The "I" in Win

Just a week ago, Michael Jordan Motorsports closed out the 2009 AMA Pro Racing Superbike season with an impressive two-podium performance from Jordan Suzuki's Aaron Yates at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Just the other day, team owner Michael Jordan was inducted into the National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Fame, which was no surprise.... But what Jordan had to say surprised some people who didn't clearly understand the deep competitive nature of number 23.

Michael Jordan gave his induction speech at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He pointedly spoke about players and coaches alike who had criticized him during his career. Here are just a few of the quotes we pulled from his induction speech.

Michael Jordan Speaks...

Regarding his friends and family: "You guys, I must say thank you very much for giving me that motivation that I definitely needed."

To the college coach who cut him: "I wanted to make sure you understood: You made a mistake, dude."

To Isiah Thomas: "I wanted to prove to you, Magic (Johnson), Larry (Bird), George (Gervin), everybody that I deserved (to be there) just as much as anybody else, and I hope over the period of my career I've done that without a doubt."

About being competitive: "I just so happen to be a friendly guy. I get along with everybody, but at the same time, when the light comes on, I'm as competitive as anybody you know."

To the media regading Bird: "I had to listen to all that, and that put so much wood on that fire that it kept me each and every day trying to get better as a basketball player."

Regarding Byron Russel: "From this day forward, if I ever see him in shorts, I'm coming at him."

To Bulls assistant Tex Winter: "Tex reminded me that there's no ‘I' in team, And I looked back at Tex, I said, ‘There's ‘I' in win.' So whichever way you want it."

Jordan on Jordan: "One day you might look up and see me playing a game at 50," he said. "Don't laugh. Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion."