Wilkens Quotes & Sayings

Athletes, we were supposed to just be there, and in class I made it a point that I was prepared for every exam, that I got on that Dean's List. Because I wanted them to see that there was a black person on the Dean's List who was an athlete. I accepted the challenge, because I want you to know that we bleed just like you do. We have feelings just like you do. Let us read the same books and we'll understand it just like you do! — Lenny Wilkens

Meadowlark Lemon's book Trust Your Next Shot is written by a remarkable person. I have had the pleasure of knowing Meadowlark for quite some time. He has given back to his community quite generously in addition to serving as an outstanding role model for young people. Meadowlark's career has allowed him to touch people's lives everywhere and I am so proud to be his friend. God has certainly touched his life. — Lenny Wilkens

I learned early that if I wanted to achieve anything in life, I'd have to do it myself. I learned that I had to be accountable. — Lenny Wilkens

I worry about the things I can affect, and the things I have no control over I move by. — Lenny Wilkens

We should never discourage young people from dreaming dreams. — Lenny Wilkens

I know the world is filled with troubles and many injustices. But reality is as beautiful as it is ugly. I think it is just as important to sing about beautiful mornings as it is to talk about slums. I just couldn't write anything without hope in it. — Oscar Hammerstein II

In one sense, the Stanford prison study is more like a Greek drama than a traditional experiment, in that we have humanity, represented by a bunch of good people, pitted against an evil-producing situation. The question is, does the goodness of the people overwhelm the bad situation, or does the bad situation overwhelm the good people? — Philip Zimbardo

If you want it, you've got to give it. — Lenny Wilkens

Show people how to have success and then you can push their expectations up. — Lenny Wilkens

The most important quality I look for in a player is accountability. You've got to be accountable for who you are. It's too easy to blame things on someone else. — Lenny Wilkens

Some people play a horse to win, some to place. I should have bet this horse to live. — Henny Youngman

If you can't go through it, find a way around it. Don't spend all your time banging your head. — Lenny Wilkens

Because Honestly
is it trashy
to want something so bad
you go for it
even if it might kill you?

My opinion?

It's judging that's trashy.

Bad enough the world looks at us
under a (distorted) microscope.

Like the good Lord says,
we don't need to
judge each other. — Kristin Elizabeth Clark

The American dream, to me, means having the opportunity to achieve, because I don't think you should be guaranteed anything other than opportunity. — Lenny Wilkens

I recently caught myself giving a pretty girl the cold shoulder because I felt intimidated. She was so gorgeous, and it made me feel insecure. I wasn't even aware until someone pointed it out to me. I was so embarrassed! I recognized those thoughts and made a point to be more friendly to her because there was no reason to be cold. — Lilly Singh

If you fail the first time that's just a chance to start over again. — Lenny Wilkens

I told Zollie Volchok we needed an ultrasound machine and he asked me why we needed music in the locker room. — Lenny Wilkens

I always felt that I was as good as the next person, and I didn't care what they had. — Lenny Wilkens

I never really had a chance to know the players individually ... I thought when they were on the floor, they worked hard. But I never really got to know them. — Lenny Wilkens

The people who know God well - mystics, hermits, prayerful people, those who risk everything to find God - always meet a lover, not a dictator. — Richard Rohr

We pretend we have it all. We pretend we can have it all. — Indra Nooyi

What is there about basketball that makes Larry Bird or Lenny Wilkens want to coach after their playing careers are done? — George Vecsey

Intimidation doesn't last very long. — Lenny Wilkens