--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I first came into the league, I…" description: "\"When I first came into the league, I followed my parents for everything. Now, I'm really doing stuff on my own.\" — J. R. Smith" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/add/j-r-smith-11490_doing_when-i-first-came-into-the-league-i-foll_3072018.png" --- # When I first came into the league, I followed my parents… ![“When I first came into the league, I followed my parents for everything. Now, I'm really doing stuff on my own.” quote by J. R. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/add/j-r-smith-11490_doing_when-i-first-came-into-the-league-i-foll_3072018.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/add/j-r-smith-11490_doing_when-i-first-came-into-the-league-i-foll_3072018.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/add/j-r-smith-11490_doing_when-i-first-came-into-the-league-i-foll_3072018.png) > “When I first came into the league, I followed my parents for everything. Now, I'm really doing stuff on my own.” [J. R. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Transition from dependence to independence, learning personal agency in professional sports. **In simple terms:** Learning to act on your own. Key Takeaway Embrace autonomy. Themes growth independence self‑reliance Mood motivational reflective Type inspirational personal When to use this quote - starting a pro career - making personal decisions - building confidence Key Concepts personal development career progression Questions to Reflect On - How does self‑reliance change your goals? - What support still matters? A Different Perspective Independence can feel isolating without mentorship. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Parents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents/) ## Related quotes > [I know the Premier League very well because I followed it a lot when I was younger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-alaba/i-know-the-premier-league-very-well-because-i-followed-it-a-lot-when/) [David Alaba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-alaba/) > [We're living in a time when parenting is not at all mirroring the way I was parented. For me, I just followed my parents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edie-falco/we-re-living-in-a-time-when-parenting-is-not-at-all-mirroring-the-way/) [Edie Falco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edie-falco/) > [I just followed my parents' example and advice on living, which was to leave the world a better place than you found it. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-just-followed-my-parents-example-and-advice-on-living-which-was-to/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [ I would say I'm more patient, way more patient than I was when I came in \[to the league\], before the injuries. But I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-rose/i-would-say-i-m-more-patient-way-more-patient-than-i-was-when-i-came/) [Derrick Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-rose/) > [When I first came in the league, there were only two officials. So you could really get away with a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-miller/when-i-first-came-in-the-league-there-were-only-two-officials-so-you/) [Reggie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-miller/) > [I came into the league in '94.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kraft/i-came-into-the-league-in-94/) [Robert Kraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kraft/) > [When I came into the league trying to party and having too much of a good time, I found out the hard way how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-gonzalez/when-i-came-into-the-league-trying-to-party-and-having-too-much-of-a/) [Tony Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-gonzalez/) > [The game has gotten a lot faster. I was anticipating changes as far back as when I first came into the league, when the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-bosh/the-game-has-gotten-a-lot-faster-i-was-anticipating-changes-as-far/) [Chris Bosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-bosh/) > [When I first came into the league, I was in Tennessee and I had guys like Courtland Finnegan, Chris Hope, Michael Griffin - a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mccourty/when-i-first-came-into-the-league-i-was-in-tennessee-and-i-had-guys/) [Jason McCourty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mccourty/) > [Kobe made an impact on basketball in a big way. He came in the League when he was 17 years old, but he was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vlade-divac/kobe-made-an-impact-on-basketball-in-a-big-way-he-came-in-the-league/) [Vlade Divac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vlade-divac/) > [When I came to the league, a lot of people were saying Dragic's name was 'Tragic.' That hurts a little bit. I always have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/when-i-came-to-the-league-a-lot-of-people-were-saying-dragic-s-name/) [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) > [I came into the league fighting, and it looks like I'm going to go out fighting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/i-came-into-the-league-fighting-and-it-looks-like-i-m-going-to-go-out/) [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) > [I came into this league by myself, and I'll leave by myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malik-jackson/i-came-into-this-league-by-myself-and-i-ll-leave-by-myself/) [Malik Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malik-jackson/) > [That's how I came into the league, defensive-minded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/that-s-how-i-came-into-the-league-defensive-minded/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I'm accustomed to playing basketball really rough. When I came into the league, I was used to fighting on the court. That's how I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/metta-world-peace/i-m-accustomed-to-playing-basketball-really-rough-when-i-came-into/) [Metta World Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/metta-world-peace/) ## More by J. R. Smith > [I was actually worried about David Ross safety being in Cleveland. I thought I had to be a bodyguard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-smith/i-was-actually-worried-about-david-ross-safety-being-in-cleveland-i/) [J. R. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-smith/) > [My looks vary, but I definitely think about it and plan. I like to shop, too, so I'm always mixing it up. But normally,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-smith/my-looks-vary-but-i-definitely-think-about-it-and-plan-i-like-to-shop/) [J. R. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-smith/) > [ \[People asked me\] "Where is your million-dollar shirt?" I'm like, "It's underneath these $25 Hanes T-shirts I've got on." ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-smith/people-asked-me-where-is-your-million-dollar-shirt-i-m-like-it-s/) [J. R. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-smith/) > [To play at the Mecca of basketball and the Garden every night, it's probably the greatest decision I've ever made to go to New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-smith/to-play-at-the-mecca-of-basketball-and-the-garden-every-night-it-s/) [J. R. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-smith/) > [Usually, it's the guys who want to get better so they can get more playing time who are always in the gym.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-smith/usually-it-s-the-guys-who-want-to-get-better-so-they-can-get-more/) [J. R. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-smith/) > [I've gone on streaks where I haven't shot the ball well here, but I was always making up for it in other areas, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-smith/i-ve-gone-on-streaks-where-i-haven-t-shot-the-ball-well-here-but-i/) [J. R. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-smith/) > [I went to Moses Malone's golf tournament in Houston, and I've been hooked ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-smith/i-went-to-moses-malone-s-golf-tournament-in-houston-and-i-ve-been/) [J. R. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-smith/) > [I love running the floor and doing crazy dunks. I think I bring a lot of enthusiasm to the team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-smith/i-love-running-the-floor-and-doing-crazy-dunks-i-think-i-bring-a-lot/) [J. R. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-smith/) > [Coach Lue always amazed me. I'm like, 'How do you have this much joy coming out of life? You have money, but you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-smith/coach-lue-always-amazed-me-i-m-like-how-do-you-have-this-much-joy/) [J. R. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-smith/) > [Trying to think about the rest of the team over myself or my scoring is something that I never really had to do before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-smith/trying-to-think-about-the-rest-of-the-team-over-myself-or-my-scoring/) [J. R. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-smith/) > [If someone told me, 'I'm gonna give you $600 million, but I'm going to take your hair'? Take my hair!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-smith/if-someone-told-me-i-m-gonna-give-you-600-million-but-i-m-going-to/) [J. R. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-smith/) > [Who? Who is that? (J.R.'s response when asked about opponent Jason Terry.)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-smith/who-who-is-that-j-r-s-response-when-asked-about-opponent-jason-terry/) [J. R. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-smith/) > [Everything I do is for my parents, None of this matters without them. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be here... If it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-smith/everything-i-do-is-for-my-parents-none-of-this-matters-without-them/) [J. R. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-smith/) > [I'm not worried about Instagram.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-smith/i-m-not-worried-about-instagram/) [J. R. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-smith/) > [My teammates tell me to shoot the ball when I'm open. I feel like I'm open most of the time, so I shoot it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-smith/my-teammates-tell-me-to-shoot-the-ball-when-i-m-open-i-feel-like-i-m/) [J. R. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-smith/) [Explore all 59 J. R. Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-smith/) ## More Doing quotes > [I don't know what I'm doing, but I'm damn well gonna do it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geri-halliwell/i-don-t-know-what-i-m-doing-but-i-m-damn-well-gonna-do-it/) [Geri Halliwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geri-halliwell/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [If you think you're doing everything right, then you have a tendency to stand pat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stockton/if-you-think-you-re-doing-everything-right-then-you-have-a-tendency/) [John Stockton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stockton/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Focus on becoming more to achieve more while doing less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/focus-on-becoming-more-to-achieve-more-while-doing-less/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [Doing the right things is more important than doing things right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ko-wen-je/doing-the-right-things-is-more-important-than-doing-things-right/) [Ko Wen-je](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ko-wen-je/) > [I was in high school and I had an independent album out, and we kept sending that out, and I was doing shows. No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-hilton/i-was-in-high-school-and-i-had-an-independent-album-out-and-we-kept/) [Tyler Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-hilton/) > [If I'm not thinking about you then I am texting you , if I am not texting you then I am on the phone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-m-not-thinking-about-you-then-i-am-texting-you-if-i-am-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [.\*. why u hate me..Bitches be doing the most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kitty/why-u-hate-me-bitches-be-doing-the-most/) Kitty > [“dances with mine as if we’ve been doing this our whole”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corinne-michaels/dances-with-mine-as-if-we-ve-been-doing-this-our-whole/) [Corinne Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corinne-michaels/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the dollar collapses, it's not doing it in a vacuum. If the dollar loses value, it's doing so relative to some other currency.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schiff/when-the-dollar-collapses-it-s-not-doing-it-in-a-vacuum-if-the-dollar/) [Peter Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schiff/) > [When I made it, I still didn't wave the flag and say, Yeah go Asian people. I do want people to know that about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-hugo/when-i-made-it-i-still-didn-t-wave-the-flag-and-say-yeah-go-asian/) [Chad Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-hugo/) > [I really can't live without my In-N-Out burgers. Honestly, I can't. Even when I'm doing the whole no-carb thing occasionally, I make an exception…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate-berkus/i-really-can-t-live-without-my-in-n-out-burgers-honestly-i-can-t-even/) [Nate Berkus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate-berkus/) > [You can't drain the swamp, as President Trump has touted doing, without getting rid of Mitch McConnell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-mcgrath/you-can-t-drain-the-swamp-as-president-trump-has-touted-doing-without/) [Amy McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-mcgrath/) Browse all 10,133 Doing quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I first came into the league, I followed my parents for everything. Now, I'm really doing stuff on my own.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J. R. 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