--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When they say I'm a bad teammate and that…" description: "\"When they say I'm a bad teammate and that I got a coach fired, that irritates the hell out of me. The biggest thing for me is to always have respect fo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d06/demarcus-cousins-6578_bad_when-they-say-i-m-a-bad-teammate-and-tha_1797545.jpg" --- # When they say I'm a bad teammate and that I got a coach… ![“When they say I'm a bad teammate and that I got a coach fired, that irritates the hell out of me. The biggest thing for me is to always have respect for my teammates. And then the whole Westphal thing - the man got himself fired. He was losing before I got here.” quote by DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d06/demarcus-cousins-6578_bad_when-they-say-i-m-a-bad-teammate-and-tha_1797545.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d06/demarcus-cousins-6578_bad_when-they-say-i-m-a-bad-teammate-and-tha_1797545.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d06/demarcus-cousins-6578_bad_when-they-say-i-m-a-bad-teammate-and-tha_1797545.jpg) > “When they say I'm a bad teammate and that I got a coach fired, that irritates the hell out of me. The biggest thing for me is to always have respect for my teammates. And then the whole Westphal thing - the man got himself fired. He was losing before I got here.” [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Emphasizes respect for teammates and frustration over false blame, while noting a teammate's firing as a performance issue **In simple terms:** Respect teammates, reject unfair blame Key Takeaway Maintain respect, focus on performance Themes sports teamwork respect accountability Mood defensive assertive Type reflective motivational When to use this quote - team meetings - player interviews - conflict resolution - performance reviews Key Concepts leadership dynamics team cohesion coach‑player relations Questions to Reflect On - How can teams address internal criticism constructively? - What role does accountability play in team success? A Different Perspective May simplify complex team issues to personal irritation ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad/) [Bad Teammate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-teammate-2001490/) [Fired Losing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fired-losing-2001491/) [Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell/) [Losing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/losing/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Respect Teammates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect-teammates-876927/) [Teammates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teammates/) [Teammates Westphal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teammates-westphal-2001492/) ## Related quotes > [It's important to respect both your teammates and your opponents. Friendships can make a victory last forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-koven/it-s-important-to-respect-both-your-teammates-and-your-opponents/) [James Koven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-koven/) > [I just want to go out there and try to get my respect from my teammates and my coaches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gore/i-just-want-to-go-out-there-and-try-to-get-my-respect-from-my/) [Frank Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gore/) > [We want players to come in who respect their teammates, the club, the history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-woodward/we-want-players-to-come-in-who-respect-their-teammates-the-club-the/) [Ed Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-woodward/) > [You have to gain respect from your teammates. You have to earn it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daunte-culpepper/you-have-to-gain-respect-from-your-teammates-you-have-to-earn-it/) [Daunte Culpepper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daunte-culpepper/) > [I just get this reputation of being a bad teammate, but no one would come in and tell me why.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-bauer/i-just-get-this-reputation-of-being-a-bad-teammate-but-no-one-would/) [Trevor Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-bauer/) > [I don't think you can go back to any team I ever played on and find someone who will say I was a bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-rosen/i-don-t-think-you-can-go-back-to-any-team-i-ever-played-on-and-find/) [Josh Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-rosen/) > [That's ultimately the thing that sticks out to you most, that's most important to me, is that I have the respect of my teammates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-tolzien/that-s-ultimately-the-thing-that-sticks-out-to-you-most-that-s-most/) [Scott Tolzien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-tolzien/) > [As long as I've got the respect from my teammates, I'm able to come to work each day and I'm able to have fun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jae-crowder/as-long-as-i-ve-got-the-respect-from-my-teammates-i-m-able-to-come-to/) [Jae Crowder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jae-crowder/) > [It's a great honor to be named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team as a starter. It's great to earn respect from your teammates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-wallace/it-s-a-great-honor-to-be-named-to-the-eastern-conference-all-star/) [Ben Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-wallace/) > [I expect to work hard, earn the respect of my teammates and hopefully I can start.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-reid/i-expect-to-work-hard-earn-the-respect-of-my-teammates-and-hopefully/) [Eric Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-reid/) > [As long as I have the support and respect of my teammates, that's all I can ask for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-flutie/as-long-as-i-have-the-support-and-respect-of-my-teammates-that-s-all/) [Darren Flutie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-flutie/) > [Salary matters shouldn't be told to everyone. It's a matter of respect for my teammates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-tevez/salary-matters-shouldn-t-be-told-to-everyone-it-s-a-matter-of-respect/) [Carlos Tevez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-tevez/) > [Respect for your teammates is important to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-budenholzer/respect-for-your-teammates-is-important-to-us/) [Mike Budenholzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-budenholzer/) > [To earn the respect of my teammates - it's a privilege to be a voice for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-chung/to-earn-the-respect-of-my-teammates-it-s-a-privilege-to-be-a-voice/) [Patrick Chung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-chung/) > [I just want to earn the respect of my teammates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jalen-hurts/i-just-want-to-earn-the-respect-of-my-teammates/) [Jalen Hurts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jalen-hurts/) ## More by DeMarcus Cousins > [People say they hate having fake people around, but when you keep it real, they hate you even more. People don't like the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/people-say-they-hate-having-fake-people-around-but-when-you-keep-it/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) > [I grew up in a rough area, went to an all-black school, public school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/i-grew-up-in-a-rough-area-went-to-an-all-black-school-public-school/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) > [I'm comfortable in my skin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/i-m-comfortable-in-my-skin/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) > [The opportunity to represent my country at the Olympic Games is one of the greatest honors I've experienced in my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/the-opportunity-to-represent-my-country-at-the-olympic-games-is-one/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) > [Hopefully with my so-called celebrity, I can help open more people's eyes to Epilepsy disorders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/hopefully-with-my-so-called-celebrity-i-can-help-open-more-people-s/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) > [If I started smiling all the time, people would say, 'DeMarcus must not care anymore.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/if-i-started-smiling-all-the-time-people-would-say-demarcus-must-not/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) > [D.C. basketball has adopted me, and I consider D.C. home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/d-c-basketball-has-adopted-me-and-i-consider-d-c-home/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) > [I don't do things to be rewarded. I help people because it's the right thing to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/i-don-t-do-things-to-be-rewarded-i-help-people-because-it-s-the-right/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) > [I'm goofy. I like to have fun. I'm always joking around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/i-m-goofy-i-like-to-have-fun-i-m-always-joking-around/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) > [I'm a good guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/i-m-a-good-guy/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) > [I'm a Mobile, Alabama kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/i-m-a-mobile-alabama-kid/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) > [Leadership is being the best example you can be for your teammates. The guy that everybody can depend on on a nightly basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/leadership-is-being-the-best-example-you-can-be-for-your-teammates/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) > [I don't want to be Boogie. I just wanna be DeMarcus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/i-don-t-want-to-be-boogie-i-just-wanna-be-demarcus/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) > [A close friend of mine's daughter was diagnosed with Epilepsy and battled seizures her first 2 years so this cause hits close to home.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/a-close-friend-of-mine-s-daughter-was-diagnosed-with-epilepsy-and/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) > [I'm a guy with a big heart who cares about people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/i-m-a-guy-with-a-big-heart-who-cares-about-people/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) [Explore all 98 DeMarcus Cousins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) ## More Bad quotes > [If I am going to be phased out by whatever powers, then I want people to know that it is not because I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parvathy/if-i-am-going-to-be-phased-out-by-whatever-powers-then-i-want-people/) [Parvathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parvathy/) > [Sometimes I'm in a bad mood, sometimes I'm in a good mood. It's like everyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tricky/sometimes-i-m-in-a-bad-mood-sometimes-i-m-in-a-good-mood-it-s-like/) [Tricky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tricky/) > [Unfortunately, we all go through bad phases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushmita-sen/unfortunately-we-all-go-through-bad-phases/) [Sushmita Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sushmita-sen/) > [The Derby experience had not been good for me and the way it finished left a very bad taste in my mouth so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-pearson/the-derby-experience-had-not-been-good-for-me-and-the-way-it-finished/) [Nigel Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-pearson/) > [What people tend to forget is the journey that I had getting to Formula One. There were plenty of years where I had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-hamilton/what-people-tend-to-forget-is-the-journey-that-i-had-getting-to/) [Lewis Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-hamilton/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [I listen to heavy metal thanks to my son. When I argue with him on the kind of music he is listening to, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeenat-aman/i-listen-to-heavy-metal-thanks-to-my-son-when-i-argue-with-him-on-the/) [Zeenat Aman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeenat-aman/) > [I've said it before, good people are forced to do bad things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-cloud/i-ve-said-it-before-good-people-are-forced-to-do-bad-things/) [Angus Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-cloud/) > [“If any woman opens her legs for you, don't feel so lucky to be fed with nonsense, she has been a bitch for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/if-any-woman-opens-her-legs-for-you-don-t-feel-so-lucky-to-be-fed/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [One thing I always tell players is that there are three bad things: Nothing good happens after midnight, nothing good happens when you're around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-saban/one-thing-i-always-tell-players-is-that-there-are-three-bad-things/) [Nick Saban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-saban/) > [Everybody has bad days, but how you respond to it is a testament to whether you are a winner or a loser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/everybody-has-bad-days-but-how-you-respond-to-it-is-a-testament-to/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [Obviously I'm very grateful 'Bad Guy' is doing so well - it's shocking and surprising and gratifying - but I do think it's important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finneas/obviously-i-m-very-grateful-bad-guy-is-doing-so-well-it-s-shocking/) [Finneas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finneas/) > [I felt pretty good growing up. I didnt feel a lot of prejudice or racism. But I do remember, if there was going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-henry-hwang/i-felt-pretty-good-growing-up-i-didnt-feel-a-lot-of-prejudice-or/) [David Henry Hwang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-henry-hwang/) > [If you read 'Lord of the Rings' and dismiss it as a lie because it has orcs and elves, you're missing the whole point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-tennapel/if-you-read-lord-of-the-rings-and-dismiss-it-as-a-lie-because-it-has/) [Doug TenNapel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-tennapel/) > [My conscience is really active. So I feel bad about spending excess amount of money on things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd/my-conscience-is-really-active-so-i-feel-bad-about-spending-excess/) [Syd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd/) [Browse all 7,973 Bad quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When they say I'm a bad teammate and that I got a coach fired, that irritates the hell out of me. The biggest thing for me is to always have respect for my teammates. And then the whole Westphal thing - the man got himself fired. 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