--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That's pretty much the only way that I…" description: "\"That's pretty much the only way that I know how to play - as hard as I can.\" — Aaron Gordon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05a/aaron-gordon-6882_hard_that-s-pretty-much-the-only-way-that-i-k_1629048.jpg" --- # That's pretty much the only way that I know how to play… ![“That's pretty much the only way that I know how to play - as hard as I can.” quote by Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05a/aaron-gordon-6882_hard_that-s-pretty-much-the-only-way-that-i-k_1629048.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05a/aaron-gordon-6882_hard_that-s-pretty-much-the-only-way-that-i-k_1629048.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05a/aaron-gordon-6882_hard_that-s-pretty-much-the-only-way-that-i-k_1629048.jpg) > “That's pretty much the only way that I know how to play - as hard as I can.” [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He emphasizes giving his maximum effort in every activity, seeing it as the only reliable approach to success. **In simple terms:** Play as hard as possible. Key Takeaway Give your all in everything. Themes effort determination performance mindset Mood intense motivational Type sports inspirational When to use this quote - sports competition - personal goals - training sessions Key Concepts hard work resilience focus Questions to Reflect On - What limits should be set on effort? - How to balance intensity with recovery? A Different Perspective Excessive effort may lead to burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [We came up with the name and logo pretty much the same way we do everything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabe-newell/we-came-up-with-the-name-and-logo-pretty-much-the-same-way-we-do/) [Gabe Newell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabe-newell/) > [Everyones pretty in there own way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyones-pretty-in-there-own-way/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I know I play with a lot of passion, but from the outside looking in, people say, 'He's passive. Doesn't play hard.' And others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonzo-ball/i-know-i-play-with-a-lot-of-passion-but-from-the-outside-looking-in/) [Lonzo Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonzo-ball/) > [You know me, I work hard, but I play hard, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/you-know-me-i-work-hard-but-i-play-hard-too/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I'm a vet. I know the game and know how to play the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-pierre-paul/i-m-a-vet-i-know-the-game-and-know-how-to-play-the-game/) [Jason Pierre-Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-pierre-paul/) > [The knee just isn't 100 percent. It's hard to be out there when you know that you can't play at your best and could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serena-williams/the-knee-just-isn-t-100-percent-it-s-hard-to-be-out-there-when-you/) [Serena Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serena-williams/) > [You have to play hard every night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauri-markkanen/you-have-to-play-hard-every-night/) [Lauri Markkanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauri-markkanen/) > [Until you actually do it, there's a part of it you have to prove it to yourself. You always say, 'I know I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/until-you-actually-do-it-there-s-a-part-of-it-you-have-to-prove-it-to/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) > [If a caddie can help you, you don't know how to play golf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-jenkins/if-a-caddie-can-help-you-you-don-t-know-how-to-play-golf/) [Dan Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-jenkins/) > [We've all listened to Dr. Laura Schlessinger, haven't we? We all know how not to play a psychiatrist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-anne-down/we-ve-all-listened-to-dr-laura-schlessinger-haven-t-we-we-all-know/) [Lesley-Anne Down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-anne-down/) > [Never try to play with the people around you. for you may never know that they play better than you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clevelle/never-try-to-play-with-the-people-around-you-for-you-may-never-know/) [Clevelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clevelle/) > [Life is a game all we know is how 2 play it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-a-game-all-we-know-is-how-2-play-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I started my career as a No 9. I know how to play as a No 9.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richarlison/i-started-my-career-as-a-no-9-i-know-how-to-play-as-a-no-9/) [Richarlison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richarlison/) > [I don't know what it is that I do, but when I play a really bad guy, I'm able to bring some level of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ferrer/i-don-t-know-what-it-is-that-i-do-but-when-i-play-a-really-bad-guy-i/) [Miguel Ferrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ferrer/) > [“If u want to work in Corporate, then u should know how to play Chess.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honeya/if-u-want-to-work-in-corporate-then-u-should-know-how-to-play-chess/) [honeya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honeya/) ## More by Aaron Gordon > [Everybody has bad days, but how you respond to it is a testament to whether you are a winner or a loser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/everybody-has-bad-days-but-how-you-respond-to-it-is-a-testament-to/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [You know me, I work hard, but I play hard, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/you-know-me-i-work-hard-but-i-play-hard-too/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I've taken way too many shots in practice to count.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/i-ve-taken-way-too-many-shots-in-practice-to-count/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [If we win, everybody gets paid. That's how it goes and that's how it's always been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/if-we-win-everybody-gets-paid-that-s-how-it-goes-and-that-s-how-it-s/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [For as long as I have Orlando on my chest, Magic on my chest, I'm going to give it everything I have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/for-as-long-as-i-have-orlando-on-my-chest-magic-on-my-chest-i-m-going/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I love the game of basketball so to neglect one side of the floor, that's disrespecting the game to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/i-love-the-game-of-basketball-so-to-neglect-one-side-of-the-floor/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I'm kind of mobile like a guard, so when I'm dunking it doesn't look like a big guy dunking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/i-m-kind-of-mobile-like-a-guard-so-when-i-m-dunking-it-doesn-t-look/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I'm long, athletic and I'm not really somebody you want to try and shoot over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/i-m-long-athletic-and-i-m-not-really-somebody-you-want-to-try-and/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I love defense just as much as I love scoring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/i-love-defense-just-as-much-as-i-love-scoring/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I care more about the win than the stats, every single day of the week.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/i-care-more-about-the-win-than-the-stats-every-single-day-of-the-week/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [To be D-POY is a goal. I don't think it's selfish and I'd love to be D-POY.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/to-be-d-poy-is-a-goal-i-don-t-think-it-s-selfish-and-i-d-love-to-be-d/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [Everybody's a critic, including myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/everybody-s-a-critic-including-myself/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I want to set up after-school programs, have basketball camps for the kids and help in the community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/i-want-to-set-up-after-school-programs-have-basketball-camps-for-the/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I play the game to the best of my abilities regardless of where I am on the floor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/i-play-the-game-to-the-best-of-my-abilities-regardless-of-where-i-am/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [That's how I came into the league, defensive-minded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/that-s-how-i-came-into-the-league-defensive-minded/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) [Explore all 96 Aaron Gordon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) ## More Football quotes > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/) [Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/) > [There are guys who play lacrosse, and there are lacrosse players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-mundorf/there-are-guys-who-play-lacrosse-and-there-are-lacrosse-players/) Brendan Mundorf > [Giggs is the realest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kaluuya/giggs-is-the-realest/) [Daniel Kaluuya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kaluuya/) > [You get a new coach; you do things a little differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-manning/you-get-a-new-coach-you-do-things-a-little-differently/) [Archie Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-manning/) > [You gotta have a little kid in you to play football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-edwards/you-gotta-have-a-little-kid-in-you-to-play-football/) [Herman Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-edwards/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [My team mates are fundamental for my characteristics, if they send in crosses I can play inside the area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-inzaghi/my-team-mates-are-fundamental-for-my-characteristics-if-they-send-in/) [Filippo Inzaghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-inzaghi/) > [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/) [Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/) > [“Wild card, got it," Duncan said. "Just like in Crazy Eights. I can be a diamond; I can be a spade. Whatever you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-healy/wild-card-got-it-duncan-said-just-like-in-crazy-eights-i-can-be-a/) [Christopher Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-healy/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) [Browse all 59,646 Football quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "That's pretty much the only way that I know how to play - as hard as I can.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Aaron Gordon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/that-s-pretty-much-the-only-way-that-i-know-how-to-play-as-hard-as-i/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Football" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/that-s-pretty-much-the-only-way-that-i-know-how-to-play-as-hard-as-i/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05a/aaron-gordon-6882_hard_that-s-pretty-much-the-only-way-that-i-k_1629048.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05a/aaron-gordon-6882_hard_that-s-pretty-much-the-only-way-that-i-k_1629048.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05a/aaron-gordon-6882_hard_that-s-pretty-much-the-only-way-that-i-k_1629048.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“That's pretty much the only way that I know how to play - as hard as I can.” — Aaron Gordon", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Aaron Gordon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "That's pretty much the only way...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/that-s-pretty-much-the-only-way-that-i-know-how-to-play-as-hard-as-i/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/that-s-pretty-much-the-only-way-that-i-know-how-to-play-as-hard-as-i/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```