--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Most guys in my position don't get…" description: "\"Most guys in my position don't get drafted to such a high-caliber team like the Celtics, so it makes me work harder because I have to compete and earn ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/630/jayson-tatum-8565_compete_most-guys-in-my-position-don-t-get-draft_2258416.jpg" --- # Most guys in my position don't get drafted to such a… ![“Most guys in my position don't get drafted to such a high-caliber team like the Celtics, so it makes me work harder because I have to compete and earn everything.” quote by Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/630/jayson-tatum-8565_compete_most-guys-in-my-position-don-t-get-draft_2258416.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/630/jayson-tatum-8565_compete_most-guys-in-my-position-don-t-get-draft_2258416.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/630/jayson-tatum-8565_compete_most-guys-in-my-position-don-t-get-draft_2258416.jpg) > “Most guys in my position don't get drafted to such a high-caliber team like the Celtics, so it makes me work harder because I have to compete and earn everything.” [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Tatum feels that being drafted by an elite team motivates him to work harder to earn his place and prove himself among top talent. **In simple terms:** Being on a top team drives extra effort. Key Takeaway Use competition as motivation. Themes sports motivation competition personal growth Mood determined optimistic Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - team dynamics - career development - training routines Key Concepts high‑performance mindset work ethic Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance drive with well‑being? - What strategies sustain long‑term performance? A Different Perspective Pressure can also cause burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [It's harder to compete against queens you know, because you have that personal relationship with them already.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shangela/it-s-harder-to-compete-against-queens-you-know-because-you-have-that/) [Shangela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shangela/) > [Women in New York have to work much harder to compete with the supermodels for attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/women-in-new-york-have-to-work-much-harder-to-compete-with-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When the opportunity arose for me to join an organization like the Celtics, I could not refuse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jermaine-o-neal/when-the-opportunity-arose-for-me-to-join-an-organization-like-the/) [Jermaine O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jermaine-o-neal/) > [I'm very proud to have been drafted by a great team like the Celtics. It's the kind of thing a fellow dreams of all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-havlicek/i-m-very-proud-to-have-been-drafted-by-a-great-team-like-the-celtics/) [John Havlicek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-havlicek/) > [I love team environments, like the Celtics, the Bruins. I love going into the locker room and meeting these guys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keegan-bradley/i-love-team-environments-like-the-celtics-the-bruins-i-love-going/) [Keegan Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keegan-bradley/) > [I once heard that Paul Seymour said as much as winning an NBA Championship, he'd like to see the Celtics lose a game after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-cousy/i-once-heard-that-paul-seymour-said-as-much-as-winning-an-nba/) [Bob Cousy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-cousy/) > [Some libertarians say, 'Well, if people work harder, they can make more money.' But, you know, my mother is a nurse and I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/some-libertarians-say-well-if-people-work-harder-they-can-make-more/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [My mom tried to not let me see how much we were struggling, but I noticed it. I think that's what made me work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/my-mom-tried-to-not-let-me-see-how-much-we-were-struggling-but-i/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [You don't have to give up your dreams in order to earn a living - they can go hand in hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-visage/you-don-t-have-to-give-up-your-dreams-in-order-to-earn-a-living-they/) [Michelle Visage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-visage/) > [If we would have anything of benefit, we must earn it, and earning it become shrewd, inventive, ingenious, active, enterprising.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/if-we-would-have-anything-of-benefit-we-must-earn-it-and-earning-it/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [We must ensure that our students graduate high school and then earn a postsecondary certificate or degree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-ivey/we-must-ensure-that-our-students-graduate-high-school-and-then-earn-a/) [Kay Ivey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-ivey/) > [I look upon life as a gift from God. I did nothing to earn it. Now that the time is coming to give it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-cary/i-look-upon-life-as-a-gift-from-god-i-did-nothing-to-earn-it-now-that/) [Joyce Cary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-cary/) > [I had decided that if I was going to be a singer, I had to earn it. I had to learn how to play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/i-had-decided-that-if-i-was-going-to-be-a-singer-i-had-to-earn-it-i/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [I will have to earn trust and respect from my kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiger-woods/i-will-have-to-earn-trust-and-respect-from-my-kids/) [Tiger Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiger-woods/) > [“He should earn a puffy-tail for helping and lose it for being mean,” Parker puts in. “At least then he breaks even.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-korman/he-should-earn-a-puffy-tail-for-helping-and-lose-it-for-being-mean/) [Gordon Korman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-korman/) ## More by Jayson Tatum > [All I used to want to do was shoot fadeaways like Kobe because he was my favorite player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/all-i-used-to-want-to-do-was-shoot-fadeaways-like-kobe-because-he-was/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [I remember placing the New Era cap on my head at the 2017 NBA draft - that moment changed my life. I'm excited to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/i-remember-placing-the-new-era-cap-on-my-head-at-the-2017-nba-draft/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [Obviously understand what's at stake, and keep going. You just have to keep going, keep playing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/obviously-understand-what-s-at-stake-and-keep-going-you-just-have-to/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [I love Coach K's passion to coach his players and to coach the game. I examined and watched the interaction between him and his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/i-love-coach-k-s-passion-to-coach-his-players-and-to-coach-the-game-i/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [I got to go to practice one day, shoot around, and rebound for LeBron James. That was still an unreal experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/i-got-to-go-to-practice-one-day-shoot-around-and-rebound-for-lebron/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [Every time I shoot, I think it's going in. I get upset when it doesn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/every-time-i-shoot-i-think-it-s-going-in-i-get-upset-when-it-doesn-t/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [Meeting Kobe, it was of the greatest feelings ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/meeting-kobe-it-was-of-the-greatest-feelings-ever/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [I grew up watching LeBron and asking him to follow me back on Twitter, going to his camps. So just to be able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/i-grew-up-watching-lebron-and-asking-him-to-follow-me-back-on-twitter/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [When I play bad, I don't get too down on myself. When I play good, I don't get too hot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/when-i-play-bad-i-don-t-get-too-down-on-myself-when-i-play-good-i-don/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [I've always lived with my mom. My whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/i-ve-always-lived-with-my-mom-my-whole-life/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [I think that's when I have the most fun: when things are on the line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/i-think-that-s-when-i-have-the-most-fun-when-things-are-on-the-line/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [I don't know how to handle all the trade talks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/i-don-t-know-how-to-handle-all-the-trade-talks/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [Guys are going to be physical, especially with me being the young guy. That tends to happen a lot. It's just guys trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/guys-are-going-to-be-physical-especially-with-me-being-the-young-guy/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [Thin crust, provolone cheese, marinara sauce - it's just a St. Louis thing. That's what I grew up eating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/thin-crust-provolone-cheese-marinara-sauce-it-s-just-a-st-louis-thing/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [My mom tried to not let me see how much we were struggling, but I noticed it. I think that's what made me work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/my-mom-tried-to-not-let-me-see-how-much-we-were-struggling-but-i/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) [Explore all 80 Jayson Tatum quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) ## More Compete quotes > [Honestly, we’ll compete with everybody. I love competition. As long as people invent their own stuff, I love competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/honestly-we-ll-compete-with-everybody-i-love-competition-as-long-as/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [You don't go into the game to compete. You go into each game to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-newton/you-don-t-go-into-the-game-to-compete-you-go-into-each-game-to-win/) [Cam Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-newton/) > [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [For me, it's more important to bring my level up and make sure that I can compete against guys in the top 100 and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-shapovalov/for-me-it-s-more-important-to-bring-my-level-up-and-make-sure-that-i/) [Denis Shapovalov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-shapovalov/) > [I love to compete. That's the essence of who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiger-woods/i-love-to-compete-that-s-the-essence-of-who-i-am/) [Tiger Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiger-woods/) > [When I was young, all I wanted to do was to compete, have fun and travel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-gaylord/when-i-was-young-all-i-wanted-to-do-was-to-compete-have-fun-and-travel/) [Mitch Gaylord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-gaylord/) > [“The secret to unseating great power, is not to move the other direction, but to compete directly against their goals.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/the-secret-to-unseating-great-power-is-not-to-move-the-other/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [There are a lot of champions out there, a lot of great guys, but I think that the way I compete and my fighting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-pettis/there-are-a-lot-of-champions-out-there-a-lot-of-great-guys-but-i/) [Anthony Pettis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-pettis/) > [“Successful people compete against themselves, not against other people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-adam-snyder/successful-people-compete-against-themselves-not-against-other-people/) [J.Adam Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-adam-snyder/) > [Most people should be given a chance to compete in the Olympic Games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/most-people-should-be-given-a-chance-to-compete-in-the-olympic-games/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [The hardest skill to acquire in this sport is the one where you compete all out, give it all you have, and you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-reese/the-hardest-skill-to-acquire-in-this-sport-is-the-one-where-you/) Eddie Reese > [They wanted me to lead these young players, teach them the way to compete, when the only thing I should be worried about is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-kinsler/they-wanted-me-to-lead-these-young-players-teach-them-the-way-to/) Ian Kinsler > [For some people, success is a zero sum game. They think that if they push other people out of the way, fewer people can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-lelia-bundles/for-some-people-success-is-a-zero-sum-game-they-think-that-if-they/) [A'Lelia Bundles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lelia-bundles/) > [We can't live true to our set of values unless American educational system is strong. I really believe that if we don't get that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/we-can-t-live-true-to-our-set-of-values-unless-american-educational/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [I write what I like to read, and I enjoy love triangles in YA and adult fiction - not to mention in other media…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/i-write-what-i-like-to-read-and-i-enjoy-love-triangles-in-ya-and/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) Browse all 999 Compete quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Most guys in my position don't get drafted to such a high-caliber team like the Celtics, so it makes me work harder because I have to compete and earn everything.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jayson Tatum" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/most-guys-in-my-position-don-t-get-drafted-to-such-a-high-caliber/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compete" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/most-guys-in-my-position-don-t-get-drafted-to-such-a-high-caliber/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/630/jayson-tatum-8565_compete_most-guys-in-my-position-don-t-get-draft_2258416.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/630/jayson-tatum-8565_compete_most-guys-in-my-position-don-t-get-draft_2258416.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/630/jayson-tatum-8565_compete_most-guys-in-my-position-don-t-get-draft_2258416.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Most guys in my position don't get drafted to such a high-caliber team like the Celtics, so it makes me work…” — Jayson Tatum", "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": "Jayson Tatum", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Most guys in my position don't...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/most-guys-in-my-position-don-t-get-drafted-to-such-a-high-caliber/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/most-guys-in-my-position-don-t-get-drafted-to-such-a-high-caliber/#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 } } ] } ```