⚡ Surviving Long Seasons (Managing Recovery and Energy Levels)

🤸‍♂️ My Current Mobility Routine

🎪 Thoughts on the Luka AD Trade

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Let’s Build Confidence + Consistency™ , on and off the court!

-Elijah

Managing recovery and energy levels is essential during long and intense seasons. After a big win (like against Real), it’s easy to feel good and let recovery routines slip, but maintaining consistency is what allows for long-term success. Recovery isn’t just about bouncing back from a single game—it’s about making sure your body and mind can handle the demands of an entire season.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of sticking to the small habits that keep me performing at my best. Ice baths, red light therapy, compression boots, and proper hydration aren’t just optional—they're necessary. Skipping them might not seem like a big deal after one game, but over time, those missed steps add up.

Nutrition and sleep also play a huge role. Late-night games make it tough to get quality rest, and eating heavy meals after a game can make recovery even harder. Instead, I make sure to get my essential amino acids in so my body has what it needs without weighing me down. Sleep is always a challenge after high-intensity games, but I do my best to prioritize rest, even when early mornings with my kids make it tricky.

Traveling between games adds another layer of difficulty. Staying hydrated is key, and I always make sure to drink plenty of water while on the move. Before leaving for the next city, we usually get in a practice session, but I’ve learned that more isn’t always better. Early in my career, I believed that constant work was the only way to improve, but over time, I’ve realized that recovery is just as important as training. Sometimes, doing less—especially late in the season—leads to better performance.

The mental side of the game is just as important as the physical. Finding ways to stay relaxed, whether it’s taking naps, watching a show, or simply staying in the right mindset, makes a huge difference. The key is to stay present and focused, regardless of what happened in the last game or even the last play. The goal is to react to the present moment as if you’ve already reached your desired reality, keeping your mindset in a place that allows you to perform at your best.

Ultimately, success isn’t just about hard work—it’s about working smart, listening to your body, and being consistent with the habits that keep you at your best.

If you’re following along regularly are likely quite familiar with how seriously I take the upkeep of my body. It’s our money maker as athletes. Mobility is a crucial component of basketball performance. It enhances movement efficiency, reduces the risk of injury, and improves strength and agility on the court.

Link to a current version of my Mobility Routine here: Mobility Routine - Barcelona

This routine is designed to help young hoopers improve their mobility, stability, and strength, optimizing their performance and longevity in the game. Mobility/stretching is not the sexy part of basketball, but it’s a key component to a long career in the sport, and a healthy and active life overall.

For today’s routine, you can watch the specific exercises in this week’s YouTube Video (linked below)

@alexdrymon1 on YouTube asked…

My opinion on the Luka Dončić trade is that you can see both sides, but something feels off. You’re trading away a 25-year-old, five-time First Team All-NBA player—something very few players in history have accomplished. Even guys like Steph Curry haven’t done that, and Nikola Jokić is only just reaching that level this year.

It just doesn’t make sense unless the NBA is trying to move him to a bigger market. They traded him for Anthony Davis, who is always injured. Since when do teams care about a player’s conditioning if they’re still producing? Yes, Luka has had multiple calf strains, but that hasn’t affected his actual performance.

It feels like the league wanted him in LA, but the trade itself makes no sense. Now, AD is already hurt again. On top of that, why wouldn’t they open up the market and see what other teams would offer for Luka? It doesn’t even have to be another All-NBA player. Look at what Minnesota gave up for Rudy Gobert—how is Luka not worth at least that, if not more?

Luka was one of the last players you’d ever expect to be traded. You can tell just by looking at his face on the bench—he seems shocked, like he can’t believe what’s happening.

🚨Want to see your question answered above? Reply to the newsletter or reach out to me on social. I will group all the questions together and be answering them on the newsletter and vlog in the coming weeks. Cheers!🚨

This week on the vlog we took on a strong Barcelona team in Spain. In addition to our pregame routines and behind-the-scenes of pro basketballer life, I also took a little tour of the Euroleague HQ for a podcast, and tried some proper empanadas. Jen is vegetarian so we never have the meat ones. Was time to see how they stack up to the veggie ones she and my mother-in-law make!

Hope you enjoy!

If you have comments or questions or suggestions, PLEASE respond to the newsletter about anything. I want to hear from you and I promise, I read every response. My goal is to continue making a great Playbook and building a great community where we all get better together. And you’re a part of that journey!

Let’s Build Confidence + Consistency™ , on and off the court!

Elijah