Today’s Playbook

What a Playoff Series We’re Having! Even two days after that wild Game 4, I’m still feeling the adrenaline. The atmosphere, the energy, the fight, everything you dream of as a player, and I’m truly grateful to God for the blessing to experience moments like this. After losing Game 3 at home, our team showed an incredible reaction. We came together, stayed focused, and delivered when it mattered most.

Now, it's all on the line, Game 5 against Panathinaikos, in Athens. We know it's going to be a battle, but we’re ready for a war. I believe in this team with everything I’ve got. One game. One ticket to the Final Four. Let’s go, Efes!

Here’s what’s on my mind in this week’s newsletter:

• 🏀 Everything Hits Harder in the Playoffs

• 🌱 Why Sleep Matters

• ▶️ YouTube → Playoffs, Part 1 and Off The RECourt with Shane Larkin

• ❓ Q+A → @ARIENSHAWNTUANO on YouTube asked…

Everything Hits Harder in the Playoffs🏀

As you probably know, I’m on the podcast Off The RECourt with Shane Larkin, and we’ve had some amazing guests recently (check out the latest episode in the newsletter below if you haven’t already). But I’ve got to say, I am blown away listening to Mind the Game — the podcast LeBron James does with Steve Nash this season.

That conversation was packed with insights, especially if you're a player trying to grow. Honestly, I can’t recommend it enough; the value you can pull from it as a competitor is just next level.

One moment that really stuck with me came when LeBron talked about preparation and mental readiness of a Playoff series. He said:

That hit me hard. Based on what LeBron and Steve shared — drawing from their experience in countless playoff games — I’ve been reflecting on a few key takeaways I’m experiencing firsthand as well.

Takeaways

Acknowledging the Intensity: It's not just physical. It's mental. Every possession feels heavier. You're in a real mental battle where focus, awareness, and urgency need to go up a level.

Thorough Preparation: It's not just about knowing your opponent’s plays — it's about knowing how they adjust to you. Film study helps you anticipate changes and make faster decisions during the game. The better prepared you are, the more composed you’ll be when it counts.

Relying on Habits: The habits built during hard training and the regular season become your foundation in the Playoffs. When things get chaotic, you fall back on what’s second nature. It’s about trusting your training and making the right tweaks when needed.

Emotional Stability: The playoffs are a rollercoaster — the highs feel higher, the lows hit harder. Celebrate the wins briefly, but shift focus quickly. Don’t let losses linger. Tune out the noise, lock in, and treat every game like it’s the toughest one yet.

Embracing Pressure: LeBron described the playoff pressure like a drug — addictive in a weird way. Those big moments? They’re what you start to crave. Handling pressure builds confidence, and you start looking forward to those game-on-the-line situations instead of fearing them.

Fearlessness: After you’ve gone through tough losses — “died a thousand deaths,” as LeBron put it — you’re no longer afraid of failing. You’ve been there. This allows for maximum effort without being paralyzed by the fear of losing.

These insights hit differently when you’re in the middle of your own battles, and I wanted to share that with you guys. Whether you’re an athlete, a coach, or just someone grinding at what you love, this kind of mindset is what pushes you forward!

Faith + Consistency™. That’s the formula.

🌱Why Sleep Matters

Sleep is one of the most essential parts of an athlete’s routine, and it’s often overlooked. While training, nutrition, and recovery tools are all important, none of them can fully replace the impact of quality sleep.

For athletes, sleep isn’t just about rest—it's when your body repairs itself. Athletes aiming for peak performance should prioritize both the quantity and quality of sleep. Most should aim for around 8 hours per night, even during intense training or competition, when falling asleep can be tough due to high adrenaline levels.

How to Improve Sleep Quality

1. Keep a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even if it's hard to relax after intense training or competition when adrenaline is still high.

2. Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment

• Keep the room cool, dark and quiet

• Avoid caffeine or heavy meals close to bedtime

3. Limit Blue Light Before Bed

Screens from phones, TVs, and laptops can delay melatonin production. Turn off devices 1 hour before bed.

4. Wind Down with a Routine

Stretching, journaling, reading, or meditation can signal to your body it’s time to sleep.

5. Use Sleep Tools Wisely

Boost your recovery by using tools that enhance your sleep quality. It could be something simple like a sleep mask or a bigger investment like the ChiliPad, which helps regulate your body temperature. I explain the benefits of using it below in the Q&A section.

Since I’ve noticed many of you asking about the ChiliPad I use, if you’re thinking about checking it out, HERE is a discount code you can use. I figured I’d share it in case it helps.

It was just something that made a difference for me, since even small changes can really impact how you feel the next day.

Everyone has different preferences regarding sleep—some like cooler temperatures, some need complete darkness, and others might prefer white noise. But no matter what your personal setup is, the basics still apply: Sleep long enough, sleep well, and make it a non-negotiable part of your routine.

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▶

We're back in Athens, Greece, and this time it’s serious — the Euroleague Playoffs are here, and we’re facing off against last year’s champions, Panathinaikos. The atmosphere, the fans, the pressure, it doesn’t get much tougher than this.

I take you behind the scenes of what it’s like to compete at the highest level in Europe. From pregame routines and nutrition tips to workout insights and the mental side of being a pro athlete, this vlog is all about sharing the real life of basketball on and off the court.

PJ Dozier, Daniel Oturu, and Jordan Nwora open up about their journeys from the NBA to Europe, adjusting to new cultures, and chasing the EuroLeague Playoffs with Anadolu Efes.A must-watch for anyone curious about life overseas and the grind of international basketball.

Q&A❓

@ARIENSHAWNTUANO on YouTube asked…

“That’s a ChiliPad Cube Bed Cooling System — it’s a cooling mat I put on my bed that lets me control the temperature while I sleep. It helps a ton with recovery. As an athlete, keeping your core body temperature lower at night is super important — it allows your body to get into deeper stages of sleep, especially REM and slow-wave sleep, where a lot of the physical recovery and muscle repair actually happen.

After tough practices or games, my body is inflamed and working hard to recover. Cooling it down with something like the ChiliPad reduces that inflammation and improves blood flow. Since I started using it, I’ve noticed way less soreness in the morning, and I bounce back faster day to day.

God Bless!

🚨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!🚨

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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