The Hidden Grind: Behind the Scenes of an NBA Gameday

December 4, 2024

Lights dim, the ball soars, and for 48 minutes, it’s non-stop NBA competition.

But let’s be real — what you see on the court is just the tip of the iceberg. The truth is, by the time the first whistle blows, the outcome might already be leaning one way or the other.

Preparation, my friends, is the secret sauce. And the prep? It’s an all-day affair.

Let’s dig in.

Morning: Wake-Up Calls & Roommate Shenanigans

Every player has their own rhythm when it comes to waking up. Some pop out of bed like their alarm clock owes them money. Others? They’ll snooze through a hurricane.

Case in point: Rockets Calvin Murphy and Rudy Tomjanovich way back in the 1970s. Murphy was the human espresso shot — up early, buzzing around, ready to talk hoops. Rudy T.? Practically comatose.

Murphy once pounded on their shared hotel door for 15 minutes, yelling like a lunatic. Rudy finally opened up, groggy and muttering, only to collapse back into bed.

“That guy,” Murphy joked, “would sleep through an earthquake and wake up just in time to ask for a snack.”

It’s funny, sure. But behind the laughs, there’s an edge. Preparation starts with showing up — and some players need a nudge to even get moving.

Shootaround: Sharman’s Gift to the Game

Let’s give props to Bill Sharman, a Celtics legend and Hall of Famer, who basically invented the modern shootaround.

Back in the 1950s, Sharman, a bundle of pregame nerves, found that a morning gym session calmed him down and sharpened his shot. It worked so well, he started dragging his Celtics teammates with him.

Fast forward to the 1970s, and Sharman brought the concept with him as coach of the Lakers. Critics said, “No way these vets — Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor — are getting up for this.”

Spoiler alert: They did. Wilt even signed off when the team ripped off 33 straight wins and hoisted the championship trophy.

Now, shootarounds are standard. Coaches use them to review scouting reports, simulate opponent tendencies, and refine their own sets. But not all shootarounds are created equal.

Doug Moe’s Nuggets turned them into comedy hour — cigars, mismatched sweats, and players just goofing around. Moe shrugged, “It’s a shootaround. So… shoot.”

Lunch and Nap Time: Fueling the Beast

After the gym, it’s chow time. We’re talking salads, pasta, fish — clean eats to fuel the night ahead. Then, it’s nap city. A solid 45 minutes of shut-eye? Game-changing.

Dennis Rodman, though, swore by another pregame ritual — let’s call it “off-the-court cardio.”

He claimed it sharpened his focus. Knowing Rodman, you believe him.

Calm Before The Storm

By the time players hit the arena, the prep hits high gear. Pregame rituals, warmups, and scouting reports all come together.

But here’s the kicker: the foundation was laid hours earlier. Those who take the shootaround seriously, nail their routines, and stay locked in are usually the ones dominating when it counts.

So, next time you catch a game, remember: The story starts way before the tip. It’s a grind — and the ones who master it are the often ones lifting the Larry O’Brien come June.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive into the pregame locker room, halftime adjustments, and what it takes to seal the deal when the lights are brightest.

Because, in the NBA, winning starts long before the buzzer.