--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are really only two plays: Romeo…" description: "\"There are really only two plays: Romeo and Juliet, and put the darn ball in the basket.\" — Abe Lemons" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fd/abe-lemons-27770_ball_there-are-really-only-two-plays-romeo-an_2547393.png" --- # There are really only two plays: Romeo and Juliet, and put… ![“There are really only two plays: Romeo and Juliet, and put the darn ball in the basket.” quote by Abe Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fd/abe-lemons-27770_ball_there-are-really-only-two-plays-romeo-an_2547393.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fd/abe-lemons-27770_ball_there-are-really-only-two-plays-romeo-an_2547393.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fd/abe-lemons-27770_ball_there-are-really-only-two-plays-romeo-an_2547393.png) > “There are really only two plays: Romeo and Juliet, and put the darn ball in the basket.” [Abe Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote humorously reduces all drama to love stories and sports competition, highlighting how people simplify complex narratives into familiar archetypes. **In simple terms:** Life is often seen as either love or competition. Key Takeaway Recognize the richness beyond simple binaries. Themes humor culture simplification Mood playful ironic Type satirical observational When to use this quote - watching TV - discussing movies - teaching narrative theory Key Concepts media analysis social commentary Questions to Reflect On - What other narratives do we overlook? - How does this simplification affect our perception? A Different Perspective It ignores nuanced motivations and other life domains. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ball/) [Ball Basket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ball-basket-1075290/) [Basket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basket/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Plays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plays/) [Plays Romeo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plays-romeo-827692/) [Romeo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romeo/) [Romeo and juliet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romeo-and-juliet/) [Romeo juliet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romeo-juliet/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) ## Related quotes > [“I swear you can see in Juliet's eyes that she knows she's going to die because of how she feels for this guy. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-eliot/i-swear-you-can-see-in-juliet-s-eyes-that-she-knows-she-s-going-to/) [Anne Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-eliot/) > ['Romeo and Juliet,' 'Manon,' 'Giselle' - they are not stupid stories. They have fantastic characters. They have a big package of emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvie-guillem/romeo-and-juliet-manon-giselle-they-are-not-stupid-stories-they-have/) [Sylvie Guillem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvie-guillem/) > [I was in Siena and decided I wanted to write a story set there. Then I discovered that the original story of Romeo and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/i-was-in-siena-and-decided-i-wanted-to-write-a-story-set-there-then-i/) [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) > ['Romeo And Juliet' is the classic love story. When two lovers are separated and trying to get back to one another, that's fiercely romantic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saoirse-ronan/romeo-and-juliet-is-the-classic-love-story-when-two-lovers-are/) [Saoirse Ronan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saoirse-ronan/) > [“There has to be some way this won’t end in tragedy. Why can’t Romeo and Juliet live happily ever after? It’s as if the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kitty-thomas/there-has-to-be-some-way-this-won-t-end-in-tragedy-why-can-t-romeo/) [Kitty Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kitty-thomas/) > [“When I was twelve, my sixth-grade English class went on a field trip to see Franco Zeffirelli’s film adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annabelle-gurwitch/when-i-was-twelve-my-sixth-grade-english-class-went-on-a-field-trip/) [Annabelle Gurwitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annabelle-gurwitch/) > [I always say to people, 'You know, if Romeo and Juliet got married, nobody would care about them.' Imagine Romeo and Juliet, six kids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjane-satrapi/i-always-say-to-people-you-know-if-romeo-and-juliet-got-married/) [Marjane Satrapi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjane-satrapi/) > [“(I think I fell in love with you when you were shouting at Romeo and Juliet, 'Don't touch each other!')”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-murdoch/i-think-i-fell-in-love-with-you-when-you-were-shouting-at-romeo-and/) [Iris Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-murdoch/) > [My debut was in 'Romeo and Juliet.' I was a spear carrier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-beltran/my-debut-was-in-romeo-and-juliet-i-was-a-spear-carrier/) [Robert Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-beltran/) > [It was watching Franco's 'Romeo and Juliet' at the age of 15 that first made me want to act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-tarbuck/it-was-watching-franco-s-romeo-and-juliet-at-the-age-of-15-that-first/) [Liza Tarbuck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-tarbuck/) > [I read too many romance novels during my formative years. I have a penchant for romantic comedies. I understand why 'Romeo and Juliet' came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxane-gay/i-read-too-many-romance-novels-during-my-formative-years-i-have-a/) [Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxane-gay/) > [I thought Leonardo DiCaprio was amazing in Baz Luhrmann's 'Romeo and Juliet.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenton-thwaites/i-thought-leonardo-dicaprio-was-amazing-in-baz-luhrmann-s-romeo-and/) [Brenton Thwaites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenton-thwaites/) > [The classic, 'Romeo and Juliet,' for me, is the iconic story of young love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-heughan/the-classic-romeo-and-juliet-for-me-is-the-iconic-story-of-young-love/) [Sam Heughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-heughan/) > [I'm a playmaker, and I'm going to score. At the end of the day, my job is to put the ball in the basket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwyane-wade/i-m-a-playmaker-and-i-m-going-to-score-at-the-end-of-the-day-my-job/) [Dwyane Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwyane-wade/) > [At the end of the day, it's basketball. You've got to put the ball in the basket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-hill/at-the-end-of-the-day-it-s-basketball-you-ve-got-to-put-the-ball-in/) [George Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-hill/) ## More by Abe Lemons > [Hell no. When I die I want to be sick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/hell-no-when-i-die-i-want-to-be-sick/) [Abe Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/) > [One day of practice is like one day of clean living. It doesn't do you any good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/one-day-of-practice-is-like-one-day-of-clean-living-it-doesn-t-do-you/) [Abe Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/) > [You mean in the state?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/you-mean-in-the-state/) [Abe Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/) > [You know what they call the fellow who finishes last in his medical school graduating class? They call him 'Doctor.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/you-know-what-they-call-the-fellow-who-finishes-last-in-his-medical/) [Abe Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/) > [Coaches who shoot par in the summer are the guys I want on my schedule in the winter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/coaches-who-shoot-par-in-the-summer-are-the-guys-i-want-on-my/) [Abe Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/) > [We did have three go to the YMCA.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/we-did-have-three-go-to-the-ymca/) [Abe Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/) > [I don't have any tricky plays, I'd rather have tricky players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/i-don-t-have-any-tricky-plays-i-d-rather-have-tricky-players/) [Abe Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/) > [I'd rather be a football coach. That way you only lose eleven games a year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/i-d-rather-be-a-football-coach-that-way-you-only-lose-eleven-games-a/) [Abe Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/) > [Doctors bury their mistakes, but mine are still on scholarship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/doctors-bury-their-mistakes-but-mine-are-still-on-scholarship/) [Abe Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/) > [Finish last in your league and they call you idiot. Finish last in medical school and they call you doctor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/finish-last-in-your-league-and-they-call-you-idiot-finish-last-in/) [Abe Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/) > [It was a hole in one contest and I had a three.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/it-was-a-hole-in-one-contest-and-i-had-a-three/) [Abe Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/) > [The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/the-trouble-with-retirement-is-that-you-never-get-a-day-off/) [Abe Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/) > [Damn referees, I'll miss them less than anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/damn-referees-i-ll-miss-them-less-than-anybody/) [Abe Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/) > [If I make a set of rules, then a guy goes out and steals an airplane. He comes back and says, 'It wasn't in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/if-i-make-a-set-of-rules-then-a-guy-goes-out-and-steals-an-airplane/) [Abe Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/) > [I don't understand these new coaches who don't drink. What do they do when they get beat?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/i-don-t-understand-these-new-coaches-who-don-t-drink-what-do-they-do/) [Abe Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/) [Explore all 20 Abe Lemons quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/) ## More Ball quotes > [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/) > [Nobody has a crystal ball, and part of evolving a business plan is to say, 'I might have said we're going left, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-kavanaugh/nobody-has-a-crystal-ball-and-part-of-evolving-a-business-plan-is-to/) [Ryan Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-kavanaugh/) > [Sometimes in midfield, it's nice because you do get a little bit more of the ball, and maybe out wide you rely on people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/sometimes-in-midfield-it-s-nice-because-you-do-get-a-little-bit-more/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) > [After '8 Mile' came out and blew up, the ball has been rolling ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-benson-miller/after-8-mile-came-out-and-blew-up-the-ball-has-been-rolling-ever-since/) [Omar Benson Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omar-benson-miller/) > [I don't believe in moral victories. I don't think in pro ball they exist, and they shouldn't exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-witten/i-don-t-believe-in-moral-victories-i-don-t-think-in-pro-ball-they/) [Jason Witten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-witten/) > [I think cricket is there in Usain Bolt's blood. Since I got to watch from close quarters, it was amazing to see him run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh/i-think-cricket-is-there-in-usain-bolt-s-blood-since-i-got-to-watch/) [Harbhajan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh/) > [In Memphis we don't talk. We ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-conley-jr/in-memphis-we-don-t-talk-we-ball/) [Mike Conley Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-conley-jr/) > [Football is not just all about throwing the ball. You got to run the ball, too. Defense has to be good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-jefferson/football-is-not-just-all-about-throwing-the-ball-you-got-to-run-the/) [Justin Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-jefferson/) > [I'm good with the ball, I can score.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-bergwijn/i-m-good-with-the-ball-i-can-score/) [Steven Bergwijn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-bergwijn/) > [The golf ball doesn't care about know how hard you're working, or how many hours you slept that night. It only matters, what speed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-hovland/the-golf-ball-doesn-t-care-about-know-how-hard-you-re-working-or-how/) [Viktor Hovland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-hovland/) > [Throwing a ball is not natural, whether it's overhand or underhand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennie-finch/throwing-a-ball-is-not-natural-whether-it-s-overhand-or-underhand/) [Jennie Finch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennie-finch/) > [I have to chase down the most scientifically efficient way to get the golf ball in the hole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryson-dechambeau/i-have-to-chase-down-the-most-scientifically-efficient-way-to-get-the/) [Bryson DeChambeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryson-dechambeau/) > [I dislike the gym, but I'll chase a tennis ball all day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-kuchar/i-dislike-the-gym-but-i-ll-chase-a-tennis-ball-all-day/) [Matt Kuchar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-kuchar/) > [There's one ball on the field, and that ball is mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-mendoza/there-s-one-ball-on-the-field-and-that-ball-is-mine/) [Salvador Mendoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-mendoza/) [Browse all 1,822 Ball quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ball/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There are really only two plays: Romeo and Juliet, and put the darn ball in the basket.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Abe Lemons" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/there-are-really-only-two-plays-romeo-and-juliet-and-put-the-darn/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ball" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/there-are-really-only-two-plays-romeo-and-juliet-and-put-the-darn/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fd/abe-lemons-27770_ball_there-are-really-only-two-plays-romeo-an_2547393.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fd/abe-lemons-27770_ball_there-are-really-only-two-plays-romeo-an_2547393.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fd/abe-lemons-27770_ball_there-are-really-only-two-plays-romeo-an_2547393.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There are really only two plays: Romeo and Juliet, and put the darn ball in the basket.” — Abe Lemons", "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": "Abe Lemons", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-lemons/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There are really only two plays:...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/there-are-really-only-two-plays-romeo-and-juliet-and-put-the-darn/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-lemons/there-are-really-only-two-plays-romeo-and-juliet-and-put-the-darn/#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 } } ] } ```