Those words, “Now I got to get greedy,” are a powerful mindset that many athletes adopt when they’re in the midst of greatness. The phrase speaks to a moment of realization — when a player knows they’ve already achieved something impressive, but they’re not satisfied. They want more. It’s that insatiable hunger that drives legends to reach even greater heights, and it’s the mentality that separates good from great.
In the world of professional sports, achieving success is often seen as the pinnacle of a player’s journey. Whether it’s winning a championship, setting a personal best, or breaking a long-standing record, athletes typically feel a sense of accomplishment after reaching such milestones. But for the true competitors — the ones who have that killer instinct — the feeling of contentment doesn’t last long. Instead, it’s followed by the burning desire to continue pushing boundaries and achieve even more. That’s where the mentality of “getting greedy” comes in.
Take a player like Kawhi Leonard, for example. After leading the Toronto Raptors to their first-ever NBA Championship in 2019, Leonard could have rested on his laurels. Instead, his mentality was simple: “Now I got to get greedy.” After winning one title, he went on to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers and pursued another ring, showing that one championship wasn’t enough for him. This attitude — of never being satisfied, always aiming for more — is what drives elite athletes to continue competing at the highest level.
This mentality is not just about winning titles, though. It’s about setting new standards for oneself. When a player hits a career milestone, whether it’s reaching a specific number of points, assists, or rebounds, there’s often a moment when they think, “That’s nice, but I can do more.” That’s the “greedy” mindset. It’s the internal recognition that achieving something once doesn’t mean it’s time to slow down. Instead, it’s a call to raise the bar even higher.
For someone like LeBron James, this mindset has been apparent throughout his career. He has already accumulated four NBA championships and numerous accolades, but even after all his success, LeBron’s hunger for more hasn’t diminished. He has consistently expressed that he wants to continue competing for championships and records, even into his 40s. LeBron’s “greedy” attitude isn’t just about adding more rings to his collection; it’s about redefining greatness with each season, proving that age and accolades don’t limit the ceiling of his ambition.
Similarly, in sports like football, we see players like Tom Brady, who, after winning seven Super Bowls, could have called it quits. Instead, he famously returned for more, continually finding new ways to dominate. Brady’s drive for more was palpable every time he stepped on the field, pushing past his own expectations and those of the world around him.
So, why is “getting greedy” such an important mindset? It’s because it keeps athletes hungry. It’s easy to get complacent once you’ve reached the top. But true greatness isn’t about reaching the summit; it’s about finding a new peak to climb. The moment you stop wanting more, that’s when you start to fall behind.
In the end, “getting greedy” is the key to longevity and sustained success in sports. It’s that drive to continue pushing the limits, taking your game to new levels, and proving to yourself that you can achieve even more. For any athlete, that mindset is what keeps the fire burning, no matter how many accolades they’ve already earned.
