---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Teams that play together beat those with…"
description: "\"Teams that play together beat those with superior players who play more as individuals.\" — Jack Ramsay"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/jack-ramsay-17764_basketball_teams-that-play-together-beat-those-with_2392888.png"
---

#  Teams that play together beat those with superior players…

![“Teams that play together beat those with superior players who play more as individuals.” quote by Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/jack-ramsay-17764_basketball_teams-that-play-together-beat-those-with_2392888.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/jack-ramsay-17764_basketball_teams-that-play-together-beat-those-with_2392888.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/jack-ramsay-17764_basketball_teams-that-play-together-beat-those-with_2392888.png)

> “Teams that play together beat those with superior players who play more as individuals.”

[Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Team cohesion outperforms individual talent when players collaborate.

**In simple terms:** Teamwork beats star power.

Key Takeaway

Foster collective effort.

Themes

teamwork collaboration strategy

Mood

strategic inspirational

Type

motivational pragmatic

When to use this quote

- sports teams
- project groups
- business units

Key Concepts

group dynamics leadership

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you build unity in a talented group?
- What practices enhance collaborative performance?

A Different Perspective

Star players may dominate despite poor teamwork.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Basketball motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball-motivation/) [Basketball player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball-player/) [Basketball teamwork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball-teamwork/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Motivational basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivational-basketball/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Playing basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-basketball/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) [Teams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teams/) [Teamwork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teamwork/)

## Related quotes

> [Teams that play together beat those teams with superior players who play more as individuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/teams-that-play-together-beat-those-teams-with-superior-players-who/)

[Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

> [Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the Me for the We.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-jackson/good-teams-become-great-ones-when-the-members-trust-each-other-enough/)

[Phil Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-jackson/)

> [Create unselfishness as the most important team attribute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-russell/create-unselfishness-as-the-most-important-team-attribute/)

[Bill Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-russell/)

> [Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/figure-out-how-to-climb-it-go-through-it-or-work-around-it/)

[Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/)

> [One man cannot make a team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kareem-abdul-jabbar/one-man-cannot-make-a-team/)

[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kareem-abdul-jabbar/)

> [If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/if-you-run-into-a-wall-don-t-turn-around-and-give-up-figure-out-how/)

[Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/)

> [Basketball is a beautiful game when the five players on the court play with one heartbeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/basketball-is-a-beautiful-game-when-the-five-players-on-the-court/)

[Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/)

> [The best teams have chemistry. They communicate with each other and they sacrifice personal glory for a common goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-debusschere/the-best-teams-have-chemistry-they-communicate-with-each-other-and/)

Dave DeBusschere

> [I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed. Some people want it to happen, some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/i-ve-failed-over-and-over-and-over-again-in-my-life-and-that-is-why-i-2/)

[Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/)

> [The secret of winning is working more as a team, less as individuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/knute-rockne/the-secret-of-winning-is-working-more-as-a-team-less-as-individuals/)

[Knute Rockne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/knute-rockne/)

> [If you think and achieve as a team, the individual accolades will take care of themselves. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/if-you-think-and-achieve-as-a-team-the-individual-accolades-will-take/)

[Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/)

> [When a gifted team dedicates itself to unselfish trust and combines instinct with boldness and effort, its ready to climb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/when-a-gifted-team-dedicates-itself-to-unselfish-trust-and-combines-2/)

[Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/)

> [Teamwork doesn't come naturally. It must be taught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/teamwork-doesn-t-come-naturally-it-must-be-taught/)

[Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/)

> [No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-one-can-whistle-a-symphony-it-takes-a-whole-orchestra-to-play-it/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [People have been known to achieve more as a result of working with others than against them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-fromme/people-have-been-known-to-achieve-more-as-a-result-of-working-with/)

Allan Fromme

## More by Jack Ramsay

> [Basketball, like all sports, is predicated on the execution of fundamentals. The coach is a teacher. His subject: fundamentals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/basketball-like-all-sports-is-predicated-on-the-execution-of/)

[Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

> [At Mass General in January 2007, Dr. Loeffler's team attached a ring-shaped metal frame to my head with four pins. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/at-mass-general-in-january-2007-dr-loeffler-s-team-attached-a-ring/)

[Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

> [If you make a wrong move with explosives, it could be deadly. If you're there when they blow up the beach, you get blown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/if-you-make-a-wrong-move-with-explosives-it-could-be-deadly-if-you-re/)

[Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

> [I learned how important physical conditioning is. I learned how to focus on an objective in spite of all kinds of hazards. I learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/i-learned-how-important-physical-conditioning-is-i-learned-how-to/)

[Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

> [The Big Five is a competition played in the University of Pennsylvania's Palestra among five Philadelphia-area Division I schools: Saint Joseph's, La Salle, Penn,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/the-big-five-is-a-competition-played-in-the-university-of/)

[Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

> [During my 11-year coaching tenure, Saint Joseph's won or tied for the Big Five championship seven times, went to 10 postseason tournaments - including…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/during-my-11-year-coaching-tenure-saint-joseph-s-won-or-tied-for-the/)

[Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

> [My mother was very strong on me to go to college. No one had ever been to college, including my parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/my-mother-was-very-strong-on-me-to-go-to-college-no-one-had-ever-been/)

[Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

> [In 1955-56, Saint Joseph's won the first Big Five championship, compiled a 23-6 overall record, and entered its first postseason competition ever - the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/in-1955-56-saint-joseph-s-won-the-first-big-five-championship/)

[Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

> [I don't think there's ever been a team that ever scored more layups than that Blazers team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/i-don-t-think-there-s-ever-been-a-team-that-ever-scored-more-layups/)

[Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

> [A star can win any game; a team can win every game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/a-star-can-win-any-game-a-team-can-win-every-game/)

[Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

> [The highest level of achievement is attained by the teams with the best conditioned players](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/the-highest-level-of-achievement-is-attained-by-the-teams-with-the/)

[Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

> [Saint Joseph's still is among the smaller-enrollment institutions with a big-time basketball program. The Jesuits still offer the same high-quality education. St. Joe's students…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/saint-joseph-s-still-is-among-the-smaller-enrollment-institutions/)

[Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

> [There was great comraderie among players and coaches. We enjoyed the time we were together... road trips were fun. I don't know that there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/there-was-great-comraderie-among-players-and-coaches-we-enjoyed-the/)

[Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

> [I want to stay alive. Yeah, I want to stay alive. I think that's the main thing. If there's a chance I can live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/i-want-to-stay-alive-yeah-i-want-to-stay-alive-i-think-that-s-the/)

[Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

> [You didn't hear anything about 'Celtic Pride' when they had Sidney Wicks and Curtis Rowe and they were only winning 32 games a year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/you-didn-t-hear-anything-about-celtic-pride-when-they-had-sidney/)

[Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

[Explore all 36 Jack Ramsay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/)

## More Basketball quotes

> [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/)

[Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/)

> [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/)

[Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/)

> [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/)

[Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/)

> [I learned so much from Sue about the Xs and Os of the game of basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/i-learned-so-much-from-sue-about-the-xs-and-os-of-the-game-of/)

[Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/)

> [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [It's not how big you are, it's how big you play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-how-big-you-are-it-s-how-big-you-play/)

[John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/)

> [Basketball isn't just a sport to me ; it's my ecstasy !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamira-robinson/basketball-isn-t-just-a-sport-to-me-it-s-my-ecstasy/)

[Jamira Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamira-robinson/)

> [It's similar to basketball: when you go to different gyms and win or lose, you learn something new. So when kids get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/it-s-similar-to-basketball-when-you-go-to-different-gyms-and-win-or/)

[Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/)

> [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/)

[Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/)

> [And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-i-want-to-do-it-the-right-way-like-everybody-else-not-just-a/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [Well, you can certainly teach free-throwing. And you can teach the boys to pass at angles and run in curves. - University of Kansas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-dawkins/well-you-can-certainly-teach-free-throwing-and-you-can-teach-the-boys/)

[Darryl Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-dawkins/)

> [Practice to beat the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-bennett/practice-to-beat-the-best/)

[Dick Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-bennett/)

> [I'm a competitive person. I love the game of basketball. I'm a gym rat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-m-a-competitive-person-i-love-the-game-of-basketball-i-m-a-gym-rat/)

[Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/)

> [I am both humbled and honored to receive the Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-both-humbled-and-honored-to-receive-the-honda-sports-award-for/)

[Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/)

> [What I've talked about the entire series and throughout this playoffs is about intensity and effort, desire and will of our players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-laimbeer/what-i-ve-talked-about-the-entire-series-and-throughout-this-playoffs/)

[Bill Laimbeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-laimbeer/)

[Browse all 5,387 Basketball quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Teams that play together beat those with superior players who play more as individuals.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jack Ramsay"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/teams-that-play-together-beat-those-with-superior-players-who-play/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Basketball"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/teams-that-play-together-beat-those-with-superior-players-who-play/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/jack-ramsay-17764_basketball_teams-that-play-together-beat-those-with_2392888.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/jack-ramsay-17764_basketball_teams-that-play-together-beat-those-with_2392888.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/jack-ramsay-17764_basketball_teams-that-play-together-beat-those-with_2392888.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Teams that play together beat those with superior players who play more as individuals.” — Jack Ramsay",
                "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": "Jack Ramsay",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Teams that play together beat those...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/teams-that-play-together-beat-those-with-superior-players-who-play/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/teams-that-play-together-beat-those-with-superior-players-who-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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
