I was a skinny, scrawny guy. I stuttered horrendously, couldn't speak at all. I was a very shy, reserved player and a very shy, reserved person. I found a safe place in life in basketball.
Bill WaltonRead
Basketball is one of those rare opportunities where you can make a difference, not only for yourself, but for other people as well.
Interpretation
Basketball offers a chance to positively impact both oneself and others.
Bill Walton's quote emphasizes the unique platform that basketball provides for personal growth and the opportunity to influence the lives of others. It highlights how engaging in sports can foster teamwork, community, and self-improvement, demonstrating that individual achievements in the sport can also contribute to the well-being of others.
In practice
Using this quote during a sports team meeting to inspire players.
I was a skinny, scrawny guy. I stuttered horrendously, couldn't speak at all. I was a very shy, reserved player and a very shy, reserved person. I found a safe place in life in basketball.
Success at the highest level comes down to one question: Can you decide that your happiness can come from someone else's success?
At 49, I can say something I never would have said when I was a player. I am a better person because of my failures and disgraces.
Where else but the NBA could people like Bill Russell, Spencer Haywood, Ricky Barry, Dennis Rodman, and Allen Iverson come in and be allowed to be who they are?
I love to promote our sport. I love grass-roots tennis. I love coaching. I love all parts of the sport. I love the business side.
In Dortmund, they say the derby is more important than the championship. You can feel it around the game.
Who in the world remembers who won the 1975 Westchester Classic or the 1978 Western Open? Basically, the majors are the only comparison over time . . . played on the same courses for generations. All the best players are always there.
Ajax is a multicultural club, and we have found that many talented immigrant players quit when they reach puberty. So we wanted to tackle this problem with someone from the same background who had come through it. And that was Edgar Davids. During one of our fights, I pointed that out to him. But it had nothing to do with his skin colour.
In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen β the most complete β is Scholes. I have spoken with Xabi Alonso about this many times. Scholes is a spectacular player who has everything. He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesnβt give possession away. If he had been Spanish then maybe he would have been valued more.
One of the key qualities that you need to be a great hockey player is fantastic anticipation and feel for the game - if you know where the puck is going before it is hit, that is half the battle.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.