--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm just playing basketball, the same way…" description: "\"I'm just playing basketball, the same way I have always played, from juniors and even back to middle school, I'm just doing it the same way. Nothing di..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbd/nikola-jokic-8122_basketball_i-m-just-playing-basketball-the-same-way_849112.jpg" --- # I'm just playing basketball, the same way I have always… ![“I'm just playing basketball, the same way I have always played, from juniors and even back to middle school, I'm just doing it the same way. Nothing different. Just a team game, playing and having fun and trying to play the right way.” quote by Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbd/nikola-jokic-8122_basketball_i-m-just-playing-basketball-the-same-way_849112.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbd/nikola-jokic-8122_basketball_i-m-just-playing-basketball-the-same-way_849112.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbd/nikola-jokic-8122_basketball_i-m-just-playing-basketball-the-same-way_849112.jpg) > “I'm just playing basketball, the same way I have always played, from juniors and even back to middle school, I'm just doing it the same way. Nothing different. Just a team game, playing and having fun and trying to play the right way.” [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He emphasizes consistency and enjoyment over innovation, valuing teamwork and proper technique. **In simple terms:** Play the same way, enjoy the game. Key Takeaway Focus on fundamentals and fun. Themes teamwork consistency joy Mood content focused Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - school basketball - recreational leagues - team practice - coaching sessions Key Concepts sportsmanship habit formation Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance tradition with improvement? - What new skill could enhance your play? A Different Perspective May limit growth if new strategies are ignored. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Game Playing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game-playing/) [Having fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/having-fun/) [Middle school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-school/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Playing basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-basketball/) [Right way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-way/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Team game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team-game/) ## Related quotes > [This is not the job. We are just playing the game here. I am enjoying the game. I am playing every game as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/this-is-not-the-job-we-are-just-playing-the-game-here-i-am-enjoying/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [“If love was a game, a lot of people would cheat to win, but little would play it the right way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-gabryelle-dos-santos/if-love-was-a-game-a-lot-of-people-would-cheat-to-win-but-little/) Amanda gabryelle dos santos > [I don't just get bogged down in, 'I want to win.' There's something even greater than that. And that's the way that you play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-rhule/i-don-t-just-get-bogged-down-in-i-want-to-win-there-s-something-even/) [Matt Rhule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-rhule/) > [It's important to play the right way. If you play the right way, it's so much fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zaza-pachulia/it-s-important-to-play-the-right-way-if-you-play-the-right-way-it-s/) [Zaza Pachulia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zaza-pachulia/) > [I have always tried to play the right way, and I honestly believe for the most part the etiquette in snooker is very good.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-robertson/i-have-always-tried-to-play-the-right-way-and-i-honestly-believe-for/) [Neil Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-robertson/) > [I just go out there to show them I'm going to play the right way regardless of what position or what situation I'm in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-brogdon/i-just-go-out-there-to-show-them-i-m-going-to-play-the-right-way/) [Malcolm Brogdon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-brogdon/) > [If we play in the right way and do what the manager asks us then we will win games,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-gerrard/if-we-play-in-the-right-way-and-do-what-the-manager-asks-us-then-we/) [Steven Gerrard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-gerrard/) > [I've never been a guy that's been salty about the shots I'm getting. I just try to play the right way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-george/i-ve-never-been-a-guy-that-s-been-salty-about-the-shots-i-m-getting-i/) [Paul George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-george/) > [Play for one another, and play the right way. The right way is believing in what's on your chest and not what's on your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ollie/play-for-one-another-and-play-the-right-way-the-right-way-is/) [Kevin Ollie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ollie/) > [I would like to think that during my time at Stoke - and other clubs I was at - I was always a manager…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-hughes/i-would-like-to-think-that-during-my-time-at-stoke-and-other-clubs-i/) [Mark Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-hughes/) > [I just know I can't force things. I've just got to play the right way, make sure I'm making the right play at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jalen-brunson/i-just-know-i-can-t-force-things-i-ve-just-got-to-play-the-right-way/) [Jalen Brunson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jalen-brunson/) > [I think when you play the right way, you get rewarded and throughout my career it's been that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-dudley/i-think-when-you-play-the-right-way-you-get-rewarded-and-throughout/) [Jared Dudley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-dudley/) > [You've got organizations out there that are consistently at a high level. They're known to play the right way at the right time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/you-ve-got-organizations-out-there-that-are-consistently-at-a-high/) [Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/) > [You have to play together and play the right way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stevens/you-have-to-play-together-and-play-the-right-way/) [Brad Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stevens/) > [Cricket is the only game where you are playing against eleven of the other side and ten of your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-h-hardy/cricket-is-the-only-game-where-you-are-playing-against-eleven-of-the/) [G. H. Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-h-hardy/) ## More by Nikola Jokic > [I cannot change myself. That's how I think. That's how I like basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/i-cannot-change-myself-that-s-how-i-think-that-s-how-i-like-basketball/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [We don't think about what anybody else with the media or other teams think about us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/we-don-t-think-about-what-anybody-else-with-the-media-or-other-teams/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [Maybe in the huddles I say something more. But I say it... not to become a leader, it's just to help my team out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/maybe-in-the-huddles-i-say-something-more-but-i-say-it-not-to-become/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [I think I brought something different to the NBA. I brought that I can do pretty much everything on the floor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/i-think-i-brought-something-different-to-the-nba-i-brought-that-i-can/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [The team is always bigger than an individual or whatever, and a really good team can win a championship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/the-team-is-always-bigger-than-an-individual-or-whatever-and-a-really/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [I lead the league in scratches. I'm always bleeding - I'm used to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/i-lead-the-league-in-scratches-i-m-always-bleeding-i-m-used-to-it/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [I just play the game. If that means I need to joke around, or whatever I need to do, that's what I'll do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/i-just-play-the-game-if-that-means-i-need-to-joke-around-or-whatever/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [I don't want to say something just to be a leader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/i-don-t-want-to-say-something-just-to-be-a-leader/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [I don't like to watch the future too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/i-don-t-like-to-watch-the-future-too-much/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [I enjoy animals. Their nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/i-enjoy-animals-their-nature/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [I'm kind of normal guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/i-m-kind-of-normal-guy/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [This is not the job. We are just playing the game here. I am enjoying the game. I am playing every game as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/this-is-not-the-job-we-are-just-playing-the-game-here-i-am-enjoying/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [I just want to improve myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/i-just-want-to-improve-myself/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [I don't think I'm that funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/i-don-t-think-i-m-that-funny/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [Someone said, 'He's not even in shape.' I am playing in 80 games and he said that I'm not even in shape.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/someone-said-he-s-not-even-in-shape-i-am-playing-in-80-games-and-he/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) [Explore all 84 Nikola Jokic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) ## 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'm just playing basketball, the same way I have always played, from juniors and even back to middle school, I'm just doing it the same way. 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