I never thought about my daily preparation. It wasn’t a matter of?whether it was an option or not. It was, if I want to play, this is?what I have to do, so I’d just show up and do it.

My routine was grueling. It involved early mornings and late nights.?It involved stretching, lifting, training, hooping, recovery, and film?study. It involved putting in a lot of work and hours. It’s—no lie—tiring. For that reason, a lot of players pare down their lifting and?training during the season. They try conserving their energy. Not?me, though. I found that, yes, this work might be strenuous on the?day-to-day, but it left me stronger and more prepared during the?dog days of the season and the playoffs.

Sometimes, as part of that, I’d be so tired I’d need a quick nap at?some point during the day. Whether before practice or a Finals?game, on the bus or trainer’s table, five hours before tip or 60?minutes, if I was tired I would doze off. I always found that short?15-minute catnaps gave me all the energy I’d need for peak?performance.