--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Start the first minute or come off the…" description: "\"Start the first minute or come off the bench, it's the same game. You're playing the same game.\" — Jonas Valanciunas" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4a/jonas-valanciunas-6169_bench_start-the-first-minute-or-come-off-the-b_908031.jpg" --- # Start the first minute or come off the bench, it's the… ![“Start the first minute or come off the bench, it's the same game. You're playing the same game.” quote by Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4a/jonas-valanciunas-6169_bench_start-the-first-minute-or-come-off-the-b_908031.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4a/jonas-valanciunas-6169_bench_start-the-first-minute-or-come-off-the-b_908031.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4a/jonas-valanciunas-6169_bench_start-the-first-minute-or-come-off-the-b_908031.jpg) > “Start the first minute or come off the bench, it's the same game. You're playing the same game.” [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Emphasizes that the initial moments of participation are as critical as later play, urging immediate engagement. **In simple terms:** First minutes matter as much as later play. Key Takeaway Engage fully from the start. Themes sports motivation participation Mood determined energetic Type inspirational advice When to use this quote - starting a game - joining a project - first day at work - public speaking Key Concepts performance mindset team dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can early effort set the tone for success? - What risks arise from rushing in? A Different Perspective May overlook long-term strategy by focusing only on start. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bench](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bench/) [Bench Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bench-game-983622/) [Come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/come/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Game Playing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game-playing/) [Playing Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-game/) [Same](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/same/) [Start](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/start/) [Start Minute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/start-minute-1304940/) ## Related quotes > [I played varsity in high school as a 9th grader. I came off the bench during the first game of the season and had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-played-varsity-in-high-school-as-a-9th-grader-i-came-off-the-bench/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [I seldom was ever off my seat on the bench during the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-seldom-was-ever-off-my-seat-on-the-bench-during-the-game/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [They are playing a game. They are playing at not playing a game. If I show them I see they are, I shall break…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-are-playing-a-game-they-are-playing-at-not-playing-a-game-if-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm just trying to focus on playing my game and playing well, and whatever happens afterwards, we'll see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmer-fredette/i-m-just-trying-to-focus-on-playing-my-game-and-playing-well-and/) [Jimmer Fredette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmer-fredette/) > [This is not the job. We are just playing the game here. I am enjoying the game. I am playing every game as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/this-is-not-the-job-we-are-just-playing-the-game-here-i-am-enjoying/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [You can't worry about intimidating me and playing the game at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-naroditsky/you-can-t-worry-about-intimidating-me-and-playing-the-game-at-the/) [Daniel Naroditsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-naroditsky/) > [I'm not a dirty player. I love this game, and I'm playing hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zaza-pachulia/i-m-not-a-dirty-player-i-love-this-game-and-i-m-playing-hard/) [Zaza Pachulia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zaza-pachulia/) > [I try to take as many reps as I can, whether it's on a video game, playing EA 'Madden Football' or in the playbook,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-bridgewater/i-try-to-take-as-many-reps-as-i-can-whether-it-s-on-a-video-game/) [Teddy Bridgewater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-bridgewater/) > [Game-playing is more fun when it's virtual because you're more successful. ... in reality, only one person gets to be LeBron.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/game-playing-is-more-fun-when-it-s-virtual-because-you-re-more/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) > [I think the thing I took most from game playing was just getting in the characters head. I took it really seriously. There's something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-goddard/i-think-the-thing-i-took-most-from-game-playing-was-just-getting-in/) [Drew Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-goddard/) > [The game-playing market today is pretty sizable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-romero/the-game-playing-market-today-is-pretty-sizable/) [John Romero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-romero/) > [The game we are playing her is closest to the old game of 'Christians and lions.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-crandall/the-game-we-are-playing-her-is-closest-to-the-old-game-of-christians/) [Robert Crandall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-crandall/) > [There's a difference between fair game and playing games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/there-s-a-difference-between-fair-game-and-playing-games/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [“I decide that candor is probably best, that I will never see this woman again after this month. “I’m honestly not sure why I’m…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tsh-oxenreider/i-decide-that-candor-is-probably-best-that-i-will-never-see-this/) [Tsh Oxenreider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tsh-oxenreider/) > [Cricket is the only game where you are playing against eleven of the other side and ten of your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-h-hardy/cricket-is-the-only-game-where-you-are-playing-against-eleven-of-the/) [G. H. Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-h-hardy/) ## More by Jonas Valanciunas > [That's my job, to be inside the paint. I have to be comfortable. That's my home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/that-s-my-job-to-be-inside-the-paint-i-have-to-be-comfortable-that-s/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [Do I want the ball more? No, I'm good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/do-i-want-the-ball-more-no-i-m-good/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I've got to find a way to see the open pass, find a way to see open teammates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-ve-got-to-find-a-way-to-see-the-open-pass-find-a-way-to-see-open/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I'm a basketball player, I want to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-m-a-basketball-player-i-want-to-play/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [When you sit down and look at your game, you try to find the areas where you can improve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/when-you-sit-down-and-look-at-your-game-you-try-to-find-the-areas/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I've been raised not to back down from physicality. I have been working physical jobs when I was a kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-ve-been-raised-not-to-back-down-from-physicality-i-have-been/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I'm looking forward to getting better, to be a better player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-m-looking-forward-to-getting-better-to-be-a-better-player/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I always play for my country when I can. It's a big honor for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-always-play-for-my-country-when-i-can-it-s-a-big-honor-for-me/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I always looked at it like the sky's the limit, that I'm never happy with myself, always trying to do more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-always-looked-at-it-like-the-sky-s-the-limit-that-i-m-never-happy/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [The goal is to be the best frontcourt in the NBA.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/the-goal-is-to-be-the-best-frontcourt-in-the-nba/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I'm a chill person and a good-hearted guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-m-a-chill-person-and-a-good-hearted-guy/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I like fishing. We do all kinds of fun fishing trips.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-like-fishing-we-do-all-kinds-of-fun-fishing-trips/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I'm taking them when I have a chance and when my spacing gives it to me. Doesn't matter - could be one, three, four.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-m-taking-them-when-i-have-a-chance-and-when-my-spacing-gives-it-to/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I don't want to do crazy things, I want to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-don-t-want-to-do-crazy-things-i-want-to-win/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I'm trying to take experience out of every minute I spend on the court, trying to learn something new, to know about basketball more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-m-trying-to-take-experience-out-of-every-minute-i-spend-on-the/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) [Explore all 99 Jonas Valanciunas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) ## More Bench quotes > [They talking shit from the bench. Get in the god damn game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabolous/they-talking-shit-from-the-bench-get-in-the-god-damn-game/) [Fabolous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fabolous/) > [I've had times where I didn't play or came off the bench.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-green/i-ve-had-times-where-i-didn-t-play-or-came-off-the-bench/) [Danny Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-green/) > [When I was growing up, my dad didn't have weights, so he made himself a weight bench. Instead of a hand-me-down jacket, it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-statham/when-i-was-growing-up-my-dad-didn-t-have-weights-so-he-made-himself-a/) [Jason Statham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-statham/) > [“Hygge happens when we commit to the pleasure of the present moment in its simplicity. It's there in the things we do that give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-thomsen-brits/hygge-happens-when-we-commit-to-the-pleasure-of-the-present-moment-in/) [Louisa Thomsen Brits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-thomsen-brits/) > [You don't want to be on the bench thinking, 'Why am I not playing?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/callum-hudson-odoi/you-don-t-want-to-be-on-the-bench-thinking-why-am-i-not-playing/) [Callum Hudson-Odoi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/callum-hudson-odoi/) > [I think you just have to be more aggressive when you come off the bench.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamal-crawford/i-think-you-just-have-to-be-more-aggressive-when-you-come-off-the/) [Jamal Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamal-crawford/) > [Truly, the bench is a boon to idlers. Whoever first came up with the idea is a genius: free public resting places where you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hodgkinson/truly-the-bench-is-a-boon-to-idlers-whoever-first-came-up-with-the/) [Tom Hodgkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hodgkinson/) > [Actually I think it's better for me to come off the bench, because for them first couple of minutes when that first five is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rasheed-wallace/actually-i-think-it-s-better-for-me-to-come-off-the-bench-because-for/) [Rasheed Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rasheed-wallace/) > [I wouldn't go to a club just to stay on the subs' bench.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-eriksen/i-wouldn-t-go-to-a-club-just-to-stay-on-the-subs-bench/) [Christian Eriksen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-eriksen/) > [I'm not one of those actors who romanticizes his trials working out and brags that he can bench press a panda now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/i-m-not-one-of-those-actors-who-romanticizes-his-trials-working-out/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [No one wants to sit the bench. I don't know a player that does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geno-smith/no-one-wants-to-sit-the-bench-i-don-t-know-a-player-that-does/) [Geno Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geno-smith/) > [I've been disappointed to be sat on the bench. But when you are left out it just makes you work harder the next day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-carroll/i-ve-been-disappointed-to-be-sat-on-the-bench-but-when-you-are-left/) [Andy Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-carroll/) > [“The judicial wheel is rounded with equality, oiled with honour and functions smoothly with honesty – principally when both members of the Bench and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munindra-misra/the-judicial-wheel-is-rounded-with-equality-oiled-with-honour-and/) [Munindra Misra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munindra-misra/) > [Israel has incredible entrepreneurial spirit and a deep bench of technology talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roelof-botha/israel-has-incredible-entrepreneurial-spirit-and-a-deep-bench-of/) [Roelof Botha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roelof-botha/) > [“He was on the bench for 36 years and had the girth to show it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodes-fishburne/he-was-on-the-bench-for-36-years-and-had-the-girth-to-show-it/) [Rodes Fishburne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodes-fishburne/) [Browse all 337 Bench quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bench/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Start the first minute or come off the bench, it's the same game. 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