--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Something you can control is your effort…" description: "\"Something you can control is your effort and your energy and playing defense. And for me that's always been a catalyst for my game, whether it's been g..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/207/alex-caruso-6561_control_something-you-can-control-is-your-effort_314555.jpg" --- # Something you can control is your effort and your energy… ![“Something you can control is your effort and your energy and playing defense. And for me that's always been a catalyst for my game, whether it's been getting a run through steal and getting a dunk on the other end or taking a charge or getting a deflection.” quote by Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/207/alex-caruso-6561_control_something-you-can-control-is-your-effort_314555.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/207/alex-caruso-6561_control_something-you-can-control-is-your-effort_314555.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/207/alex-caruso-6561_control_something-you-can-control-is-your-effort_314555.jpg) > “Something you can control is your effort and your energy and playing defense. And for me that's always been a catalyst for my game, whether it's been getting a run through steal and getting a dunk on the other end or taking a charge or getting a deflection.” [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Your effort and defensive mindset shape performance; controlling them fuels success in basketball and life. **In simple terms:** Control effort and defense to improve performance. Key Takeaway Focus on effort, energy, and defense. Themes effort defense performance mindset catalyst Mood determined focused Type motivational practical When to use this quote - sports training - personal development - teamwork - leadership - goal setting Key Concepts self‑efficacy psychological resilience strategic play Questions to Reflect On - How can you apply this mindset off the court? - What defensive habits boost overall productivity? A Different Perspective Effort alone may not overcome skill gaps or external factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Playing defense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-defense/) ## Related quotes > [You have to stay in the state of mind where you believe you could stay upbeat - playing with a lot of energy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francisco-lindor/you-have-to-stay-in-the-state-of-mind-where-you-believe-you-could/) [Francisco Lindor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francisco-lindor/) > [I can always make trouble for who I guard and control the effort I bring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bledsoe/i-can-always-make-trouble-for-who-i-guard-and-control-the-effort-i/) [Eric Bledsoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bledsoe/) > [My game is evolving, my basketball bag, whatever they say, my repertoire of playing defense, pushing the ball on offense, being a good teammate;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/my-game-is-evolving-my-basketball-bag-whatever-they-say-my-repertoire/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [You might have seen a dunk or two over the years... but the stuff I do is not sexy. It's the stuff that wins…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/you-might-have-seen-a-dunk-or-two-over-the-years-but-the-stuff-i-do/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [What history is, essentially, is a careening, out-of-control effort to find our way back to this state of primordial balance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/what-history-is-essentially-is-a-careening-out-of-control-effort-to/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [The only thing in your control is effort. That's all, and that's everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cuban/the-only-thing-in-your-control-is-effort-that-s-all-and-that-s/) [Mark Cuban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cuban/) > [The only thing any entrepreneur, salesperson or anyone in any position can control is their effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cuban/the-only-thing-any-entrepreneur-salesperson-or-anyone-in-any-position/) [Mark Cuban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cuban/) > [At the end of the day, you can't control the results; you can only control your effort level and your focus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-zobrist/at-the-end-of-the-day-you-can-t-control-the-results-you-can-only/) [Ben Zobrist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-zobrist/) > [The one thing you can control is effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malik-jackson/the-one-thing-you-can-control-is-effort/) [Malik Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malik-jackson/) > [All you can do is put in work. That's what you can control, the effort that you put in, and that's what I'm doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/all-you-can-do-is-put-in-work-that-s-what-you-can-control-the-effort/) [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) > [The one thing in life you can control is your effort. Are there any shortcuts in the beauty business? No. That was the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cuban/the-one-thing-in-life-you-can-control-is-your-effort-are-there-any/) [Mark Cuban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cuban/) > [You can't control the talents He gives you, no doubt about that. But you can control the effort you put forth with those talents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clayton-kershaw/you-can-t-control-the-talents-he-gives-you-no-doubt-about-that-but/) [Clayton Kershaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clayton-kershaw/) > [For me, it's about controlling what I can control. I can't control where I'm going to be put on the pitch. I can only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal-dunn/for-me-it-s-about-controlling-what-i-can-control-i-can-t-control/) [Crystal Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal-dunn/) > [I know what we can control, we can control our effort and we can control our approach. We do what we're supposed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-kennedy/i-know-what-we-can-control-we-can-control-our-effort-and-we-can/) [Andy Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-kennedy/) > [There is only one thing in life you can control: Your own effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cuban/there-is-only-one-thing-in-life-you-can-control-your-own-effort/) [Mark Cuban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cuban/) ## More by Alex Caruso > [I grew up with a religious background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-grew-up-with-a-religious-background/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [That's the NBA and professional sports. You have to take care of business when you have the chance and if you don't you put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/that-s-the-nba-and-professional-sports-you-have-to-take-care-of/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [I need financial security for me, for my people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-need-financial-security-for-me-for-my-people/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [I'm going to try and keep getting better and better and better and part of that is being aggressive to score and a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-m-going-to-try-and-keep-getting-better-and-better-and-better-and/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [It's a blessing to play basketball, man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/it-s-a-blessing-to-play-basketball-man/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [I try to be smart and use the court to my advantage, know where I have help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-try-to-be-smart-and-use-the-court-to-my-advantage-know-where-i-have/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [In first grade, I played in a league called Upwards Basketball in Bryan, Tex., and did that up until fifth or sixth grade. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/in-first-grade-i-played-in-a-league-called-upwards-basketball-in/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [We have a lot of privilege and a lot of responsibility to hold ourselves to a high standard and help people that are in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/we-have-a-lot-of-privilege-and-a-lot-of-responsibility-to-hold/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [It's been the story of my career. No matter what level I'm at, the more time I have on the court, the better I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/it-s-been-the-story-of-my-career-no-matter-what-level-i-m-at-the-more/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [My level of skill is average. I'm not making some bomb Italian dish or anything, but I can make food that tastes good and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/my-level-of-skill-is-average-i-m-not-making-some-bomb-italian-dish-or/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [Basketball at any level, middle school, high school, college, pro, winning basketball is winning basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/basketball-at-any-level-middle-school-high-school-college-pro-winning/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [I just try and anticipate the play - whether it's a steal, rebound, assist or a shot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-just-try-and-anticipate-the-play-whether-it-s-a-steal-rebound/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [Whatever you want to do, do it. That's honestly for hair, for life. So you want to go get a toupee, you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/whatever-you-want-to-do-do-it-that-s-honestly-for-hair-for-life-so/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [I watch a lot of old basketball highlights and basketball games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-watch-a-lot-of-old-basketball-highlights-and-basketball-games/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [Anytime LeBron is on your team, you're playing for a championship. It's not a secret. If he's on your team, it's pretty much like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/anytime-lebron-is-on-your-team-you-re-playing-for-a-championship-it-s/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) [Explore all 98 Alex Caruso quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) ## More Control quotes > [We have to get control of our borders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-coffman/we-have-to-get-control-of-our-borders/) [Mike Coffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-coffman/) > [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“You can't control who loves you...you can't let someone love you anymore than you can make someone love you”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/you-can-t-control-who-loves-you-you-can-t-let-someone-love-you/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-thought-i-fought-a-really-good-orlando-salido-i-never-let-him-get/) [Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/) > [Don't think you can...know you can! You human body is the most impressive tool you'll ever own. Even if you can't control everything, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hardy/don-t-think-you-can-know-you-can-you-human-body-is-the-most/) [Jeff Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hardy/) > [If you have everything under control, you're not moving fast enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/if-you-have-everything-under-control-you-re-not-moving-fast-enough/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [“Without time management, you lose control of your life and do what other people tell you to do. You lose control and become a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-miller/without-time-management-you-lose-control-of-your-life-and-do-what/) Thomas Miller > [I started off as a model maker, so the first part of my career was a model maker and then a motion control camera…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knoll/i-started-off-as-a-model-maker-so-the-first-part-of-my-career-was-a/) [John Knoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knoll/) > [Many of us rely on our own illusion of control. But when God makes it known to you that you're not the one steering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/many-of-us-rely-on-our-own-illusion-of-control-but-when-god-makes-it/) [Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/) > [In Congress, Florida Republicans worked with the Trump administration to secure funding for coastal restoration projects following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/in-congress-florida-republicans-worked-with-the-trump-administration/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [“He who can destroy a thing has the real control of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/he-who-can-destroy-a-thing-has-the-real-control-of-it/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying or getting overly angry or to maintain control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-haysbert/sometimes-you-have-to-laugh-to-keep-from-crying-or-getting-overly/) [Dennis Haysbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-haysbert/) > [My sister-in-law works for a group that supports orphanages in Cairo. She and her colleagues take care of children left behind by circumstances beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/my-sister-in-law-works-for-a-group-that-supports-orphanages-in-cairo/) [Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/) > [Some nights I'm funny with the between-song commentary, some nights I'm not. I have no control over this. I pace the stage a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-berman/some-nights-i-m-funny-with-the-between-song-commentary-some-nights-i/) [David Berman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-berman/) > [“Control never be a means to any practical end. It can never be a means to anything but more control… Like punk.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-s-burroughs/control-never-be-a-means-to-any-practical-end-it-can-never-be-a-means/) [William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-s-burroughs/) [Browse all 6,032 Control quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Something you can control is your effort and your energy and playing defense. 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