Mind the Game – Season 3, Ep. 1
LeBron James on His Favorite LEAP Players of the Season
January 6, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Mind the Game, hosted by NBA legends Steve Nash and special co-host J.J. Redick (filling in for LeBron), kicks off Season 3 with a deep dive into both late-game strategy and player development. The hosts dissect one of the NBA’s hot topics – the “foul up three” tactic – before celebrating the most notable “leap” players of the 2025-26 season. Expect candid breakdowns, practical coaching insights, and a glimpse at the hard work and adaptability fueling today’s most improved players.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Breaking Down Late-Game Strategy: “Fouling Up Three”

Timestamps: 00:00–09:43

• The Rationale

  • The “foul up three” move splits fans, but coaches are almost universally in favor for statistical reasons:

    "Our league is a three point shooting league, so why not, if you have an opportunity to win or close the percentage of you winning a game, possibly take it away."
    — J.J. Redick (00:06 and 07:58)

• Situational Variables

  • When to foul: under 30 seconds, depending on timeouts, inbounders, free-throw shooters, and game flow.

    “You have to see how many timeouts, how many timeouts they have … So, you know, I'm more of a like under, you know, 30 seconds under, you know, 24 second type foul up three guy...”
    — J.J. Redick (01:40)

• Technical Execution

  • Foul on the dribble, not the shot (“run through” fouls inside the three-point line).

    “Once you see that ball go down, foul... You know, run through it. Yeah, inside the three. ... Bear hug him, you know.”
    — J.J. Redick (05:26–06:31)

  • Never foul before the ball is inbounded (yields a free throw + possession).

    “You got to be cautious ... before the ball is entered. Because that's one shot plus the ball on the side.”
    — J.J. Redick (06:31)

  • Must be committed and fully confident or risk ugly mistakes.

    "You have to do it with confidence. You have to be declarative, you have to be intentional. ... Once you start to get doubt in your mind, that's when you get played."
    — Steve Nash (07:22)

• Preparation & Repetition

  • Teams must rehearse these scenarios as roles and personnel rotate.

    "You have to work on these plays... five minutes at the end of practice. Everybody on the baseline: What is our up 3? What is our up 2?... Sometimes the most valuable part is if your team knows it on the fly when you don't have a timeout."
    — J.J. Redick / Steve Nash (03:00–04:50)

• Anecdotes & Humor

  • J.J. Redick jokes about avoiding overtime as a veteran:

    "For me personally, I'm about to be 41 years old. Another five minutes to me messed up my whole day, the next day. This ain't dame time. This is sleep time."
    — J.J. Redick (09:06)

  • Nash: “Sleep time, heart rate variability, I’m telling you.” (09:23)

Breaking Down the Season’s Best “Leap” Players

Timestamps: 12:24–32:20

Tyrese Maxey

• Incremental Growth

  • Redick spotlights Maxey’s relentless offseason training and spike in responsibility:

    “He’s been taking a leap after leap ... his dedication shows up on time, on target every single day. ... Taking full advantage of the opportunity in Philly.”
    — J.J. Redick (12:24)

• On-Court Skills

  • Nash: His speed and relentless rim pressure open three-point/playmaking chances.

    “Incredible speed and athleticism, the pace, right, like, it's just, it's overwhelming at times. You can see, like guys just can't keep him in front.”
    — Steve Nash (15:37)

  • Versatility as both on- and off-ball shooter:

    “There’s not that many guys that are just as dynamic with the ball as off the ball... That’s what makes Steph (Curry) the most dynamic on-ball, off-ball basketball player in NBA history.”
    — J.J. Redick (17:19)

• Athleticism & Size

  • Not undersized: "I think at least six, three ... good length, sneaky athletic."
    — Nash / Redick (16:16–16:38)

Jalen Johnson

• Expanding Role

  • Compared to a modern Scottie Pippen: “They’ve put him in this Scottie Pippen role ... scoring, rebounding, dishing the ball ... three, four, five triple doubles ... He can guard one through five.”
    — J.J. Redick (12:24, 26:48)

• Athleticism & Versatile Defense

  • “Runs like a deer. Super athletic. He's improved his outside touch ... his ability to rebound, he can guard, he can guard one through five, you know... and his playmaking.”
    — J.J. Redick (26:48)

  • Nash: “Perennial All-Star potential, health willing, now that he’s finally getting responsibility.”
    — Steve Nash (28:21)

Stephon Cassell

• “Two way full court player, explosive downhill driver, playmaker, gritty, combative, physical defender.”
  — Steve Nash (28:52)

• Redick: “Beautiful shot... it's just all about reps... very stoic... super locked in.”
  — J.J. Redick (29:34–29:56)

Deni Avdia

• “Physical driver ... 25 points per, 6 assists, true shooting 62% ... top four in foul rate with 9.5 free throws a game. This is a guy that gets downhill; is a problem.”
  — Steve Nash (30:04–30:58)

• Redick notes improvement as a shooter and playmaker:

  “Big wing, big body ... I’ve seen him expand his range and make some shots from the perimeter at a more consistent rate… It’s resulted in a breakout career year.”
  — J.J. Redick (31:42)

• Nash: “Smart player, makes plays for others... Washington's probably kicking themselves.”
  — Steve Nash (32:09)

Underlying Theme: The Value of Tailored Player Development

Timestamps: 21:35–26:39

• Skill Training Should Reflect Team Needs

  • Redick: Most players waste offseasons on moves they’ll never use in their role.

    "A lot of guys waste a lot of time in the offseason by not getting an understanding from their coach... skill development that you're not going to be able to use..."
    — J.J. Redick (22:06)

• Coaching & Communication

  • Nash only works with players after consulting their team:

    "I'm happy to work with you, but I want to talk to your coaches first…I want to know... what do you see for this player?"
    — Steve Nash (24:48)

• What Actually Gets You Minutes?

  • Not flashy drills, but repetitive mastery of key movements and habits.

    “It doesn’t sound sexy. It’s not great for the gram ... but that’s what’s going to get you minutes.”
    — Steve Nash (26:19)

Listener Q&A: Scheming Against Drop/ Switch Defenses

Timestamps: 34:40–38:12

• Versus Drop PnR

  • Use dynamic guards who can shoot and make quick reads; force the drop big to adjust.
  • Nash: “Three-level scorers break drop; if a big can’t be up, coaches bring wings in and shrink floor – so you have to pass early and trust teammates.”
    — Steve Nash (36:34–38:12)

• Versus Switch

  • Use pace, ball movement, variances (slips, ghost screens, flares, rips/switches).

    “Getting that ball movement, create confusion with hip taps, ghost screens... You have to see how they're switching, who they're switching with...”
    — J.J. Redick (35:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This ain’t dame time. This is sleep time.”
  — J.J. Redick, on going to overtime late in his career (09:06)
• “You have to do it with confidence. You have to be declarative, you have to be intentional.”
  — Steve Nash, on fouling up three (07:22)
• “Skill development... But I've also done things that I felt like were what we were going to run... You waste too much time if you're just doing just all skill development that you're not going to be able to use.”
  — J.J. Redick (22:06–22:45)
• “Player development has to be in concert with the style of play your team has and your role on that team.”
  — Steve Nash (24:48)
• “He's on pace to be an All-Star in the East this year, for sure… there's no doubt about it.”
  — J.J. Redick, on Jalen Johnson (28:21)

Episode Structure & Flow

0:00–09:43: In-depth tactics and philosophy on fouling up three in crunch time.
12:24–32:20: Shoutouts and breakdowns of key “leap” players of the NBA season, including biomechanics, adaptation, and what makes their value pop.
21:35–26:39: Broader coaching philosophy on effective offseason player development.
34:40–38:12: Practical advice for coaches and players on beating modern NBA pick and roll defenses.
Throughout: Camaraderie, real stories, inside humor, and sharp, honest tone.

Conclusion

This episode lives up to Mind the Game’s ethos—eschewing hot takes for deep, actionable analysis that blends player, coach, and fan perspectives. Nash and Redick dissect the intricate “whys” behind late-game decision making, share tips for smarter development, and highlight how opportunity, communication, and relentless work produce breakout seasons. If you want to understand both the visible and hidden gears of today’s NBA, this is an essential listen.