--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was in the dunk contest, DeMar…" description: "\"When I was in the dunk contest, DeMar DeRozan actually did the dunk I was about to do before me. That was going to be my next dunk, so I was panicking ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/672/blake-griffin-2773_about_when-i-was-in-the-dunk-contest-demar-der_758980.png" --- # When I was in the dunk contest, DeMar DeRozan actually did… ![“When I was in the dunk contest, DeMar DeRozan actually did the dunk I was about to do before me. That was going to be my next dunk, so I was panicking when I went up for my turn.” quote by Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/672/blake-griffin-2773_about_when-i-was-in-the-dunk-contest-demar-der_758980.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/672/blake-griffin-2773_about_when-i-was-in-the-dunk-contest-demar-der_758980.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/672/blake-griffin-2773_about_when-i-was-in-the-dunk-contest-demar-der_758980.png) > “When I was in the dunk contest, DeMar DeRozan actually did the dunk I was about to do before me. That was going to be my next dunk, so I was panicking when I went up for my turn.” [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Experienced a near‑identical dunk, causing panic before his own attempt. **In simple terms:** Unexpected competition can cause anxiety. Key Takeaway Stay focused despite surprise moves. Themes competition performance pressure sports Mood tense reflective Type motivational sports When to use this quote - basketball games - practice drills - high‑stakes moments Key Concepts psychology of performance anticipation confidence Questions to Reflect On - How do you recover from sudden surprise? - What mental tricks help maintain composure? A Different Perspective Pressure may impair execution if not managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ## Related quotes > [People ask me if I'd permit fancy things, like dunks. Well, if they did dunk, it was with no fancy flair. No behind-the-back dribbles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/people-ask-me-if-i-d-permit-fancy-things-like-dunks-well-if-they-did/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [I embrace old age. Look, I'm never going to dunk on LeBron James, and I've learned to accept that. I got a pretty good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-wahlberg/i-embrace-old-age-look-i-m-never-going-to-dunk-on-lebron-james-and-i/) [Mark Wahlberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-wahlberg/) > [I've watched all (of Webb's) dunks on tape. I talked to him about what his preparations were going into the dunk contest. He just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate-robinson/i-ve-watched-all-of-webb-s-dunks-on-tape-i-talked-to-him-about-what/) [Nate Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate-robinson/) > [I think a lot of people have the idea that all I do is dunk and all I do is make layups.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/i-think-a-lot-of-people-have-the-idea-that-all-i-do-is-dunk-and-all-i/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [The best part is if you dunk on someone at home and they show it on the replay!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/the-best-part-is-if-you-dunk-on-someone-at-home-and-they-show-it-on/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [Skills Challenge tonight! You guys tuning in? Who you picking for the dunk contest?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-rose/skills-challenge-tonight-you-guys-tuning-in-who-you-picking-for-the/) [Derrick Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-rose/) > [People came to the All-Star Game to see the dunk contest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominique-wilkins/people-came-to-the-all-star-game-to-see-the-dunk-contest/) [Dominique Wilkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominique-wilkins/) > [Can I still dunk... Are you stupid?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/can-i-still-dunk-are-you-stupid/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [I'm not a role model... Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-barkley/i-m-not-a-role-model-just-because-i-dunk-a-basketball-doesn-t-mean-i/) [Charles Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-barkley/) > [In New York, the dunk is not the thing. To break somebody down and shoot a J-that's as big as a dunk in New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-odom/in-new-york-the-dunk-is-not-the-thing-to-break-somebody-down-and/) [Lamar Odom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-odom/) > [I just don't want to go to the All-Star game to be in the dunk contest and go home. I want to be there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deandre-jordan/i-just-don-t-want-to-go-to-the-all-star-game-to-be-in-the-dunk/) [DeAndre Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deandre-jordan/) > [My first dunk was actually in sixth grade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-carter/my-first-dunk-was-actually-in-sixth-grade/) [Vince Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-carter/) > [When you can't dunk anymore, you have to find a way to make it into the news.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manu-ginobili/when-you-can-t-dunk-anymore-you-have-to-find-a-way-to-make-it-into/) [Manu Ginobili](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manu-ginobili/) > [We're young. We like to run. J.R. and those guys, they want to dunk and I want to see 'em dunk. So it works…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-paul/we-re-young-we-like-to-run-j-r-and-those-guys-they-want-to-dunk-and-i/) [Chris Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-paul/) > [Boys have a tendency to jump around a lot more than girls. Boys have that desire to want to dunk way more than girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-leslie/boys-have-a-tendency-to-jump-around-a-lot-more-than-girls-boys-have/) [Lisa Leslie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-leslie/) ## More by Blake Griffin > [If the guy in the Hanes commercial was clowning my 'bacon neck' to Michael Jordan right in front of me, we'd have problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/if-the-guy-in-the-hanes-commercial-was-clowning-my-bacon-neck-to/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [We're not going to think about what's happened in the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/we-re-not-going-to-think-about-what-s-happened-in-the-past/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [I was raised in a Christian household and went to a Christian high school, so I believe in creationism, for sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/i-was-raised-in-a-christian-household-and-went-to-a-christian-high/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [Once you become complacent and once you're happy with your performance or whatever it is, I don't think you'll get better as quickly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/once-you-become-complacent-and-once-you-re-happy-with-your/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [That's what I'm always searching for - finding the balance between not caring so much to where I put all this pressure on myself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/that-s-what-i-m-always-searching-for-finding-the-balance-between-not/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [The thing in basketball is you always want to be free. I don't want to be hugged up to my guy. When we're body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/the-thing-in-basketball-is-you-always-want-to-be-free-i-don-t-want-to/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [If I need to be, like, a guy that scores a lot, I'm willing to do that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/if-i-need-to-be-like-a-guy-that-scores-a-lot-i-m-willing-to-do-that/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [I was always chasing Taylor, trying to keep up with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/i-was-always-chasing-taylor-trying-to-keep-up-with-him/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [Just faked a phone call to get out of signing a petition then got stuck in traffic...karma.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/just-faked-a-phone-call-to-get-out-of-signing-a-petition-then-got/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [Obviously I lost a year, so I'll have to try to get my rhythm back and all that, but just being able to watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/obviously-i-lost-a-year-so-i-ll-have-to-try-to-get-my-rhythm-back-and/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [My thing is, I want to play for the team that wants me to be a part of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/my-thing-is-i-want-to-play-for-the-team-that-wants-me-to-be-a-part-of/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [It's tough to walk away from something like this but at the same time, it's a big opportunity and I felt like I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/it-s-tough-to-walk-away-from-something-like-this-but-at-the-same-time/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [This has been a dream for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/this-has-been-a-dream-for-me/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [To me, I never get too caught up in the position thing. At the end of the day, you're playing your game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/to-me-i-never-get-too-caught-up-in-the-position-thing-at-the-end-of/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [Lob City doesn't exist anymore. Lob City is done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/lob-city-doesn-t-exist-anymore-lob-city-is-done/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) [Explore all 150 Blake Griffin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) ## More About quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. 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As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' 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