You never make any of the shots you never take. 87% of the ones you do take, you'll miss too. I make 110% of my shots.
Larry BirdRead
Practice habits were crucial to my development in basketball. I didn't play against the toughest competition in high school, but one reason I was able to do well in college was that I mastered the fundamentals. You've got to have them down before you can even think about playing.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Mastering the basics is essential for achieving success in any field.
Larry Bird emphasizes that developing strong habits and mastering the fundamentals are vital components in achieving success, particularly in basketball. He acknowledges that while he may not have faced the toughest competition in high school, it was his dedication to practicing core skills that allowed him to excel in college basketball and beyond. This quote suggests that foundational elements are important before tackling more complex challenges.
Themes
PracticeHabitsFundamentalsBasketballSuccessDevelopment
In practice
Example use cases
In a sports coaching seminar to highlight the importance of practice.
More from Larry Bird
All quotes →When I was young, I never wanted to leave the court until I got things exactly correct. My dream was to become a pro.
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You can make all the excuses you want, but if you're not mentally tough and you're not prepared to play every night, you're not going to win.
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It's been a journey, the NBA. It's taken me a lot farther than I ever expected.
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Leadership is diving for a loose ball, getting the crowd involved, getting other players involved. It's being able to take it as well as dish it out. That's the only way you're going to get respect from the players.
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I learned what my weaknesses were and I went out the next day to turn those weaknesses intro strengths.
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