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- [00:01]
LeBron James
I want you to have a cup. That's the only thing I want. Yeah, that works.
- [00:05]
Steve Nash
How long does it take you to get to practice?
- [00:08]
LeBron James
At the hour I go, it probably take me 20 minutes.
- [00:10]
Steve Nash
Oh, easy.
- [00:11]
LeBron James
Yeah, yeah, I go early. We got price at 11. I'll try to get there at like no later than 8:30. So it'll take me about 20 minutes. On the way back, I could price like 35.
- [00:20]
Steve Nash
Yeah, yeah.
- [00:21]
LeBron James
Oh, perfect. Perfect. Thank you.
- [00:23]
Steve Nash
If you want. Yeah, we are rolling, Rolling. We've been rolling. Ready to go.
- [00:29]
LeBron James
Love it. All right.
- [00:30]
Steve Nash
Yeah. Steve off for you. All right. Hey, I'm Steve Nash and this is season two of Mind the Game for those of you who were listening, subscribing, downloading. Last season you had J.J. redick, formerly a podcaster and now the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, with his star student LeBron James, discussing the game of basketball. I thought they did an exceptional job of kind of digging into the weeds a little bit of the technical aspects of the game, and we hope to continue that a little bit here on season two. LeBron's been really gracious with his time, allowing us to kind of get inside the mind of one of the all time greats, not just on the technical stuff, but on the big picture items as well. You know, his approach, his mentality, his preparation and recovery, along with the current trends of the game, where the game's going, how it's being played, how we dissect and analyze the game. So I'm excited. Got a great opportunity here to talk about the game. I love someone that I greatly admire and having an opportunity to discuss not only the current Lakers team that has had some major moves recently, but also the entire league and the state of the game of basketball. This is amazing. Great to sit down with you. You know, we've played against each other, we've dapped each other up dozens of times, but we never really got a chance to sit down. We never had a meal or a drink together. So this is an honor for me to get to know your way of thinking, your approach, and I'm excited for the series.
- [02:16]
LeBron James
So let's make this up. Welcome back, man. Mind the Game. Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.
- [02:23]
Steve Nash
Let's make this a good one. Let's make it fun.
- [02:24]
LeBron James
Absolutely, let's do it.
- [02:26]
Steve Nash
You're brave, though. I'm a rookie, so, you know, last year you were doing this with a professional podcaster who now is your head coach, and a pretty damn good one at that. So, you know, I'm gonna try to Pick it up for him. I'm gonna try to, you know, see if I can get under the hood of the Lakers a little bit along. I'm fascinated by his journey as well, but sitting in his seat here with you is gonna be a lot of fun for me. So let's crack it off.
- [02:50]
LeBron James
Absolutely. And the closure real quick if he gets a head coaching job, because whatever. We didn't talk about this beforehand, guys.
- [03:00]
Steve Nash
Yeah, right, right.
- [03:01]
LeBron James
Just letting you guys know. Pretty talked about it, but two great minds, though. Once again, thank you. Let's do it.
- [03:08]
Steve Nash
That's good. Well, listen, the first thing that I want to hear you speak about. All right. Is from the time you're, I don't know, 12, 13 years old, you've been the guy. Okay, so how many people in the history of the game have sat here at 40 years old, having done everything, you know, kiss the ass, get that out of the way right away. But champion, MVP golds, titan of industry, you know, business. You've landed the plane on Mount Rushmore after 30 years, basically. Like, what does success look like for you now at 40?
- [03:42]
LeBron James
That's a great question, Steve. I mean, I think it comes down to, like, what does success mean to me now about inspiring the guys that's with you and the crew that's coming after you, you know, hoping that what you're doing and the tools and the DNA and the blueprint that you're doing while you're still playing and striving while you're doing that, it is going to. It's going to trickle down to the generation that you're with and the generation that's coming in. You know, we've always heard the saying, like, leave the game in a better place than when you were in it. And that's what success for me. I hope I can inspire the next generation of great players, great athletes, not only in just basketball, but in sport in general, to what it means to take care of your body and keeping your mind fresh and understanding, being more driven by the process more than the actual ending goal, and then just trying to be great, or as great as you can be, squeezing as much juice out of yourself as you can and doing it because you're doing it for the love of the process and not what it brings, not what the sport brings you.
- [05:00]
Steve Nash
Great answer. And I was gonna say in the middle of it, like, the obvious answer is to win a championship.
- [05:06]
LeBron James
Right? For sure.
- [05:07]
Steve Nash
But, like, the process is everything. I think it's so important for young players in line with what you're Saying to realize process over outcome. So many, whether you're 7 year old or 14 years old, 25 year old, sometimes we get carried with the outcome.
- [05:21]
LeBron James
Right, right.
- [05:21]
Steve Nash
But it's a process that leads to an outcome. And if you start looking at the outcome, you lose sight of the process.
- [05:26]
LeBron James
Absolutely.
- [05:27]
Steve Nash
So you've always been a leader in that respect, taking care of your body. You've been on the cutting edge, you know, life off the court, building businesses. The way even during your career, you change franchises strategically. Always cutting edge, always thinking ahead, always trying to get somewhere that you think is interesting, fascinating about where you can take the game.
- [05:47]
LeBron James
Thank you.
- [05:47]
Steve Nash
Thank you, guys.
- [05:48]
LeBron James
Absolutely.
- [05:50]
Steve Nash
To good health.
- [05:51]
LeBron James
Absolutely.
- [05:52]
Steve Nash
Down the stretch here especially.
- [05:53]
LeBron James
Thank you.
- [05:53]
Steve Nash
Cheers.
- [05:57]
LeBron James
That's beautiful. That's lovely. Like, Dave was stepping on those grapes right outside. Right out back for sure.
- [06:06]
Steve Nash
Where was I? The process.
- [06:08]
LeBron James
Yeah.
- [06:09]
Steve Nash
There's another former 40 year old Laker in the room. It didn't go as well, but I would say I fought with everything I could to keep playing.
- [06:19]
LeBron James
Yeah.
- [06:19]
Steve Nash
Like I wanted to keep going. Like, I would have loved to play two, three, four more years because, you know, you get to that stage where you're at right now, you can see over the fence.
- [06:27]
LeBron James
Yeah, for sure.
- [06:28]
Steve Nash
And that's vast.
- [06:29]
LeBron James
More than any time before. Absolutely.
- [06:30]
Steve Nash
Like you've been in the league now longer than you've not been in the league in your life.
- [06:34]
LeBron James
Right.
- [06:35]
Steve Nash
22.
- [06:35]
LeBron James
22 compared to 18 seasons to 18.
- [06:37]
Steve Nash
Right.
- [06:37]
LeBron James
Yeah.
- [06:38]
Steve Nash
And then you got your whole rest of your life without, you know, playing the game whenever that is. And I have a hunch it's not now because of what I've been noticing lately. But. But my point being is that when I was fighting to get every last drop that I could, I wanted to compete, I wanted to be on the floor, I wanted to win games. But what I really was obsessed with and in love with was the process of trying to get better every day. Trying to prepare, to stay healthy, to get healthy, to refine my skills, to get sharper, to get fitter, all those things. So I can relate to that. But I think it's a wonderful message for young players. So many nowadays, like social media, whatever it is, the lens gets so broad, you forget about like my process. Right.
- [07:21]
LeBron James
I mean, you just said it. I mean, because of social media and because of people wanting instant gratification, instant oatmeal, I always call it. Like, okay, just throw it in the microwave and a minute and a half is warm. You know, I think if you really want to be great at something it definitely doesn't happen overnight. It's not going to happen in a year or two. And even if you're having a great season or you're having a career year, there's still so much more room to continue to improve. You know, it's still much more room for you to continue with the process of becoming great where it's sustainable. You know, we've both been in many All Star Games, multiple All Star Games, and we've both seen guys that were there one year and then guys that were not there the next year, you know, and, you know, you ask yourself, you know, when I walk into those locker rooms still, I asked myself, what was. What was it? What was the defining factor why that particular player wasn't there the following couple years after he had that breakout season the year before? You know, and that's disregarding if an injury happened, you know, so being able to just, like, make the lens so much smaller and not looking at, like, the finished product. Because, yes, we all want to, you know, in our respective sport, we want to host the Larry O'Brien trophy. Like, you've seen it, you've seen other guys do it, you've seen it over the course of time, you feel like it cements your legacy or whoever that you want to become. But ultimately, like the time and the commitment that you give to yourself and to your body into your craft, into your mind, those things will take care of itself. And if it's meant for you to have, then it's meant for you to have. And if it's not, if you've done all those things leading up to it and it still didn't happen, you sleep better at night, you're okay with yourself because you gave your body, your mind, your soul, everything that you could ever ask for.
- [09:19]
Steve Nash
I'd take it one step further. When you are in your process, as you have been locked in for years, especially with the aperture of what you have to deal with, is there any better feeling than being locked in?
- [09:30]
LeBron James
No.
- [09:30]
Steve Nash
Like when you are locked in and you are, you know, you're taking and you're in a rhythm and every day you're knocking it down, you never miss a step. Like, you go to bed feeling great. You wake up feeling inspired, you go in the gym with energy, right? Like, that's the best way to live. And that's why, like, I didn't want to stop.
- [09:45]
LeBron James
Right? Right.
- [09:46]
Steve Nash
So, like, it's amazing that you can have that approach, still fighting for it at this age, still playing incredible basketball and that you're Leaving a legacy. My question would be like, was there a time in your career where that. Where that light bulb went on and you realize it is all about the process?
- [10:03]
LeBron James
I would say probably around year seven or eight, you know, I was around 25, 26, you know, when I first entered the league, I always had the mind for the game. You know, no plug. I always had the mind for the game. So I knew that I was. When I became a professional, I knew I could think the game, you know, and I knew that my body was ready for the game as well. What I did not know, or, you know, what I did not have, I didn't have enough accumulative hours put in on perfecting the process, you know. You know, in high school, you play high school ball, you're there with your friends, you're enjoying it. And yes, I was in the gym a lot sooner than some of my teammates and best friends, and I left the gym a lot sooner than some. I mean, a lot later than some of my teammates and best friends. But still, there's another level. There's another level that, quite frankly, I didn't know.
- [11:01]
Steve Nash
Yeah.
- [11:01]
LeBron James
You know, and it took me, you know, I thought when I, you know, took my team to the finals in 2006, I believe at age 22, I was going to do that for the next three or four years. Like, I was, okay, just maybe give me one more piece.
- [11:16]
Steve Nash
Yeah.
- [11:16]
LeBron James
You know, and at 23, I got into the postseason and lost in the second round. And then, you know, 24, I got there. I got to the Eastern Conference finals, or vice versa. Eastern Conference finals, the second round, one of those years. And I didn't get back into the finals until 2011, you know, so it was five years later. I just thought it was gonna happen like that. And I think part of it was, you know, me being young and obviously, you know, you play some superior teams. But at the end of the day, I don't think that, you know, my process was where it needed to be or even if I even had enough time for my process to be where it needed to be. And I didn't win a championship, I believe, until I finally was understanding and had the ability, as far as my capacity to understand the process, to unlock the process and then go after it and just stay there, stay that course.
- [12:11]
Steve Nash
I think another word describing that unlocking and staying there is efficiency. And sometimes you outwork, you're in there early, you stay late, you know, you can do it. You're learning because you have the mind for the game. But, like, it takes maturity to, like, figure out what efficiency really means, right? What it really means. Like, other stuff happens in your life. You know, you become bigger, social media comes into the world, you start a family. Right now, you gotta be really efficient, right? Because things get in the way. And so you have to start saying, no, no, no, I gotta be focused and locked in. Sometimes you just can't do that at 20, 21, 22.
- [12:46]
LeBron James
No, no, I just don't think you can. And I think you can be as locked in as your hard drive will allow you to be. You know, I've always said this saying, like, the best teacher in life is experience. You know, and you have the ability to go through a career and a profession where you have, you know, instances and moments that will either shape you to understand what's coming next or not. And it's up to you. Like, how much more do you want to be put in that position because you know how to handle it next time? So, you know, I think, you know, even when you do become a champion, if you're able to become a champion at 20 or 21, at 22, you're still not tapped in. I mean, when Kobe came in, you know, he had a couple years, and then Shaq came to the team, and I think he won his first one at, like, 21 or 22. But he wasn't the Kobe that we all saw in 2008, 2009, 2010, when he was really able to define his game and hone in on his skill, his efficiency, his. His. His. His mind. You know, we saw the complete Kobe Bryant, you know, then. So I think it just. It just takes time.
- [13:56]
Steve Nash
Yeah, for sure. Yeah. It's. It's. It's a. It's an interesting one because, like, it seems so obvious at this end of our careers and lives. Right? But you look back and you're like, yeah, you know what? I probably wasn't as efficient back then. So, like, it. There is a. Like, even if you tell this story to, like, talking to Bronnie, right. Some of it he takes because he's a smart kid, loves the game, but some of it, he's just not ready to take. And like you said, I say you can't cheat experience.
- [14:20]
LeBron James
Right?
- [14:21]
Steve Nash
Right. Like, you need to go through stuff, you need to build scores, and it's the ones that really have the dedication that want to win, that want to be the best, that want to be prepared, that they learn. Yeah, they learn from their mistakes.
- [14:31]
LeBron James
They learn from their dreams. Absolutely. I mean, it's Funny you say that, because I have to check myself sometimes throughout the course of games or practices or shoot arounds or film sessions when we have a couple young guys on the team and I expect for them to know it, and that's unfair to them. I've always talked about, like, my Little League coaches and the coaches I've had over the course of my career, I believe they really set me up for the greater of the game of basketball. Like, I was, you know, like, I was taught how to pass and cut. I was taught, you know, flex, action. I was taught, you know, ball movement, you moving defensively. When the ball move, you move, you know. I was taught, you know, pointing your fingers out and having your fingers point out. You can see, you know, your man, you know, and the ball, then you're in the right position. I was taught that, you know, if you're not getting more satisfaction out of seeing the success of your teammates, then what are you doing it for? Like, I was taught all those things. And then also being able to lock in, like, okay, if a coach writes down a play on the board, on the whiteboard, you know, to not mess it up on when you get out on the court, you know, like, we would study those things. And this was like, 8, 9, 10, 11 years, you know, when I was 11.
- [15:43]
Steve Nash
All still applicable today.
- [15:45]
LeBron James
All today. Like, my pet peeve. One of my pet peeve is a coach writing a play on the board and 20 seconds later, guys go out there and fuck it up. You know, that's one of my pet peeve. But back to what I was saying. Like, you know, I expect excellence out of everyone, you know, and I expect for everyone to know exactly what we're doing, how we're supposed to do, and what's going to happen. But also, I have to check myself sometimes to saying, okay, the level of experience may not. It's not there just yet.
- [16:19]
Steve Nash
Appropriate excellence.
- [16:20]
LeBron James
Appropriate excellence, yes.
- [16:21]
Steve Nash
Which is a hard balance, right?
- [16:22]
LeBron James
It's a hard balance when, you know, shit, you're 40 and you're like, okay, I'm looking over the mountain.
- [16:28]
Steve Nash
I said, oh, shit, there's the end, right?
- [16:30]
LeBron James
Yeah, there's the end for me, you know, and I'm still competing at a high level. And I'm like, well, I have a chance to possibly win another championship. But this is a team game, you know. You know, when it comes to, you know, soccer and football and basketball, these are complete team. No matter how great you are as an individual, you know, and you have to rely on either, you know, four other Guys, the guys coming off the bench. You know, football, you have to rely on the other 10 guys, and then the offense, defense, offensive coordinator, soccer, the same shit. You have to rely on everybody. So, you know, it's a tug of war for me mentally. I get it, you know, when it comes. When it comes to it.
- [17:07]
Steve Nash
And the system's not set up for kids to learn the same way, you know, whether it's aau, whether it's. You know, the way I'll put myself in this category. My generation of parenting, we protect our kids too much, you know, like, you gotta let them, like, fail a little bit, you know, now, you know, the kids mean everything to the AAU program, not the AAU program.
- [17:28]
LeBron James
And if they don't like it there, then they go somewhere else. If they don't like it there, they go somewhere else. Like, it's.
- [17:32]
Steve Nash
Yeah and nil.
- [17:33]
LeBron James
Right.
- [17:34]
Steve Nash
So can a coach be hard on you? Like, I would have never made the league if it wasn't for my high school coach, my college coach, being hard as hell on me.
- [17:40]
LeBron James
Yeah.
- [17:40]
Steve Nash
You know, that made me tough. That made me be able to suffer, to fail to get back up, to keep going, to keep believing. Because they'd rode me. Right. They rode me. And so that's a hard thing for our kids, like, to. You know, there's very few environments nowadays that have that. Where we let them struggle. Right. I think it's appropriate challenges.
- [17:58]
LeBron James
I was, like, so, like, humbled and appreciative. Like, when Bronny wanted to stay at his high school for four straight years.
- [18:04]
Steve Nash
Yeah.
- [18:04]
LeBron James
You know, even. You know, he could have went other places and maybe even got better opportunities or be able to do whatever he wanted to do with the game or whatever. And he stayed at the same high school for four years. And our youngest son did as well. Because of parenting, because of some things that was happening at the school that we didn't like, we kind of made him transfer in the summertime. He wanted to stay. And then ultimately he came to us and said he was not happy with the places that we sent him to, and he ended up going back, and now this is his senior year. And basically he spent all four years at the same high school, too. And that means something. Like, you're not, like, running away from adversity, even though things might not be going your way. You able to say, fuck it, man. Okay, I'm here. I've laid the groundwork. And, okay, yeah, it's not going well for me here. But this is not even the real world. What if it doesn't work out for me in the real world, I can't just pack up and just leave. I have to be able to stick through it and work through it.
- [19:03]
Steve Nash
But those are values that start at home. They value community. They value character, resilience. They don't want to leave their teammates. That stuff matters. And I think that that's important, you know, as a value for parents but also like as a community. Hopefully we can do better. You know, as someone who's always looking for that next rush, whether it's driving the lane or threading the needle, we get it. You need that excitement. And let me tell you, I found it in Audible. No joke. These audiobooks have me on the edge of my seat. Whether on a long drive or in a recovery session. From heart pounding thrillers to epic adventures, these stories have you on the edge of your seat like you're right in the middle of the action. They've got these Audible originals that are absolutely amazing, plus all the best sellers you've been meaning to check out. The best part, you can get started with a free 30 day trial at audible.com audible knows there's no greater thrill out there than yours. Discover what lies beyond the edge of your seat on Audible, Sign up for a 30 day free trial at audible.com game and dive into a world of new thrills. That's audible.comG A M the next part of our conversation centers around the Los Angeles Lakers. But first I'd like to give some background on different actions, different vocabulary that we use in the NBA. Just maybe give a slightly deeper level for certain fans out there that haven't been exposed to some of the technical acumen that is just the language of NBA players. So one that we spoke about in this episode was the short roll. The short roll is essentially catching the ball shortly after rolling to the basket. You know, we've all seen the guard keep the ball and throw the lob at the rim or throw the pocket pass where the big takes it to the basket. But the short roll is when you release the ball early to whoever set that screen and now they're the playmaker out of that pocket. So often it comes from a quick little double team. So we have the offensive player with the ball. Offensive player comes and sets a screen, X guarding X guarding the roller. Here he comes off with the ball. Maybe this defender comes and jumps for a second. We have two on the ball. The roller gets right in here. A little bounce pass or a little pass over the top into this pocket which allows Them now to be essentially a playmaker playing three on two or four on three from that position. Next we have the pocket pass. This is pretty self explanatory. There's a pocket created when someone sets a pick and roll if the big is not up to the level. So we have a screener here coming up to set the screen. His defender is usually lagging the play right here. As the ball handler dribbles off the pick and roll and the roller rolls, there's a pocket between the two defenders where that ball can be thrown to the roller to take to the basket. Blender. Blender is a term we use in the NBA when a team is in rotation, essentially when they've created their first bit of penetration and help is forced. Now when you create a situation where someone comes to help and the ball is passed around the gym and someone else now puts it on the floor to touch the paint, or plays two on one with the weak side, essentially that broken floor where a team is trying to recover and they're in rotations is called blender. So a lot of NBA teams like to knock down the first domino. Whether it's pick and roll, isolation, transition, force a team into rotations. Now they can start moving the ball around the gym, creating closeouts or two on ones. Paint touches that open up three point shooters or opportunities at the rim for baskets, offensive rebounds, all sorts of havoc. We call that blender. In this episode, Lebron references angle pop. It's a standard action in the NBA. So we have an offensive player with the ball. We have an offensive player here and in the corner, the other corner is filled. Here comes a pick and roll. Ball handler comes off the pick and roll. We pop. Ball goes to the popper. If it's two on this side, there's a hard dive and then a DHO dribble handoff with the corner guy, attack, roll. Or of course, if there's a switch, you can attack the switch or post up the mismatch. We did mention in this episode about being in the gaps protecting the paint. Offensively, we've got a ball, let's just say it's head on the rim out top. We have a defender here. This is a great isolation player with speed skill that we see on every team in the NBA. We have the floor spread, so perhaps we have shooters, foul line extended and the corners filled. And this is a difficult ball handler to contain. You have a choice to either stay home, which would mean your defender's out here next to the shooter trying not to give up. Threes or we can be in the gaps, loading to the ball, trying to take away penetration. A lot of teams have tough decisions to make in our league with guys with such athleticism and skill. But a lot of teams place a heavy emphasis on being in the gaps, not allowing penetration. Even though we're a threes heavy league, you know, the number one thing you want to take away is your rim. Well, look, let's talk about these Lakers.
- [24:27]
LeBron James
Let's do it.
- [24:27]
Steve Nash
Let's talk about these Lakers. Look, this. You know, you guys won a championship a few years back now.
- [24:32]
LeBron James
Yeah.
- [24:34]
Steve Nash
You know, I don't know if it's fair to say, but felt like the project, if I can call it that, was getting a little stale. All of a sudden, you guys make a huge trade. You know, you get one of the Greats already at 25, nearly 26. Five time, first team, all NBA. Luka Doncic. Amazing player. Exciting, of course. But I'd like to know from you, like, what excited you about getting to play with Luka.
- [24:59]
LeBron James
Because he plays the game how I've always wanted to inspire the generation to play the game. It's like there's no, there's nothing predetermined. It's. It's. If you, if you have two guys on you, there's a numbers game.
- [25:14]
Steve Nash
Right.
- [25:15]
LeBron James
If you have the advantage and if it's guy that, you know, you. That can't guard you or, or. Or you're able to beat him, and then the guy traps the box or another guy sinks. I'm able to make the passes and make the reads before they happen. And I've always loved the players that breathe so much confidence into his teammates, that make them believe that they're actually better than what the fuck they really are.
- [25:40]
Steve Nash
Yes.
- [25:41]
LeBron James
Yes, you did that. Luka has done that for seven years. Chris Paul did that when he was down there in New Orleans and doing that for that team down there in New Orleans. I've been able to do that with a few of my teams. I mean, I don't go to the NBA Finals in 2006 with that team if I'm not able to make them believe that they're greater than what they are.
- [25:58]
Steve Nash
Yeah.
- [25:58]
LeBron James
You know, and. And just give them that confidence.
- [26:01]
Steve Nash
It's a great point because I think people understand you make your teammates better, but making them believe is a whole other thing. Because you can spray the ball around the gym and make people better.
- [26:10]
LeBron James
Right.
- [26:10]
Steve Nash
But to give them that belief that, like, no, what I do is important and valued and, and going to help our Team win, like, that's a different.
- [26:18]
LeBron James
And. And it makes them. Ultimately, they would do anything for you. They'll run through a wall for you. You know, I mean, we. I mean, we saw it. Unfortunately, one of your teammates gets suspended in the postseason. You know, when you get chucked to the. To the scores table. Yeah, but that's because you've given them so much confidence and so much belief. You fucking touch, Steve. Like, you're. I feel like you're. You're going after me.
- [26:43]
Steve Nash
We built that bond.
- [26:44]
LeBron James
Y'all built that bond. You know what I'm saying? So, like, Luka has that.
- [26:47]
Steve Nash
Yeah.
- [26:48]
LeBron James
And, I mean, he learned that from growing up in Slovenia to heading over to Madrid and learning the game the right way and playing at a professional level at, what, 13, 14 years old. And he brought that same model and that same game to the NBA, like, from day one. From day one. From day one. You know, Incredible. Incredible.
- [27:10]
Steve Nash
Let me. Okay, let me bring up a question for you. I've heard many people say you can't make a blockbuster trade mid season and contend, so. Oh, they're like, I'd like to know they're wrong. Yeah. And tell me how you feel about that. Like, there's validity to that, but it doesn't mean it's black and white, Right?
- [27:32]
LeBron James
No, it's definitely. It's very challenging, you know, especially mid season, because, I mean. I mean, you know, you really start the season in September and you start to implement, you know, what you want to do offensively, what you want to do defensively. And, yes, throughout the course of the season, there's times where, okay, maybe we shouldn't do this. Okay, let's lean to this. But the premise and the staple of what you want to do offensively and defensively is put in place. You know, so when you add. When you add. When you talk about blockbuster, not just a regular, you know, get a piece here or there, but if you add a blockbuster trade, where you bring in, you know, a Luka Doncic or a blockbuster trade, or if Anthony Davis goes, you know, to Dallas, whatever, you have to kind of rearrange how we're playing, you know, so now Dallas goes from being heavy pick and roll, you know, to, you know, four out, you know, make one big come, set it for Luka, you get a roller, you get spreads. You know, when Luka sits down, okay, Kyrie gets the ball, and now he does his thing, you know, now, you know, their team kind of changes. And our team dynamic changes, too, from, you know, we need AD To Touch the ball every time down. We have to have AD engaged in order for us to be able to win, because when AD's engaged, offensively is going to work, and then defensively, it makes us even more incredible. So now we have to change our whole thing to now completely different. Completely different. Because Luka needs the ball. He has to have the ball. It makes no sense of bringing in Barry Bonds if we're not going to have him back.
- [29:03]
Steve Nash
Clean up. Right, Exactly. You know, it's early, right? Like, this episode might not come out for a month, but, you know, you've beaten Dallas last night, you beat Denver in Denver, who was at this, at the moment of taping, was on fire, playing very well, kind of found their stride. Nikola Jokic obviously makes it very difficult for everybody.
- [29:22]
LeBron James
Oh, my goodness.
- [29:22]
Steve Nash
Doesn't it? But, like, what I've seen in this four or five games with Luka has been exciting. Yeah, it's been exciting. And so this, this is one of those real opportunities where I say, okay, they could buck this trend of being difficult. But before I get to my thought, the other thing that's hard, as someone who's coached, you don't get a lot of time with the team to implement like the season is, you know, travel, plane, hotel, game, game, day off. You know, performance teams now want you off all the time. So as a coach, trying to implement is difficult.
- [29:56]
LeBron James
No practice time.
- [29:57]
Steve Nash
No practice time. You walk through, you watch film. Like even watching some of the quick hitters, you guys are running. Like, I'm sure JJ wants a little more pace in the summer, though, but you don't have time. How do you get time to be like, let's run through this fast?
- [30:08]
LeBron James
No, no, I mean, J.J. for sure, he's like, you know, when we were wearing shoot around, you know, he's kind of harping on it. Like he'll draw something. He said. And then when we break, he say, these are some of the things I would like to do on the fly.
- [30:20]
Steve Nash
Yeah.
- [30:21]
LeBron James
Where I don't have to call a timeout and it be an ato, you know, I would. I much rather us learning. Let's try to figure it out, how we can learn it, you know, to where if you're going down the court and I yell it out, you guys know exactly what we're doing, you know, so, like, I mean, you just said it, you know, it's. When you make that blockbuster trade, you know, in mid season, it is hard because you said, you know, the games are every other day, you know, three and four nights Four and six nights back to backs. You know, the month of March. We, we have four back to backs in the month of March. You know, I think something like I've seen like six games or. Yeah, six games in like seven days, seven and a half days. So that makes it even more important. The shoot arounds, the film sessions, you know, when you're on the plane and you're flying, you know, having to, you know, give us the iPads and you're watching it and showing your teammate, okay, I messed up here or what could I have done?
- [31:11]
Steve Nash
Stealing some time.
- [31:12]
LeBron James
Stealing some time. Because some of, some of the things that you, I don't want to say, take for granted practice time, you're not going to have, you know, so, I mean, you said it. That's the fine line right there.
- [31:24]
Steve Nash
And I think, like, you know, we think about putting in place sets, but it's principles too. Like getting familiar with principles. Side out of bounds, underneath out of bounds, End of game, get in, end of game play.
- [31:35]
LeBron James
Oh, my goodness.
- [31:36]
Steve Nash
People take for granted, like defensive principles, but then, like, what's our off speed pitch? What's our curveball like, you know, okay, what's our blitz package look like? You know, how are we gonna get it out of his hands? Whatever it is, like, that takes time, that takes feel. So that's a big challenge for you all. But what I would say is that watch you play early. It's been fascinating. And I'd like to start by talking about two of the greatest point forwards of all time. My two guys that can dominate a game with the ball in their hands, Scoring, passing, rebounding, whatever they want. Two computer processors, right? But you can't both have the ball.
- [32:10]
LeBron James
Right?
- [32:10]
Steve Nash
Right. So what I've been impressed with is, and Luka too. And I think you started down this path with Austin in that you started empowering him. You started like picking more spots, saying, like, I don't need to control everything. As we feel in the heart of our career, you feel like we can lose. I can't give the game away when it comes down the stretch. I'm going to make every decision. Right? So giving some. Empowering your teammates is important, especially when you're year 22.
- [32:35]
LeBron James
Absolutely.
- [32:36]
Steve Nash
So what I've been impressed with, with everybody, but in particularly you, is your ability to be a spacer, a cutter, a screener, a short roller, a quick decision maker. Like that to me, is where your team offensively can reach an incredible height and not think back and be like, why did we even think like two primary ball Handlers, can you expound on, like, how you are approaching this process?
- [33:05]
LeBron James
Well, I'm very smart when it comes to the game of basketball.
- [33:08]
Steve Nash
That's never in question. No, the habits, the habits, the habits, Right. It's not the intelligence. I know you see it do everything the habit of saying, like, I'll be a cutter, I'll be a screener, I'll be a spade. Let me just.
- [33:19]
LeBron James
I will be. When I know, when I know that it's for the betterment of the team and ultimately for us to reach our rim, I'm able to adapt to whatever position that needs to be done. And in this case, understanding how great Luka is, how on the rise Austin is, I can do things that affect the game still. That benefits our team. And like you said, you know, being able to come up and set a pick and roll where it's a switch league, you know, and. But to be able to pick and slip or pick and hit the short roll, now what I do best is even more unlocked. So you're giving me a pocket pass and now I'm playing the four on three game.
- [34:12]
Steve Nash
Right. 100%.
- [34:13]
LeBron James
I'm playing the four on three game where I have, you know, I've gotten the ball from Luke in the pocket or ar in the pocket. Now I'm having. Now I get to read and decide what these, These three defenders are going to guard me with the ball. Two guys in a corner and a big and a dunker or small in the dunker.
- [34:31]
Steve Nash
Yeah.
- [34:32]
LeBron James
I'm going to pick you apart, you know, instead of always having to be at the head of the, at the head of the play. And now all eyes are on me and it's a five on five game, you know, or, you know, being, you know, when Luka's ability to manipulate a defense.
- [34:50]
Steve Nash
Distort the defense.
- [34:51]
LeBron James
Yeah. If you put two on him. And now when the ball is swung to me and I'm going against a closeout, which is have. It doesn't happen much, you know, in my career.
- [35:03]
Steve Nash
Staying home.
- [35:03]
LeBron James
Yeah.
- [35:04]
Steve Nash
For 22 years.
- [35:04]
LeBron James
For 22 years. To get eyes on someone else for a change. And then I'm catching on the backside with a live dribble or I'm cutting through traffic, you know, it's.
- [35:16]
Steve Nash
But like one of the highest forms of intelligence is also knowing what your sacrifice needs to be. Yeah, right. And I, and this is an insult to you, but like, there has been examples in our league where great players playing with other great players, like to. Your turn. My turn.
- [35:29]
LeBron James
Yeah.
- [35:30]
Steve Nash
Right. Immediately. You were bought into. I'm not just standing over here in the parking lot waiting for Luka to do his thing. I'm going to eat off of him, and I'm going to create for him. And seeing you do that right away is such a great example of how to play the game. Play the game the right way in a way that you haven't done for the majority of 22 years.
- [35:47]
LeBron James
Yeah, and I think I just always go back to the teaching. You know, I. When I first started playing basketball, there were. There were no pick and rolls. When I first started playing basketball, it was just motion. Offense.
- [36:02]
Steve Nash
Yeah, flex.
- [36:02]
LeBron James
It was just flex and motion and, you know, cut and screen away and cut and pass and, you know, there was none of that, you know, in high school. You know, my two coaches, coach Keith Danbrother, who just retired from Duquesne last year, and coach Drew Joyce, who's. I think he's got about a year or two left. You know, at St. Vincent St. Mary, we didn't run much pick and roll either. It was all about, like, how can we get the ball moving from one side to another. Move the defense, break down the defense with dribble drives, try to get middle guys, suck in, you spray, you ain't got a shot. Quick decisions, quick decisions. Moving, moving. So it was always a numbers game for me growing up. And, you know, when you get into the NBA, obviously, you know, things change and it's all about, you know, how can we, you know, target here or whatever the case may be, or, you know, just get guys, you know, get the numbers game, you know, but it's the same. It was the same mind frame for me, you know, from when I was a kid. So me being able to take a step back but also still be laser sharp and focused on what's the job at hand. It was not a. It's a sacrifice, but it's not something that I'm not willing to do for the betterment of the team.
- [37:15]
Steve Nash
It's been exciting to see, man. And it's also beautiful to watch. Right. You know, it's like a lot of people in the NBA call it blender. Like when you make. Steve Kerr says, when you knock the first domino down, so whatever that is, that gets penetration. I'm a big believer in paint touches.
- [37:29]
LeBron James
Yes, sir.
- [37:30]
Steve Nash
Getting that first domino to fall, getting that first pain touch. Getting to blender excites me a little bit. Two things for you. One, like, you've always been receiving the screen.
- [37:38]
LeBron James
Yeah.
- [37:39]
Steve Nash
So, you know, when you're like, I want him to slip. I want him to flip the screen. You know, I want you now are in control of doing that. Having no. What the ball handler's feeling, seeing. So you're gonna create more opportunities for you to catch on the short roll and play four on three, three on two, which is exciting. The other thing that's really. And I want you to talk about that. But the other thing that's exciting to me is watching how you'll make quick decisions. Guys. Like, I'll give you a little anecdote. Like, my responsibility with the Suns, for example, was to create shots for our team, whether it was me or for someone else. So although I made them, I was, believe it or not, really uncomfortable in catching and shoot threes because I might not get one for a week and a half. Right. It was all off the dribble. And so I know sometimes, like, it might be uncomfortable for you. Like, Lucas, man just leans. He throws it out of the post for you to go.
- [38:23]
LeBron James
Right. Right.
- [38:24]
Steve Nash
Because you're used to serving. What do I got?
- [38:26]
LeBron James
Absolutely.
- [38:26]
Steve Nash
But I've seen already you've been catching and going, which brings me to a point that I really believe in. And I think the best three examples are you, Luka and Nikola Jokic. Not only are you guys incredible processors, you know, see everything, have made every pass, can do all that, but you all have the physicality to play bowling ball.
- [38:46]
LeBron James
Yeah.
- [38:47]
Steve Nash
So whether that's in the post with a mismatch, whether that's, I'm bigger, I'm faster than a big. On the perimeter, or whether that's. You gotta close out on me, and I'm just. If I can't get you clean, guess what, this guy's taking you to the rim. And I can see over everyone. So you're basically. I see you guys do this. You're looking at the guy in the corner just as I get to the. Are you coming? Because I'm just gonna hit the corner. And then he sees you looking, and now you put him in a bind. You're playing cat and mouse, but that ability to make quick decisions, to play bully ball. And you have. Luka can do the same thing. You know, this is exciting for me to see, like, you guys play off of each other. You know, a guy just leans the wrong way, the ball's gone, you drive, he recovers. But taking him to the rim, surveying, you're in rotations. That, to me, is a separator of the three of you in our league.
- [39:32]
LeBron James
Right.
- [39:32]
Steve Nash
Like, a lot of guys can play volleyball. A lot of guys or not a lot, but there's some computer processors. But putting the two together, you know, that's like what elevates, I think the three of you. Two of you are on the same team.
- [39:44]
LeBron James
Yeah.
- [39:44]
Steve Nash
Like, can you talk about, like, how you feel about when Luke has the ball? Are you reading? Or do you want to get into two man actions? You're going to have the best two defenders, right? So sometimes Austin's going to be the screener.
- [39:54]
LeBron James
Right, Right, right.
- [39:54]
Steve Nash
Because he's going to have the third defender.
- [39:55]
LeBron James
Right. And that's what we always be. And that's the scary thing, I think, for the potential, you know, we still got so much room to grow, but now you look at it okay. Myself and Luka had the two best defenders, you know, every night there's not many teams with a third defender, and that third defender has to guard Austin Reaves, you know, so we have the ability to interchange. You know, how we want ball handler, screener, or backside action. You know, we could start a. Start a, you know, angle pop action where the big comes up, set it, he pops. We get a guy coming out of the slot. Whoever we want on the backside.
- [40:32]
Steve Nash
It could be anyone. You can take it, you know.
- [40:34]
LeBron James
So we could start with Luka with the ball. I come set, the angle pop. I pop. And now I'm going to a DHO with AR or ar, get started. I pop, and now I'm going to a corner picker role with Luka. Like, we have the ability to do so many great things. And then back what you were saying, to be able to have those guys that can play bully ball, but also have the brain to be able to manipulate the game as well for the greater good is something that. It's the reason why I've been able to do it at this level for as long as I've been able to do it as well. And then obviously, you know, Jokic and what he's capable of doing every night and what we've seen with Luka over his first seven years.
- [41:16]
Steve Nash
Right. And it's exciting to see Austin grow, too. Like, he's got the mentality. Like, his skills keep getting better, you know, but he has the mentality to, like, not worry about you two.
- [41:27]
LeBron James
Right.
- [41:27]
Steve Nash
Attack, attack. You've empowered him to do that, which is important. But I love that he's just like, I'm going. Yeah, I'm going. He's not waiting.
- [41:34]
LeBron James
He's not waiting.
- [41:35]
Steve Nash
He's not waiting around, like, oh, well, LeBron's over there, you know, like, no.
- [41:38]
LeBron James
He'S like, I got this too. Yeah, yeah, for sure.
- [41:40]
Steve Nash
Like if you do run that action and you're dhoing out of the corner for Austin, like he's not waiting to get a switch and throw you in the post. If he's got an attack, he's going. You have to play that way. You can't be on your tiptoes. Well, he switched. I got to throw into LeBron in the post. Like, you'll get it back.
- [41:53]
LeBron James
Yeah. You become the wrong computer.
- [41:55]
Steve Nash
Right.
- [41:56]
LeBron James
Then you start over analyzing, you know, and now you're not even playing for, just full of the game now you're over processing the game.
- [42:01]
Steve Nash
Right. That's what's exciting. When I think about the three of you, the way he can feed off you guys. It's also been interesting to see, you know, when I saw the team come together, I thought, I like the death lineup. You know, you at the five, so to speak, or Rui, whoever you want to say is at the five, you know, Rui Doe, you know, the three of you on the perimeter. Like that's an exciting lineup. But it's actually been, the numbers are exciting for Jackson Hayes. So it's been interesting to have that rim runner, that live body, a little bit of length. Defensively, your numbers have been outstanding. And that's over a 12 plus game period where you had AD, you had no AD and no Luka, and now you have Luka. It's continued through that period. So maybe talk a little bit about like the death lineup versus Jackson versus how you want to defend. Because what it feels to me, especially in the, in the small positional size lineup, you guys are big. You just don't have a center on the court. You look. I love the way you guys have been in the gaps.
- [42:57]
LeBron James
Yep.
- [42:57]
Steve Nash
Protecting the paint first, closing out, shifting over. Like to me, that's the way you guys are gonna be tough to play.
- [43:03]
LeBron James
Well, first of all, I mean, I gotta give a big, big shout out and credit to Jackson Hayes, man, you know, him stepping into that void, losing ad, you know, you know, it's a lot. Yeah, you know, it's a lot, you know, so a lot of scoring, a lot of protection defensively, a lot of rebounding, a lot of blocked shots. But I think Jackson was just like, I didn't, I can't make up for that. And we didn't ask him to make up for that. We needed Jackson to be high energy, you know, be a force on offense, run the big, great screening, lob threat. But he's just made great Decisions. He's, you know, he's been able to catch it in the pocket and, you know, stay on balance and either being able to dunk at home or find guys on the perimeter. Jackson has been unbelievable in his minutes, and we're going to need that from him. We know, you know, how it unlocks Luka as well when it comes to pick and roll with a lob threat, you know, so having those minutes with Jackson is key. And then with our positioners lineup, when you have Luka at six, seven, and, you know, myself at six, nine, Doe at six, eight, Rui at six, nine, you know, Austin, six, five and a half, you know, there's no center out there, positional centers, but we're long, we're big, we're athletic, we're tough, you know, and we're scrappy, you know, and to be able to, like you said, be in the gaps, you know, help each other communicate, you know, even when things break down, you know, we were able to fly around and help one another. You know, there was a play, you know, in the Dallas game where Kyrie came off a pick and roll from Najee Marshall at the top of the key, and he was about to raise for three, and we had two on the ball, and Luka was guarding Najee, and, you know, we wanted him in coverage, we didn't want the Roller behind. But it's Kyrie. He came off, he's about to shoot the three. And Luka went to contest, and at the last minute, Kyrie dumped it to Najee, and now they have a four on three. Dodo was on the ball, and instead of Dodo just staying there and just looking at the. When Najee was rolling, I took the roll and Dodo came out of the blitz from Kyrie and ran all the way to the opposite corner, made PJ Washington drive back into me. We gotta stop, and then we gotta dunk on the other end in a pivotal point of the game. And that's what it's about. Like, it's, you know, it's not about, you know, height and weight and whatever. I mean, shit, you're a fucking prime example of that. That it's not about height, how fast you are, how tall you are. It's about the mind, the will and the communication and the process that you have with your teammates out there.
- [45:43]
Steve Nash
Like speed of thought, reading.
- [45:45]
LeBron James
Absolutely.
- [45:46]
Steve Nash
Well, you can see it. You know, I think the way you covered Jokic, too, the activity, right? The activity around, swarming him, crowding him, getting out, though. And I think, like, of Course, you want to be organized defensively. You want to stick to your principles, but at the same time, to be an elite defensive team or to. To be able to be better than maybe the sum of your parts, you have to be able to read off each other, because not every play is perfect.
- [46:07]
LeBron James
Yeah. And losing Anthony Davis, who's a defensive player of the year candidate every year, it was either one or two things for us. When we lost him, it's either be the worst defensive team in the league, or now it's like, oh, shit, we don't have AD to cover our asses, okay? We got to play even harder now, and we got to cover for one another because we can't rely on a blowby every time. And then I have a low man, and then AD Comes out of nowhere.
- [46:32]
Steve Nash
And blocks the shot, right?
- [46:33]
LeBron James
It has to. We have to be on the string in order for us to get stops. And we know it's a. We know the game. The NBA is. Is a game of the offense. The offense. You know how the game is. Reft. How the game is played. It's for the offense, but defense. And timely stops. Timely stops. One or two. If you could get three stops in a row in the crunch time, you could crack a game open. There was a tie game for us, you know, in the Dallas game, but we was able to get a couple stops, you know, a couple possessions, and then we was able to bump the lead back up. So it's very important.
- [47:06]
Steve Nash
And also the style of your defense, like, I think that decision to be in the gaps, to take the pain away. Like, I'm a big believer in pain touches. I'm also a big believer in keeping the ball out of the pain. Right? Because that's where you get the most quality opportunities. You get in rotations a lot harder decisions, especially in the modern game, right? Where the spacing created by the way people can shoot, how many shooters are on the floor, how much you have to cover in space, or when you get to schemes, how stretched those schemes are, how long closeouts and rotations, X outs, two great shooters, rim runner, great ball handler. And you got two guys on the perimeter.
- [47:36]
LeBron James
I mean, it's 10 skill guys on the court.
- [47:39]
Steve Nash
It has to be like this, right? So to read to be able to. But it's early, right? Like, I. That's the other part about this, is that you guys are just getting started.
- [47:46]
LeBron James
Yeah, we just started.
- [47:46]
Steve Nash
You're showing good signs, but it's really about the will now.
- [47:48]
LeBron James
No, no, absolutely. And it's about the will and accountability, like, it's not gonna. We're gonna have adverse times. We know. And I know, I know it's gonna happen. I know it's gonna come. I don't know when, but it's gonna come. We have a tough ass stretch of games, but at the end of the day, we're gonna have adverse times. And it's us to be able to be able to handle those adverse times just as well and defeat just as well as we do in wins, you know, and then be able to hold each other accountable and not feel like, okay, obviously there's a way that you communicate and whatever the case may be, but if we're serious about trying to make a push and try to really compete for a championship, then it shouldn't. It shouldn't. The message shouldn't be, you know, honesty and communication. Honesty, communication, exactly.
- [48:39]
Steve Nash
Being able to say, we gotta do.
- [48:41]
LeBron James
Better than that, right? Absolutely.
- [48:42]
Steve Nash
Yeah. It's exciting, man, because I wasn't sure. You lose ad. Right? Like, he's an anchor stone in any defense.
- [48:47]
LeBron James
He's so damn good.
- [48:48]
Steve Nash
And as good as Luka is, you have to. You have to get stops, right?
- [48:51]
LeBron James
I mean, I think it works. It works for both franchises, man. You know, it's gonna be a process for Dallas. It's definitely gonna be a process for us, but for us to be able to get Luka. And I know the caliber of player in person that Dallas is getting in ad, so I'm excited for him as well.
- [49:07]
Steve Nash
But also, like you said, like, you're gonna have tough times, like on the micro level, like, you guys shit the bed against Charlotte.
- [49:13]
LeBron James
Yeah.
- [49:13]
Steve Nash
But maybe you don't spank Denver. Maybe you don't shit the bet against Charlotte. You know how that is, right? You learn more from the losses. You start to pick out. Like, I mean, this is unac. These are our non negotiables. Let's get back to basics. Energy. That swarming defense we've seen the last two games with Denver and Dallas, like, that was next level, right? So I think that's part of it too is going through those processes, being able to come back and say, this is a process. Right? This is a process. It's not like today we suck. Today we're great like that. You can't play that.
- [49:39]
LeBron James
And just like, and like you said, you know, there's a non negotiable because the one thing about you can watch film and say, okay, you guys have shown, you know, jj, come here. Like, you motherfuckers have shown me what y'all Capable of doing. Y'all have shown it. Here's my tape right here. You told on yourself. So, like, this right here, it's not negotiable. Like, it's not negotiable, you know, and to have that type of upfront, upfront communication and dialogue, you know, you know, it makes it even better because you're like, we're all competitors. Like, everybody that's gotten to the professional level have gotten there because they've competed their ass off, you know, and if you're able to be on a team that can have the ability to compete for championships or just compete to be in the process of the, you know, playoffs or go down and stretch, you love that type of communication that you love that type of callability, growth, mindset. Yeah, absolutely.
- [50:34]
Steve Nash
I'm excited for you in that respect, too, because I feel like you with Luka, you're freed up a little bit to lead, to coach on the floor, to dissect, rather than like, I gotta get 36, 12 and 13, you know, like. So I think it frees you up a little bit to be like, share your experiences, Slow everything down for you. Be like, hold on, this isn't gonna cut it. You know, like, that. You don't always have. Of course, you always play that way, but you had so much on your plate physically that you didn't have the space or the bandwidth mentally to share, like, the growth market, like, the growth margins that you have to meet. So now I'm excited to see how.
- [51:06]
LeBron James
You can also do that. Me too. Absolutely. All I gotta do is take care of myself, and then it'll be better for the team, make sure I continue to get my sleep, take care of my body, you know, do my stretches, all that stuff, all my grounding, all that type of shit, and I'll be fine. But it's definitely. It's great to have a player like Luka, you know, for sure to be able to do what he want to do out there. Man, he has that. Like you said, he has that. He has that mind frame, man, that space.
- [51:35]
Steve Nash
I can see by the smile on your face. So before we, you know, move on, what about this quarterback, wide receiver relationship we see going sometimes tight end, button hooking in the lane, sometimes running out, getting over the top. It looks fun.
- [51:49]
LeBron James
No, it's extremely fun. As far as the full court, passing things, being able to run. I haven't had it since Kevin Love, you know, it was different because Kevin Love, you know, he was damn good at it, too. You know, when it comes to the full court outletting and, you know, and now, you know, being, you know, being with a guy like Luke, who've been, you could tell, you know, certain guys on the. When the ball's in the air. Yeah, they're already looking at the play before they even get the ball. And, you know, being a former receiver in high school, you know, you know, kind of seeing the ball come and not, you know, showing my hand to the cornerback, you know, you know, I learned that a lot from Randy Moss when I was growing up. He said a lot of times he will run his routes and he wouldn't raise his hand up too soon because if the defender is trailing him, if he raised his hand up too soon, then the defender know the ball is coming. He would try to wait till the last moment, you know, to put his hand up. And now the cornerback wouldn't see it. And I learned that and watching Randy Moss when I played in high school, and I try to do that in the game as well. In the Denver game, you know, the long pass that Luka threw me had that moment there where I kind of did it to Michael Porter Jr. It was taking off and I saw the ball coming and I didn't want to open my hands up until the ball was right there and I was able to finish it. But.
- [53:12]
Steve Nash
Well, I'm gonna have my eyes for the opposite. When you give the fake up and then button hook in the lane, let him run back in front. Yeah, that's great, man.
- [53:24]
LeBron James
Yo, we back at it, man. We back at it, man. Mind the Game Here with Steve Nash, two time mvp, man. Let's give it up.
- [53:35]
Steve Nash
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