Basketball Philosophy Quotes

Coach Wooden, when he speaks, you listen. I've taken a lot of things from him and his little blue book because to him, it's not just about basketball, it's about life as well.

That's how I was taught my whole life. Like when you get a bad wheel, you got a sprained ankle, whatever you have, go find a way. Give your maximum or your highest percentage possible, for the best of the team. So that's the way I was always raised as far as basketball goes. And everything in life, but for sure basketball.

You don't play against opponents, you play against the game of basketball.

My old coach used to say two points was two points.

I want to be like Johnny Bach or Pete Carril or Tex.

Basketball isn't a game; It's an art form. You master the fundamentals so you can forget 'em, so you can improvise and just concentrate on what really matters: getting buckets.

Coach [Pat] Riley's record speaks for itself. What makes him so special is he is a coach clearly concerned about winning. His whole thinking when he wakes up every day is how can I make this team [ New York Knicks] more focused and going through 82 games during the regular season and the playoffs.

There's never been a finer man in American sports than John Wooden, or a finer coach.