Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: Digital Social Hour
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Maxwell Lewis, NBA Player (Los Angeles Lakers)
Episode: #1560 – "He Almost Quit Basketball… Now He’s in the NBA"
Date: October 9, 2025

Sean Kelly sits down with Max Lewis for a candid conversation about Lewis’s unconventional path to the NBA, overcoming setbacks, absorbing NBA life with the Los Angeles Lakers, and his journey from a late-blooming high schooler to a promising pro. Full of personal insights, locker room stories, and reflections on basketball culture, the episode highlights the resilience and attitude required to chase professional basketball dreams.

Key Discussion Points

Max Lewis’s Unconventional Basketball Journey

• Late start in basketball:
  • Max didn’t play AAU or travel basketball as a kid—his first real introduction came late in high school (00:00, 13:25).
  • “I was just a regular kid playing outside and just doing basic stuff. I never really got introduced to it… I played AU my 9th grade year and just got better.” – Max Lewis (00:00, 13:25)
• College path and challenges:
  • Began at Pepperdine for two years; overcame a serious wrist injury that altered his NBA draft chronology (01:13).
  • Considered alternative development pathways (“Chameleon BX”), but ended up choosing college after a brief, unsuccessful stint (02:30–04:10).
  • Credits coach Lorenzo Romar for helping him reach the league, highlighting Romar's reputation (04:13).

Life and Growth in the NBA

• Physical and mental adaptation:
  • The leap from college to NBA level involved adjusting to the faster game and developing his body (from 198 to 213 lbs) (05:21, 05:31).
  • “It’s a lot faster, you know, you got to be stronger. Those guys are really physical.” – Max Lewis (05:21)
  • Details the complexity and demands of NBA play, especially with the Lakers' attention to detail and schemes (06:19).
• Handling pressure:
  • Lewis feels little pressure after coming from low expectations (“no one thought I would have made it”)—instead, he sees each step as a bonus (06:35).
  • “It’s expectations, no pressure, just playing.” – Max Lewis (06:55)
• Learning from Lakers veterans:
  • Praises LeBron’s leadership, particularly his punctuality and professionalism (07:19).
    • “He says being on time actually is being late… he’s always just in the gym before everybody else.” – Max Lewis (07:19)
  • Commends D’Angelo Russell’s intensity and vocal leadership and values being around seasoned players (07:19, 07:56).
• Patience and development:
  • Acknowledges focusing on development; while feeling ready to play elsewhere, Max appreciates learning within a championship environment (08:18, 08:24).

The NBA In-Season Tournament Experience

• Winning and the quick turnaround:
  • Recalls the Lakers’ tournament win in Vegas and the contrasting reality of having to fly out that night for a G-League assignment (09:01–09:39).
  • “I had so many people at the game… We had Moneybagg Yo in the locker room, I’m singing with him… next morning I had to go play in the G League.” – Max Lewis (09:01)
• Financial details:
  • Shares the experience of getting the tournament payout (about $300K after taxes), and the excitement of seeing it hit his account (10:14–11:42).
  • Chooses to spend his winnings responsibly—paid off his car and saved most of it (11:54).

Roster Role and Aspirations

• Current contract details:
  • Three-year contract with a team option for a fourth; focused on doing all the “little things” to extend his stay (12:30).
  • “If I just do all the little things, right…they’ll resign me.” – Max Lewis (12:30)
• Game modeling:
  • Models his game on Rudy Gay, aiming to be a 3-and-D player but striving for versatile contributions (12:59).
• Late blooming as a competitive advantage:
  • Observes that starting basketball late might reduce long-term overuse injuries (14:14).

Candid NBA & Locker Room Tales

• Pranks and rookie duties:
  • Endured classic rookie pranks—fetching equipment for LeBron and almost getting soaked with a cake for D’Angelo Russell’s birthday (16:58, 17:46).
    • “Coach is like, ‘Rooks, sing Happy Birthday.’…holding the cake…and he like, tried to throw it like the cake literally on me…But it was fun though.” – Max Lewis (17:46)
  • Notes that initiation is tradition, but “it could have been worse”—some rookies rack up huge dinner bills (18:39).
• LeBron, the gamer:
  • Confirms LeBron is a serious Madden player, reputedly top 10 worldwide (18:59, 19:10).
• Off-court hobbies:
  • Played saxophone for years before basketball; wants to pick it up again (19:31).
  • Enjoys video games (Fortnite, 2K, Call of Duty) but finds limited free time during the season (20:52, 21:20).

G-League and the NBA Pipeline

• Switching between leagues:
  • Describes being on assignment to the G-League—more playing time, faster pace and a place to hone individual skills before returning to the NBA (09:56, 22:05–22:28).
  • Averaged 15-16 points per game in the G-League as a rookie (22:32).

Personal Life and Pets

• His dog, Rylo:
  • Shares a funny story about bringing his mini cockapoo “everywhere” during his rookie year, even sneaking him onto road trips—a move that isn’t league-approved (23:11, 24:01).
    • “I literally brought him with me… trying to sneak him, but I’m like, I don’t know if that’s a good look…” – Max Lewis (24:01)
  • Now has a proper dog-sitter in place (25:15).

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• Max on NBA learning curve:
  “It’s not just ‘go out and play’. It’s a lot of schemes and just a lot of details. But I’m definitely adjusting more and more as time goes on.” (06:19)

• LeBron’s professionalism:
  “He says being on time actually is being late. He’s always just in the gym before everybody else…” (07:19)

• On development and belonging:
  “I feel like I can play on any other team, but this is a good team to really learn. And they always say if you can play on a championship-winning team, you could play for any team.” (08:24)

• On rookie hazing:
  “I remember one time LeBron asked me for this like Xbox travel thing… they only had one in Germany… I was just so like, scared to call him back and be like, I can’t get it.” (16:58–17:08)

• On youthful injuries and longevity:
  “That’s true. It’s just a lot on your body. My body hurts right now and I just started putting a tear on it. Imagine the guys that been doing this since they were, you know…” (14:14)

• On passion for music:
  “I do want to pick up the saxophone again… That was before I was into basketball.” (19:31)

• On G-League differences:
  “It’s a lot faster. Like, transition is just back and forth. Like, it’s barely stopped…everyone’s hungry for that contract.” (22:05)

Important Timestamps

• Early basketball experiences: 00:00–01:07, 13:25
• Discussion about college pathway: 02:30–04:13
• Coach Lorenzo Romar’s impact: 04:13
• Transition to the NBA: 05:21–06:19
• LeBron and Lakers veterans: 07:19, 07:56
• NBA In-Season Tournament experience: 09:01–09:39
• Tournament payout moment: 10:14–11:42
• Contract and role: 12:30
• Modeling game after Rudy Gay: 12:59
• G-League assignments and comparison: 22:05–22:32
• Rookie hazing stories: 16:58–18:39
• Dog story (Rylo): 23:11–24:01

Tone and Style

• The episode maintains a casual, friendly, and candid style, mirroring the natural back-and-forth of a locker room conversation.
• Max Lewis is humble, reflective, and forthright, sharing both humorous and challenging moments.
• Host Sean Kelly keeps the conversation energetic and relatable.

Closing

Listeners walk away with a strong sense of Max Lewis’s resilience, humility, and genuine love for basketball, along with a behind-the-scenes appreciation of NBA locker room life. The episode is not just about stats and games, but also about perseverance, mentorship, and the often-unseen grind behind the glamour.