--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whether it's the playoffs, whether it's…" description: "\"Whether it's the playoffs, whether it's not the playoffs, it doesn't matter as long as we're getting better.\" — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/shai-gilgeous-alexander-5690_better_whether-it-s-the-playoffs-whether-it-s-n_1571052.jpg" --- # Whether it's the playoffs, whether it's not the playoffs… ![“Whether it's the playoffs, whether it's not the playoffs, it doesn't matter as long as we're getting better.” quote by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/shai-gilgeous-alexander-5690_better_whether-it-s-the-playoffs-whether-it-s-n_1571052.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/shai-gilgeous-alexander-5690_better_whether-it-s-the-playoffs-whether-it-s-n_1571052.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/shai-gilgeous-alexander-5690_better_whether-it-s-the-playoffs-whether-it-s-n_1571052.jpg) > “Whether it's the playoffs, whether it's not the playoffs, it doesn't matter as long as we're getting better.” [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Improvement matters more than outcomes; focusing on progress ensures long‑term success regardless of immediate results. **In simple terms:** Improvement matters more than outcomes. Key Takeaway Prioritize growth over short‑term wins. Themes sports self‑improvement resilience mindset Mood determined optimistic Type motivational sports When to use this quote - training sessions - team meetings - personal development plans Key Concepts growth mindset continuous improvement Questions to Reflect On - What metrics best track genuine progress? - How can teams stay motivated without clear wins? A Different Perspective May ignore the value of winning when always focusing on improvement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Getting better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-better/) [Playoffs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playoffs/) ## Related quotes > [You make mental notes. You're a coach, so you make mental notes from matchups, to who steps up in the playoffs to who doesn't,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-trotz/you-make-mental-notes-you-re-a-coach-so-you-make-mental-notes-from/) [Barry Trotz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-trotz/) > [The fact that we're in the playoffs doesn't mean anything to us, to be honest with you. Hopefully, we can accomplish our goal of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-strahan/the-fact-that-we-re-in-the-playoffs-doesn-t-mean-anything-to-us-to-be/) [Michael Strahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-strahan/) > [The playoffs are the playoffs. You just play who is put in front of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/the-playoffs-are-the-playoffs-you-just-play-who-is-put-in-front-of-you/) [Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/) > [I think you should have a mindset of getting to the playoffs, because once you get in the playoffs, it is kind of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orel-hershiser/i-think-you-should-have-a-mindset-of-getting-to-the-playoffs-because/) [Orel Hershiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orel-hershiser/) > [The most important thing is win enough games to get into the playoffs. Then, once you get into the playoffs, win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-flacco/the-most-important-thing-is-win-enough-games-to-get-into-the-playoffs/) [Joe Flacco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-flacco/) > [I'm tired of thinking about playoffs, playoffs, six, seven, eighth spot. I want to think about championship. That's something that we always thought when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danilo-gallinari/i-m-tired-of-thinking-about-playoffs-playoffs-six-seven-eighth-spot-i/) [Danilo Gallinari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danilo-gallinari/) > [MMA is not one of those up and down basketball seasons where you have a ton of games and you can still make the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aljamain-sterling/mma-is-not-one-of-those-up-and-down-basketball-seasons-where-you-have/) [Aljamain Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aljamain-sterling/) > [Everyone starts the playoffs with the same record. It doesn't matter who won 70 games or whatever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephon-marbury/everyone-starts-the-playoffs-with-the-same-record-it-doesn-t-matter/) [Stephon Marbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephon-marbury/) > [Getting better is the end goal. It doesn't matter how.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/o-g-anunoby/getting-better-is-the-end-goal-it-doesn-t-matter-how/) [O. G. Anunoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/o-g-anunoby/) > [The upward climb I'm on, obviously I'm getting better. And if that continues to happen I should end up in a good place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/the-upward-climb-i-m-on-obviously-i-m-getting-better-and-if-that/) [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) > [I've always said the same thing - I'm learning, I'm getting better and I'm loving playing in front of sell-out crowds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcginn/i-ve-always-said-the-same-thing-i-m-learning-i-m-getting-better-and-i/) [John McGinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcginn/) > [I'd had episodes before, but I swept them under the carpet. This time, I couldn't do that because everyone knew. I got on with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-kidder/i-d-had-episodes-before-but-i-swept-them-under-the-carpet-this-time-i/) [Margot Kidder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-kidder/) > [For me, I'm just trying to keep getting better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-thielen/for-me-i-m-just-trying-to-keep-getting-better/) [Adam Thielen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-thielen/) > [I don't know how you do what you do. I'm so inlove with you it just keeps getting better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-know-how-you-do-what-you-do-i-m-so-inlove-with-you-it-just/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've never held out. I'm a first-class guy in any relationship. The first way of getting better is showing up, so I'm always going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-brown/i-ve-never-held-out-i-m-a-first-class-guy-in-any-relationship-the/) [Antonio Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-brown/) ## More by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander > [I'm just trusting my work. Putting it in everyday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/i-m-just-trusting-my-work-putting-it-in-everyday/) [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) > [I've noticed that throughout my experience, when you keep positive energy, positive things happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/i-ve-noticed-that-throughout-my-experience-when-you-keep-positive/) [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) > [I don't worry about starting. I'm not worried about accolades or things like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/i-don-t-worry-about-starting-i-m-not-worried-about-accolades-or/) [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) > [I'm just confident in my abilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/i-m-just-confident-in-my-abilities/) [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) > [Life's about ups and downs, season's about ups and downs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/life-s-about-ups-and-downs-season-s-about-ups-and-downs/) [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) > [I just think we're all high-level basketball players, best in the world. And no matter the outside circumstance, we still have to play basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/i-just-think-we-re-all-high-level-basketball-players-best-in-the/) [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) > [I'm not playing this game just to be a good basketball player. I want to be one of the greatest to ever play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/i-m-not-playing-this-game-just-to-be-a-good-basketball-player-i-want/) [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) > [I've always been a basketball junkie... Always watched videos, slowed them down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/i-ve-always-been-a-basketball-junkie-always-watched-videos-slowed/) [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) > [I'm just really confident in my abilities and how hard I work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/i-m-just-really-confident-in-my-abilities-and-how-hard-i-work/) [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) > [I'm a learner. I just soak things up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/i-m-a-learner-i-just-soak-things-up/) [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) > [Learning how to play on a team full of future pros, it's not as easy as everyone thinks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/learning-how-to-play-on-a-team-full-of-future-pros-it-s-not-as-easy/) [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) > [I just love the game. It's brought me so much joy in my life. I have no choice when I'm playing it, I'm just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/i-just-love-the-game-it-s-brought-me-so-much-joy-in-my-life-i-have-no/) [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) > [I just work hard, keep my head down and be true to who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/i-just-work-hard-keep-my-head-down-and-be-true-to-who-i-am/) [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) > [I just soak things up and learn as time goes on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/i-just-soak-things-up-and-learn-as-time-goes-on/) [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) > [I want to be one of the best point guards to ever play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/i-want-to-be-one-of-the-best-point-guards-to-ever-play/) [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) [Explore all 100 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) ## More Better quotes > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [Everybody has their cliques, and I was very shy. 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However, it's better to think first than to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bytheway/life-is-going-to-hit-you-some-line-drives-and-sometimes-you-ll-have/) [John Bytheway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bytheway/) > [I like to collaborate with other people for studio recordings because I believe collaboration, in any form, makes music better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/i-like-to-collaborate-with-other-people-for-studio-recordings-because/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [Absolutely, you can improve and become better at toughness. It's a talent, but it can be acquired, too. 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I look at last year and my whole goal is to be a better player…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-williams/i-never-really-look-at-it-past-one-year-i-look-at-last-year-and-my/) [Trent Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-williams/) Browse all 17,085 Better quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Whether it's the playoffs, whether it's not the playoffs, it doesn't matter as long as we're getting better.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/whether-it-s-the-playoffs-whether-it-s-not-the-playoffs-it-doesn-t/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Better" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/whether-it-s-the-playoffs-whether-it-s-not-the-playoffs-it-doesn-t/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/shai-gilgeous-alexander-5690_better_whether-it-s-the-playoffs-whether-it-s-n_1571052.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/shai-gilgeous-alexander-5690_better_whether-it-s-the-playoffs-whether-it-s-n_1571052.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/shai-gilgeous-alexander-5690_better_whether-it-s-the-playoffs-whether-it-s-n_1571052.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Whether it's the playoffs, whether it's not the playoffs, it doesn't matter as long as we're getting better.” — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander", "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": "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Whether it's the playoffs, whether it's...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/whether-it-s-the-playoffs-whether-it-s-not-the-playoffs-it-doesn-t/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/whether-it-s-the-playoffs-whether-it-s-not-the-playoffs-it-doesn-t/#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 } } ] } ```