---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not really a flashy dunker or a show…"
description: "\"I'm not really a flashy dunker or a show dunker unless somebody's in front of me. That's the only time I really get wide-eyed: when I can dunk on someb..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/566/javale-mcgee-5750_hard_i-m-not-really-a-flashy-dunker-or-a-show_933689.jpg"
---

#  I'm not really a flashy dunker or a show dunker unless…

![“I'm not really a flashy dunker or a show dunker unless somebody's in front of me. That's the only time I really get wide-eyed: when I can dunk on somebody. If it's a wide-open dunk, I've never been the type to dunk it real hard wide-open and scream.” quote by JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/566/javale-mcgee-5750_hard_i-m-not-really-a-flashy-dunker-or-a-show_933689.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/566/javale-mcgee-5750_hard_i-m-not-really-a-flashy-dunker-or-a-show_933689.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/566/javale-mcgee-5750_hard_i-m-not-really-a-flashy-dunker-or-a-show_933689.jpg)

> “I'm not really a flashy dunker or a show dunker unless somebody's in front of me. That's the only time I really get wide-eyed: when I can dunk on somebody. If it's a wide-open dunk, I've never been the type to dunk it real hard wide-open and scream.”

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

## About This Quote

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

True excitement comes from genuine, personal achievement, not from performing for an audience.

**In simple terms:** Real joy is private, not for show.

Key Takeaway

Focus on personal milestones.

Themes

achievement authenticity focus

Mood

determined reflective

Type

motivational sporting

When to use this quote

- practice sessions
- personal challenges
- team dynamics

Key Concepts

sports psychology motivation

Questions to Reflect On

- When do you seek approval?
- What private goals motivate you?

A Different Perspective

Public validation can still influence self‑esteem.

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[Dunk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dunk/) [Dunk Somebody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dunk-somebody-1539688/) [Eyed Dunk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eyed-dunk-1539689/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Open Dunk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/open-dunk-1539687/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Type Dunk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/type-dunk-1539690/)

## Related quotes

> [Not really for me. I get a lot of pick-and-roll stuff, so there aint too much Im doing put there thats signature. I guess…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-westbrook/not-really-for-me-i-get-a-lot-of-pick-and-roll-stuff-so-there-aint/)

[Russell Westbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-westbrook/)

> [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/)

> [If you're just dunking by yourself, it's really nothing special. You have to dunk on someone - then you feel like you're demoralizing them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/if-you-re-just-dunking-by-yourself-it-s-really-nothing-special-you/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [I don't need to be a banger. I dunk on people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/i-don-t-need-to-be-a-banger-i-dunk-on-people/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [You bring a car out, you're going to win any dunk contest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/you-bring-a-car-out-you-re-going-to-win-any-dunk-contest/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [Skills Challenge tonight! You guys tuning in? Who you picking for the dunk contest?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-rose/skills-challenge-tonight-you-guys-tuning-in-who-you-picking-for-the/)

[Derrick Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-rose/)

> [People came to the All-Star Game to see the dunk contest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominique-wilkins/people-came-to-the-all-star-game-to-see-the-dunk-contest/)

[Dominique Wilkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominique-wilkins/)

> [Can I still dunk... Are you stupid?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/can-i-still-dunk-are-you-stupid/)

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

> [I'm not a role model... Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-barkley/i-m-not-a-role-model-just-because-i-dunk-a-basketball-doesn-t-mean-i/)

[Charles Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-barkley/)

> [In New York, the dunk is not the thing. To break somebody down and shoot a J-that's as big as a dunk in New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-odom/in-new-york-the-dunk-is-not-the-thing-to-break-somebody-down-and/)

[Lamar Odom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-odom/)

> [I just don't want to go to the All-Star game to be in the dunk contest and go home. I want to be there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deandre-jordan/i-just-don-t-want-to-go-to-the-all-star-game-to-be-in-the-dunk/)

[DeAndre Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deandre-jordan/)

> [My first dunk was actually in sixth grade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-carter/my-first-dunk-was-actually-in-sixth-grade/)

[Vince Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-carter/)

> [When you can't dunk anymore, you have to find a way to make it into the news.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manu-ginobili/when-you-can-t-dunk-anymore-you-have-to-find-a-way-to-make-it-into/)

[Manu Ginobili](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manu-ginobili/)

> [We're young. We like to run. J.R. and those guys, they want to dunk and I want to see 'em dunk. So it works…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-paul/we-re-young-we-like-to-run-j-r-and-those-guys-they-want-to-dunk-and-i/)

[Chris Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-paul/)

> [Boys have a tendency to jump around a lot more than girls. Boys have that desire to want to dunk way more than girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-leslie/boys-have-a-tendency-to-jump-around-a-lot-more-than-girls-boys-have/)

[Lisa Leslie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-leslie/)

## More by JaVale McGee

> [I've always loved blocking shots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/i-ve-always-loved-blocking-shots/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [I'll stay in the studio for 12 hours at a time, just producing music and making records. It doesn't feel like 'Oh man I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/i-ll-stay-in-the-studio-for-12-hours-at-a-time-just-producing-music/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [It's all love in L.A. The fans are great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/it-s-all-love-in-l-a-the-fans-are-great/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [Rondo is great with the steals, also on offense with the passing and court vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/rondo-is-great-with-the-steals-also-on-offense-with-the-passing-and/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [If you can't breathe, you can't do nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/if-you-can-t-breathe-you-can-t-do-nothing/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [People try to bring negativity into my life, but it's crazy how I deflect it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/people-try-to-bring-negativity-into-my-life-but-it-s-crazy-how-i/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [Whatever happens, however fast it's supposed to happen, it'll happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/whatever-happens-however-fast-it-s-supposed-to-happen-it-ll-happen/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [When I do things, I just fully commit to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/when-i-do-things-i-just-fully-commit-to-it/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [As a kid, you always wanna play for either the Lakers or Boston just for the rivalry alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/as-a-kid-you-always-wanna-play-for-either-the-lakers-or-boston-just/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [I'm not really a confrontational person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/i-m-not-really-a-confrontational-person/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [I feel like people think that I have mental lapses and I'm injury-prone, which isn't true. You just don't know me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/i-feel-like-people-think-that-i-have-mental-lapses-and-i-m-injury/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [I don't do anything malicious or anything in a negative manner. I'm all about positivity and making people smile is positive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/i-don-t-do-anything-malicious-or-anything-in-a-negative-manner-i-m/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [It's just a reassuring feeling, a confidence-builder I guess, knowing that you're going into a situation wanted as an option, like you're really wanted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/it-s-just-a-reassuring-feeling-a-confidence-builder-i-guess-knowing/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [It's definitely a grind. Come to the gym early, leave late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/it-s-definitely-a-grind-come-to-the-gym-early-leave-late/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [I don't think people realize that I produce like 90 percent of all my music, except for the songs that I co-produce with people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/i-don-t-think-people-realize-that-i-produce-like-90-percent-of-all-my/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

[Explore all 100 JaVale McGee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

## More Dunk quotes

> [Boys have a tendency to jump around a lot more than girls. Boys have that desire to want to dunk way more than girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-leslie/boys-have-a-tendency-to-jump-around-a-lot-more-than-girls-boys-have/)

[Lisa Leslie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-leslie/)

> [We're young. We like to run. J.R. and those guys, they want to dunk and I want to see 'em dunk. So it works…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-paul/we-re-young-we-like-to-run-j-r-and-those-guys-they-want-to-dunk-and-i/)

[Chris Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-paul/)

> [When you can't dunk anymore, you have to find a way to make it into the news.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manu-ginobili/when-you-can-t-dunk-anymore-you-have-to-find-a-way-to-make-it-into/)

[Manu Ginobili](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manu-ginobili/)

> [My first dunk was actually in sixth grade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-carter/my-first-dunk-was-actually-in-sixth-grade/)

[Vince Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-carter/)

> [I just don't want to go to the All-Star game to be in the dunk contest and go home. I want to be there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deandre-jordan/i-just-don-t-want-to-go-to-the-all-star-game-to-be-in-the-dunk/)

[DeAndre Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deandre-jordan/)

> [In New York, the dunk is not the thing. To break somebody down and shoot a J-that's as big as a dunk in New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-odom/in-new-york-the-dunk-is-not-the-thing-to-break-somebody-down-and/)

[Lamar Odom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-odom/)

> [I'm not a role model... Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-barkley/i-m-not-a-role-model-just-because-i-dunk-a-basketball-doesn-t-mean-i/)

[Charles Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-barkley/)

> [Can I still dunk... Are you stupid?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/can-i-still-dunk-are-you-stupid/)

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

> [People came to the All-Star Game to see the dunk contest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominique-wilkins/people-came-to-the-all-star-game-to-see-the-dunk-contest/)

[Dominique Wilkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominique-wilkins/)

> [Skills Challenge tonight! You guys tuning in? Who you picking for the dunk contest?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-rose/skills-challenge-tonight-you-guys-tuning-in-who-you-picking-for-the/)

[Derrick Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-rose/)

> [How much will y'all give me if I slam dunk this thing into the trash can?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-mcbride/how-much-will-y-all-give-me-if-i-slam-dunk-this-thing-into-the-trash/)

[Danny Mcbride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-mcbride/)

> [I would've said yes before I saw Aaron Gordon do what he did. And Zach LaVine went nuts as well. I think Gordon should've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-kerr/i-would-ve-said-yes-before-i-saw-aaron-gordon-do-what-he-did-and-zach/)

[Steve Kerr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-kerr/)

> [I can never dunk, but I can always find a way to score.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-darren/i-can-never-dunk-but-i-can-always-find-a-way-to-score/)

[Jeremy Darren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-darren/)

> [Something you can control is your effort and your energy and playing defense. And for me that's always been a catalyst for my game,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/something-you-can-control-is-your-effort-and-your-energy-and-playing/)

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

> [I can't afford to do the highlight dunk and miss it because, if I do that, I'll be sitting right on the bench beside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zion-williamson/i-can-t-afford-to-do-the-highlight-dunk-and-miss-it-because-if-i-do/)

[Zion Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zion-williamson/)

[Browse all 135 Dunk quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dunk/)

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