By Richard Lee - 11/08/2008

Taking Air

Michael Jordan was arguably the best basketball player of all-time if not the best sportsman to have graced this planet.

Here are some inspriring quotes from the man:

"Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation"

"When I'm old and grey, I won't be able to play it, but I'll still love the game"

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

"I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot... when you think about the consequences you always think of a negative result"

‘I never thought a role model should be negative"

"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"

‘I realise that I'm black, but I like to be viewed as a person, and this is everybody's wish"

‘I'm not out there sweating for three hours every day just to find out what it feels like to sweat"

"I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don't do things half-heartedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results"

"I've missed more than 9000 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"

"I've never been afraid to fail"

"If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome"

"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"

"Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game"

"My attitude is that if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength"

"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen"

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships"

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

"There is no "i" in team but there is in win"

"To be successful you have to be selfish, or else you never achieve. And once you get to your highest level, then you have to be unselfish. Stay reachable. Stay in touch. Don't isolate"

"You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them"