Basketball

African-Americans unquestionably dominate the sport of basketball. Read on as they let you in on their trade secrets.

As athletes, we're used to reacting quickly. Here, it's 'come, stop, come, stop.' There's a lot of downtime. That's the toughest part of the day.
Michael Jordan

As far as carrying the torch for the years to come, I don't know. I just want to be the best basketball player I can be.
Kobe Bryant

As far as carrying the torch for the years to come, I don't know. I just want to be the best basketball player I can be.
Kobe Bryant

Basketball is my refuge, my sanctuary. I go back to being a kid on the playground. When I get here, it's all good.
Kobe Bryant

Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you.
Michael Jordan

Even when I'm old and grey, I won't be able to play it, but I'll still love the game.
Michael Jordan

I came back to basketball one other time because I wanted to go out my way. So I finished it. Fellow basketball players were very receptive. I played in the All-Star game-had a wonderful game and got the MVP. So I think guys said, 'OK, he's OK.' Because everyone thought I was going to die, like a year later. And so they didn't know.
Earvin Magic Johnson, Earvin Magic Johnson Interview

I don?t want to be the next Michael Jordan, I only want to be Kobe Bryant.
Kobe Bryant

I guess when people ask what is the biggest transition to the NBA from college, it is definitely defense and the mental part. And the mental part I was ready for but the defense part I wasn't because the next night (George) Gervin had 40 on me, Paul Westphal the next night had 38 on me. So defensively I was not ready but mentally I was ready.
Earvin Magic Johnson, Earvin Magic Johnson Interview

I just want to get on the court. I want to show what I'm capable of.
Carmelo Anthony

I'm playing against great players, playing against the best in the world. The competition - that's what I've always wanted.
Kobe Bryant

If you're a competitive person, that stays with you. You don't stop. You always look over your shoulder.
Earvin Magic Johnson, Earvin Magic Johnson Interview#

My body could stand the crutches but my mind couldn't stand the sideline.
Michael Jordan

Sometimes I do wonder what college would have been like. But I made my decision.
Kobe Bryant

That first game, I was so excited and so nervous that I ran out of the court leading my team out. I'm trying to be cool but not show that I'm so excited. By the time I get down there, I'm about to lay it up - the first layup, I trip and stumble and started rolling. That's how nervous I was. I turned around and they were just dying laughing at me.
Earvin Magic Johnson, Earvin Magic Johnson Interview

We didn't lose the game; we just ran out of time.
Michael Jordan

When I still ran out on the court and saw him posting up and he'll throw that one hand up all the time, I was just blessed and lucky to be playing with him and with all the rest of the guys, the Lakers. I mean God was really looking out for myself and Larry Bird. I mean Lakers, Magic. Larry Bird to Boston. I mean it was just a storybook.
Earvin Magic Johnson, Earvin Magic Johnson Interview

When I'm finished playing, I want people to say, 'He handled this well, he kept his cool.
Kobe Bryant

When you love the challenge, you feel the hunger for the game, the love for the game, the attitude of coming in and working harder in practice.
Michael Jordan