Today’s Playbook

Hi everyone! We’re in the middle of the Playoffs here in the Turkish league, but I just wanted to share a few thoughts with you all. Here’s what’s on my mind in this week’s newsletter:

• 🏀 Good, Better, Best – Owning Your Time Like a Pro

• 🌱 Custom Insoles Are a Game-Changer

• ▶️ YouTube → How Did Fenerbahçe Outsmart Monaco in the Final

🏀Good, Better, Best – Owning Your Time Like a Pro

Last night, during a film session with my brother, he asked me something simple but deep:
"How do you build your systems? How do you stay consistent?"

That question stuck with me, and it reminded me of a talk I listened to recently called “Good, Better, Best.” The idea is this: in life, there are a lot of good things you can do, even more better things, but only a few best things. And those best things are the ones that truly move you forward.

Filtering My Day Through “Good, Better, Best”

As a pro athlete, every day is full of choices. You wake up and there’s a ton you could do:
Stretch, scroll through your phone, check messages, connect with people, all of it can be good. Maybe you go the extra mile and take an ice bath early, or study your last game; even better.

But what’s the BEST use of your time when it all starts?

For me, it’s simple: I wake up, and I pray.
That quiet moment, before I switch on my phone, before I answer texts, before I dive into the physical stuff, sets the tone for everything.

That’s the best for me. That’s where clarity comes from. That’s how I align with my purpose.

You Can’t Do Everything — So Do the Right Things

Here’s the real challenge: it’s easy to get caught up in doing everything.
But you don’t get to the top level by doing everything, you get there by doing the right things with the time and energy you have.

Let’s say I’ve got 30 minutes after practice.

• I could shoot around casually and get a sweat in — that might be good.

• Or I could run through my basic game-day routine — that’s better.

• But the best move? That’s locking in on the exact shots I missed last game, repping them out at game speed.

No wasted movement. Every rep with a purpose.

Same thing in the weight room:

• Do I chase a big lift just to say I did it?

• Or do I focus on mobility, stability—what my body actually needs today to perform tomorrow?

That’s how you stay healthy. That’s how you extend your career.

Protecting Your Bandwidth = Protecting Your Purpose

As the demands in life and Basketball increase, more games, more travel, more family responsibilities, more noise — you’ve got to manage your bandwidth.
You only have so much focus. So you start asking yourself:

We don’t get unlimited time, not in the league, not in life.

So I try to approach each day asking:

That mindset, day after day, is what separates the good from the great. It’s how you stay locked in, stay growing, and show up consistently at the highest level.

Let’s continue to choose what’s best and remember.

Faith + Consistency™. That’s the formula.

🌱Why Custom Insoles Are a Game-Changer

After Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Haliburton joked that his shoes were the “secret sauce” behind his performance. But all jokes aside, what’s inside our shoes can actually make a big difference.

Think about what we do out there: explosive jumps, lightning-fast cuts, sudden stops, relentless sprints, and pounding landings. All that force, 3 to 8 times your body weight on every jump landing, goes straight through your feet. If your foundation isn't perfectly supported, you're not just losing power; you're setting yourself up for injuries.

Custom Insoles = Long-Term Gains

You might be thinking, "Can't I just grab some insoles from the store?" And my answer is a firm NO for high-level play. Why custom orthotics are in a league of their own:

• Tailored Precision: Unlike mass-produced insoles, custom ones are made from precise 3D scans or molds of your feet, accounting for every unique curve and movement pattern.

• Real Correction: They don't just cushion; they're medically designed to correct biomechanical issues. This fixes root causes, not just symptoms.

• Durability & Value: Yes, they require a bigger upfront investment, but they last longer compared to off-the-shelf options. This is an investment in your career, preventing potentially far more costly injuries or lost playing time.

Benefits I‘ve Experienced

Since getting my custom insoles, the difference has been night and day. It’s not just about feeling better; it's about playing better:

• Injury Prevention: This is huge. By correcting alignment and distributing pressure evenly, they significantly reduce the stress on my joints. That means fewer shin splints, less knee pain, and avoiding debilitating issues like plantar fasciitis (Which I suffered a lot from).

• Performance: When my feet are perfectly supported, my balance improves, my agility sharpens, and I feel more explosive. It translates to more efficient energy transfer for jumps and cuts.

• Unmatched Comfort & Longevity: No more blisters or premature fatigue, even after grueling practices or back-to-back games. This personalized comfort means I can focus entirely on my game, and it adds years to my body by reducing cumulative wear and tear.

Your Playbook: Getting Your Custom Insoles

It’s a professional process, and here’s what you need to do:

1. Consult a Specialist: Find a sports podiatrist or orthopedist specializing in athletic biomechanics. They'll assess your unique needs.

2. Comprehensive Assessment: They’ll do a thorough evaluation, including gait analysis (watching how you move), pressure mapping, and precise 3D scans or plaster molds of your feet. This isn't just a simple measurement; it's a science.

3. Lab Crafting: Your data goes to a specialized lab where technicians use advanced technology and specific materials to craft your orthotics.

4. Fitting & Follow-Up: You'll have a fitting to ensure they're perfect, then a crucial break-in period where your body adjusts. Patience is key here!

For any serious hooper, investing in custom insoles is one of the smartest decisions you can make. It’s not about fixing a problem; it’s about building a stronger, more resilient, and more powerful foundation for your entire career.

Here’s the link, as always, to my full list of guides, available to you as a part of the Playbook Community! Playbook Guides (Workouts, Pro Tips, Mobility Guides, Recovery info, etc)

▶YouTube Journey

Lately, I’ve been working on a new series on YouTube, ‘Players Corner’, where we dive into film study together, watching, analyzing, and learning from real game footage.

This week’s episode of Players Corner, we take a deep dive into the EuroLeague Final clash between Fenerbahçe and Monaco. I break down key plays, momentum shifts, and the tactical decisions that shaped this high-stakes championship game.

I hope you enjoy the breakdown, and as always, feel free to send me your questions and thoughts!

Keep Reading

Thank you for grabbing your Playbook 🙏

If you have comments, 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