes up with motivational quotes. These inspirational quotes from Michael Jordan reflect his mindset and psyche that directly contribute to his success.

Would you personally benefit from reading quotes from Michael Jordan? Absolutely! If you’re having a down day or have experienced failure of any magnitude, you can use a boost of inspiration from one of the greatest athletes of all time. Remember that Michael Jordan himself has had his share of disappointments, but that did not deter him from fulfilling his potential. If he can do it, why can’t you?

If you’re interested in learning Michael Jordan’s story, check out this basketball biography book.

We hope you enjoyed this post! If you did, be sure to check out our other basketball FAQ articles here. Check out other inspirational quotes from famous NBA players.

Check out our other articles about Michael Jordan below:

> How Much Are Michael Jordan Basketball Cards Worth?

> The Awards Michael Jordan Won in His Career

> What is Michael Jordan Doing Now? His Life Beyond the Court

> How to Play Like Michael Jordan: Learn From the Best Minds in Sports

Hoops Addict
Hoops Addict

Hoops Addict was created to help basketball fans of all ages learn more about the sport and find the best basketball gear to improve their ability to hoop. He has been a huge basketball fan for decades, watching thousands of basketball games through the years to learn the ins and outs of the game.

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