--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That's how I grew up. Just play defense…" description: "\"That's how I grew up. Just play defense - and make a basket.\" — Kawhi Leonard" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f8b/kawhi-leonard-7933_basket_that-s-how-i-grew-up-just-play-defense-a_795731.jpg" --- # That's how I grew up. Just play defense - and make a basket. ![“That's how I grew up. Just play defense - and make a basket.” quote by Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f8b/kawhi-leonard-7933_basket_that-s-how-i-grew-up-just-play-defense-a_795731.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f8b/kawhi-leonard-7933_basket_that-s-how-i-grew-up-just-play-defense-a_795731.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f8b/kawhi-leonard-7933_basket_that-s-how-i-grew-up-just-play-defense-a_795731.jpg) > “That's how I grew up. Just play defense - and make a basket.” [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Adopt a defensive mindset and focus on scoring to succeed. **In simple terms:** Play defense, then score. Key Takeaway Prioritize defense before offense. Themes sports strategy mindset Mood competitive focused Type strategic motivational When to use this quote - basketball games - team meetings Key Concepts defensive play goal setting Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance defense and offense in your role? - When should you shift focus from defense to attack? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on defense may limit offensive creativity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [We want to create a problem for the defense, a moment of indecision as they figure out how they want to play against whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-stram/we-want-to-create-a-problem-for-the-defense-a-moment-of-indecision-as/) [Hank Stram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-stram/) > [I look at like this: Any player I guard, long twos or shots like that, if they make them I still think that's good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-beverley/i-look-at-like-this-any-player-i-guard-long-twos-or-shots-like-that/) [Patrick Beverley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-beverley/) > [If you are going to have to play defense all the time, you cannot have the kind of ingenuity, assertiveness, independence, and intelligence which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlen-specter/if-you-are-going-to-have-to-play-defense-all-the-time-you-cannot-have/) [Arlen Specter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlen-specter/) > [We have to get better at that. All of the Stanley Cup winning teams throughout the past few seasons, when they needed to play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-yzerman/we-have-to-get-better-at-that-all-of-the-stanley-cup-winning-teams/) [Steve Yzerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-yzerman/) > [In high school, you don't play much defense. It's mostly offense. In college, it's vice versa, and that's what I tried to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donte-divincenzo/in-high-school-you-don-t-play-much-defense-it-s-mostly-offense-in/) [Donte DiVincenzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donte-divincenzo/) > [If one of our players gets his second foul in the first half, then he must come out of the game and not re-enter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-daly/if-one-of-our-players-gets-his-second-foul-in-the-first-half-then-he/) [Chuck Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-daly/) > [Yeah, I mean, if you're bracing yourself playing defense, you shouldn't play defense, one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-chung/yeah-i-mean-if-you-re-bracing-yourself-playing-defense-you-shouldn-t/) [Patrick Chung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-chung/) > [A lot of guys are offensive minded, which is good at some points and times but bad at others - at lots of others.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-butler/a-lot-of-guys-are-offensive-minded-which-is-good-at-some-points-and/) [Jimmy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-butler/) > [I wasn't going to play on defense in college.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezekiel-elliott/i-wasn-t-going-to-play-on-defense-in-college/) [Ezekiel Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezekiel-elliott/) > [A big part of defense is effort and moving your feet and a will and wanting to play defense. You put it all together,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-huerter/a-big-part-of-defense-is-effort-and-moving-your-feet-and-a-will-and/) [Kevin Huerter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-huerter/) > [My mental approach is totally different. My coach predicated everything on defense. He always talked about defense, defense, defense. I took it to heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-williams/my-mental-approach-is-totally-different-my-coach-predicated/) [Eric Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-williams/) > [I try to play defense and be an unselfish teammate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-conley-jr/i-try-to-play-defense-and-be-an-unselfish-teammate/) [Mike Conley Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-conley-jr/) > [I can play defense against anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-oubre-jr/i-can-play-defense-against-anybody/) [Kelly Oubre, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-oubre-jr/) > [This is a physical game, and that's how you have to play. When you do that, the defense eventually gets tired of tackling you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezekiel-elliott/this-is-a-physical-game-and-that-s-how-you-have-to-play-when-you-do/) [Ezekiel Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezekiel-elliott/) > [I'm just here to play basketball and have fun and try to win another championship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-m-just-here-to-play-basketball-and-have-fun-and-try-to-win-another/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) ## More by Kawhi Leonard > [Not all water is great for you. I drink a lot of water during the day, but I stay away from certain waters because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/not-all-water-is-great-for-you-i-drink-a-lot-of-water-during-the-day/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I just try to play every game like it's Game 7 of the NBA Finals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-just-try-to-play-every-game-like-it-s-game-7-of-the-nba-finals/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I'm just happy that I get the opportunity to do the things on the court that I do in practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-m-just-happy-that-i-get-the-opportunity-to-do-the-things-on-the/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I don't care about winning an MVP - the MVP doesn't mean you're the best player in the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-don-t-care-about-winning-an-mvp-the-mvp-doesn-t-mean-you-re-the/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [Playing football helped me a lot. Just reading the quarterback's eyes and reading receivers, figuring out what they want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/playing-football-helped-me-a-lot-just-reading-the-quarterback-s-eyes/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [Everybody in the NBA works on their game. I just tried to follow that lead when I was in high school, college - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/everybody-in-the-nba-works-on-their-game-i-just-tried-to-follow-that/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I definitely don't like to eat a lot before I play. I don't like to play on a full stomach. Sometimes, if I'm feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-definitely-don-t-like-to-eat-a-lot-before-i-play-i-don-t-like-to/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [If I get noticed for my individual performance, that's what happens. Other than that, I'm just trying to win the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/if-i-get-noticed-for-my-individual-performance-that-s-what-happens/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I'm not out here just for the money. I want to be a great player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-m-not-out-here-just-for-the-money-i-want-to-be-a-great-player/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I rarely eat breakfast because of our schedule, actually. If I do, though, I'll try to do an egg-white omelet with some bell peppers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-rarely-eat-breakfast-because-of-our-schedule-actually-if-i-do/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [Coming in, I wanted to be a great player, and right now at the beginning of my career, I'm showing some slight sunshine that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/coming-in-i-wanted-to-be-a-great-player-and-right-now-at-the/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [It's just a great feeling, once you have a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/it-s-just-a-great-feeling-once-you-have-a-child/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I like the old-school muscle cars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-like-the-old-school-muscle-cars/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I look at film, but more than watching individual players, I'm trying to watch a team's whole offensive scheme. I'm trying to know their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-look-at-film-but-more-than-watching-individual-players-i-m-trying/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I was good. I probably could have gone to the NFL. I just hated practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-was-good-i-probably-could-have-gone-to-the-nfl-i-just-hated-practice/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) [Explore all 86 Kawhi Leonard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) ## More Basket quotes > [“into the cell, put the basket down upon the magistrate’s”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mccammon/into-the-cell-put-the-basket-down-upon-the-magistrate-s/) [Robert McCammon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mccammon/) > [It takes 10 hands to score a basket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-takes-10-hands-to-score-a-basket/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [I can play with my back to the basket, but I can face up as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jahlil-okafor/i-can-play-with-my-back-to-the-basket-but-i-can-face-up-as-well/) [Jahlil Okafor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jahlil-okafor/) > [“Don't ever, ever give up. Moses was once a basket case.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-wilde/don-t-ever-ever-give-up-moses-was-once-a-basket-case/) Larry Wilde > [The basket looked like an ocean, and I was just throwing rocks in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-iverson/the-basket-looked-like-an-ocean-and-i-was-just-throwing-rocks-in/) [Allen Iverson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-iverson/) > [You must write for the waste basket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-mercer/you-must-write-for-the-waste-basket/) [Johnny Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-mercer/) > [“Just tell me what's so irritating."(katsu) That's none of your damn business!"(kyok) Maybe not. But I'm curious."(katsu) It's EVERYTHING you prick! God, you're annoying!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsuki-takaya/just-tell-me-what-s-so-irritating-katsu-that-s-none-of-your-damn/) [Natsuki Takaya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsuki-takaya/) > [Our belief is that it is a basket of well-diversified companies that are playing the Internet, but are not direct Internet companies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-zimmerman/our-belief-is-that-it-is-a-basket-of-well-diversified-companies-that/) [John Zimmerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-zimmerman/) > [To put all of your eggs in one basket is silly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kasich/to-put-all-of-your-eggs-in-one-basket-is-silly/) [John Kasich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kasich/) > [Characters develop as the book progresses, but any that start to bore me end up in the wastepaper basket. In real life, we may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-graham/characters-develop-as-the-book-progresses-but-any-that-start-to-bore/) [Laurie Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-graham/) > [You can't play Around the World in the NBA, you've gotta go to the basket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oakley/you-can-t-play-around-the-world-in-the-nba-you-ve-gotta-go-to-the/) [Charles Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oakley/) > [Why is it so hard to find an exercise bike with a nice little basket where I can put my nachos?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-alderson/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-an-exercise-bike-with-a-nice-little-basket/) Ron Alderson > [I heave the basketball; I know it sails in a parabola, exhibiting perfect symmetry, which is interrupted by the basket. It's funny, but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/i-heave-the-basketball-i-know-it-sails-in-a-parabola-exhibiting/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [I was really a basket case. I admit that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-delorean/i-was-really-a-basket-case-i-admit-that/) [John DeLorean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-delorean/) > [When it's late in a game and things are tough and you need a basket, someone has to step up. That player has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/when-it-s-late-in-a-game-and-things-are-tough-and-you-need-a-basket/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) Browse all 95 Basket quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "That's how I grew up. 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