Mike Krzyzewski Quotes

How good can we expect to be if our best player is not our best teammate

Leaders have to search for the heart on a team, because the person who has it can bring out the best in everybody else.

Those who lead by example and demonstrate passion for what they do make it much easier for their followers to do the same.

Your energy and enjoyment, drive and dedication will stimulate and greatly inspire others.

Basketball is my passion, and I love it, and I love to see my players succeed. I'm here for them and my children. That's my passion.

I love football now. I have a club in Sarajevo, and I love that. The fans are fantastic. The people who run the club are incredible, honest people, and they really motivate me.

To all the positions, I just bring the determination to win. Me being an unselfish player, I think that can carry on to my teammates. When you have one of the best players on the court being unselfish, I think that transfers to the other players.

I am nothing without the players.

That's the only thing that got me here is my teammates. My teammates and my coach. That's the only reason I'm here.

I just try to find ways to help my team win.

I want to be able to help the coach and team as much as I can.

I pursued to have my team win as much as we could, and it doesn't happen without great teammates.

Basketball to me is more than a passion or a paycheck - it is the tool I use to try to have an impact in the world.

Just like in life, when you play basketball, you have to give in order to receive. On the court, you're not only making things move along by giving the ball, but you're also giving your physical and mental strength, your passion, your talent, your trust in your teammates. This way the power can multiply and the whole team wins.

The main thing is, wherever I play, I enjoy it and help the team.

The best players I have seen and known have confidence in their teammates. They know that basketball's not a one-man game. That confidence brings out the best in everybody, because it's contagious.

Whether it's the best player or the 12th man next to the Gatorade cooler, understanding the personalities on your team is key.

The energy I bring, the passion I bring, it's infectious. You can ask anybody on that Oklahoma staff. That's what I bring to the table.

Like I always say, man, anytime you got playmakers around you it makes your job easier.

I always believe in backing up a team that is super passionate and loves to work with each other.

I respect the people who work with me, and I respect the crowds in the stadiums - I just live the game and try to advise my players in the right moments. If that means I have to raise my arms and jump, I will raise my arms and jump if that is the best way to help them.

When your great players are team players, everybody else follows their lead. The best team doesn't always win - it's usually the team that gets along best.

When I gave up me, I became more. I became a captain, a leader, a better person and I came to understand that life is a team game...And you know what?...I've found most people aren't team players. They don't realize that life is the only game in town. Someone should tell them. It has made all the difference in the world to me.

To be great, truly great, you have to be the kind of person who makes the others around you great.

Coaching staff: I know there's days you look at that film and you want to kill me. I'm not playing defense, taking bad shots, getting too many techs. But you always believe that I can be the guy. Through the tough times, you guys never left my side... That's something that I really appreciate and I never want to take you guys for granted. I thank you so much for being part of my life. And not just on the basketball court, but giving me talks about growing as a man first, and a basketball player next.