Words of wisdom from the greats
Michael Jordan
“Practice the way you play in a game. There should be no difference. That’s why I always practiced with such intensity.”
I wanted to be prepared for the game.
I practiced so hard that the games became easier. That was exactly what I wanted to achieve. Nobody can win without preparing themselves to win.
I trained as hard as I possibly could, so when the game started, anything was possible.
I loved competing in practice. That was something I brought with me from North Carolina, where Coach Smith made every drill competitive. It became part of who I was, so everything we did turned into a competition.
I took pride in the way I practiced.
The fourth quarter changes the rhythm of the game for players. I began to see things more clearly while other players started losing their focus, just as the pressure increased.
Countless times, I was able to take control at the end of games because I remained focused while others began to lose that ability. As a result, the effectiveness of my offensive game increased even further.
When the difficult moments arrive, the first thought that enters most players’ minds is a negative one.
I never entered the fourth quarter thinking that we could not win. If I had thought that way, I might as well have sat down.
Believe me: as long as you believe you can win, the opportunity to do so will come.