--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The important thing is to be around…" description: "\"The important thing is to be around people who will make you a better player. Otherwise, you can remain average.\" — Kenny Smith" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/926/kenny-smith-2406_average_the-important-thing-is-to-be-around-peop_2682710.png" --- # The important thing is to be around people who will make… ![“The important thing is to be around people who will make you a better player. Otherwise, you can remain average.” quote by Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/926/kenny-smith-2406_average_the-important-thing-is-to-be-around-peop_2682710.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/926/kenny-smith-2406_average_the-important-thing-is-to-be-around-peop_2682710.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/926/kenny-smith-2406_average_the-important-thing-is-to-be-around-peop_2682710.png) > “The important thing is to be around people who will make you a better player. Otherwise, you can remain average.” [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. Surrounding yourself with better players pushes you to improve; otherwise you stay average. **In simple terms:** Better peers raise your game. Key Takeaway Seek higher‑skill companions. Themes growth competition mentorship Mood encouraging determined Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - team sports - professional development - skill workshops Key Concepts performance improvement peer influence Questions to Reflect On - Who challenges you to grow? - How do you handle feeling average? A Different Perspective May cause self‑doubt if not managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Average](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/average/) [Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/) [Better player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-player/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Make Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-better/) [Otherwise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/otherwise/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/player/) [Player Remain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/player-remain-2594611/) [Remain Average](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remain-average-2594610/) [Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/will/) ## Related quotes > [I really want to make myself a better player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilfried-zaha/i-really-want-to-make-myself-a-better-player/) [Wilfried Zaha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilfried-zaha/) > [I'm sick at myself for not winning more. But I am always trying to find ways to make myself a better player. I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-donald/i-m-sick-at-myself-for-not-winning-more-but-i-am-always-trying-to/) [Luke Donald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-donald/) > [If I can understand them better as a person then I can understand how to make them a better player too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-dyche/if-i-can-understand-them-better-as-a-person-then-i-can-understand-how/) [Sean Dyche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-dyche/) > [Iniesta makes the game look easy, but it's not. On the contrary, it's very difficult. I don't think people appreciate it enough when they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkay-gundogan/iniesta-makes-the-game-look-easy-but-it-s-not-on-the-contrary-it-s/) [Ilkay Gundogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkay-gundogan/) > [I was a much better player in Europe than I was in the N.B.A., and lot of that had to do with feeling comfortable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-d-antoni/i-was-a-much-better-player-in-europe-than-i-was-in-the-n-b-a-and-lot/) [Mike D'Antoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-d-antoni/) > [Patience can be your biggest enemy in one way, because if you're not that patient, you rush in one way, and then you forget…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jannik-sinner/patience-can-be-your-biggest-enemy-in-one-way-because-if-you-re-not/) [Jannik Sinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jannik-sinner/) > [I'm always excited anytime I get a chance to be a better player and work with different people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martellus-bennett/i-m-always-excited-anytime-i-get-a-chance-to-be-a-better-player-and/) [Martellus Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martellus-bennett/) > [As I get older, I think I'm going to continue to be a better player and a better captain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-thornton/as-i-get-older-i-think-i-m-going-to-continue-to-be-a-better-player/) [Joe Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-thornton/) > [I didn't want to be cut, but it made me a better person and a better player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-spezza/i-didn-t-want-to-be-cut-but-it-made-me-a-better-person-and-a-better/) [Jason Spezza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-spezza/) > [I remember when I left Newcastle to join Tottenham Hotspur, the money was in no way a motivation for me, it was all about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jermaine-jenas/i-remember-when-i-left-newcastle-to-join-tottenham-hotspur-the-money/) [Jermaine Jenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jermaine-jenas/) > [It's really important to have someone in competition for your position. Because that's the way to make each other a better player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hector-bellerin/it-s-really-important-to-have-someone-in-competition-for-your/) [Hector Bellerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hector-bellerin/) > [I've turned down a lot of trades where I might have gotten a better player, but I wasn't totally sure of the chemistry of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-auerbach/i-ve-turned-down-a-lot-of-trades-where-i-might-have-gotten-a-better/) [Red Auerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-auerbach/) > [Going to Stade Francais will not just make me a better player but make me a better player for England.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haskell/going-to-stade-francais-will-not-just-make-me-a-better-player-but/) [James Haskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haskell/) > [It's about being a better player today than you were yesterday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-lowry/it-s-about-being-a-better-player-today-than-you-were-yesterday/) [Kyle Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-lowry/) > [I feel like I am a much better player than just trying to keep my card or whatever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-feel-like-i-am-a-much-better-player-than-just-trying-to-keep-my/) [Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/) ## 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 Average quotes > [I genuinely did not expect more than half our nation to choose to walk away from our long-term allies into the arms of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-reade/i-genuinely-did-not-expect-more-than-half-our-nation-to-choose-to/) [Brian Reade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-reade/) > [There were times last year when people looked at the scoreboard and thought my batting average was the temperature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buck-martinez/there-were-times-last-year-when-people-looked-at-the-scoreboard-and/) [Buck Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buck-martinez/) > [The average condition of the people improving or deteriorating, depends upon whether population is advancing faster than improvement, or improvement than population.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/the-average-condition-of-the-people-improving-or-deteriorating/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [In comparative terms, there's no poverty in America by a long shot. Heritage Foundation political scientist Robert Rector has worked up figures showing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/in-comparative-terms-there-s-no-poverty-in-america-by-a-long-shot/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [The average well-being of our societies is not dependent any longer on national income and economic growth. ... But the differences between us and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-g-wilkinson/the-average-well-being-of-our-societies-is-not-dependent-any-longer/) [Richard G. Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-g-wilkinson/) > [I really focus more to hit for average, just try to put the ball in play as much as I can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-soto/i-really-focus-more-to-hit-for-average-just-try-to-put-the-ball-in/) [Juan Soto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-soto/) > [You give me enough shots, I'll average 20. You give me a particular system where I stick close to the basket, I'll average 10 rebounds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-bosh/you-give-me-enough-shots-i-ll-average-20-you-give-me-a-particular/) [Chris Bosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-bosh/) > [The average ordinary citizen can do a lot of different things when it comes to the climate crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-bender/the-average-ordinary-citizen-can-do-a-lot-of-different-things-when-it/) [Lawrence Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-bender/) > [The average American expends more time becoming informed about choosing a car than choosing a candidate. But, then, the consequences of the former choice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-will/the-average-american-expends-more-time-becoming-informed-about/) [George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-will/) > [My phone rings, they call me up and say, 'Chael, your testosterone level is too high.' I say, 'Well, how high was it?' They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/my-phone-rings-they-call-me-up-and-say-chael-your-testosterone-level/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [In one century, we've added 28 years to our average life span - a change so rapid that our brains couldn't possibly have evolved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-beck/in-one-century-we-ve-added-28-years-to-our-average-life-span-a-change/) [Martha Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-beck/) > [So-called Western Civilization, as practised in half of Europe, some of Asia and a few parts of North America, is better than anything else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/so-called-western-civilization-as-practised-in-half-of-europe-some-of/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [I feel like what motivates me is what would motivate the regular average person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rico-nasty/i-feel-like-what-motivates-me-is-what-would-motivate-the-regular/) [Rico Nasty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rico-nasty/) > [We're trying to do something so that when the average person uses Pinterest, it has to make the service better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-silbermann/we-re-trying-to-do-something-so-that-when-the-average-person-uses/) [Ben Silbermann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-silbermann/) > [The extraordinary woman depends on the ordinary woman. It is only when we know what were the conditions of the average woman's life -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/the-extraordinary-woman-depends-on-the-ordinary-woman-it-is-only-when/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) [Browse all 2,816 Average quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/average/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The important thing is to be around people who will make you a better player. 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