--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I always won in my imagination. I always…" description: "\"I always won in my imagination. I always hit the game-winning shot, or I hit the free throw. Or if I missed, there was a lane violation, and I was give..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/mike-krzyzewski-2324_basketball_i-always-won-in-my-imagination-i-always_628113.png" --- # I always won in my imagination. I always hit the… ![“I always won in my imagination. I always hit the game-winning shot, or I hit the free throw. Or if I missed, there was a lane violation, and I was given another one.” quote by Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/mike-krzyzewski-2324_basketball_i-always-won-in-my-imagination-i-always_628113.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/mike-krzyzewski-2324_basketball_i-always-won-in-my-imagination-i-always_628113.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/mike-krzyzewski-2324_basketball_i-always-won-in-my-imagination-i-always_628113.png) > “I always won in my imagination. I always hit the game-winning shot, or I hit the free throw. Or if I missed, there was a lane violation, and I was given another one.” [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He describes winning in his mind, creating a mental rehearsal that ensures success or a second chance. **In simple terms:** Imagining victory guarantees performance. Key Takeaway Use mental rehearsal to improve outcomes. Themes confidence visualization performance Mood motivational strategic Type advice psychological When to use this quote - practice - competition - training - confidence building Key Concepts mental imagery sports psychology Questions to Reflect On - How often do you visualize success? - What steps follow your mental rehearsals? A Different Perspective May not translate to real results. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Free throw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-throw/) [Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [My imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-imagination/) [Violation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violation/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [What goes through my head when I'm going to take a game-winning shot is ... I better make it. Don't be afraid of the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-curry/what-goes-through-my-head-when-i-m-going-to-take-a-game-winning-shot/) [Stephen Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-curry/) > [I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kobe-bryant/i-ll-do-whatever-it-takes-to-win-games-whether-it-s-sitting-on-a/) [Kobe Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kobe-bryant/) > [The biggest thing is you cannot be afraid to miss the game-winning shot. It's not that you want to make it; it's that you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calipari/the-biggest-thing-is-you-cannot-be-afraid-to-miss-the-game-winning/) [John Calipari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calipari/) > [“People won't see Imagination in something that doesn't relate to their experience because of their own mental limitations. I want people to escape the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-suggs/people-won-t-see-imagination-in-something-that-doesn-t-relate-to/) [Lionel Suggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-suggs/) > [“I have missed more than nine thousand shots in my career. I have lost almost three hundred games. On twenty-six occasions, I have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-i-luntz/i-have-missed-more-than-nine-thousand-shots-in-my-career-i-have-lost/) [Frank I. Luntz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-i-luntz/) > [“I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot... and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/i-ve-missed-over-9-000-shots-in-my-career-i-ve-lost-almost-300-games/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [“If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-re-trying-to-achieve-there-will-be-roadblocks-i-ve-had-them-3/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'll dive on loose balls. I'll get the winning rebound, hit the winning shot. I'll do whatever it takes to win a game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jae-crowder/i-ll-dive-on-loose-balls-i-ll-get-the-winning-rebound-hit-the-winning/) [Jae Crowder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jae-crowder/) > [I always dream about that type of moment. In my head, I always kind of create that scenario, just about, like, some type of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-embiid/i-always-dream-about-that-type-of-moment-in-my-head-i-always-kind-of/) [Joel Embiid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-embiid/) > [“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-b-burger/i-ve-missed-more-than-9-000-shots-in-my-career-i-ve-lost-almost-300/) [Edward B. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-b-burger/) > [7.Ive missed more than 9000 shots in my career. Ive lost almost 300 games. 26 times Ive been trusted to take the game winning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/7-ive-missed-more-than-9000-shots-in-my-career-ive-lost-almost-300/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [Ive missed more than 9000 shots in my career. Ive lost almost 300 games. 26 times Ive been trusted to take the game winning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ive-missed-more-than-9000-shots-in-my-career-ive-lost-almost-300/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You win physically, you get momentum, and you get a foot in the game by winning your tackles and being dominant in that area.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millie-bright/you-win-physically-you-get-momentum-and-you-get-a-foot-in-the-game-by/) [Millie Bright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millie-bright/) > [You win the Super Bowl and have the game-winning touchdown, you're going to be pretty loved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-kelce/you-win-the-super-bowl-and-have-the-game-winning-touchdown-you-re/) [Jason Kelce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-kelce/) > [Things happen in baseball, even if, in theory, it's something you don't do. Stats are a tool, but it doesn't mean that's how a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-miller/things-happen-in-baseball-even-if-in-theory-it-s-something-you-don-t/) [Jon Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-miller/) ## More by Mike Krzyzewski > [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [Good sound habits are more important than rules - use concepts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/good-sound-habits-are-more-important-than-rules-use-concepts/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [Always get back to your core principles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/always-get-back-to-your-core-principles/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [Parents can really help, but they can also really hinder the development of their youngsters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/parents-can-really-help-but-they-can-also-really-hinder-the/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [That's what I do now: I lead and I teach. If we win basketball games from doing that, then that's great, but I lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/that-s-what-i-do-now-i-lead-and-i-teach-if-we-win-basketball-games/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [I hated to lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-hated-to-lose/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [We lost, and that's the main thing that went wrong,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/we-lost-and-that-s-the-main-thing-that-went-wrong/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [Leadership is simple: Add value to people everyday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/leadership-is-simple-add-value-to-people-everyday/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [As teachers and coaches, we must remember that when mere winning is our only goal, we are doomed to disappointment and failure. But when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/as-teachers-and-coaches-we-must-remember-that-when-mere-winning-is/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [I don't think we surprise people. We try to out-execute them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-think-we-surprise-people-we-try-to-out-execute-them/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [A common mistake among those who work in sport is spending a disproportional amount of time on "x's and o's" as compared to time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/a-common-mistake-among-those-who-work-in-sport-is-spending-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [If you set up an atmosphere of community and trust, it becomes a tradition. Older team members will establish your credibility with newer ones.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/if-you-set-up-an-atmosphere-of-community-and-trust-it-becomes-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [Confidence shared is better than confidence only in yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/confidence-shared-is-better-than-confidence-only-in-yourself/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [A leader's responsibility to his team is paramount. It overshadows even his own personal feelings at any given time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/a-leader-s-responsibility-to-his-team-is-paramount-it-overshadows/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [The only way you're going to grow is to be in difficult situations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/the-only-way-you-re-going-to-grow-is-to-be-in-difficult-situations/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) [Explore all 171 Mike Krzyzewski quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) ## More Basketball quotes > [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/) [Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/) > [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/) [Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/) > [I learned so much from Sue about the Xs and Os of the game of basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/i-learned-so-much-from-sue-about-the-xs-and-os-of-the-game-of/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [It's not how big you are, it's how big you play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-how-big-you-are-it-s-how-big-you-play/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Basketball isn't just a sport to me ; it's my ecstasy !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamira-robinson/basketball-isn-t-just-a-sport-to-me-it-s-my-ecstasy/) [Jamira Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamira-robinson/) > [It's similar to basketball: when you go to different gyms and win or lose, you learn something new. So when kids get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/it-s-similar-to-basketball-when-you-go-to-different-gyms-and-win-or/) [Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) > [And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-i-want-to-do-it-the-right-way-like-everybody-else-not-just-a/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Well, you can certainly teach free-throwing. And you can teach the boys to pass at angles and run in curves. - University of Kansas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-dawkins/well-you-can-certainly-teach-free-throwing-and-you-can-teach-the-boys/) [Darryl Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-dawkins/) > [Practice to beat the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-bennett/practice-to-beat-the-best/) [Dick Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-bennett/) > [I'm a competitive person. I love the game of basketball. I'm a gym rat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-m-a-competitive-person-i-love-the-game-of-basketball-i-m-a-gym-rat/) [Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/) > [I am both humbled and honored to receive the Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-both-humbled-and-honored-to-receive-the-honda-sports-award-for/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [What I've talked about the entire series and throughout this playoffs is about intensity and effort, desire and will of our players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-laimbeer/what-i-ve-talked-about-the-entire-series-and-throughout-this-playoffs/) [Bill Laimbeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-laimbeer/) [Browse all 5,387 Basketball quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I always won in my imagination. I always hit the game-winning shot, or I hit the free throw. Or if I missed, there was a lane violation, and I was given another one.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mike Krzyzewski" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-always-won-in-my-imagination-i-always-hit-the-game-winning-shot-or/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Basketball" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-always-won-in-my-imagination-i-always-hit-the-game-winning-shot-or/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/mike-krzyzewski-2324_basketball_i-always-won-in-my-imagination-i-always_628113.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/mike-krzyzewski-2324_basketball_i-always-won-in-my-imagination-i-always_628113.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/mike-krzyzewski-2324_basketball_i-always-won-in-my-imagination-i-always_628113.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I always won in my imagination. I always hit the game-winning shot, or I hit the free throw. Or if I missed…” — Mike Krzyzewski", "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": "Mike Krzyzewski", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I always won in my imagination....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-always-won-in-my-imagination-i-always-hit-the-game-winning-shot-or/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-always-won-in-my-imagination-i-always-hit-the-game-winning-shot-or/#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 } } ] } ```