The Real-Life Diet of Lou Williams, the Coolest Player in the NBA

We all know who the best player in the NBA is, but there’s a fair argument to be made that the coolest player in the NBA is Lou Williams. Every night, he gets to come off the bench with just one task: scoring as many points as he can. Relying on an impressive array of moves and an always-on green light, Williams is pouring it on in his 13th season, averaging career highs in points, assists, and three-pointers made per game.

You would think that that kind of playing style would make teammates furious (or at least envious), but they love him in Los Angeles, where he just signed a three-year contract extension. He has plenty of fans outside the locker room, too—Drake once dedicated an entire song, “Sixth Man,” to Williams during his tenure with the Raptors. Does the 31-year-old's laid-back attitude carry over to how he prepares for the game, though? We recently caught up with Williams to chat about his evolving game-day routine, his favorite "do-what-I-want" meals, and his spiritual kinship with Rick Ross.

Take me through your game-day routine.

In the morning, I’ll have an egg-white omelet, hash browns, and chicken and turkey sausage, and then I go to sleep. That’s really it. I eat at 11 o'clock in the morning. Then I take my nap from one to four in the afternoon. Then I head to the arena.

Do you eat anything before the game?

No, the morning meal is the last meal of the day for me before a game. I won’t eat until after the game. I like to play a little light. Some guys like to eat two or three different times a day before the game. I eat once, and that’s it. Honestly, at this point in my career, I’m old, so I don’t do a whole lot to prepare for games.

Are you particular about your post-game meal?

It all depends on my mood. That’s my do-what-I-want meal of the day, because I’ve basically been starving myself all day. Like, tonight, I’ll have a little chicken alfredo pasta after the game.

What are your go-to do-what-I-want meals?

It’s simple. I’m simple, man. It’s pizza, tacos, and chicken wings. I can rotate those, and my body weight never fluctuates. It’s always in the same neighborhood because I always eat the same stuff. It never changes.

But I assume your overall game-day routine has changed throughout your career?

Absolutely—dramatically. When I was younger, I did a lot of different things. I ate differently. I prepared differently. During my first seven years in the league, it was an all-day process. I would have a workout at shootaround, eat breakfast, take my nap, eat again, then have another crazy 45-minute workout before the game. My day used to be jam-packed. Nowadays, it’s definitely more relaxed.

Did you talk to a trainer, or did a specific team you were on recommend that you change your routine to what it is now?

Nah. Over time, you just know what you need. As you get older, your body changes, and your idea of how the game is played changes, too. You just adjust.

What about sleep? How much sleep are you getting during the season?

I don’t sleep much. I think it’s hereditary. My mom doesn’t sleep. My dad never slept. My naps are definitely when I get the most sleep. I’m a big napper—that’s when I get most of my sleep.

When you can’t sleep at night, are you tossing and turning, or are you finding other ways to relax?

I just relax on my couch. Netflix and chill, brother. That’s all I do. Netflix and chill.

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You’ve played on a bunch of teams throughout your career. Who is your favorite teammate?

DeMar DeRozan. He’s the coolest person in the world—the most down-to-earth and supportive teammate I’ve had in my career. I was at a bit of a crossroads in my career when I came to Toronto. DeMar and Kyle [Lowry] were the people that really lifted me up. I respect them for that.

I think a lot of teammates would say you are the coolest person in the world.

Probably. I would probably get a few votes. It’s all about good energy being transferred, I think. When people treat you well, you just want to transfer it back over.

You tweeted recently that you gave up on fashion like five or six years ago. Specifically, you mentioned that you bought a $400 Gucci shirt, wore it once, washed it, and decided it wasn’t worth it. Are you out the game for good?

It just doesn’t make sense to me anymore. I’m also older. I’m 31, man. I’m out the game. Fashion is traditionally a young man's and young woman’s game. I just understand what’s important to me now and the things I like to spend money on, and clothes isn’t one of them. I stay consistent. I’ve always had jewelry over the years, but when it comes to clothes, I’m just a white or black Polo tee guy with some jeans and a pair of Jordans, and I’m cool. As long as I’m comfortable, I’m cool.

You signed a three-year extension with the Clippers in February. What was it about the team and the city that made you decide to lock yourself in before free agency?

I enjoy the organization, and the weather in the city is amazing. Most importantly, my kids love Los Angeles. I have water kids. They love the beach and the whole environment here. That was a big part of my decision.

If you could compare your playing style to a rapper, who would it be?

Hmmm. Someone who is laid-back and just gets it done. I would say Rick Ross. He’s laid-back and just gets it done.