--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My thing is, when Barkley played…" description: "\"My thing is, when Barkley played basketball, he didn't practice, he wasn't a leader, he wasn't this or that, he just had natural talent so he got chose..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/charles-oakley-8431_basketball_my-thing-is-when-barkley-played-basketba_2322643.jpg" --- # My thing is, when Barkley played basketball, he didn't… ![“My thing is, when Barkley played basketball, he didn't practice, he wasn't a leader, he wasn't this or that, he just had natural talent so he got chosen to the Dream Team, All Star team because he had the talent and he was the franchise player on the team.” quote by Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/charles-oakley-8431_basketball_my-thing-is-when-barkley-played-basketba_2322643.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/charles-oakley-8431_basketball_my-thing-is-when-barkley-played-basketba_2322643.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/charles-oakley-8431_basketball_my-thing-is-when-barkley-played-basketba_2322643.jpg) > “My thing is, when Barkley played basketball, he didn't practice, he wasn't a leader, he wasn't this or that, he just had natural talent so he got chosen to the Dream Team, All Star team because he had the talent and he was the franchise player on the team.” [Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The player succeeded through innate talent rather than deliberate practice or leadership, highlighting natural ability as a key factor in elite selection. **In simple terms:** Talent alone can earn top spots. Key Takeaway Recognize and nurture natural strengths. Themes talent sports selection Mood reflective analytical Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - scouting athletes - building teams - coaching decisions - career planning Key Concepts innate ability team dynamics recognition Questions to Reflect On - Do you rely more on talent or hard work? - How can you develop leadership alongside talent? A Different Perspective Talent without effort may limit long‑term growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Dream team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream-team/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Natural talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-talent/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talent/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) ## Related quotes > [Charles Barkley played in an era where he was never the guy. He always had to take a back seat to Michael Jordan, Magic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-sharpe/charles-barkley-played-in-an-era-where-he-was-never-the-guy-he-always/) [Shannon Sharpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-sharpe/) > [A big part of what kept me focused on the music was already failing with basketball. I played basketball all of my life. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-east/a-big-part-of-what-kept-me-focused-on-the-music-was-already-failing/) [Dave East](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-east/) > [What kid who was playing basketball didn't have the dream about going to the NBA? It's the biggest and final step.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-drummond/what-kid-who-was-playing-basketball-didn-t-have-the-dream-about-going/) [Andre Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-drummond/) > [I mean, I miss basketball. I didn't get to play basketball as much as I may have wanted to, but yeah, I miss baseball…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyler-murray/i-mean-i-miss-basketball-i-didn-t-get-to-play-basketball-as-much-as-i/) [Kyler Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyler-murray/) > [When I was in school, I was very much into just sports, mostly basketball, and didn't really see myself as much of a student.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-de-la-pena/when-i-was-in-school-i-was-very-much-into-just-sports-mostly/) [Matt de la Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-de-la-pena/) > [My city was very basketball-minded so I was born playing basketball and I didn't like playing soccer that much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manu-ginobili/my-city-was-very-basketball-minded-so-i-was-born-playing-basketball/) [Manu Ginobili](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manu-ginobili/) > [When the NBA first resorted to it in 1979, I must admit I thought it was a circus rule, the equivalent of asking players…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skip-bayless/when-the-nba-first-resorted-to-it-in-1979-i-must-admit-i-thought-it/) [Skip Bayless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skip-bayless/) > [I went to school to Washburn to play basketball, and I always believed if basketball didn't work out I could fall back on golf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-woodland/i-went-to-school-to-washburn-to-play-basketball-and-i-always-believed/) [Gary Woodland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-woodland/) > [Every memory I had growing up was involving a basketball. I didn't go to the prom and stuff like that. It was always basketball…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-durant/every-memory-i-had-growing-up-was-involving-a-basketball-i-didn-t-go/) [Kevin Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-durant/) > [I love basketball, and I didn't get a chance to finish my career the way I wanted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penny-hardaway/i-love-basketball-and-i-didn-t-get-a-chance-to-finish-my-career-the/) [Penny Hardaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penny-hardaway/) > [My whole life, people have doubted me. My mom did. People told me in high school I'm too short and not fast enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-butler/my-whole-life-people-have-doubted-me-my-mom-did-people-told-me-in/) [Jimmy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-butler/) > [I wouldn't give Charles Barkley an apology at gunpoint. He can never expect an apology from me... If anything, he owes me an apology…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/i-wouldn-t-give-charles-barkley-an-apology-at-gunpoint-he-can-never/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [If you think Barkley was mad before the fight, wait until he sees how many people are taking part of his purse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-arum/if-you-think-barkley-was-mad-before-the-fight-wait-until-he-sees-how/) [Bob Arum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-arum/) > [Karl Malone used a lot of veteran stuff that I thought was cool. Charles Barkley taught me a lot when I played against him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-duncan/karl-malone-used-a-lot-of-veteran-stuff-that-i-thought-was-cool/) [Tim Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-duncan/) > [I think a guy like Saquon Barkley is a very special back, and where the was drafted was very appropriate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cowher/i-think-a-guy-like-saquon-barkley-is-a-very-special-back-and-where/) [Bill Cowher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cowher/) ## More by Charles Oakley > [Every team has a main guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/every-team-has-a-main-guy/) [Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) > [Even though I retired, I work out four to five days a week, run two to three miles, I play ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/even-though-i-retired-i-work-out-four-to-five-days-a-week-run-two-to/) [Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) > [I was in New York, I went to a Yankees game and I called and said, 'Can I get tickets to the Knicks game?'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/i-was-in-new-york-i-went-to-a-yankees-game-and-i-called-and-said-can/) [Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) > [I'm all about having a good time and respecting my teammates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/i-m-all-about-having-a-good-time-and-respecting-my-teammates/) [Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) > [In the old days Michael Jordan and Larry Bird worked for everything they got. They worked hard on their game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/in-the-old-days-michael-jordan-and-larry-bird-worked-for-everything/) [Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) > [You can't play Around the World in the NBA, you've gotta go to the basket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/you-can-t-play-around-the-world-in-the-nba-you-ve-gotta-go-to-the/) [Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) > [My thing was, if somebody talks about you this and that, you got to go prove them wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/my-thing-was-if-somebody-talks-about-you-this-and-that-you-got-to-go/) [Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) > [You can't shut somebody up by losing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/you-can-t-shut-somebody-up-by-losing/) [Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) > [If I would compare anybody to Michael Jordan, it would be Kobe Bryant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/if-i-would-compare-anybody-to-michael-jordan-it-would-be-kobe-bryant/) [Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) > [I'm always willing to work stuff out, because I'm that type of guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/i-m-always-willing-to-work-stuff-out-because-i-m-that-type-of-guy/) [Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) > [I like Chicago. I've visited Chicago before and have family here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/i-like-chicago-i-ve-visited-chicago-before-and-have-family-here/) [Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) > [You can't say, 'You're a scorer, you score. You rebound, you rebound.' Basketball is more than that. Basketball is knowing the next step, knowing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/you-can-t-say-you-re-a-scorer-you-score-you-rebound-you-rebound/) [Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) > [I'm in New York every two weeks. I don't have to ring a bell when I come to the city. I just do what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/i-m-in-new-york-every-two-weeks-i-don-t-have-to-ring-a-bell-when-i/) [Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) > [Coming from the inner city of Cleveland and growing up you never expected a street to be named after you or anything. It's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/coming-from-the-inner-city-of-cleveland-and-growing-up-you-never/) [Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) > [I shoot five or six times, go out and play defense and make sure everything is clicking. I'm like a transmission in a car.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/i-shoot-five-or-six-times-go-out-and-play-defense-and-make-sure/) [Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) [Explore all 81 Charles Oakley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) ## 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": "My thing is, when Barkley played basketball, he didn't practice, he wasn't a leader, he wasn't this or that, he just had natural talent so he got chosen to the Dream Team, All Star team because he had the talent and he was the franchise player on the team.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Charles Oakley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/my-thing-is-when-barkley-played-basketball-he-didn-t-practice-he-wasn/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Basketball" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/my-thing-is-when-barkley-played-basketball-he-didn-t-practice-he-wasn/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/charles-oakley-8431_basketball_my-thing-is-when-barkley-played-basketba_2322643.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/charles-oakley-8431_basketball_my-thing-is-when-barkley-played-basketba_2322643.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/charles-oakley-8431_basketball_my-thing-is-when-barkley-played-basketba_2322643.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My thing is, when Barkley played basketball, he didn't practice, he wasn't a leader, he wasn't this or that…” — Charles Oakley", "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": "Charles Oakley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My thing is, when Barkley played...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/my-thing-is-when-barkley-played-basketball-he-didn-t-practice-he-wasn/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/my-thing-is-when-barkley-played-basketball-he-didn-t-practice-he-wasn/#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 } } ] } ```