--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: From nobody to upstart. From upstart to…" description: "\"From nobody to upstart. From upstart to contender. From contender to winner. From winner to champion. From champion to Dynasty.\" — Pat Riley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/951/pat-riley-8638_basketball_from-nobody-to-upstart-from-upstart-to-c_796198.jpg" --- # From nobody to upstart. From upstart to contender. From… ![“From nobody to upstart. From upstart to contender. From contender to winner. From winner to champion. From champion to Dynasty.” quote by Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/951/pat-riley-8638_basketball_from-nobody-to-upstart-from-upstart-to-c_796198.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/951/pat-riley-8638_basketball_from-nobody-to-upstart-from-upstart-to-c_796198.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/951/pat-riley-8638_basketball_from-nobody-to-upstart-from-upstart-to-c_796198.jpg) > “From nobody to upstart. From upstart to contender. From contender to winner. From winner to champion. From champion to Dynasty.” [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Progress follows a ladder of stages from humble beginnings to greatness. **In simple terms:** From none to champion through steps. Key Takeaway Aim for continuous growth and higher goals. Themes ambition growth achievement Mood motivational determined Type strategic inspirational When to use this quote - sports - business - personal development - goal setting Key Concepts career ladder skill development Questions to Reflect On - What stage are you currently in? - How will you overcome the next hurdle? A Different Perspective Each stage presents new challenges and setbacks. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Champion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/champion/) [Champion Dynasty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/champion-dynasty-6105349/) [Contender Winner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contender-winner-3198287/) [Dynasty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dynasty/) [Upstart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upstart/) [Upstart Contender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upstart-contender-6105348/) [Winner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winner/) [Winners and winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winners-and-winning/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [I'd be a fool to surrender, when I know I can be a contender. And if everyone's a contender, then everyone could be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coolio/i-d-be-a-fool-to-surrender-when-i-know-i-can-be-a-contender-and-if/) [Coolio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coolio/) > [Coaches who let a championship team back off from becoming a dynasty are cowards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/coaches-who-let-a-championship-team-back-off-from-becoming-a-dynasty/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [There are certain aspects, and there are - there are 15 attributes of winners and winning slogans. "Which side are you on" sounds divisive,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-luntz/there-are-certain-aspects-and-there-are-there-are-15-attributes-of/) [Frank Luntz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-luntz/) > [Whoever wishes to win in this game must have patience and money, since the values are so little constant and the rumours so little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-de-la-vega/whoever-wishes-to-win-in-this-game-must-have-patience-and-money-since/) [James de la Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-de-la-vega/) > [Although I wanted my players to work to win, I tried to convince them they had always won when they had done their best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/although-i-wanted-my-players-to-work-to-win-i-tried-to-convince-them/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-ashe/regardless-of-how-you-feel-inside-always-try-to-look-like-a-winner/) [Arthur Ashe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-ashe/) > [hoever wishes to win in this game must have patience and money, since the values are so little constant and the rumors so little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/hoever-wishes-to-win-in-this-game-must-have-patience-and-money-since/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [Nothing can seem foul to those who win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/nothing-can-seem-foul-to-those-who-win/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Part of being a winner is knowing when enough is enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/part-of-being-a-winner-is-knowing-when-enough-is-enough/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all the time thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/winning-is-not-a-sometime-thing-it-s-an-all-the-time-thing/) [Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/) > [When you're a winner you're always happy, but if you're happy as a loser you'll always be a loser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-fidrych/when-you-re-a-winner-you-re-always-happy-but-if-you-re-happy-as-a/) [Mark Fidrych](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-fidrych/) > [The skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-skillful-leader-subdues-the-enemy-s-troops-without-any-fighting/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serena-williams/you-have-to-believe-in-yourself-when-no-one-else-does/) [Serena Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serena-williams/) > [If you can walk, you can run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/if-you-can-walk-you-can-run/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [I can tell you one thing. I've done this my way. I don't have anybody to blame for this win but me, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-daly/i-can-tell-you-one-thing-i-ve-done-this-my-way-i-don-t-have-anybody/) [John Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-daly/) ## More by Pat Riley > [There are only two options regarding commitment; you’re either in or you’re out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/there-are-only-two-options-regarding-commitment-you-re-either-in-or/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [He's the greatest clutch player I've ever seen. The hell with Jerry West!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/he-s-the-greatest-clutch-player-i-ve-ever-seen-the-hell-with-jerry/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [Shoulda, coulda, and woulda won't get it done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/shoulda-coulda-and-woulda-won-t-get-it-done/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [You have to defeat a great players aura more than his game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/you-have-to-defeat-a-great-players-aura-more-than-his-game/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [You can only receive what you're willing to give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/you-can-only-receive-what-you-re-willing-to-give/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [The changes in your life aren't always what you hoped for. But they usually help you grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/the-changes-in-your-life-aren-t-always-what-you-hoped-for-but-they/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [Public life is regarded as the crown of a career, and to young men it is the worthiest ambition. Politics is still the greatest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/public-life-is-regarded-as-the-crown-of-a-career-and-to-young-men-it/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [Anytime you stop striving to get better, you're bound to get worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/anytime-you-stop-striving-to-get-better-you-re-bound-to-get-worse/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [We measure areas of performance that are often ignored: jumping in pursuit of every rebound even if you don't get it, swatting at every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/we-measure-areas-of-performance-that-are-often-ignored-jumping-in/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [To have long term success as a coach or in any position of leadership, you have to be obsessed in some way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/to-have-long-term-success-as-a-coach-or-in-any-position-of-leadership/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [A particular shot or way of moving the ball can be a player's personal signature, but efficiency of performance is what wins the game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/a-particular-shot-or-way-of-moving-the-ball-can-be-a-player-s/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [Never be ready to play yesterday. Being ready to play today is what's important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/never-be-ready-to-play-yesterday-being-ready-to-play-today-is-what-s/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [Being ready isn't enough; you have to be prepared for a promotion or any other significant change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/being-ready-isn-t-enough-you-have-to-be-prepared-for-a-promotion-or/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [There's no such thing as coulda, shoulda, or woulda. If you shoulda and coulda, you woulda done it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/there-s-no-such-thing-as-coulda-shoulda-or-woulda-if-you-shoulda-and/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [Am I a control freak? No. Do I believe in organization? You bet. In discipline? In being on time and making sure everything at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/am-i-a-control-freak-no-do-i-believe-in-organization-you-bet-in/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) [Explore all 79 Pat Riley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) ## 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": "From nobody to upstart. 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