--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I would tell players to relax and never…" description: "\"I would tell players to relax and never think about what's at stake. Just think about the basketball game. If you start to think about who is going to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/michael-jordan-1054_ball-game_i-would-tell-players-to-relax-and-never_3106927.png" --- # I would tell players to relax and never think about what's… ![“I would tell players to relax and never think about what's at stake. Just think about the basketball game. If you start to think about who is going to win the championship, you've lost your focus.” quote by Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/michael-jordan-1054_ball-game_i-would-tell-players-to-relax-and-never_3106927.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/michael-jordan-1054_ball-game_i-would-tell-players-to-relax-and-never_3106927.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/michael-jordan-1054_ball-game_i-would-tell-players-to-relax-and-never_3106927.png) > “I would tell players to relax and never think about what's at stake. Just think about the basketball game. If you start to think about who is going to win the championship, you've lost your focus.” [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Staying present in the game prevents distraction by outcomes; focus on the process, not the result. **In simple terms:** Focus on playing, not winning. Key Takeaway Concentrate on the moment, not the scoreboard. Themes focus performance mindset Mood motivational strategic Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - basketball games - practice sessions - high‑pressure matches - training drills Key Concepts psychology sports presence Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance focus on process with awareness of goals? - What techniques keep you present under pressure? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on process may ignore strategic planning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Basketball game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball-game/) [Championship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/championship/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [NBA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nba/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [Fans never fall asleep at our games, because they're afraid they might get hit by a pass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-raveling/fans-never-fall-asleep-at-our-games-because-they-re-afraid-they-might/) [George Raveling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-raveling/) > [Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/figure-out-how-to-climb-it-go-through-it-or-work-around-it/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. 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We can't guilt ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-burns/kids-are-pretty-resilient-you-don-t-have-to-be-at-every-volleyball/) [Ursula Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-burns/) > [You might be a redneck if... your high school basketball game got rained out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-foxworthy/you-might-be-a-redneck-if-your-high-school-basketball-game-got-rained/) [Jeff Foxworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-foxworthy/) > [My folks, I don't think my mom or my dad ever missed a little league game or a football game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ross/my-folks-i-don-t-think-my-mom-or-my-dad-ever-missed-a-little-league/) [Jim Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ross/) > [“That's all I need," I say. "Well...I need the lamp. And the astray. And the remote control. And the paddleball game. 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