--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never really talked about being an NBA…" description: "\"I never really talked about being an NBA player or a college player. I just really like playing basketball.\" — Jrue Holiday" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96d/jrue-holiday-5130_basketball_i-never-really-talked-about-being-an-nba_1529432.jpg" --- # I never really talked about being an NBA player or a… ![“I never really talked about being an NBA player or a college player. I just really like playing basketball.” quote by Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96d/jrue-holiday-5130_basketball_i-never-really-talked-about-being-an-nba_1529432.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96d/jrue-holiday-5130_basketball_i-never-really-talked-about-being-an-nba_1529432.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96d/jrue-holiday-5130_basketball_i-never-really-talked-about-being-an-nba_1529432.jpg) > “I never really talked about being an NBA player or a college player. I just really like playing basketball.” [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focusing on love for playing basketball rather than titles or past achievements. **In simple terms:** I just love playing basketball. Key Takeaway Play for joy, not accolades. Themes sports passion identity Mood joyful focused Type sports personal When to use this quote - recreational leagues - team dynamics - personal fitness Key Concepts intrinsic motivation identity formation Questions to Reflect On - What drives your love for the game? - How do you stay grounded when praised? A Different Perspective External validation can still influence self‑esteem. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [College](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/college/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [NBA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nba/) [Nba player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nba-player/) [Playing basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-basketball/) ## Related quotes > [I always say that, I never talked about the NBA, I never talked about anything because I was just playing basketball for fun. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-calderon/i-always-say-that-i-never-talked-about-the-nba-i-never-talked-about/) [Jose Calderon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-calderon/) > [I want the younger kids, the basketball players in high school and college to hear from me and let them know that when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-durant/i-want-the-younger-kids-the-basketball-players-in-high-school-and/) [Kevin Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-durant/) > [Well, like every kid playing basketball, I dreamed of being an NBA player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maverick-carter/well-like-every-kid-playing-basketball-i-dreamed-of-being-an-nba/) [Maverick Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maverick-carter/) > [You play with your soul as well as your body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kareem-abdul-jabbar/you-play-with-your-soul-as-well-as-your-body/) [Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kareem-abdul-jabbar/) > [All of us growing up, if you're a professional player or a college player, you're molding your game after guys. You see guys, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-johnson/all-of-us-growing-up-if-you-re-a-professional-player-or-a-college/) [Calvin Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-johnson/) > [If you think I'm a loser, that I'm a bust, that's fine, but you don't know me. I don't have a problem with people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-leaf/if-you-think-i-m-a-loser-that-i-m-a-bust-that-s-fine-but-you-don-t/) [Ryan Leaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-leaf/) > [I always wished I had a chance to meet an NFL player or even a college player when I was growing up in Los…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-baker/i-always-wished-i-had-a-chance-to-meet-an-nfl-player-or-even-a/) [Stephen Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-baker/) > [Every college player thinks they're on their way. But, delusions aside, I might have toiled in the minor leagues for a bit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-linklater/every-college-player-thinks-they-re-on-their-way-but-delusions-aside/) [Richard Linklater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-linklater/) > [The College World Series, that's the end-all deal as a college player. To get a chance to play in the World Series and win…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-ensberg/the-college-world-series-that-s-the-end-all-deal-as-a-college-player/) [Morgan Ensberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-ensberg/) > [One thing is a pro is supposed to make certain plays, while a college player is learning to make plays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/one-thing-is-a-pro-is-supposed-to-make-certain-plays-while-a-college/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [This is where young players today want to land. They want to be NBA players because of the money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-robertson/this-is-where-young-players-today-want-to-land-they-want-to-be-nba/) [Oscar Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-robertson/) > [I have a half-court in my house. If you saw my house, you'd think I was an NBA player. I have no golf setup…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-finau/i-have-a-half-court-in-my-house-if-you-saw-my-house-you-d-think-i-was/) [Tony Finau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-finau/) > [Houses with courts and gyms are super expensive. Not a lot of players can afford that. I know it sounds crazy to say an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivica-zubac/houses-with-courts-and-gyms-are-super-expensive-not-a-lot-of-players/) [Ivica Zubac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivica-zubac/) > [I have the loving support of my girlfriend who still attends Wake Forest and is nearing graduation. She helps me cope with the everyday…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-duncan/i-have-the-loving-support-of-my-girlfriend-who-still-attends-wake/) [Tim Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-duncan/) > [I think video games have been instrumental to me as an NBA player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/i-think-video-games-have-been-instrumental-to-me-as-an-nba-player/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) ## More by Jrue Holiday > [Close wins really remind us that down the stretch, we can come together and do the right thing, and make the right plays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/close-wins-really-remind-us-that-down-the-stretch-we-can-come/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [I honestly see myself as an impact player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/i-honestly-see-myself-as-an-impact-player/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [You see guys like Rajon Rondo, John Wall, Derrick Rose; these guys are fast, quick, explosive, can get up off the floor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/you-see-guys-like-rajon-rondo-john-wall-derrick-rose-these-guys-are/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [Our parents did a good job of instilling values in us, being able to do something you love. And when it gets hard, don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/our-parents-did-a-good-job-of-instilling-values-in-us-being-able-to/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [I mean, it's funny, I'm not going to lie. It's funny saying it. We're the Pelicans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/i-mean-it-s-funny-i-m-not-going-to-lie-it-s-funny-saying-it-we-re-the/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [Obviously there are certain times when you need to be selfish in the game, but to be selfless and do what's best for your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/obviously-there-are-certain-times-when-you-need-to-be-selfish-in-the/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [I think it's more fun, where everybody gets to touch the ball. That's always a good feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/i-think-it-s-more-fun-where-everybody-gets-to-touch-the-ball-that-s/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [Every time I step on the floor I'm going to be there and contribute to the team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/every-time-i-step-on-the-floor-i-m-going-to-be-there-and-contribute/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [For me, as a point guard, you have to construct everything. If you make everybody happy, you are going to be happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/for-me-as-a-point-guard-you-have-to-construct-everything-if-you-make/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [The bonding off the court correlates a lot to on the court.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/the-bonding-off-the-court-correlates-a-lot-to-on-the-court/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [I've dreamed of winning a national championship and I've dreamed of being an Olympian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/i-ve-dreamed-of-winning-a-national-championship-and-i-ve-dreamed-of/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [Philly, I feel like, is where I became a man and matured my game and became better. I went through the good and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/philly-i-feel-like-is-where-i-became-a-man-and-matured-my-game-and/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [I guess you kind of take what the defense gives you. You don't always want to just force it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/i-guess-you-kind-of-take-what-the-defense-gives-you-you-don-t-always/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [Having your voice heard makes you feel more involved and somewhat important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/having-your-voice-heard-makes-you-feel-more-involved-and-somewhat/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [I mean, you can't really enjoy some of the games that you've had. Like I think I've had a career-high night or whatever and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/i-mean-you-can-t-really-enjoy-some-of-the-games-that-you-ve-had-like/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) [Explore all 103 Jrue Holiday quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) ## 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": "I never really talked about being an NBA player or a college player. 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