Motivation Quote by Reggie Lewis

There’s a particular kind of satisfaction in “I think around the league, I’m getting more respect. And that’s great” that only makes sense in a sport where your labor is public and your status is negotiated nightly. Reggie Lewis isn’t crowing; he’s measuring. The “I think” matters: respect, in the NBA, is rarely handed over with a certificate. It’s inferred from defensive assignments, late-game touches, scouting reports, the way opponents suddenly stop freelancing on your side of the floor.

The subtext is a quiet indictment of how slow the league can be to update its priors. Lewis came into a Celtics franchise still haunted by the Bird era, a place where fame lingered in the rafters and newcomers had to earn oxygen. For a player without the loudest brand or the biggest mouth, “getting more respect” is code for finally being seen on his own terms: not as a placeholder, not as a nice piece, but as a problem you have to solve.

“And that’s great” lands with understated relief. He’s acknowledging that validation feels good, but also that it’s conditional, external, and earned the hard way. Athletes learn early that talent isn’t the only currency; reputation is. Lewis’ line captures the moment a working star senses the room shifting - not toward celebrity, but toward credibility. In a league built on highlights, he’s talking about something less visible and more durable: recognition from the people who can’t be fooled.