---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I wanted to prove that I could be a…"
description: "\"I wanted to prove that I could be a starter. And then once I realized I was gonna be a sixth man and it wasn't gonna change, I just relished the role. ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9c/lou-williams-6438_change_i-wanted-to-prove-that-i-could-be-a-star_2119811.jpg"
---

#  I wanted to prove that I could be a starter. And then once…

![“I wanted to prove that I could be a starter. And then once I realized I was gonna be a sixth man and it wasn't gonna change, I just relished the role. I just said, 'I'm going to make it really hard on whoever it is that has to guard me these next 10-11 minutes that I'm in here.' And after a while…” quote by Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9c/lou-williams-6438_change_i-wanted-to-prove-that-i-could-be-a-star_2119811.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9c/lou-williams-6438_change_i-wanted-to-prove-that-i-could-be-a-star_2119811.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9c/lou-williams-6438_change_i-wanted-to-prove-that-i-could-be-a-star_2119811.jpg)

> “I wanted to prove that I could be a starter. And then once I realized I was gonna be a sixth man and it wasn't gonna change, I just relished the role. I just said, 'I'm going to make it really hard on whoever it is that has to guard me these next 10-11 minutes that I'm in here.' And after a while you just create an identity.”

[Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Embracing a supporting role can become a personal identity and challenge.

**In simple terms:** Accepting a role can empower you.

Key Takeaway

Own your role.

Themes

sports identity challenge

Mood

determined energetic

Type

motivational reflective

When to use this quote

- Game strategy
- leadership training
- career planning

Key Concepts

Team dynamics Personal branding

Questions to Reflect On

- How can a supporting role foster growth?
- What risks exist in over-identifying with a role?

A Different Perspective

Being a 'sixth man' may limit perceived leadership.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Create](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/create/) [Create Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/create-identity-1198403/) [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Prove Starter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prove-starter-4078312/) [Relished Role](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relished-role-4319332/) [Starter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starter/) [Starter Realized](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starter-realized-4319331/)

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> [I want to create my own identity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harshvardhan-kapoor/i-want-to-create-my-own-identity/)

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> [If you embrace a project that will require time and patience, then you need something to work on. So the first step of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nuno-espirito-santo/if-you-embrace-a-project-that-will-require-time-and-patience-then-you/)

[Nuno Espirito Santo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nuno-espirito-santo/)

> [The way to respect all the people I love is to eat the music, have it in my blood and bones, and try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiromi/the-way-to-respect-all-the-people-i-love-is-to-eat-the-music-have-it/)

[Hiromi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiromi/)

> [We've got social media now where we can even create an identity for ourselves and show the world an inauthentic highlight reel version of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-west/we-ve-got-social-media-now-where-we-can-even-create-an-identity-for/)

[Matthew West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-west/)

> [I never thought of myself as being the singer that wanted to create an identity and then stick to that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/i-never-thought-of-myself-as-being-the-singer-that-wanted-to-create/)

[Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/)

> [I look at myself and the films that I will be doing, and that films will create my identity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harshvardhan-kapoor/i-look-at-myself-and-the-films-that-i-will-be-doing-and-that-films/)

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[Kathy Acker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-acker/)

> [I think that is a great, great thing, to create your own identity and foster a true family spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddy-de-clercq/i-think-that-is-a-great-great-thing-to-create-your-own-identity-and/)

[Eddy de Clercq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddy-de-clercq/)

> [Through technology and social media, we're able to create an identity online that shows people the face that we want them to see and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-foster/through-technology-and-social-media-we-re-able-to-create-an-identity/)

[Mark Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-foster/)

## More by Lou Williams

> [I'm an Atlanta guy. I think Philly knows that. But I've adopted Philly as my second home, and they've embraced me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-m-an-atlanta-guy-i-think-philly-knows-that-but-i-ve-adopted-philly/)

[Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/)

> [I didn't realize I was that short!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-didn-t-realize-i-was-that-short/)

[Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/)

> [I don't make a decision till I see fit. That's why I'm so effective. My mind isn't predetermined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-don-t-make-a-decision-till-i-see-fit-that-s-why-i-m-so-effective-my/)

[Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/)

> [When it comes down to playoff basketball, it's attention to detail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/when-it-comes-down-to-playoff-basketball-it-s-attention-to-detail/)

[Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/)

> [I was raised in the NBA. I've seen some guys stay and I've seen a lot go. I've watched James Harden be a rival…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-was-raised-in-the-nba-i-ve-seen-some-guys-stay-and-i-ve-seen-a-lot/)

[Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/)

> [I like to lead by example. I like to lead by my actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-like-to-lead-by-example-i-like-to-lead-by-my-actions/)

[Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/)

> [It's one of those things I have been able to do - play well with my teammates and getting others involved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/it-s-one-of-those-things-i-have-been-able-to-do-play-well-with-my/)

[Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/)

> [As I get older I'm seeing the game clearer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/as-i-get-older-i-m-seeing-the-game-clearer/)

[Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/)

> [I thought I was pretty average height. And then it just clicked to me - 'Yo, you're undersized.' I guess when I got older…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-thought-i-was-pretty-average-height-and-then-it-just-clicked-to-me/)

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> [I'm conscious of my turnovers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-m-conscious-of-my-turnovers/)

[Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/)

> [I'm kind of arrogant and cocky when I play... It's kind of weird. It's like I have split personalities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-m-kind-of-arrogant-and-cocky-when-i-play-it-s-kind-of-weird-it-s/)

[Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/)

> [I've never been a follower, but I've been an admirer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-ve-never-been-a-follower-but-i-ve-been-an-admirer/)

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[Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/)

[Explore all 99 Lou Williams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/)

## More Change quotes

> [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/)

[Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/)

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[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

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[Phil Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hogan/)

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[William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/)

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[Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/)

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[Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/)

> [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/)

[Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/)

> [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/)

[Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/)

> [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/)

[Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/)

> [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/)

[Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/)

> [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/)

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> [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/)

[Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/)

[Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/)

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