--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you're up against adversity, when…" description: "\"“When you're up against adversity, when your shots aren't falling, when guys are hanging on you, pushing you, fouling you, and you're not getting calls..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/687/walt-frazier-28230_adversity_when-you-re-up-against-adversity-when-yo_370772.jpg" --- # When you're up against adversity, when your shots aren't… ![“When you're up against adversity, when your shots aren't falling, when guys are hanging on you, pushing you, fouling you, and you're not getting calls, that's when discipline matters. Instead of flying off the handle or blaming your teammates, the officials, or the opposition, players have to keep…” quote by Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/687/walt-frazier-28230_adversity_when-you-re-up-against-adversity-when-yo_370772.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/687/walt-frazier-28230_adversity_when-you-re-up-against-adversity-when-yo_370772.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/687/walt-frazier-28230_adversity_when-you-re-up-against-adversity-when-yo_370772.jpg) > ““When you're up against adversity, when your shots aren't falling, when guys are hanging on you, pushing you, fouling you, and you're not getting calls, that's when discipline matters. Instead of flying off the handle or blaming your teammates, the officials, or the opposition, players have to keep calm and act decisively to change the tide. Playing the blame game is a sure sign that a team has not jelled and is taking the wrong path”” [Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Discipline and composure are crucial in adversity; blaming others shows lack of team cohesion and misdirection. **In simple terms:** Stay calm, act decisively, avoid blame. Key Takeaway Maintain discipline under pressure. Themes teamwork discipline resilience leadership Mood determined focused reflective Type motivational strategic When to use this quote - sports competition - high‑stakes games - team meetings - coaching sessions Key Concepts psychology of blame group dynamics performance under pressure Questions to Reflect On - How can a team turn blame into constructive feedback? - What practices build calm decision‑making? A Different Perspective Blame can be a defensive reaction that masks deeper issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) [Blame game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blame-game/) [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Wrong path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrong-path/) ## Related quotes > [The people are fed up with their elected officials playing the blame game and treating their political counterparts as enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-lewis/the-people-are-fed-up-with-their-elected-officials-playing-the-blame/) [Carl Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-lewis/) > [“A bad life doesn't justify bad behavior. It's time to stop playing the blame game and take responsibility for your own actions. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaque-diamond/a-bad-life-doesn-t-justify-bad-behavior-it-s-time-to-stop-playing-the/) [Blaque Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaque-diamond/) > [The only time a politico will try to avoid playing the blame game is when they or theirs are to blame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/the-only-time-a-politico-will-try-to-avoid-playing-the-blame-game-is/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [I pray that our leaders stop pointing fingers and playing the blame game and seek a real solution for the good of the planet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-cheadle/i-pray-that-our-leaders-stop-pointing-fingers-and-playing-the-blame/) [Don Cheadle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-cheadle/) > [D day we stop playing the blame game and accept our wrongs and take responsibility for our flaws,that's the day CHANGE will set in.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ash-sweeney/d-day-we-stop-playing-the-blame-game-and-accept-our-wrongs-and-take/) [Ash Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ash-sweeney/) > [“Playing the blame game is stupid and childish. Even if it is someone else’s fault, the blame game is wasted time, effort, and energy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loren-weisman/playing-the-blame-game-is-stupid-and-childish-even-if-it-is-someone/) [Loren Weisman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loren-weisman/) > [An important decision I made was to resist playing the Blame Game. The day I realized that I am in charge of how I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-goodier/an-important-decision-i-made-was-to-resist-playing-the-blame-game-the/) [Steve Goodier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-goodier/) > [There are calm Korean players and not calm. There are calm Western players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inbee-park/there-are-calm-korean-players-and-not-calm-there-are-calm-western/) [Inbee Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inbee-park/) > [Pluralism matters because life is not worth living without new experiences - new people, new places, new challenges. But discipline matters too; we cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-harford/pluralism-matters-because-life-is-not-worth-living-without-new/) [Tim Harford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-harford/) > [Stop the blame game. Stop! Stop looking out the window and look in the mirror!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/stop-the-blame-game-stop-stop-looking-out-the-window-and-look-in-the/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [“If the surprise outcome of the recent UK referendum - on whether to leave or remain in the European Union - teaches us anything,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-morritt/if-the-surprise-outcome-of-the-recent-uk-referendum-on-whether-to/) [Alex Morritt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-morritt/) > [“Stop blaming other people for your mistakes. Until you are ready to admit that you are infallible, you are vulnerable for failure to whip.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/stop-blaming-other-people-for-your-mistakes-until-you-are-ready-to/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [Things without purpose or meaning Entertains me these days Oh, what a blame game Knowing, I cannot share](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-kler/things-without-purpose-or-meaning-entertains-me-these-days-oh-what-a/) [Nick Kler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-kler/) > [“What follow are the most common types of negative self-talk with the keys to taking control of them and turning them around: 1.  Turn I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-bradberry/what-follow-are-the-most-common-types-of-negative-self-talk-with-the/) [Travis Bradberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-bradberry/) > [“Those who benefit from unearned privilege are too often quick to discount those who don't.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashanne-stokes/those-who-benefit-from-unearned-privilege-are-too-often-quick-to/) [DaShanne Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashanne-stokes/) ## More by Walt Frazier > [“The game within the game is the game that only the players see. They experience it in relation to one another on the floor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/the-game-within-the-game-is-the-game-that-only-the-players-see-they/) [Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/) > [I took the game seriously. It was my profession. My teammates also took losing hard. We would all sit in the locker room after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/i-took-the-game-seriously-it-was-my-profession-my-teammates-also-took/) [Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/) > [The fans have always supported me; bought my books, attended my camps and wore my sneakers. I will always have a special relationship with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/the-fans-have-always-supported-me-bought-my-books-attended-my-camps/) [Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/) > [“How did I bridge the gap from depression to elation? Well, I worked hard at improving all aspects of my game. I got stronger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/how-did-i-bridge-the-gap-from-depression-to-elation-well-i-worked/) [Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/) > [“Stoudemire is like Alonzo Mourning and my old teammates Willis Reed and Dave DeBusschere. He's aggressive and make things happen. He's always hustling and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/stoudemire-is-like-alonzo-mourning-and-my-old-teammates-willis-reed/) [Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/) > [“Winning squads emphasize fundamentals-pick and rolls,teamwork,and defense. They play with passion and they play hard. They move the ball, and when their players don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/winning-squads-emphasize-fundamentals-pick-and-rolls-teamwork-and/) [Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/) > [The attitude of wanting to win-doing everything in your power except cheating to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/the-attitude-of-wanting-to-win-doing-everything-in-your-power-except/) [Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/) > [When a player keeps a calm demeanor on the court, it's easier for his ability to shine. The best response to an opposing player's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/when-a-player-keeps-a-calm-demeanor-on-the-court-it-s-easier-for-his/) [Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/) > [The star player must slay his ego and learn teamwork and communication skills before he can achieve the ultimate in sport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/the-star-player-must-slay-his-ego-and-learn-teamwork-and/) [Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/) > [The regular season is where you make your name, but the postseason is where you make your fame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/the-regular-season-is-where-you-make-your-name-but-the-postseason-is/) [Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/) > [“There are different eras and generations, but basketball is still the same. Old school or new school, the fundamentals of the game- passing, dribbling,and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/there-are-different-eras-and-generations-but-basketball-is-still-the/) [Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/) > [“Cohesion on the offense, intensity on the defense, is the game plan. When a coach puts multidimensional skilled players on the court who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/cohesion-on-the-offense-intensity-on-the-defense-is-the-game-plan/) [Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/) > [“If I were playing today, I'd steal the ball from these guys when they go under the ball with their hands because that's when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/if-i-were-playing-today-i-d-steal-the-ball-from-these-guys-when-they/) [Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/) > [Building discipline, earning respect and overcoming adversity are all parts of a winning game plan. If you don't have a game plan, where are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/building-discipline-earning-respect-and-overcoming-adversity-are-all/) [Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/) > [“All great athletes essentially come to a fork in the road where they have to change their approach to succeed. It's a sign of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-frazier/all-great-athletes-essentially-come-to-a-fork-in-the-road-where-they/) [Walt Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/) [Explore all 19 Walt Frazier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-frazier/) ## More Adversity 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/) > [When we have public success we also have private struggles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deion-sanders/when-we-have-public-success-we-also-have-private-struggles/) [Deion Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deion-sanders/) > [“The threats that resurfaced in the past 10 years were not an aberration. Al Qaeda and terrorism or one such threat, but it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-friedman/the-threats-that-resurfaced-in-the-past-10-years-were-not-an/) [George Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-friedman/) > [He who is content with what has been done is an obstacle in the path of progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/he-who-is-content-with-what-has-been-done-is-an-obstacle-in-the-path/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [“Friction is necessary. Ease of life leads to complacency and the atrophy of the human will and spirit. Within our struggles lives our strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-versey/friction-is-necessary-ease-of-life-leads-to-complacency-and-the/) [Jason Versey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-versey/) > [“Every adversity is just another opportunity to excel a little more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-templet/every-adversity-is-just-another-opportunity-to-excel-a-little-more/) [Michel Templet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-templet/) > [“Just because she doesn't talk about it, doesn't mean she isn't feeling it. She hurts, but she won't wear it on her sleeve. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfa-h/just-because-she-doesn-t-talk-about-it-doesn-t-mean-she-isn-t-feeling/) [Alfa H](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfa-h/) > [Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buckham-kennedy/every-trial-endured-and-weathered-in-the-right-spirit-makes-a-soul/) James Buckham Kennedy > [Honesty, by evil fortune tried, Finds in adversity the seed of praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/honesty-by-evil-fortune-tried-finds-in-adversity-the-seed-of-praise/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [“Struggles are not associated to a particular people or creed, everyone struggles, not for the same reasons, but each has a personal struggle at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-chirisa/struggles-are-not-associated-to-a-particular-people-or-creed-everyone/) [Wayne Chirisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-chirisa/) > [“Watch a man in times of adversity to discover what kind of man he is; for then at last words of truth are drawn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/watch-a-man-in-times-of-adversity-to-discover-what-kind-of-man-he-is/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [God often hides His blessing in trouble or trial, which makes it all the sweeter when it comes our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/god-often-hides-his-blessing-in-trouble-or-trial-which-makes-it-all/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [“Life is not about less mistakes but about more trials”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-sever/life-is-not-about-less-mistakes-but-about-more-trials/) S.E. SEVER > [Show your contempt for the problem and your concern for the person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/show-your-contempt-for-the-problem-and-your-concern-for-the-person/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [When everything feels like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-everything-feels-like-an-uphill-struggle-just-think-of-the-view/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 5,001 Adversity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When you're up against adversity, when your shots aren't falling, when guys are hanging on you, pushing you, fouling you, and you're not getting calls, that's when discipline matters. 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