Today’s Playbook

Happy Easter, everyone! In moments like these, when we get a chance to slow down a bit, I want to take a moment to thank God for His grace and love that carries us through every High and Low. I hope this day brings you time to reflect and enjoy meaningful moments with your loved ones.

What a wild regular season! So many teams fighting for a Playoff spot until the very end. Our last game against Zalgiris at home, everything was on the line, and we stepped up. Tough game, but we handled it.

Having my family in the arena again made it even more special. Moments like that remind me why I love this game so much and how lucky I am to call it “my job”.

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

• 🏀Prep Like a Pro

• 🌱Morning Energy: Power Shake Edition

• ▶️YouTube → This Must-Win Game Went Down to the Wire

• ❓Q & A → @BlagojBBallon YouTube asked…

🏀Prep Like a Pro

What Lebron Taught Me About Recovery (by Elijah Bryant)

Inspired by Season 2, Episode 2 of Mind the Game with Steve Nash & LeBron James.

“Even if you spend a million a year on recovery, Sleep is still #1.”

That line from LeBron stuck with me. The guy has access to everything — cryo, hyperbaric, massage — and still says sleep is the top priority. Same here. I use a chili pad to stay cool and a sleep mask every night.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting with mouth taping. Why? Because when sleep’s off, everything is off. Trying to hoop better?

• Start with sleep.

• Then stack your nutrition.

• Everything else builds from that foundation.

LeBron talked about a night where he didn’t warm up, couldn’t get out of bed… and still dropped 40. I’ve lived that.

In the Partizan game, I had a migraine before tip-off. Felt awful. But I locked into one mindset: “Control What I Can Control”. And that’s enough.

In the NBA, you usually get 4–5 months Off-Season to reset and prepare for the next year. But in Europe, with domestic leagues and other competitions, you’ve got maybe 2 months before big Events start rolling again! That window is tight.

So my routine is built tight:

• 6 days on court,

• 5 days in the weight room,

• 1 massage per week,

• 1-on-1 play only after a month, and

• No pickup 5-on-5.

But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve added something I never used to: Time off. 

Last Offseason, I took 3 weeks off. Not completely — about 1.5 to 2 weeks with no basketball, just family time. Then I ease in: mobility, yoga, and Pilates. Then spot shooting and ball handling to get the body moving again. That rhythm gives me the longevity I need. And I’ll do it again this year.

You Want One Recovery Rule? Max Your Sleep. Stay Hydrated.

Tight fascia = Tight Muscles = Injuries.

Loose, hydrated tissue? That’s how you flow. Your body can move freely and fluidly.

One thing Steve said in the episode really hit me: He was never the fastest. He didn’t jump the highest. But he always looked for an edge. Same here.

I don’t rely on freak athleticism. I rely on IQ, angles, habits, and feel. I want every edge I can get — mentally, physically, and spiritually. That mindset makes you dangerous. Whether I score 25 or 2 — it doesn’t move me. Like Bron said: “The joy is in the journey.” 

For me, it’s all about process—the system, the repetition, the habit that holds up when pressure hits. LeBron is in sharpening mode. He’s not building a new toolkit; he’s honing the edges of every tool he’s mastered over time. Me? As I always say, Every Game is an Experiment! I’m learning the game on deeper levels, still adding layers, still figuring out what needs to be in my bag and what I can leave behind.

This offseason, I’m studying: Luka, Shai, Jalen Brunson. I watch film. Break it down. Then rep it out. Repetition creates wiring. Wiring creates trust. That’s how you show up when the lights hit. 

My younger self thought it was all about fancy drills. Now? I know it’s deep repetition that rewires the brain.

Consistency Over Intensity

Want to be elite? Don’t copy a highlight. Copy a habit!

Faith + Consistency™. That’s the formula.

🌱Morning Energy: Power Shake Edition

Starting your morning with the right fuel is key—not just for pro athletes, but for anyone looking to stay active, focused, and energized throughout the day. One of my go-to habits that helps me stay on track with my training schedule is kicking off the day with a power shake.

And one of my all-time favourites? Strawberry Banana Power Smoothie

Consistency is everything when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. I know mornings can feel rushed, and it's easy to fall into the “I don’t have time” mindset. But with a little preparation, even the busiest schedule can include a healthy 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

As we push toward the playoffs, the intensity keeps rising—and this one was a must-win. In one of the most electric atmospheres of the season, we went head-to-head with Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) in Belgrade. The game went into overtime, and we came out with a huge victory on the road!

What made the night even more unforgettable? My family flew in from the U.S. and were in the stands to witness it all. That moment meant everything.

Q&A ❓

@BlagojBBall on YouTube asked…

“Honestly, when I was at the line shooting those free throws, I had this moment where I was just like… Wow, this is cool!.

Yeah, of course, whether you make both, miss both — that's all part of the game. No one wants to miss, but in that moment, I felt more grateful than anything else.

The atmosphere was wild, the fans were loud, and the second I touched the ball to shoot… it was like someone cranked the volume to max. 😂

Instead of feeling pressure, I actually felt like smiling! Moments like that? Not everyone gets to experience them, and I don’t take that for granted. So I just try to soak it all in and enjoy every single second.”

God Bless! Faith + Consistency™

🚨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