See the issue: April 2005

Just before an evening match-up against the Phoenix Suns, STACK caught up with Los Angeles Clippers star Corey Maggette. What did we learn? Egg whites, raisin toast, hot wings and Gatorade happen to go very well together. Just read.

STACK: Describe your typical daily routine from the night before game day, up until you arrive at Staples Center the following evening.

MAGGETTE: The night before a typical game day I usually go to the movies. I get back home at the latest midnight, and get to bed by 1 a.m. Get up by 8:30 a.m. My girl cooks me some egg whites, a couple of bananas, some raisin toast and orange juice. Go over to the arena, get some treatment on any injuries or any nagging pain. Film session at about 9:30 a.m. for about 30 minutes. I gotta read the scouting report for that night, and then do some shooting drills with the team, and I usually stay afterward to shoot with one of the coaches. I go around the horn, off the dribble, and make 20 free throws in a row. I try to get home by 12:15 p.m. Play a little John Madden, and get something to eat at about 1:30 p.m.

STACK: What's your girl cooking at 1:30?

MAGGETTE: Ah, no, my brother makes lunch.

STACK: I wish my brother made me lunch. Wait, why does your brother live with your girl?

MAGGETTE: (laughs) Well, actually, I used to live with my brother. I just moved in with my girl. But he usually makes, you know, some baked chicken wings, or noodles, maybe white fish, corn or broccoli, and some Gatorade. Oh, or a box of oatmeal. Then, I sleep till 5 p.m. When I get up I go over to the gym in a suit.

STACK: Smooth...Not the jumpsuit like Melo or Kobe though, huh?

MAGGETTE: Well, if it's a back-to-back game, I'll just wear the jumpsuit.

STACK: That makes sense. So once you get to Staples, then what?

MAGGETTE: I get there and I relax and watch a game on TV, and get some more treatment. Hit the court, get some shots up. Then I go to the chapel, talk to the chaplain. (The chapel is in the bottom of the arena.) There's about 45 minutes on the clock before I get in the locker room and get ready for the team meeting. We go through the scouting report. At 17 or 18 minutes, I get to the court, shoot around and talk it up with the refs.

STACK: Offer a bribe. Tell 'em how nice they look?

MAGGETTE: Tell 'em I'm glad we got some good guys to represent. Tell 'em if there's a problem, who to talk to: usually me. But then I take some more shots before game time.

STACK: Is there any specific song, or type of music you listen to before a game?

MAGGETTE: I've been listening to a little Game lately. Mario's new CD, Jay-Z, 50 Cent. Usually the same ones unless something new came out.

STACK: Interesting. Before tip-off, I'm more of an Enya guy myself. Do you use any sort of mental visualization technique?

MAGGETTE: The whole day, especially when I'm sleeping. I think about what I'm going to do, and what I can do better than the night before, especially if it was a bad game. Prayer is the key. I pray before and after every game. Regardless of whether it was a good game or bad game.

STACK: Do you visualize and pray more if you're going up against Kobe?

MAGGETTE: Especially in Kobe's case.

STACK: Preach on.

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