--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never looked at basketball as work. I…" description: "\"I never looked at basketball as work. I always enjoyed it as my hobby. I loved it. Once that love is gone, and I'm tired of working out every day and d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/dirk-nowitzki-11188_always_i-never-looked-at-basketball-as-work-i-a_1864694.png" --- # I never looked at basketball as work. I always enjoyed it… ![“I never looked at basketball as work. I always enjoyed it as my hobby. I loved it. Once that love is gone, and I'm tired of working out every day and doing all the stuff to get me ready for games, and I'm tired of lifting and conditioning and doing all that other stuff around it, and I'd rather…” quote by Dirk Nowitzki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/dirk-nowitzki-11188_always_i-never-looked-at-basketball-as-work-i-a_1864694.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/dirk-nowitzki-11188_always_i-never-looked-at-basketball-as-work-i-a_1864694.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/dirk-nowitzki-11188_always_i-never-looked-at-basketball-as-work-i-a_1864694.png) > “I never looked at basketball as work. I always enjoyed it as my hobby. I loved it. Once that love is gone, and I'm tired of working out every day and doing all the stuff to get me ready for games, and I'm tired of lifting and conditioning and doing all that other stuff around it, and I'd rather stay in bed, then it's time to go.” [Dirk Nowitzki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-nowitzki/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He describes basketball as a hobby, not work, and notes burnout when passion fades, leading to a desire for rest. **In simple terms:** He sees basketball as fun, but loses interest when it feels like work. Key Takeaway Balance passion with rest to avoid burnout. Themes sports motivation burnout balance Mood thoughtful contemplative Type sports psychological When to use this quote - training - competition - career transition - rest periods Key Concepts intrinsic motivation work‑life integration Questions to Reflect On - When did your love for basketball start to wane? - How can you rekindle enthusiasm? A Different Perspective Even hobbies can become burdensome over time. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Conditioning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conditioning/) [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/) [Hobby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hobby/) [Lifting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lifting/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Tired Of Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tired-of-work/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [I looked at basketball as something that I love and escape from the real world, and in order to continue to escape the real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-ariza/i-looked-at-basketball-as-something-that-i-love-and-escape-from-the/) [Trevor Ariza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-ariza/) > [I didn't have a job in high school. Basketball was work for me; I put in enough hours that it could have been a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-staley/i-didn-t-have-a-job-in-high-school-basketball-was-work-for-me-i-put/) [Dawn Staley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-staley/) > [The great thing about basketball is you work as hard as you can to individually get better so that your team can win](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-collins/the-great-thing-about-basketball-is-you-work-as-hard-as-you-can-to/) [Doug Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-collins/) > [When I was playing college basketball, I had to work out every day; it benefited me physically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romeo-miller/when-i-was-playing-college-basketball-i-had-to-work-out-every-day-it/) [Romeo Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romeo-miller/) > [I never forced my boys to play basketball. I only work with them on individual problems when they come to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mikan/i-never-forced-my-boys-to-play-basketball-i-only-work-with-them-on/) [George Mikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikan/) > ['Deadpool 2' was so much fun to make, and a big part of that is the crew you work with enjoyed the material too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karan-soni/deadpool-2-was-so-much-fun-to-make-and-a-big-part-of-that-is-the-crew/) [Karan Soni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karan-soni/) > [Sometimes, a person who likes your work and a person who don’t will show up within milliseconds of each other to let you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wil-wheaton/sometimes-a-person-who-likes-your-work-and-a-person-who-don-t-will/) [Wil Wheaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wil-wheaton/) > [In 2009, I was living in London and getting work I enjoyed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/in-2009-i-was-living-in-london-and-getting-work-i-enjoyed/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [I believe that we have been doing this not primarily to achieve riches or even honour, but rather because we were interested in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-sanger/i-believe-that-we-have-been-doing-this-not-primarily-to-achieve/) [Frederick Sanger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-sanger/) > [It is always pleasant to learn that someone takes an interest in a work which one enjoyed writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-schuyler/it-is-always-pleasant-to-learn-that-someone-takes-an-interest-in-a/) [James Schuyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-schuyler/) > [The touring was crazy, it was a lot of work. But I enjoyed it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/the-touring-was-crazy-it-was-a-lot-of-work-but-i-enjoyed-it/) Adam Ant > [One never can plan. I just did my work and enjoyed shooting for all my films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tabu/one-never-can-plan-i-just-did-my-work-and-enjoyed-shooting-for-all-my/) [Tabu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tabu/) > [After 'Euphoria,' the coolest shift happened. It put me on the radar, that I could maybe act, and it allowed me to sit down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-elordi/after-euphoria-the-coolest-shift-happened-it-put-me-on-the-radar-that/) [Jacob Elordi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-elordi/) > [Retired is being tired twice, I've thought, first tired of working, then tired of not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armour/retired-is-being-tired-twice-i-ve-thought-first-tired-of-working-then/) [Richard Armour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armour/) > [Shit gets old . you get tired of working shit out , you get tired of giving chances . sometimes you just gotta let a mothefucker GO .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/shit-gets-old-you-get-tired-of-working-shit-out-you-get-tired-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Dirk Nowitzki > [It's fun being around guys that want to work, that want to learn, that want to get better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-nowitzki/it-s-fun-being-around-guys-that-want-to-work-that-want-to-learn-that/) [Dirk Nowitzki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-nowitzki/) > [I want to see myself as a student. Keep learning, keep improving, keep your eyes and ears open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-nowitzki/i-want-to-see-myself-as-a-student-keep-learning-keep-improving-keep/) [Dirk Nowitzki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-nowitzki/) > [I was never a great screen and roller, obviously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-nowitzki/i-was-never-a-great-screen-and-roller-obviously/) [Dirk Nowitzki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-nowitzki/) > [I take my sport damned seriously. Basketball is my life. There are other people who go into important games as if they were any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-nowitzki/i-take-my-sport-damned-seriously-basketball-is-my-life-there-are/) [Dirk Nowitzki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-nowitzki/) > [As a newcomer, I was often expected to carry the bags of the older players, or get them burgers. That can make you feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-nowitzki/as-a-newcomer-i-was-often-expected-to-carry-the-bags-of-the-older/) [Dirk Nowitzki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-nowitzki/) > [You know what time it is mav nation. Let's do this. Big game at aac. We bleed blue. See u guys there tonight. Go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-nowitzki/you-know-what-time-it-is-mav-nation-let-s-do-this-big-game-at-aac-we/) [Dirk Nowitzki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-nowitzki/) > [I felt, when I was 20, I wasn't quite ready for the physical contact of 82 games. Mentally, it was tough. I forgot what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-nowitzki/i-felt-when-i-was-20-i-wasn-t-quite-ready-for-the-physical-contact-of/) [Dirk Nowitzki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-nowitzki/) > [I started to play the guitar for a couple of years, which was fun. I still bring it out once in a while, could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-nowitzki/i-started-to-play-the-guitar-for-a-couple-of-years-which-was-fun-i/) [Dirk Nowitzki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-nowitzki/) > [As a star you never know when people are really serious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-nowitzki/as-a-star-you-never-know-when-people-are-really-serious/) [Dirk Nowitzki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-nowitzki/) > [I think different guys have different priorities. For me, it was always important to be in one spot, one city.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-nowitzki/i-think-different-guys-have-different-priorities-for-me-it-was-always/) [Dirk Nowitzki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-nowitzki/) > [I lost control of myself a couple times in the playoffs. I have to keep cooler in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-nowitzki/i-lost-control-of-myself-a-couple-times-in-the-playoffs-i-have-to/) [Dirk Nowitzki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-nowitzki/) > [Dirk nowitzki is the key to everything in life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-nowitzki/dirk-nowitzki-is-the-key-to-everything-in-life/) [Dirk Nowitzki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-nowitzki/) > [The only advice I would give young guys is to keep your ears and eyes open. Never see yourself as a finished product.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-nowitzki/the-only-advice-i-would-give-young-guys-is-to-keep-your-ears-and-eyes/) [Dirk Nowitzki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-nowitzki/) > [My whole first season was surreal. My first game was against Detlef Schrempf. There was German media everywhere. It was probably my worst NBA…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-nowitzki/my-whole-first-season-was-surreal-my-first-game-was-against-detlef/) [Dirk Nowitzki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-nowitzki/) > [When I think about my MVP season, I will also think about the loss to Golden State. But winning the award as Most Valuable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-nowitzki/when-i-think-about-my-mvp-season-i-will-also-think-about-the-loss-to/) [Dirk Nowitzki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-nowitzki/) [Explore all 61 Dirk Nowitzki quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-nowitzki/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never looked at basketball as work. I always enjoyed it as my hobby. I loved it. 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