I grew up poor, but I didn’t have poor dreams.
I am a businessman. This is what I do each and every day. I love it. I love coming to work. I never have a bad day.
My father was a great example of a strong and good man and Christian man, and my mother taught all my six sisters how to be young ladies and mothers and how to take care of your family. And so I think they were – they still are – great examples for all of us to their kids and to the world, too.
If the community is happy, then they support your business and if your business is doing well, then you can give back even more to the community.
Just celebrate the life you had, not the life you could’ve had.
They said playing basketball would kill me. Well, not playing basketball was killing me.
For me, it always goes back to something I learned in basketball. There’s winning and there’s losing, and in life you have to know they both will happen. But what’s never been acceptable to me is quitting.
I never think that there’s something I can’t do, whether it’s beating my opponent one on one or practicing another hour because something about my game is just not right.
When you face a crisis, you know who your true friends are.
Standing on that platform, I said a silent prayer. I thanked God for giving me the strength and the opportunity to come back, to play basketball again, and to be part of that whole magnificent Olympic experience. It’s a memory I will always cherish.
The important thing is this Just because I’m doing well doesn’t mean that they’re going to do well if they get HIV. A lot of people have died since I have announced. This disease is not going anywhere.
If somebody says no to you, or if you get cut, Michael Jordan was cut his first year, but he came back and he was the best ever. That is what you have to have. The attitude that I’m going to show everybody, I’m going to work hard to get better and better.
Talent is never enough. With few exceptions the best players are the hardest workers.
As an athlete, I understood the value of my health insurance. I knew that in my profession, injuries were common and could happen at any time.
Magic is who I am on the basketball court. Earvin is who I am.
Everyone thought I was going to die like a year later, they didn’t know. So I helped educate sports, and then the world, that a man living with HIV can play basketball. He’s not going to give it to anybody by playing basketball.
Any guy who can maintain a positive attitude without much playing time certainly earns my respect.
If you’re a competitive person, that stays with you. You don’t stop. You always look over your shoulder.
Everybody on a championship team doesn’t get publicity, but everyone can say he’s a champion.
You’re the only one who can make the difference. Whatever your dream is, go for it.