--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Never be ready to play yesterday. Being…" description: "\"Never be ready to play yesterday. Being ready to play today is what's important\" — Pat Riley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6e/pat-riley-8638_basketball_never-be-ready-to-play-yesterday-being-r_471716.jpg" --- # Never be ready to play yesterday. Being ready to play… ![“Never be ready to play yesterday. Being ready to play today is what's important” quote by Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6e/pat-riley-8638_basketball_never-be-ready-to-play-yesterday-being-r_471716.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6e/pat-riley-8638_basketball_never-be-ready-to-play-yesterday-being-r_471716.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6e/pat-riley-8638_basketball_never-be-ready-to-play-yesterday-being-r_471716.jpg) > “Never be ready to play yesterday. Being ready to play today is what's important” [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. Focus on present preparation rather than past performance to achieve success. **In simple terms:** Prepare for today, not yesterday. Key Takeaway Prioritize current readiness. Themes preparation mindset performance sports coaching Mood motivational pragmatic Type coaching inspirational When to use this quote - team practice - personal training - game day planning Key Concepts growth mindset time management focus Questions to Reflect On - What habits keep you present? - How do you learn from yesterday without dwelling? A Different Perspective Neglecting past lessons can repeat mistakes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [NBA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nba/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Yesterday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yesterday/) ## Related quotes > [I go to restaurants and the groups always play "Yesterday." I even signed a guy's violin in Spain after he played us "Yesterday." He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lennon/i-go-to-restaurants-and-the-groups-always-play-yesterday-i-even/) [John Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lennon/) > [The players have to come and play. Today we did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-laimbeer/the-players-have-to-come-and-play-today-we-did/) [Bill Laimbeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-laimbeer/) > [To play today in London, next week in Madrid and the week after that in Warsaw is a bit better than playing Newark and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-granz/to-play-today-in-london-next-week-in-madrid-and-the-week-after-that/) [Norman Granz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-granz/) > [Meaning that if you live in the moment, so to speak, we play today, and tonight we're done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-van-halen/meaning-that-if-you-live-in-the-moment-so-to-speak-we-play-today-and/) [Alex Van Halen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-van-halen/) > [So, you play today! You don't worry about what's gone, 'cause that's already gone and you can't bring what's gone back. It doesn't happen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-o-day/so-you-play-today-you-don-t-worry-about-what-s-gone-cause-that-s/) [Anita O'Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-o-day/) > [“ Today Today is the day that good things come your way, and then bad things to suck all the fun from your play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/today-today-is-the-day-that-good-things-come-your-way-and-then-bad/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [Ain't no time to play today, no rollin' in the hay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-moore/ain-t-no-time-to-play-today-no-rollin-in-the-hay/) [Justin Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-moore/) > [I'm ready to play whenever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-foden/i-m-ready-to-play-whenever/) [Phil Foden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-foden/) > [When the coach wants me, it's important to know I'm ready to play every game, every minute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/when-the-coach-wants-me-it-s-important-to-know-i-m-ready-to-play/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [It's a production business and that's how you're judged. So it's my job to get ready to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/it-s-a-production-business-and-that-s-how-you-re-judged-so-it-s-my/) [Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/) > [If you are ready to play, you have to give everything. No excuses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrice-evra/if-you-are-ready-to-play-you-have-to-give-everything-no-excuses/) [Patrice Evra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrice-evra/) > [As long as everybody's doing what they need to to get ready to play each night, we don't have a problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-yelich/as-long-as-everybody-s-doing-what-they-need-to-to-get-ready-to-play/) [Christian Yelich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-yelich/) > [If I were to be traded, I just have to be ready to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-clarkson/if-i-were-to-be-traded-i-just-have-to-be-ready-to-play/) [Jordan Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-clarkson/) > [If I'm out there on the court, that means I'm ready to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pascal-siakam/if-i-m-out-there-on-the-court-that-means-i-m-ready-to-play/) [Pascal Siakam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pascal-siakam/) > [I'm always ready to play when called upon; that's why I train so hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-pickford/i-m-always-ready-to-play-when-called-upon-that-s-why-i-train-so-hard/) [Jordan Pickford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-pickford/) ## 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/) > [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/) > [A champion needs a motivation above and beyond winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/a-champion-needs-a-motivation-above-and-beyond-winning/) [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": "Never be ready to play yesterday. 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