--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I just wanted to become a better player…" description: "\"I just wanted to become a better player at everything - someone who is a real tough matchup to guard.\" — Kevin Knox" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0d/kevin-knox-6027_better_i-just-wanted-to-become-a-better-player_1545769.jpg" --- # I just wanted to become a better player at everything… ![“I just wanted to become a better player at everything - someone who is a real tough matchup to guard.” quote by Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0d/kevin-knox-6027_better_i-just-wanted-to-become-a-better-player_1545769.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0d/kevin-knox-6027_better_i-just-wanted-to-become-a-better-player_1545769.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0d/kevin-knox-6027_better_i-just-wanted-to-become-a-better-player_1545769.jpg) > “I just wanted to become a better player at everything - someone who is a real tough matchup to guard.” [Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Striving to be universally strong makes you a formidable opponent. **In simple terms:** Being good at everything creates a tough challenge for others. Key Takeaway Develop all-around skills to dominate competition. Themes skill development competition confidence versatility sports performance Mood determined focused Type motivational strategic When to use this quote - basketball - team sports - personal training Key Concepts multidisciplinary training mental toughness strategic play Questions to Reflect On - Which skill will you prioritize next? - How does versatility affect team dynamics? A Different Perspective Specializing may yield higher mastery than being a jack‑of‑all‑trades. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/) [Better player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-player/) [Everything](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everything/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Matchup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matchup-238234/) [Matchup Guard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matchup-guard-5767252/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tough/) [Tough Matchup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tough-matchup-5767253/) [Wanted Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted-better-230908/) [Who](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/who/) ## Related quotes > [Best matchup? You know, I don't really know. It doesn't really matter, and whoever has the belt would be fine for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frankie-edgar/best-matchup-you-know-i-don-t-really-know-it-doesn-t-really-matter/) [Frankie Edgar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frankie-edgar/) > [With Siver being an exciting fighter and doing pretty well, I think we'd put on a good one. I think he's perfect guy for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/with-siver-being-an-exciting-fighter-and-doing-pretty-well-i-think-we/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) > [It doesn't matter if it's Spencer Dinwiddie, Taurean Prince, DeAndre Jordan, I'm trying to win that matchup every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bam-adebayo/it-doesn-t-matter-if-it-s-spencer-dinwiddie-taurean-prince-deandre/) [Bam Adebayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bam-adebayo/) > [I feel like I'm a matchup problem, but that's of course because of my height and the height difference at my position sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-ingram/i-feel-like-i-m-a-matchup-problem-but-that-s-of-course-because-of-my/) [Brandon Ingram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-ingram/) > [My favorite part is that 1-on-1 matchup... Block out everything else and stare into that guys eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-freeney/my-favorite-part-is-that-1-on-1-matchup-block-out-everything-else-and/) [Dwight Freeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-freeney/) > [I'm never going to back down from the big matchup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/i-m-never-going-to-back-down-from-the-big-matchup/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [You ask me, I feel like I've got a matchup against anybody. It doesn't matter who it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-millsap/you-ask-me-i-feel-like-i-ve-got-a-matchup-against-anybody-it-doesn-t/) [Paul Millsap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-millsap/) > [No matter what the matchup is, you have to make it a good matchup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-budenholzer/no-matter-what-the-matchup-is-you-have-to-make-it-a-good-matchup/) [Mike Budenholzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-budenholzer/) > [I think me and Werdum got some old beef from Strikeforce. He's a guy I've always wanted to fight. I've thought it through, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-rockhold/i-think-me-and-werdum-got-some-old-beef-from-strikeforce-he-s-a-guy-i/) [Luke Rockhold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-rockhold/) > [I believe I'm a bad matchup for Tyron Woodley.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/i-believe-i-m-a-bad-matchup-for-tyron-woodley/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [That is one of my greatest strengths. I am not afraid to face challenges or any matchup in the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/that-is-one-of-my-greatest-strengths-i-am-not-afraid-to-face/) [Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/) > [I do think I'm the hardest matchup in the division for anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/belal-muhammad/i-do-think-i-m-the-hardest-matchup-in-the-division-for-anybody/) [Belal Muhammad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/belal-muhammad/) > [I think T. J. Dillashaw and Demetrious Johnson - I'm a bad matchup for both of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cejudo/i-think-t-j-dillashaw-and-demetrious-johnson-i-m-a-bad-matchup-for/) [Henry Cejudo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cejudo/) > [With my size and receiving skills, I would hope I could cause some matchup problems for defenses, and that some team sees that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-olsen/with-my-size-and-receiving-skills-i-would-hope-i-could-cause-some/) [Greg Olsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-olsen/) > [Controlling that center-nose guard matchup is paramount against a 3-4 defense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-bettis/controlling-that-center-nose-guard-matchup-is-paramount-against-a-3-4/) [Jerome Bettis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-bettis/) ## More by Kevin Knox > [When I was in high school watching college games, I was like 'I can't wait to get to March Madness.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/when-i-was-in-high-school-watching-college-games-i-was-like-i-can-t/) [Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) > [Kevin Durant's kind of been my favorite player my whole life, so it's going to be fun going against him in the Garden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/kevin-durant-s-kind-of-been-my-favorite-player-my-whole-life-so-it-s/) [Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) > [I'm going to have to work it, compete for that starting spot, compete for that job. I'm willing to come in and work, willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/i-m-going-to-have-to-work-it-compete-for-that-starting-spot-compete/) [Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) > [Defensively, I think I'm very versatile, I can guard different positions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/defensively-i-think-i-m-very-versatile-i-can-guard-different-positions/) [Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) > [People have different mentalities, different loves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/people-have-different-mentalities-different-loves/) [Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) > [How to you use your lower body is a big thing you got to be able to use in the NBA.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/how-to-you-use-your-lower-body-is-a-big-thing-you-got-to-be-able-to/) [Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) > [Duke and UNC are great schools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/duke-and-unc-are-great-schools/) [Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) > [You come into the NBA, dudes are trying to come after you. You're a rookie. They look at you as fresh meat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/you-come-into-the-nba-dudes-are-trying-to-come-after-you-you-re-a/) [Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) > [Just to see kids who are inspired by you is an amazing feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/just-to-see-kids-who-are-inspired-by-you-is-an-amazing-feeling/) [Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) > [When I used to get the ball on the wing, I'd go fast and I'd go right. Veterans in this league, they watch film.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/when-i-used-to-get-the-ball-on-the-wing-i-d-go-fast-and-i-d-go-right/) [Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) > [I would love to join Big Blue Nation and play for Coach Calipari at Kentucky, and I would love to join my close friend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/i-would-love-to-join-big-blue-nation-and-play-for-coach-calipari-at/) [Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) > [That's kind of what I got in the NBA for. I want to go against superstars that would be a good challenge for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/that-s-kind-of-what-i-got-in-the-nba-for-i-want-to-go-against/) [Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) > [At Kentucky, the environment and the coaching staff is going to prepare you for the next level, but the way we played in college...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/at-kentucky-the-environment-and-the-coaching-staff-is-going-to/) [Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) > [I can play pretty much 1-5.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/i-can-play-pretty-much-1-5/) [Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) > [I have the tools and the size to be a good defender. I've just got to be able to put it all together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/i-have-the-tools-and-the-size-to-be-a-good-defender-i-ve-just-got-to/) [Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) [Explore all 100 Kevin Knox quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) ## More Better quotes > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [Everybody has their cliques, and I was very shy. I'm still very shy. Music opened up doors. I would get to my choir class,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-fonsi/everybody-has-their-cliques-and-i-was-very-shy-i-m-still-very-shy/) [Luis Fonsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-fonsi/) > [You can't force people to feel in a certain way, and the sooner you understand that,the better. I feel everything has its way of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidharth-malhotra/you-can-t-force-people-to-feel-in-a-certain-way-and-the-sooner-you/) [Sidharth Malhotra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidharth-malhotra/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [The bigger the canvas, the better I do. I'm not so good at understated, kitchen-sink kinds of parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/the-bigger-the-canvas-the-better-i-do-i-m-not-so-good-at-understated/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [The Little you Give !! The Better it Gets !!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-stanyer/the-little-you-give-the-better-it-gets/) [Mario Stanyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-stanyer/) > [A strong, durable Puerto Rican economy will leave the island better prepared to handle future natural disasters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/a-strong-durable-puerto-rican-economy-will-leave-the-island-better/) [Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/) > [In my first 100 days as Ontario's Minister of Transportation, I found a willing municipal partner in the City of Toronto that shares our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-mulroney/in-my-first-100-days-as-ontario-s-minister-of-transportation-i-found/) [Caroline Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-mulroney/) > [It hasn't been a conscious thing, like, 'I don't want to listen to a bunch of dudes,' but I genuinely like music by women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soccer-mommy/it-hasn-t-been-a-conscious-thing-like-i-don-t-want-to-listen-to-a/) [Soccer Mommy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soccer-mommy/) > [Life is going to hit you some line drives, and sometimes you'll have to think fast. However, it's better to think first than to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bytheway/life-is-going-to-hit-you-some-line-drives-and-sometimes-you-ll-have/) [John Bytheway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bytheway/) > [I like to collaborate with other people for studio recordings because I believe collaboration, in any form, makes music better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/i-like-to-collaborate-with-other-people-for-studio-recordings-because/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [Absolutely, you can improve and become better at toughness. It's a talent, but it can be acquired, too. I think of it like building…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-harbaugh/absolutely-you-can-improve-and-become-better-at-toughness-it-s-a/) [Jim Harbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-harbaugh/) > [Not having drops and not taking plays off, if I do that it will make everyone around me better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demaryius-thomas/not-having-drops-and-not-taking-plays-off-if-i-do-that-it-will-make/) [Demaryius Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demaryius-thomas/) > [Cara Delevingne and I took an eyebrow selfie. We both have prominent eyebrows, but hers are much better than mine. Maybe we should do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-poulter/cara-delevingne-and-i-took-an-eyebrow-selfie-we-both-have-prominent/) [Will Poulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-poulter/) > [I never really look at it past one year. I look at last year and my whole goal is to be a better player…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-williams/i-never-really-look-at-it-past-one-year-i-look-at-last-year-and-my/) [Trent Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-williams/) [Browse all 17,085 Better quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I just wanted to become a better player at everything - someone who is a real tough matchup to guard.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kevin Knox" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/i-just-wanted-to-become-a-better-player-at-everything-someone-who-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Better" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/i-just-wanted-to-become-a-better-player-at-everything-someone-who-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0d/kevin-knox-6027_better_i-just-wanted-to-become-a-better-player_1545769.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0d/kevin-knox-6027_better_i-just-wanted-to-become-a-better-player_1545769.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0d/kevin-knox-6027_better_i-just-wanted-to-become-a-better-player_1545769.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I just wanted to become a better player at everything - someone who is a real tough matchup to guard.” — Kevin Knox", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Kevin Knox", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I just wanted to become a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/i-just-wanted-to-become-a-better-player-at-everything-someone-who-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/i-just-wanted-to-become-a-better-player-at-everything-someone-who-is/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```