--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I can't take a game-winner in practice. I…" description: "\"I can't take a game-winner in practice. I can't shoot free throws in practice that simulates the game. There's no crowd; there's no nothing.\" — Gilbert..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28c/gilbert-arenas-3494_crowd_i-can-t-take-a-game-winner-in-practice-i_411184.png" --- # I can't take a game-winner in practice. I can't shoot free… ![“I can't take a game-winner in practice. I can't shoot free throws in practice that simulates the game. There's no crowd; there's no nothing.” quote by Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28c/gilbert-arenas-3494_crowd_i-can-t-take-a-game-winner-in-practice-i_411184.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28c/gilbert-arenas-3494_crowd_i-can-t-take-a-game-winner-in-practice-i_411184.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28c/gilbert-arenas-3494_crowd_i-can-t-take-a-game-winner-in-practice-i_411184.png) > “I can't take a game-winner in practice. I can't shoot free throws in practice that simulates the game. There's no crowd; there's no nothing.” [Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Practice lacks the pressure and atmosphere of real games, so performance in practice may not translate to competition. **In simple terms:** Practice differs from real games. Key Takeaway Train under realistic conditions. Themes performance pressure training Mood determined reflective Type motivational practical When to use this quote - team drills - game simulations - mental rehearsal - crowd noise training Key Concepts psychology simulation skill transfer Questions to Reflect On - How can you make practice more game‑like? - What mental tricks help bridge the gap? A Different Perspective Practice cannot fully replicate game intensity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) ## Related quotes > [A first kiss is hard to fake on screen. It's tempting to practice before you shoot, but why blow that natural awkwardness on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-grace/a-first-kiss-is-hard-to-fake-on-screen-it-s-tempting-to-practice/) [Maggie Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-grace/) > [You go through slumps. The shot feels good in practice and looks good and for whatever reason in the game, they're in and out.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/you-go-through-slumps-the-shot-feels-good-in-practice-and-looks-good/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) > [Everything is mental, but if you just remember to stay with your same technique, you will be fine. If you stay confident, make sure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-arenas/everything-is-mental-but-if-you-just-remember-to-stay-with-your-same/) [Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) > [If I had stood at the free-throw line and thought about 10 million people watching me on the other side of the camera lens,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/if-i-had-stood-at-the-free-throw-line-and-thought-about-10-million/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [I grew up dreaming about being an Olympic basketball player: Doug Collins getting smashed into the stanchion, making two free throws. Phil Ford and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/i-grew-up-dreaming-about-being-an-olympic-basketball-player-doug/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [If you want Shaq to be Shaq, you've got to remember that Shaq is known for wreaking havoc offensively - 26,000-plus points without consistently…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/if-you-want-shaq-to-be-shaq-you-ve-got-to-remember-that-shaq-is-known/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [We changed our rules. If a player does not have some sot of altercation on or off the court once each month, we fine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregg-popovich/we-changed-our-rules-if-a-player-does-not-have-some-sot-of/) [Gregg Popovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregg-popovich/) > [To improve my free throws I went back to the mechanics and really learning how to have form and shoot the ball, so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deandre-jordan/to-improve-my-free-throws-i-went-back-to-the-mechanics-and-really/) [DeAndre Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deandre-jordan/) > [“I was all about resurrecting the lost art of the midrange jumper, but then one day I was shooting free throws—just standing at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-was-all-about-resurrecting-the-lost-art-of-the-midrange-jumper-but/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [You aren't going to win championships unless you make layups and free throws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-meyer/you-aren-t-going-to-win-championships-unless-you-make-layups-and-free/) [Don Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-meyer/) > [Free throws are easy points. It's important for us to make them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luka-doncic/free-throws-are-easy-points-it-s-important-for-us-to-make-them/) [Luka Doncic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luka-doncic/) > [The fundamentals of your business are like free throws: emphasize and practice them to perfection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-engelbert/the-fundamentals-of-your-business-are-like-free-throws-emphasize-and/) [Cathy Engelbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-engelbert/) > [I have much less confidence on the greens than I do on the court. Everybody asks like if putting is like shooting free throws.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-curry/i-have-much-less-confidence-on-the-greens-than-i-do-on-the-court/) [Stephen Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-curry/) > [I'm upset at myself. I should have had 50. I missed 13 free throws. That's unacceptable. If I want to be accepted by Wilt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-m-upset-at-myself-i-should-have-had-50-i-missed-13-free-throws-that/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [The only thing I pay attention to with free throws is what a guy does in the final four minutes of a game. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calipari/the-only-thing-i-pay-attention-to-with-free-throws-is-what-a-guy-does/) [John Calipari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calipari/) ## More by Gilbert Arenas > [I lived in Washington longer than I have lived anywhere else, so it's considered home, even though I moved back to California.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-arenas/i-lived-in-washington-longer-than-i-have-lived-anywhere-else-so-it-s/) [Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) > [When I was little, I asked God if I could meet my mom just one more time, and my prayer was answered in 2001.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-arenas/when-i-was-little-i-asked-god-if-i-could-meet-my-mom-just-one-more/) [Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) > [It's amazing and different being a celebrity in D.C.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-arenas/it-s-amazing-and-different-being-a-celebrity-in-d-c/) [Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) > [They gave high fives to all the players who say like the most obvious textbook answers in the world. It's like after each game,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-arenas/they-gave-high-fives-to-all-the-players-who-say-like-the-most-obvious/) [Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) > [I don't want to get married unless they change the marriage laws. You should have to sign a marriage contract for no more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-arenas/i-don-t-want-to-get-married-unless-they-change-the-marriage-laws-you/) [Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) > [If you take away the last few years, from my last year in Washington, and you think about my career, there was nothing but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-arenas/if-you-take-away-the-last-few-years-from-my-last-year-in-washington/) [Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) > [How can I tell somebody, 'Don't shoot that shot' when I'm out there chunking 'em?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-arenas/how-can-i-tell-somebody-don-t-shoot-that-shot-when-i-m-out-there/) [Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) > [I never imagined that I would see my face on the cover of an EA Sports videogame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-arenas/i-never-imagined-that-i-would-see-my-face-on-the-cover-of-an-ea/) [Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) > [I was in honors classes in high school. I'd get an A on every test, but I had a 1.9 grade point average. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-arenas/i-was-in-honors-classes-in-high-school-i-d-get-an-a-on-every-test-but/) [Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) > [I always try to find something funny in any situation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-arenas/i-always-try-to-find-something-funny-in-any-situation/) [Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) > [I have the mind-set that a guard can't stick me. So I watch the bigs and see how they like to play. If you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-arenas/i-have-the-mind-set-that-a-guard-can-t-stick-me-so-i-watch-the-bigs/) [Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) > [When you blink, you're on the back end of your career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-arenas/when-you-blink-you-re-on-the-back-end-of-your-career/) [Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) > [I hate it when you see talented teams with a lot of scorers and they can't get along with each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-arenas/i-hate-it-when-you-see-talented-teams-with-a-lot-of-scorers-and-they/) [Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) > [I used to practice those trampoline dunks back at Golden State. I can flip and everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-arenas/i-used-to-practice-those-trampoline-dunks-back-at-golden-state-i-can/) [Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) > [My swag was phenomenal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-arenas/my-swag-was-phenomenal/) [Gilbert Arenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) [Explore all 128 Gilbert Arenas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-arenas/) ## More Crowd quotes > [“Every select man strives instinctively for a citadel and a privacy, where he is FREE from the crowd, the many, the majority-- where he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/every-select-man-strives-instinctively-for-a-citadel-and-a-privacy/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [I want to make myself and the crowd happy by way of something different, and that makes things difficult. I'm never playing something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiesto/i-want-to-make-myself-and-the-crowd-happy-by-way-of-something/) [Tiesto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiesto/) > [I guess because we're essentially a two-man band, we're attracting Wham's crowd. But Wham! are more of a businessman's band.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curt-smith/i-guess-because-we-re-essentially-a-two-man-band-we-re-attracting/) [Curt Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curt-smith/) > [Regardless of what I do, whether I write a book or whether I act or whether I host, I'll always do stand-up comedy because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-mandel/regardless-of-what-i-do-whether-i-write-a-book-or-whether-i-act-or/) [Howie Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-mandel/) > [“An applause is not just the recognition of good performance, but its proof of being different than the crowd.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/an-applause-is-not-just-the-recognition-of-good-performance-but-its/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [Chicago, to me, is the best wrestling crowd on the planet. They are the best. They are loud, they are ruthless, and they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goldust/chicago-to-me-is-the-best-wrestling-crowd-on-the-planet-they-are-the/) [Goldust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goldust/) > [I always tried to be different from everyone else. Then I found out about boxing. That was the way I could be different from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riddick-bowe/i-always-tried-to-be-different-from-everyone-else-then-i-found-out/) [Riddick Bowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riddick-bowe/) > [It's fun, and a laugh for you... you can boo me and feel happy about yourself because you're part of the crowd that did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-goodes/it-s-fun-and-a-laugh-for-you-you-can-boo-me-and-feel-happy-about/) [Adam Goodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-goodes/) > [Yeah, we might have a video on 'TRL,' but when you go to the Warped Tour you're going to see us walking around in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-gilbert/yeah-we-might-have-a-video-on-trl-but-when-you-go-to-the-warped-tour/) [Chad Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-gilbert/) > [You can have the best production, the best stage in the world, but without a crowd, the festival is nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hardwell/you-can-have-the-best-production-the-best-stage-in-the-world-but/) [Hardwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hardwell/) > [“On Broadway it was still bright afternoon and the gassy air was almost motionless under the leaden spokes of sunlight, and sawdust footprints lay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-bellow/on-broadway-it-was-still-bright-afternoon-and-the-gassy-air-was/) [Saul Bellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-bellow/) > [“The crowd wants a hero,not just someone cutting up meat”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dewey-gram/the-crowd-wants-a-hero-not-just-someone-cutting-up-meat/) Dewey Gram > [The crowd, especially at Anfield, want us to win so much that it transmits itself down on to the pitch at times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/the-crowd-especially-at-anfield-want-us-to-win-so-much-that-it/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [I like playing with a good crowd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-garcia/i-like-playing-with-a-good-crowd/) [Sergio Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-garcia/) > [I was DJing for this party promotion called 1st Flight Entertainment, having to DJ on the weekends and then also going to school in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tay-keith/i-was-djing-for-this-party-promotion-called-1st-flight-entertainment/) [Tay Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tay-keith/) Browse all 1,548 Crowd quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I can't take a game-winner in practice. 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