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8 Quotes on Motivation, Hard Work and More from Basketball Legend Michael Jordan Check out these inspirational 'Air Jordan' quotes.

By Rose Leadem

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Patrick Kovarik | Getty Images

One of the most famous basketball players of all time, Michael Jordan, is recognized for his achievements both on and off the court. As an athlete, Jordan -- also known as "Air Jordan" thanks to his slam dunking capabilities -- played on both the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards where he was recognized with a number of awards and titles including an Olympic gold medal, six-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, 14 NBA All Star Game appearances and 1988 Defensive Player of the Year, to name a few. In 2016, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama. According to the NBA website, Jordan is "the greatest basketball player of all time."

Related: 50 Inspirational Quotes to Motivate You

From product endorsements to even a short stint in acting with his movie Space Jam, Jordan is the highest-paid athlete of all-time and the third richest African American today. Of course, Jordan's career wasn't always smooth sailing. With a brief basketball retirement and a short career in baseball, it took trial and error until Jordan realized his true calling was always basketball. There's much more to learn from the decorated basketball all-star.

For more from Jordan, here are eight quotes on motivation, failure and more.

On failure

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 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." -- Michael Jordan

On motivation

"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." -- Michael Jordan

On motivation

"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 it." -- Michael Jordan

Related: 10 Inspiring Quotes From Billionaire, Philanthropist and Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen

On hard work

"I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." -- Michael Jordan

On success

"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." -- Michael Jordan

On mindset

"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." -- Michael Jordan

Related: 11 Inspirational Quotes from Gary Vaynerchuk to Help You Become the Best Version of Yourself

On change

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

On running a business

"Talent wins games but teamwork and intelligence wins championships." -- Michael Jordan

Rose Leadem is a freelance writer for Entrepreneur.com. 

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