Inspiring life lessons from Los Angeles Lakers players: 40 quotes to motivate and empower

The Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most storied franchises in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA), have produced some of the greatest inspiring basketball players of all time.

However, beyond their impressive basketball skills, many Lakers players have shared profound insights and wisdom about life.

In this article, we present 40 inspiring quotes from Los Angeles Lakers players that offer valuable lessons and motivation for navigating the ups and downs of life.

Inspiring life lessons from Los Angeles Lakers players

Life is full of obstacles and challenges, and Los Angeles Lakers players have experienced their fair share. However, their resilience and determination have taught valuable lessons about overcoming adversity and rising above challenges.

Los Angeles Lakers players on a parade. (source: Lakers parade)

Other times, they also need to face changes and challenges in life.

Here are some inspiring quotes from Lakers players that highlight the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.

  1. “You have to be able to accept failure to get better.” – Kobe Bryant
  2. “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.” – Magic Johnson
  3. “I try to do the right thing at the right time. They may just be little things, but usually, they make the difference between winning and losing.” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  4. “Success is not the destination; it’s the journey.” – Shaquille O’Neal
  5. “Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” – Jerry West
  6. “Stay in the moment. The game will honor you.” – LeBron James
  7. “Believe in yourself, and the rest will fall into place.” – Elgin Baylor
  8. “It’s not about the size of the dog in the fight; it’s about the size of the fight in the dog.” – Jerry West
  9. “Your work ethic is the only thing that keeps you going.” – Shaquille O’Neal
  10. “You can’t get much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good.” – Jerry West
  11. “The only way to succeed is to not worry about what anyone else is doing.” – Kobe Bryant
  12. “Sometimes, you just got to play through the pain.” – Magic Johnson
  13. “The greatest lesson I’ve learned in life is that you have to face your problems head-on.” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  14. “Greatness is defined by the distance between your natural talent and the work you put in.” – Shaquille O’Neal
  15. “Take risks. You have to risk failure to succeed.” – Jerry West
  16. “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” – LeBron James
  17. “Stay focused, go after your dreams, and keep moving toward your goals.” – Magic Johnson
  18. “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great at whatever they want to do.” – Kobe Bryant
  19. “You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.” – Michael Cooper
  20. “You have to be able to accept failure to get better.” – Pau Gasol

Pursuing dreams and personal growth

Los Angeles Lakers players have exemplified the pursuit of dreams and personal growth throughout their careers.

The Los Angeles Lakers players had their share of life challenges on and off the court. (photo credit: Tim Wang)

Their unwavering ambition and dedication to self-improvement serve as powerful inspirations for anyone seeking to make their mark in life.

Here are quotes from Lakers players that emphasize the significance of pursuing dreams and embracing personal growth as a pathway to success and fulfillment.

  1. “Success is not given; it is earned.” – Kobe Bryant
  2. “You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.” – Magic Johnson
  3. “The sky’s the limit if you have a positive attitude.” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  4. “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” – Shaquille O’Neal
  5. “Be confident. Too many days are wasted comparing ourselves to others and wishing to be something we aren’t.” – Jerry West
  6. “Hard work and perseverance will overcome almost any obstacle.” – LeBron James
  7. “Never be afraid to fail. Failure is a part of success.” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  8. “Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses.” – Magic Johnson
  9. “Set goals. Work hard. Stay focused. Surround yourself with good people. Stay positive. Stay humble.” – Kobe Bryant
  10. “Success is not the absence of failure; it’s the persistence through failure.” – Shaquille O’Neal
  11. “I can accept failure; everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” – Michael Jordan
  12. “Success is not just about making money. It’s about making a difference.” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  13. “Your dreams are always going to be the most important to you than they will be to anybody else. So keep dreaming, keep believing.” – Magic Johnson
  14. “The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.” – Kobe Bryant
  15. “Sometimes, you face difficulties not because you’re doing something wrong, but because you’re doing something right.” – LeBron James
  16. “It’s not about how hard you push yourself; it’s about how much you push yourself in the right direction.” – Shaquille O’Neal
  17. “Success is not about how many times you fall; it’s about how many times you get back up.” – Jerry West
  18. “Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.” – Magic Johnson
  19. “If you want to achieve greatness, stop asking for permission.” – Kobe Bryant
  20. “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” – Bill Russell

These inspiring quotes from Los Angeles Lakers players encompass a wide range of life lessons, from perseverance and self-belief to the importance of hard work and resilience. May these inspiring words guide you on your own journey toward personal growth and success.


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Joy Estrellado

Joy Estrellado is a long time writer and editor. She is the publisher of a local newspaper in the Philippines. She is is a firm believer of Christ through her Catholic upbringing.