--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Basketball really is a metaphor for life…" description: "\"Basketball really is a metaphor for life - the intangible skills I have learned on the court, have helped shape the person I am today.\" — Ashley Graham" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/ashley-graham-2577_basketball_basketball-really-is-a-metaphor-for-life_2325146.jpg" --- # Basketball really is a metaphor for life - the intangible… ![“Basketball really is a metaphor for life - the intangible skills I have learned on the court, have helped shape the person I am today.” quote by Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/ashley-graham-2577_basketball_basketball-really-is-a-metaphor-for-life_2325146.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/ashley-graham-2577_basketball_basketball-really-is-a-metaphor-for-life_2325146.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/ashley-graham-2577_basketball_basketball-really-is-a-metaphor-for-life_2325146.jpg) > “Basketball really is a metaphor for life - the intangible skills I have learned on the court, have helped shape the person I am today.” [Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Basketball teaches life lessons; skills learned on court shape personal development. **In simple terms:** Sports provide transferable skills for life. Key Takeaway Apply sports lessons to everyday challenges. Themes sports metaphor personal growth skill development life lessons Mood motivational reflective Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - teamwork - discipline - resilience - goal setting Key Concepts learning theory psychology motivation Questions to Reflect On - How can non‑athletes gain similar growth? - What specific basketball skill helped you most? A Different Perspective Not everyone experiences sports similarly. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Court](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/court/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Metaphor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/metaphor/) [Shapes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shapes/) [Skills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skills/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) ## Related quotes > [The true harvest of my life is intangible - a little star dust caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-true-harvest-of-my-life-is-intangible-a-little-star-dust-caught-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The interior life is a real life, and the intangible dreams of people have a tangible effect on the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-baldwin/the-interior-life-is-a-real-life-and-the-intangible-dreams-of-people/) [James A. Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-baldwin/) > [The most important things in life are intangible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-hartmann/the-most-important-things-in-life-are-intangible/) [Thom Hartmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-hartmann/) > [The way music reflects real life, the way that painstakingly, over the years, what I have said is really a metaphor for what's happening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immortal-technique/the-way-music-reflects-real-life-the-way-that-painstakingly-over-the/) [Immortal Technique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immortal-technique/) > [The engine room really is a metaphor for my head, and all the things bangin' around, and I think I share that with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-watt/the-engine-room-really-is-a-metaphor-for-my-head-and-all-the-things/) [Mike Watt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-watt/) > [“Oh, you mean like Orpheo rescuing Euniphon from the Underworld?” said Roland. Rob Anybody just stared. “It’s a myth from Ephebe,” Roland went on.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/oh-you-mean-like-orpheo-rescuing-euniphon-from-the-underworld-said/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Life is an intangible gift from GOD. We can neither see it, feel it, or bargain with it. Life is an unsubstantial flimsy thing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justice-cabral/life-is-an-intangible-gift-from-god-we-can-neither-see-it-feel-it-or/) [Justice Cabral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justice-cabral/) > [I keep myself in shape. I love the game of basketball, and I really feel like it doesn't matter about your age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penny-hardaway/i-keep-myself-in-shape-i-love-the-game-of-basketball-and-i-really/) [Penny Hardaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penny-hardaway/) > [Sitting behind the bench at games is the hardest thing I've ever had to go through because basketball is really most of my happiness.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-webber/sitting-behind-the-bench-at-games-is-the-hardest-thing-i-ve-ever-had/) [Chris Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-webber/) > [You don't contest shots without expending energy. You don't get deflections - unless you walk into one every now and then - without expending…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/draymond-green/you-don-t-contest-shots-without-expending-energy-you-don-t-get/) [Draymond Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/draymond-green/) > [Having been a football player, most viewers associated me with just that. It was tough to go from football to basketball, but what really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmad-rashad/having-been-a-football-player-most-viewers-associated-me-with-just/) [Ahmad Rashad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmad-rashad/) > [I'm accustomed to playing basketball really rough. When I came into the league, I was used to fighting on the court. That's how I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/metta-world-peace/i-m-accustomed-to-playing-basketball-really-rough-when-i-came-into/) [Metta World Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/metta-world-peace/) > [I've been shooting my whole life. I don't remember a team where I wasn't playing basketball. It's something I really enjoy, and I shoot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-korver/i-ve-been-shooting-my-whole-life-i-don-t-remember-a-team-where-i-wasn/) [Kyle Korver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-korver/) > [I think I was chosen by basketball, although I never really physically got drafted to any team that I played for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/i-think-i-was-chosen-by-basketball-although-i-never-really-physically/) [Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) > [Basketball has always really helped me physically for baseball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-connaughton/basketball-has-always-really-helped-me-physically-for-baseball/) [Pat Connaughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-connaughton/) ## More by Ashley Graham > [I think that when you use the word 'plus-size,' you're putting all these women in a category: 'You don't eat well.' 'You don't work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/i-think-that-when-you-use-the-word-plus-size-you-re-putting-all-these/) [Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/) > [People would do the sound of a truck backing up - beeeep, beeeep - as I was sitting down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/people-would-do-the-sound-of-a-truck-backing-up-beeeep-beeeep-as-i/) [Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/) > [I've lived the torment of the names. I've lived the torment of boyfriends breaking up with me because they were afraid I was going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/i-ve-lived-the-torment-of-the-names-i-ve-lived-the-torment-of/) [Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/) > [I wasn't put on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a plus-size model, I was put on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/i-wasn-t-put-on-the-cover-of-sports-illustrated-as-a-plus-size-model/) [Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/) > [“You are good enough to make whatever you want to achieve possible. You just need to find your talent and passion, then put a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/you-are-good-enough-to-make-whatever-you-want-to-achieve-possible-you/) [Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/) > ['A New Model' is saying that women should be confident in who they are and that they can be their own role models.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/a-new-model-is-saying-that-women-should-be-confident-in-who-they-are/) [Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/) > [For me, wearing lingerie isn't about anyone else but me. If I dressed for others I would be a miserable person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/for-me-wearing-lingerie-isn-t-about-anyone-else-but-me-if-i-dressed/) [Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/) > [I'm trying to change how women think about themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/i-m-trying-to-change-how-women-think-about-themselves/) [Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/) > [I felt free once I realized I was never going to fit the narrow mold society wanted me to fit in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/i-felt-free-once-i-realized-i-was-never-going-to-fit-the-narrow-mold/) [Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/) > [People want to know that there's someone else out there that looks like them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/people-want-to-know-that-there-s-someone-else-out-there-that-looks/) [Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/) > [When you're given an 'SI' cover, and you take advantage of it, you can conquer the world. Look at Chrissy Teigen. Look at Tyra…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/when-you-re-given-an-si-cover-and-you-take-advantage-of-it-you-can/) [Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/) > [Curvy girls can pull off any look - it's what we do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/curvy-girls-can-pull-off-any-look-it-s-what-we-do/) [Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/) > [Eventually, I joined a church. I didn't go there to find a boyfriend; I truly wasn't looking for anyone other than the person I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/eventually-i-joined-a-church-i-didn-t-go-there-to-find-a-boyfriend-i/) [Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/) > [I always say wear what makes you feel most confident, and confidence doesn't always come over night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/i-always-say-wear-what-makes-you-feel-most-confident-and-confidence/) [Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/) > [If a plus-size woman is not represented in fashion or on TV, what the hell are we doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/if-a-plus-size-woman-is-not-represented-in-fashion-or-on-tv-what-the/) [Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/) [Explore all 160 Ashley Graham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/) ## More Basketball quotes > [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/) [Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/) > [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/) [Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/) > [I learned so much from Sue about the Xs and Os of the game of basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/i-learned-so-much-from-sue-about-the-xs-and-os-of-the-game-of/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [It's not how big you are, it's how big you play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-how-big-you-are-it-s-how-big-you-play/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Basketball isn't just a sport to me ; it's my ecstasy !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamira-robinson/basketball-isn-t-just-a-sport-to-me-it-s-my-ecstasy/) [Jamira Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamira-robinson/) > [It's similar to basketball: when you go to different gyms and win or lose, you learn something new. So when kids get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/it-s-similar-to-basketball-when-you-go-to-different-gyms-and-win-or/) [Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) > [And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-i-want-to-do-it-the-right-way-like-everybody-else-not-just-a/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Well, you can certainly teach free-throwing. And you can teach the boys to pass at angles and run in curves. - University of Kansas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-dawkins/well-you-can-certainly-teach-free-throwing-and-you-can-teach-the-boys/) [Darryl Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-dawkins/) > [Practice to beat the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-bennett/practice-to-beat-the-best/) [Dick Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-bennett/) > [I'm a competitive person. I love the game of basketball. I'm a gym rat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-m-a-competitive-person-i-love-the-game-of-basketball-i-m-a-gym-rat/) [Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/) > [I am both humbled and honored to receive the Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-both-humbled-and-honored-to-receive-the-honda-sports-award-for/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [What I've talked about the entire series and throughout this playoffs is about intensity and effort, desire and will of our players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-laimbeer/what-i-ve-talked-about-the-entire-series-and-throughout-this-playoffs/) [Bill Laimbeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-laimbeer/) [Browse all 5,387 Basketball quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Basketball really is a metaphor for life - the intangible skills I have learned on the court, have helped shape the person I am today.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ashley Graham" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/basketball-really-is-a-metaphor-for-life-the-intangible-skills-i-have/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Basketball" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/basketball-really-is-a-metaphor-for-life-the-intangible-skills-i-have/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/ashley-graham-2577_basketball_basketball-really-is-a-metaphor-for-life_2325146.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/ashley-graham-2577_basketball_basketball-really-is-a-metaphor-for-life_2325146.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/ashley-graham-2577_basketball_basketball-really-is-a-metaphor-for-life_2325146.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Basketball really is a metaphor for life - the intangible skills I have learned on the court, have helped…” — Ashley Graham", "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": "Ashley Graham", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Basketball really is a metaphor for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/basketball-really-is-a-metaphor-for-life-the-intangible-skills-i-have/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-graham/basketball-really-is-a-metaphor-for-life-the-intangible-skills-i-have/#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 } } ] } ```