--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I spent 50 years in the NBA. Can you…" description: "\"I spent 50 years in the NBA. Can you imagine doing something that you love the most in the entire world and doing it for your entire life and, besides ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c2/don-nelson-35619_entire-life_i-spent-50-years-in-the-nba-can-you-imag_1642150.jpg" --- # I spent 50 years in the NBA. Can you imagine doing… ![“I spent 50 years in the NBA. Can you imagine doing something that you love the most in the entire world and doing it for your entire life and, besides that, getting a pile of money for it? It's unbelievable. I'm the luckiest guy in the world. And I know it.” quote by Don Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c2/don-nelson-35619_entire-life_i-spent-50-years-in-the-nba-can-you-imag_1642150.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c2/don-nelson-35619_entire-life_i-spent-50-years-in-the-nba-can-you-imag_1642150.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c2/don-nelson-35619_entire-life_i-spent-50-years-in-the-nba-can-you-imag_1642150.jpg) > “I spent 50 years in the NBA. Can you imagine doing something that you love the most in the entire world and doing it for your entire life and, besides that, getting a pile of money for it? It's unbelievable. I'm the luckiest guy in the world. And I know it.” [Don Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-nelson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A career spent doing what you love can bring both fulfillment and financial reward, making you feel extremely fortunate. **In simple terms:** Doing what you love can be rewarding and lucky. Key Takeaway Cherish passion and work. Themes career fulfillment wealth gratitude Mood joyful proud Type inspirational personal When to use this quote - sports career - long‑term employment - personal branding Key Concepts Passion Reward Luck Questions to Reflect On - What would you do if you could work forever? - How does passion affect performance? A Different Perspective Success may depend on talent and opportunity, not just love for the work. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Entire life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entire-life/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [NBA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nba/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [When she tells you no one else can be compared to you, that's when you know you're the luckiest guy in the world. -Nesha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-she-tells-you-no-one-else-can-be-compared-to-you-that-s-when-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I am the luckiest guy I know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-lauer/i-am-the-luckiest-guy-i-know/) [Matt Lauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-lauer/) > [I'm the luckiest guy in the world. I got to direct a movie involving three of my favorite things in the world: space operas,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gunn/i-m-the-luckiest-guy-in-the-world-i-got-to-direct-a-movie-involving/) [James Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gunn/) > [I'm the luckiest guy in the world in terms of what I do for a living. No one can tell me to do things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-m-the-luckiest-guy-in-the-world-in-terms-of-what-i-do-for-a-living/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [I'm the luckiest guy in the world to be my parents' son.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-buck/i-m-the-luckiest-guy-in-the-world-to-be-my-parents-son/) [Joe Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-buck/) > [I'm the luckiest guy in the world. I never really had a job. I was a football player, then a football coach, then a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/i-m-the-luckiest-guy-in-the-world-i-never-really-had-a-job-i-was-a/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [I'm the luckiest guy in the world, and I am going to give away every penny before I die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-e-conway-jr/i-m-the-luckiest-guy-in-the-world-and-i-am-going-to-give-away-every/) [William E. Conway, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-e-conway-jr/) > [I feel like the luckiest guy on the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-deyoung/i-feel-like-the-luckiest-guy-on-the-planet/) [Dennis DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-deyoung/) > [“She was the only thing I needed. If everything else went away tomorrow, the big house, all the cars, the money, I wouldn't care.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsty-moseley/she-was-the-only-thing-i-needed-if-everything-else-went-away-tomorrow/) [Kirsty Moseley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsty-moseley/) > [I always go to bed thinking I'm the luckiest guy in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-theroux/i-always-go-to-bed-thinking-i-m-the-luckiest-guy-in-the-world/) [Justin Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-theroux/) > [I'm the luckiest guy in the world, to even be mentioned with the all-time greats is such a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-taylor/i-m-the-luckiest-guy-in-the-world-to-even-be-mentioned-with-the-all/) [Jason Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-taylor/) > [I feel like the luckiest guy in the world sometimes, getting to go outside and play football with my friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-fitzpatrick/i-feel-like-the-luckiest-guy-in-the-world-sometimes-getting-to-go/) [Ryan Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-fitzpatrick/) > [Niall Horan was in the right place at the right time, he's the luckiest guy in the world and he knows that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-walsh/niall-horan-was-in-the-right-place-at-the-right-time-he-s-the/) [Louis Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-walsh/) > [I am the luckiest guy in the world. All my dreams came true. I was in a wonderful business, and I met great people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-johnson/i-am-the-luckiest-guy-in-the-world-all-my-dreams-came-true-i-was-in-a/) Van Johnson > [I feel like the luckiest guy on the planet. But, I literally work all day, every day, seven days a week, 365 days a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-grahame-smith/i-feel-like-the-luckiest-guy-on-the-planet-but-i-literally-work-all/) [Seth Grahame-Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-grahame-smith/) ## More by Don Nelson > [I'm a lot of things, but none of them are great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-nelson/i-m-a-lot-of-things-but-none-of-them-are-great/) [Don Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-nelson/) > [If we're gonna win, we have to play up to and beyond our potential. We're capable of doing that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-nelson/if-we-re-gonna-win-we-have-to-play-up-to-and-beyond-our-potential-we/) [Don Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-nelson/) > [I'm a running coach and I am going to continue to run, but I would hope that we are better defensively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-nelson/i-m-a-running-coach-and-i-am-going-to-continue-to-run-but-i-would/) [Don Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-nelson/) > [I can't remember any regrets, to be honest with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-nelson/i-can-t-remember-any-regrets-to-be-honest-with-you/) [Don Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-nelson/) > [Really, throughout my career, what I've done is taken teams with bad records and with every situation I've made them better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-nelson/really-throughout-my-career-what-i-ve-done-is-taken-teams-with-bad/) [Don Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-nelson/) > [If we're gonna win, we have to play up to and beyond our potential.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-nelson/if-we-re-gonna-win-we-have-to-play-up-to-and-beyond-our-potential/) [Don Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-nelson/) > [I'm not a water guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-nelson/i-m-not-a-water-guy/) [Don Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-nelson/) > [You have a lot of ups and downs in coaching, especially, but I can't remember any bad times at this point. I mean, they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-nelson/you-have-a-lot-of-ups-and-downs-in-coaching-especially-but-i-can-t/) [Don Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-nelson/) > [When you have bad teams, you've got to be creative to win games you're not supposed to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-nelson/when-you-have-bad-teams-you-ve-got-to-be-creative-to-win-games-you-re/) [Don Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-nelson/) > [Where ever the Mavericks are today, we owe it to Michael Finley. He was the one guy who stayed when we were a terrible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-nelson/where-ever-the-mavericks-are-today-we-owe-it-to-michael-finley-he-was/) [Don Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-nelson/) > [I love Maui.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-nelson/i-love-maui/) [Don Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-nelson/) > [I'm the most unracist person around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-nelson/i-m-the-most-unracist-person-around/) [Don Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-nelson/) [Explore all 13 Don Nelson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-nelson/) ## More Entire life quotes > [“Love. Such a sweet, simple word. A word I've been searching for my entire life - but especially since I met Eio - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-khoury/love-such-a-sweet-simple-word-a-word-i-ve-been-searching-for-my/) [Jessica Khoury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-khoury/) > [As a professional athlete and someone who has spent almost his entire life in boxing, not a day goes by when I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-de-la-hoya/as-a-professional-athlete-and-someone-who-has-spent-almost-his-entire/) [Oscar De La Hoya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-de-la-hoya/) > [It is the incongruous thing in my entire life, this isolation.. ... My work requires it - but I myself have no need or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsden-hartley/it-is-the-incongruous-thing-in-my-entire-life-this-isolation-my-work/) [Marsden Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsden-hartley/) > [I've never done anybody any harm in my entire life. No need to chase girls, I've thousands of them on Top Of The Pops,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-savile/i-ve-never-done-anybody-any-harm-in-my-entire-life-no-need-to-chase/) [Jimmy Savile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-savile/) > [“Makes me see that there might be some sense to having children after all, just so your entire life and all your family’s contributions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eowyn-ivey/makes-me-see-that-there-might-be-some-sense-to-having-children-after/) [Eowyn Ivey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eowyn-ivey/) > [I'll tell you what's helped me my entire life. I look at baseball as a game. It's something where people can go out, enjoy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-caray/i-ll-tell-you-what-s-helped-me-my-entire-life-i-look-at-baseball-as-a/) [Harry Caray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-caray/) > [They say a man doesn't know himself until he faces death for the first time. . . I don't know about that. It seems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-sanderson/they-say-a-man-doesn-t-know-himself-until-he-faces-death-for-the/) [Brandon Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-sanderson/) > [I've been on the stage my entire life as an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-piven/i-ve-been-on-the-stage-my-entire-life-as-an-actor/) [Jeremy Piven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-piven/) > [“In the parking lot, she drove and parked in a dark area with no other cars around. She reclined her seat, and listened to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/in-the-parking-lot-she-drove-and-parked-in-a-dark-area-with-no-other/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [“To Peyton, I’m Noah. The guy she’s known her entire life and once called her best friend. To me, she’s everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-mclaughlin/to-peyton-i-m-noah-the-guy-she-s-known-her-entire-life-and-once/) [Heidi McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-mclaughlin/) > [“But I didn’t regret it. I never regretted it, not for one second. How do you regret one of the best nights of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-han/but-i-didn-t-regret-it-i-never-regretted-it-not-for-one-second-how-do/) [Jenny Han](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-han/) > [Everyone's journey to coming out as transgender is different. For me, I've know that I'm transgender my entire life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mcbride/everyone-s-journey-to-coming-out-as-transgender-is-different-for-me-i/) [Sarah McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mcbride/) > [“My entire life sucked.” He nuzzles his chin into my hair. “And I didn’t realize it until I met you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-sax/my-entire-life-sucked-he-nuzzles-his-chin-into-my-hair-and-i-didn-t/) [Cynthia Sax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-sax/) > [I want my whole life to be a great work of art, not just my art. And that means paying attention to my entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/i-want-my-whole-life-to-be-a-great-work-of-art-not-just-my-art-and/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [“He smiled sadly. "I was lost from the moment I saw you on Ovchinin Island. It took a long while for me to realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-skye/he-smiled-sadly-i-was-lost-from-the-moment-i-saw-you-on-ovchinin/) [Evelyn Skye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-skye/) [Browse all 1,704 Entire life quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entire-life/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I spent 50 years in the NBA. Can you imagine doing something that you love the most in the entire world and doing it for your entire life and, besides that, getting a pile of money for it? It's unbelievable. I'm the luckiest guy in the world. 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