--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've been an NBA player, and a black man…" description: "\"I've been an NBA player, and a black man, for a long time, and I know how to take a loss.\" — Kenny Smith" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2d/kenny-smith-2406_football_i-ve-been-an-nba-player-and-a-black-man_2280545.png" --- # I've been an NBA player, and a black man, for a long time… ![“I've been an NBA player, and a black man, for a long time, and I know how to take a loss.” quote by Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2d/kenny-smith-2406_football_i-ve-been-an-nba-player-and-a-black-man_2280545.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2d/kenny-smith-2406_football_i-ve-been-an-nba-player-and-a-black-man_2280545.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2d/kenny-smith-2406_football_i-ve-been-an-nba-player-and-a-black-man_2280545.png) > “I've been an NBA player, and a black man, for a long time, and I know how to take a loss.” [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understanding loss as a teacher, not a defeat, especially in high‑stakes sports and life. **In simple terms:** Loss teaches resilience. Key Takeaway Embrace loss, learn, improve. Themes resilience competition identity growth sports Mood reflective determined inspirational Type motivational personal When to use this quote - professional basketball - personal setbacks - team dynamics - public speaking Key Concepts psychology performance racial identity mental toughness Questions to Reflect On - How do you turn a loss into a lesson? - What role does identity play in handling defeat? A Different Perspective Loss can damage confidence if not processed health. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Black Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-man/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Know Loss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-loss-711958/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Long time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time/) [Loss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loss/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [NBA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nba/) [Nba player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nba-player/) [Player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/player/) [Player Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/player-black-4561479/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I am not merely a baseball player. I am a black man who has done what he wants, gotten what he wanted, and will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-jackson/i-am-not-merely-a-baseball-player-i-am-a-black-man-who-has-done-what/) [Reggie Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-jackson/) > [When I was a player I'd black out and shoot for hours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-spoelstra/when-i-was-a-player-i-d-black-out-and-shoot-for-hours/) [Erik Spoelstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-spoelstra/) > [I am always playing hard trying to win. Just knowing that at one time I was once that kid that looked up to NBA…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-terry/i-am-always-playing-hard-trying-to-win-just-knowing-that-at-one-time/) [Jason Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-terry/) > [Mick Jagger is in better shape than far too many NBA players. 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And I play in New York!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enes-kanter/i-m-an-nba-player-with-no-shoe-deal-no-endorsement-deal-and-i-play-in/) [Enes Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enes-kanter/) > [I know that three months before the season is not enough to become a good NBA player, but it's a start.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-kukoc/i-know-that-three-months-before-the-season-is-not-enough-to-become-a/) [Toni Kukoc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-kukoc/) > [I experienced the G League in two forms: one as an assignment player, and then one of actually being in the G League after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-dinwiddie/i-experienced-the-g-league-in-two-forms-one-as-an-assignment-player/) [Spencer Dinwiddie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-dinwiddie/) > [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 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/) > [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 Kenny Smith > [The approach of intellect or noesis will forever be an effete and limited sort of thing by contrast with the vigor and color of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/the-approach-of-intellect-or-noesis-will-forever-be-an-effete-and/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [One can hardly appreciate how academia has perverted its highest tasks and "ideals" without pondering long and hard the implications of Jacques Barzun's House…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/one-can-hardly-appreciate-how-academia-has-perverted-its-highest/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [When academics claim a topic is obsolete, they mean merely they are tired of flogging it with their cliches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/when-academics-claim-a-topic-is-obsolete-they-mean-merely-they-are/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [If you look at the NBA, it's the richest and wealthiest group of African-American men in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/if-you-look-at-the-nba-it-s-the-richest-and-wealthiest-group-of/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [In late modernity we grow more and more accustomed to politicians and public figures who are indebted to their appetites for their "values," to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/in-late-modernity-we-grow-more-and-more-accustomed-to-politicians-and/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [How infinitely happier and more grateful is the whole personality or spirit when it finds something nourishing in art or writing or thinking, than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/how-infinitely-happier-and-more-grateful-is-the-whole-personality-or/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [There are a lot more famous fathers out there than me with daughters who wouldn't mind singing careers... but the talent and the work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/there-are-a-lot-more-famous-fathers-out-there-than-me-with-daughters/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [Games like 'Call of Duty' and 'NBA Baller Beats' have so much to them. I was more of the 'Pac-Man' generation where we were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/games-like-call-of-duty-and-nba-baller-beats-have-so-much-to-them-i/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [The Rockets have a philosophy of what they think their coach should be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/the-rockets-have-a-philosophy-of-what-they-think-their-coach-should-be/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [I've played more park games than NBA games, and I had a 10-year NBA career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/i-ve-played-more-park-games-than-nba-games-and-i-had-a-10-year-nba/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [I'm always the neutral guy, man. I'm able to bring people together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/i-m-always-the-neutral-guy-man-i-m-able-to-bring-people-together/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [People compose the schedules they do out of the priorities they have; and someone who says otherwise is deceiving himself about what he really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/people-compose-the-schedules-they-do-out-of-the-priorities-they-have/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [There's hasn't been a day in my life since I was 9 years old that I haven't touched a basketball or done something connected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/there-s-hasn-t-been-a-day-in-my-life-since-i-was-9-years-old-that-i/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [You can have your own thought process about things, but you still need to include and co-exist with other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/you-can-have-your-own-thought-process-about-things-but-you-still-need/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [NCAA is looking at how to do a better job enforcing their rules instead of looking at why the predatorial environment is created. There's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/ncaa-is-looking-at-how-to-do-a-better-job-enforcing-their-rules/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) [Explore all 168 Kenny Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) ## More Football quotes > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. 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