'You miss 100% of the shots you never take.'

[Theokritos]

"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." Maybe this Michael Jordan quote got confused with what Gretzky said or wrote about "100% of the shots" and hence the confusion about the originator?

[Killion]

Originally Posted by bleedgreen

its what his dad told him when he was growing up. read it in a book about 99 at least a decade ago.

Originally Posted by Theokritos

Maybe this Michael Jordan quote got confused with what Gretzky said or wrote about "100% of the shots" and hence the confusion about the originator?

Ya, as I mentioned earlier, Ive seen this quote attributed to Michael Jordan as well. The most detailed backstory on it that I can find is in a book called "The Optimism Factor", which pre-dates Jordans & Gretzkys pro careers as something they could claim as their own, and takes us back to Brantford when one of Gretzkys coaches (not his Dad Walter) told him "you outskated everyone on the ice etc etc but that you'll always miss 100% of the shots".... my guess is its an axiom that goes back generations, applicable to any number of sports really, an old Chestnut.

[craigcaulks*]

Originally Posted by unknown33

The well known quote credited to 'The Great One'.

I'm interested in the details when Gretzky said those famous words for the first time, the situation and the exact wording.

I think he said it whilst failing a grade 10 math test.

[craigcaulks*]

Originally Posted by Stansfield

Jeff carter misses 100% of the shots he does take.

You could have used any name, I would have laughed.

[Theokritos]

Originally Posted by Killion

my guess is its an axiom that goes back generations, applicable to any number of sports really, an old Chestnut.

Most likely. I'm sure it was brought up when the Canadians learned that the Soviets hesitated to shoot until they were in a perfect shooting position. It would still be interesting to know how far the notion can be traced back in time and who phrased it when.

[Killion]

Originally Posted by Theokritos

It would still be interesting to know how far the notion can be traced back in time and who phrased it when.

.... prolly has origins in the military. Davids Slingshot Coach? Neanderthals throwing rocks at dinner?

[craigcaulks*]

Originally Posted by Killion

.... prolly has origins in the military. Davids Slingshot Coach? Neanderthals throwing rocks at dinner?

You don't get to use biblical and evolutionary examples in the same post.