--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think when you've played in a league…" description: "\"I think when you've played in a league for as long as I have, it would be foolish for a coach not to ask a player with that kind of knowledge about oth..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ab/sue-bird-4568_attitude_i-think-when-you-ve-played-in-a-league-f_1174708.jpg" --- # I think when you've played in a league for as long as I… ![“I think when you've played in a league for as long as I have, it would be foolish for a coach not to ask a player with that kind of knowledge about other players. A lot of this goes beyond the court. Are they a good teammate? Are they good in the locker room? What's their attitude like? Do they…” quote by Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ab/sue-bird-4568_attitude_i-think-when-you-ve-played-in-a-league-f_1174708.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ab/sue-bird-4568_attitude_i-think-when-you-ve-played-in-a-league-f_1174708.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ab/sue-bird-4568_attitude_i-think-when-you-ve-played-in-a-league-f_1174708.jpg) > “I think when you've played in a league for as long as I have, it would be foolish for a coach not to ask a player with that kind of knowledge about other players. A lot of this goes beyond the court. Are they a good teammate? Are they good in the locker room? What's their attitude like? Do they work hard?” [Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Coaches should assess players holistically, considering character, teamwork, and work ethic beyond on‑court skills **In simple terms:** Look at the whole person, not just stats Key Takeaway Evaluate character, teamwork, and effort Themes sports leadership team dynamics Mood inspirational reflective Type advice motivational When to use this quote - team selection - leadership training - conflict resolution - performance reviews Key Concepts psychology management coaching Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance talent with character in team building? - What signs indicate a positive locker‑room influence? A Different Perspective Focusing only on performance metrics can miss crucial interpersonal factors ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Locker room](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/locker-room/) [Teammate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teammate/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-hard/) ## Related quotes > [My goal was to be a good teammate and put a good product on the field, and I think I did both.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-williams/my-goal-was-to-be-a-good-teammate-and-put-a-good-product-on-the-field/) [Trent Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-williams/) > [Not everything is seen that happens on the pitch - the teammate in a good position, where it might get dangerous, how a situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bastian-schweinsteiger/not-everything-is-seen-that-happens-on-the-pitch-the-teammate-in-a/) [Bastian Schweinsteiger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bastian-schweinsteiger/) > [Kyrie, he's got a big personality. He's one of these guys that's misunderstood. The way that he's construed in the media is probably going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-harris/kyrie-he-s-got-a-big-personality-he-s-one-of-these-guys-that-s/) [Joe Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-harris/) > [I think that's what being a good teammate is, and I think that's what creates a good environment for the locker room. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/channing-frye/i-think-that-s-what-being-a-good-teammate-is-and-i-think-that-s-what/) [Channing Frye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-frye/) > [“A good teammate will give you the proof that their code works, and you should do the same.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-good-teammate-will-give-you-the-proof-that-their-code-works-and-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I will go off at times. Overall, I'm a pretty good teammate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rasheed-wallace/i-will-go-off-at-times-overall-i-m-a-pretty-good-teammate/) [Rasheed Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rasheed-wallace/) > [I will respect the limits of my experience but that won't stop me from trying to lead by example of my work. Being a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-rizzo/i-will-respect-the-limits-of-my-experience-but-that-won-t-stop-me/) [Anthony Rizzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-rizzo/) > [My game is evolving, my basketball bag, whatever they say, my repertoire of playing defense, pushing the ball on offense, being a good teammate;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/my-game-is-evolving-my-basketball-bag-whatever-they-say-my-repertoire/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [A good teammate is someone willing to get outside of personal thoughts and emotions, a friend who tries to understand, appreciate, and encourage other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-kardong/a-good-teammate-is-someone-willing-to-get-outside-of-personal/) [Don Kardong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-kardong/) > [Growth and maturation isn't celebrated or isn't talked about in society now. Is it possible that I was a bad teammate in 2012? Sure.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-bauer/growth-and-maturation-isn-t-celebrated-or-isn-t-talked-about-in/) [Trevor Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-bauer/) > [I just think it's part of life: try to be a good teammate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-bregman/i-just-think-it-s-part-of-life-try-to-be-a-good-teammate/) [Alex Bregman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-bregman/) > [I'm just trying to do my work every day, and just be a good teammate and try to be a leader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauri-markkanen/i-m-just-trying-to-do-my-work-every-day-and-just-be-a-good-teammate/) [Lauri Markkanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauri-markkanen/) > [Here's the thing that I think is very interesting about RGIII. A lot of questions come up about what type of teammate he is.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-clark/here-s-the-thing-that-i-think-is-very-interesting-about-rgiii-a-lot/) [Ryan Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-clark/) > [As a player, I just want to be remembered as a good teammate, that's it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-urlacher/as-a-player-i-just-want-to-be-remembered-as-a-good-teammate-that-s-it/) [Brian Urlacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-urlacher/) > [The thing is, I don't do these things for recognition, being a good teammate, being a positive member of the community. I do them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwyane-wade/the-thing-is-i-don-t-do-these-things-for-recognition-being-a-good/) [Dwyane Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwyane-wade/) ## More by Sue Bird > [I'd love to have another chance to represent my country in the Olympics. If I'm healthy, absolutely... I'm very realistic when it comes to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/i-d-love-to-have-another-chance-to-represent-my-country-in-the/) [Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) > [In my mind, women's basketball players are an untapped resource.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/in-my-mind-women-s-basketball-players-are-an-untapped-resource/) [Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) > [In the past, I've told people to get me DVDs: like, the box sets of entire series. When you're overseas and there isn't much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/in-the-past-i-ve-told-people-to-get-me-dvds-like-the-box-sets-of/) [Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) > [I've never felt as nervous as I did before a track meet - literally, stomach going crazy - 'cause it was just so difficult.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/i-ve-never-felt-as-nervous-as-i-did-before-a-track-meet-literally/) [Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) > [I've been on extremely talented teams that just don't click, and I've also been on team with a little bit less talent, but they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/i-ve-been-on-extremely-talented-teams-that-just-don-t-click-and-i-ve/) [Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) > [Something I've been starting to use almost every day is a blood flow restriction system for my legs. It's good for recovery and strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/something-i-ve-been-starting-to-use-almost-every-day-is-a-blood-flow/) [Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) > [A lot of my friends loved Pearl Jam, so whenever I'd hang out with them, that was usually what CD - not album -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/a-lot-of-my-friends-loved-pearl-jam-so-whenever-i-d-hang-out-with/) [Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) > [I think, overall, the name 'The Storm' in Seattle has just continued to grow. It has now become not just an afterthought that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/i-think-overall-the-name-the-storm-in-seattle-has-just-continued-to/) [Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) > [There's something about dominant teams that draws fans in. People like to see this; they like to witness dominance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/there-s-something-about-dominant-teams-that-draws-fans-in-people-like/) [Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) > [I always thought front office work, being with the team day in and day out, that was something I wasn't going to get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/i-always-thought-front-office-work-being-with-the-team-day-in-and-day/) [Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) > [I can be quiet and a little shy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/i-can-be-quiet-and-a-little-shy/) [Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) > [There was no professional basketball for me in the United States when I was in grade school and middle school. I could look to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/there-was-no-professional-basketball-for-me-in-the-united-states-when/) [Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) > [When you have teammates just as talented as you, it's kind of weird to get all the attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/when-you-have-teammates-just-as-talented-as-you-it-s-kind-of-weird-to/) [Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) > [Be a gunner? Me? I don't think I can do it. But I'll go for whatever the assist record is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/be-a-gunner-me-i-don-t-think-i-can-do-it-but-i-ll-go-for-whatever-the/) [Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) > [When you're a point guard, man, if you're not up to par, you're in a lot of trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/when-you-re-a-point-guard-man-if-you-re-not-up-to-par-you-re-in-a-lot/) [Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) [Explore all 109 Sue Bird quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think when you've played in a league for as long as I have, it would be foolish for a coach not to ask a player with that kind of knowledge about other players. A lot of this goes beyond the court. Are they a good teammate? Are they good in the locker room? What's their attitude like? Do they work hard?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sue Bird" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/i-think-when-you-ve-played-in-a-league-for-as-long-as-i-have-it-would/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/i-think-when-you-ve-played-in-a-league-for-as-long-as-i-have-it-would/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ab/sue-bird-4568_attitude_i-think-when-you-ve-played-in-a-league-f_1174708.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ab/sue-bird-4568_attitude_i-think-when-you-ve-played-in-a-league-f_1174708.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ab/sue-bird-4568_attitude_i-think-when-you-ve-played-in-a-league-f_1174708.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think when you've played in a league for as long as I have, it would be foolish for a coach not to ask a…” — Sue Bird", "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": "Sue Bird", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think when you've played in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/i-think-when-you-ve-played-in-a-league-for-as-long-as-i-have-it-would/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/i-think-when-you-ve-played-in-a-league-for-as-long-as-i-have-it-would/#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 } } ] } ```