--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: During the season, I'm always locked in…" description: "\"During the season, I'm always locked in one gear, ready to play basketball, always keeping my guard up.\" — Donovan Mitchell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/563/donovan-mitchell-6469_always_during-the-season-i-m-always-locked-in-o_589617.jpg" --- # During the season, I'm always locked in one gear, ready to… ![“During the season, I'm always locked in one gear, ready to play basketball, always keeping my guard up.” quote by Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/563/donovan-mitchell-6469_always_during-the-season-i-m-always-locked-in-o_589617.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/563/donovan-mitchell-6469_always_during-the-season-i-m-always-locked-in-o_589617.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/563/donovan-mitchell-6469_always_during-the-season-i-m-always-locked-in-o_589617.jpg) > “During the season, I'm always locked in one gear, ready to play basketball, always keeping my guard up.” [Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He stays mentally prepared and defensive, always ready to compete in basketball. **In simple terms:** Always alert and ready to play. Key Takeaway Maintain focus and guard. Themes sports mindset competition Mood determined focused Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - games - practice - training sessions - high pressure moments Key Concepts psychology readiness defensive strategy Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance intensity with recovery? - What routines keep you mentally sharp? A Different Perspective May neglect rest leading to burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Basketball Keeping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball-keeping-4827924/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Gear Ready](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gear-ready-4827926/) [Keeping Guard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keeping-guard-4827925/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Play basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play-basketball/) [Ready](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ready/) [Season Locked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/season-locked-4827927/) [Up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up/) ## Related quotes > [As a kid, my favorite subject was recess. Why? Because I could go play basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/as-a-kid-my-favorite-subject-was-recess-why-because-i-could-go-play/) [Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) > [I don't play basketball for the money. I don't play it for the crowd. When I didn't have a friend, when I was lonely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-manning/i-don-t-play-basketball-for-the-money-i-don-t-play-it-for-the-crowd/) [Eli Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-manning/) > [I used to play basketball and I was pretty competitive, but I was never a bad loser. I never got angry. For me it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benicio-del-toro/i-used-to-play-basketball-and-i-was-pretty-competitive-but-i-was/) [Benicio Del Toro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benicio-del-toro/) > [My dad had always encouraged me to play basketball, he didn't push me too much at first - he wanted me to try out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-ja-wilson/my-dad-had-always-encouraged-me-to-play-basketball-he-didn-t-push-me/) [A'ja Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-ja-wilson/) > [The natural thing in Africa is to start playing soccer at 8 or 9. You go outside and you play like kids play basketball…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/the-natural-thing-in-africa-is-to-start-playing-soccer-at-8-or-9-you/) [Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/) > [I believe in order to coach, you've got to start at the ground level. The same way I learned how to play basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/metta-world-peace/i-believe-in-order-to-coach-you-ve-got-to-start-at-the-ground-level/) [Metta World Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/metta-world-peace/) > [Over the years Ive learned that just because you follow God, it doesnt mean you win every game or get what you want athletically.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-lin/over-the-years-ive-learned-that-just-because-you-follow-god-it-doesnt/) [Jeremy Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-lin/) > [It's a blessing to play basketball, man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/it-s-a-blessing-to-play-basketball-man/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [That's why I play basketball. To play a lot of minutes, and to help my team win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zion-williamson/that-s-why-i-play-basketball-to-play-a-lot-of-minutes-and-to-help-my/) [Zion Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zion-williamson/) > [I lived to play basketball. Growing up as a kid, Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics were my favorite team. The way they played,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walton/i-lived-to-play-basketball-growing-up-as-a-kid-bill-russell-and-the/) [Bill Walton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walton/) > [I really didn't want to play basketball for the longest time, but I just wouldn't stop growing. But I always wanted to be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luol-deng/i-really-didn-t-want-to-play-basketball-for-the-longest-time-but-i/) [Luol Deng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luol-deng/) > [I'm living my dream, getting to play in the NBA, getting to play basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-george/i-m-living-my-dream-getting-to-play-in-the-nba-getting-to-play/) [Paul George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-george/) > [I wanted to have a career in sports when I was young, but I had to give up the idea. I'm only six feet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/i-wanted-to-have-a-career-in-sports-when-i-was-young-but-i-had-to/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [I play basketball hard-nosed and if you're not on my team, during that 48 minutes we're enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-barnes/i-play-basketball-hard-nosed-and-if-you-re-not-on-my-team-during-that/) [Matt Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-barnes/) > [I just started growing. And everyone said, 'You should probably play basketball.' So I said, 'All right. I'll give it a shot.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bennett/i-just-started-growing-and-everyone-said-you-should-probably-play/) [Anthony Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bennett/) ## More by Donovan Mitchell > [My teammates and I have so much faith in each other on the court while we're out there trying to win games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/my-teammates-and-i-have-so-much-faith-in-each-other-on-the-court/) [Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) > [I'm a very, very impatient person when it comes to breaking news.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/i-m-a-very-very-impatient-person-when-it-comes-to-breaking-news/) [Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) > [You know, it's a long season and hopefully a long career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/you-know-it-s-a-long-season-and-hopefully-a-long-career/) [Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) > [I'm from New York. You walk by, you bump somebody and they give you a look. There's always an attitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/i-m-from-new-york-you-walk-by-you-bump-somebody-and-they-give-you-a/) [Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) > [It's not always going to be perfect but to have your teammates have your back through the ups and downs, it means the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/it-s-not-always-going-to-be-perfect-but-to-have-your-teammates-have/) [Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) > [I'm the type of person that if I put it off, I'll forget about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/i-m-the-type-of-person-that-if-i-put-it-off-i-ll-forget-about-it/) [Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) > [I was a good athlete, a good baseball player. A great baseball player, I should say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/i-was-a-good-athlete-a-good-baseball-player-a-great-baseball-player-i/) [Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) > [What's special about Salt Lake, it's a small, tight-knit, close community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/what-s-special-about-salt-lake-it-s-a-small-tight-knit-close-community/) [Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) > [I go by the 80-20 rule. So, 80 percent of the time, I'm eating healthy and focused on the right foods - fruits, vegetables,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/i-go-by-the-80-20-rule-so-80-percent-of-the-time-i-m-eating-healthy/) [Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) > [For me to get better, I have to pick and learn from the best. It starts with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/for-me-to-get-better-i-have-to-pick-and-learn-from-the-best-it-starts/) [Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) > [When I was a kid, my favorite event was the Slam Dunk Contest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/when-i-was-a-kid-my-favorite-event-was-the-slam-dunk-contest/) [Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) > [I'm able to defend. A lot of guys don't have that willingness to defend and I think as a guard who's undersized - that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/i-m-able-to-defend-a-lot-of-guys-don-t-have-that-willingness-to/) [Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) > [I feel the need to really get after a guy defensively and showing that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/i-feel-the-need-to-really-get-after-a-guy-defensively-and-showing-that/) [Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) > [The biggest thing I've been working on his just finding the open man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/the-biggest-thing-i-ve-been-working-on-his-just-finding-the-open-man/) [Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) > [I have so many special memories from the camps I went to when I was growing up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/i-have-so-many-special-memories-from-the-camps-i-went-to-when-i-was/) [Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) [Explore all 99 Donovan Mitchell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/) ## 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 ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "During the season, I'm always locked in one gear, ready to play basketball, always keeping my guard up.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Donovan Mitchell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/during-the-season-i-m-always-locked-in-one-gear-ready-to-play/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Always" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/during-the-season-i-m-always-locked-in-one-gear-ready-to-play/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/563/donovan-mitchell-6469_always_during-the-season-i-m-always-locked-in-o_589617.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/563/donovan-mitchell-6469_always_during-the-season-i-m-always-locked-in-o_589617.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/563/donovan-mitchell-6469_always_during-the-season-i-m-always-locked-in-o_589617.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“During the season, I'm always locked in one gear, ready to play basketball, always keeping my guard up.” — Donovan Mitchell", "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": "Donovan Mitchell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "During the season, I'm always locked...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/during-the-season-i-m-always-locked-in-one-gear-ready-to-play/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/during-the-season-i-m-always-locked-in-one-gear-ready-to-play/#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 } } ] } ```