"As athletes, we're used to reacting quickly. Here, it's 'come, stop, come, stop.' There's a lot of downtime. That's the toughest part of the day"
About this Quote
The subtext is control. On a court, he can manufacture momentum, turn a possession into a verdict. In production, momentum is rationed, parceled out by assistants and schedules and technical constraints. “Downtime” becomes a kind of existential tax: time in which a performer can’t perform. For someone whose whole legend is built on relentless motion - the cut, the first step, the late-game surge - enforced stillness feels like a different sport with different rules.
It also reveals a subtle respect for labor. He’s not glamorizing the crossover into entertainment; he’s admitting the craft has its own grind, just not the glamorous kind people imagine. The toughest part isn’t the work in front of the camera; it’s the waiting that exposes how much of greatness depends on rhythm, and how disorienting it is when the rhythm isn’t yours.
Quote Details
| Topic | Training & Practice |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
| Cite | Cite this Quote |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Jordan, Michael. (n.d.). As athletes, we're used to reacting quickly. Here, it's 'come, stop, come, stop.' There's a lot of downtime. That's the toughest part of the day. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/as-athletes-were-used-to-reacting-quickly-here-22342/
Chicago Style
Jordan, Michael. "As athletes, we're used to reacting quickly. Here, it's 'come, stop, come, stop.' There's a lot of downtime. That's the toughest part of the day." FixQuotes. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/as-athletes-were-used-to-reacting-quickly-here-22342/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"As athletes, we're used to reacting quickly. Here, it's 'come, stop, come, stop.' There's a lot of downtime. That's the toughest part of the day." FixQuotes, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/as-athletes-were-used-to-reacting-quickly-here-22342/. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
