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- [00:01]
Host
Coming up on this episode of Mind.
- [00:02]
LeBron James
The Game, we have a substitute teacher, Tyrese Halibur. Man, welcome to the show.
- [00:08]
Stephen Curry
I'm excited to be a part of it, but I told him I'm only doing it if I get to ask one certain question to Bron.
- [00:15]
LeBron James
Obviously, you evolved as a player. Obviously as overrated as you are, as everyone would like to put, which is ridiculous.
- [00:22]
Tyrese Haliburton
It's so funny you bring up that in season tournament game. Because if we win that game, do we ever trade for Pascal? I don't know.
- [00:28]
LeBron James
One of your greatest assets that no one wants to coach. It is the jump pass.
- [00:34]
Tyrese Haliburton
I jump to make a read, but I feel like I always jump with a plan more times than not.
- [00:38]
LeBron James
You can't tell me that Jokic is not all NBA now. And all of a sudden, because he's missed 30 games, you kind of tell me he's not a, you know, first team, all NBA.
- [00:46]
Tyrese Haliburton
I think it's something that will be adjusted. I think a big reason for that is Wemby.
- [00:50]
Stephen Curry
I have a great story I've never told him. I've never told anybody this story before. So we're at the Olympics. I'm sitting there, I'm like, oh.
- [01:16]
LeBron James
Oh, my goodness, here we go. Mind the Game is back season three, and we have a substitute teacher host in the building today, you know, taking the place of Steve Nash that's in Europe, coming covering a bunch of NBA games and things of that nature, and we can't get a hold of them. We can't find them. So, you know, to our favorite New York Knick fan, you know, y' all favorite player we decided to bring on, you know, Tyrese Halliburton, man, welcome to the show, bro. We happy to have you host these two episodes with us, bro. How you doing, man?
- [01:52]
Stephen Curry
I'm good, man. I'm good. I'm excited to be here. Obviously, I always tune in you and Steve talking hoop. I'm excited to. To be a part of it. I wanted to bring up just, bro, how you've been playing lately. Been ridiculous to see at. At your. At your big age, you know, the way you've been hooping, averaging 23, 6.
- [02:11]
Tyrese Haliburton
And 7 this year. 31 players in history have played after their 40th birthday, and only 10 have played over a thousand minutes, but only 5 have averaged over 10. That is insane. You 24, 7 and 7 since you turned 40. Michael Jordan average 22. Karl Malone, 13 are my. The real host, Steve Nash, eight games.
- [02:36]
Stephen Curry
Over, 47 points and six assists per game. So you know, I just wanted to.
- [02:43]
Tyrese Haliburton
Ask like, how are you able to still play at this level at this age, bro?
- [02:49]
LeBron James
It's very fascinating to me and it's kind of like weird too at times. Like, you know, it's times where I wake up on game days and I'll be like, I don't got it, man. I don't have the energy, you know, I'm tired. I don't know how I'll be able to work up, you know, just, you know, the, that you need to get through a 48 minute game or how, however long you on the floor. So, you know, it took a lot out of me obviously getting ready for the season, obviously as well documented, you know, my injury to start the season and missing the first, you know, missing the preseason, missing training camp, missing the first four 14 games of the season and you know, just trying to get my back and my body back, you know, according. So, you know, that, that was tough, you know, seeing if it was going to be able to respond and I don't know, man, you know, to be playing at the level I'm playing at, just turned 41, you know, a couple weeks, you know, two weeks plus, you know, ago and going out there and playing and feeling good, you know, I played in two back to backs this past week, played five and seven nights and I didn't know if I was gonna be able to get through them. And I came out of, you know, 5 and 7, 6 and 6 and 9 feeling really good. And it's, I don't know, man, I'd be like, I don't even know how I'm doing it. So I'm just trying to, I'm trying to squeeze as much juice out of the lemon, out of the orange, out of whatever that's left, as much as I can and just continue to go on and play the game that I love, man.
- [04:11]
Tyrese Haliburton
Nah, it's crazy because even at, I mean, shit, I'm 25, I have days on those back to backs where I'm just like, oh, like especially the travel back to backs. Like we play, you have to fly land and then you have to. And then like no shoot around, you're just kind of like, I gotta get through this day. So I can't imagine. I think about that all the time as I get older, how things are gonna change. And I'm curious for you, like as you've gotten older, like when did that first kick in where the back to backs, it was kind of like a drag like the first time you notice like man, like this is tough.
- [04:46]
LeBron James
I don't, you know, obviously, you know, throughout your career, like you just said, you know, depending on the schedule, depending on if you're flying from one, you know, time zone to the next time zone, depending on what time you get back home or get to the next city, we'll have some, some factors on how you feel that next morning. But you know, I would say probably like over the last like three years, you know, you know, three, four years, it's just like it didn't matter if I was coming home, it didn't matter if we was going to a different city, it didn't matter. The time zone just, you know, the back to backs they wear on you just because of the travel, you know, all the minutes I've played, all the cities I've continued to go to, you know, each and every year. And I think one thing that doesn't get talked about a lot as well too is like all the different, like beds that we have to sleep in, you know, trying to be, you know.
- [05:32]
Tyrese Haliburton
That'S the worst thing.
- [05:33]
LeBron James
Yeah, you know, that's kind of, that's hard on your body, you know, different pillows, different beds, different, you know, that is taxing on your body too. So, you know, just trying to find some type of, some type of pattern, some type of comfort, you know, when you're going from different cities, different time zones, you know, coming back to your own bed, you know. So, you know, I would say over like the last three, you know, three years, Reese, man, just, you know, trying to figure it out. Trying to. How can I get my body acclimated? How can I get my body recovered? How can I get my body as fully to. It's not going to get to 100, you're not going to get like a full gas tank, you know, on those back to backs. But you could try to get as close, you know, to 100 as possible to go out there and perform. And you hope that, you know, you hope that on that back to back maybe some, some shit talk and get started early in the game. That'll get you going.
- [06:21]
Stephen Curry
Yeah, I need something to get me going.
- [06:23]
LeBron James
Maybe one of the ref, maybe the ref look at me crazy. Maybe it's a fan, you know, in the stands, you know, say something crazy to you that that'll also get you going too.
- [06:31]
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, no doubt, no doubt. I'm still in that same boat, I think like in that same breath. What I always wonder for you and especially for like I always think about for myself as I get older, how is my Game gonna adjust once I start to slow down, because obviously we play so fast. I'm a guy who gets the ball. I want to run. And I think back to, like, my early days watching basketball like you in Cleveland and Miami, and the pace that you're playing at to where now, like, there's obviously been an adjustment for you. How have you went about that as you've gotten older, adjusting your play style to be less predicated on that speed and more methodical and, you know, using your physicality and stuff like that?
- [07:11]
LeBron James
Yeah, I think for me, it's just about, like, having, like, growth mindset, you know, understanding, like, the game of basketball evolves and the game of basketball changes, and you have to be able to see the table turn, and you have to be able to evolve with it if you want to continue to stay, you know, stay abreast of what's going on with the game. So, you know. You know, like you said, you know, my first seven years in Cleveland, you know, them first few years, the game was, you know, methodical. It was slow, it was slower pace, you know. You know, it was a lot of, you know, bigs, two bigs, you know, sitting in the paint, you know, so it'd be four total sitting in the paint out of the 10 guys on the court, you know, and then as the, you know, the 2000s kind of got more to, like, the 2008, 9, then you kind of had, like, the Phoenix Suns, you had the spurs, who started to open up the game. And then, you know, we started to open up the game in Cleveland, you know, our backcourt and the way we used to run and pick up the pace. And then I moved to Miami as well, and then we started to pick up the pace. We started to play more of a widespread offense where we had Chris Bosh, you know, play a lot of the five with Shane Battier and myself and D. Wade and Chalmers or Ray Allen or whatever, you know. So, you know, and now, you know, obviously, you know, you playing in Indiana and seeing how the pace itself today has completely changed, you know, you know, there's. You have to be able to kind of adjust with the time while you're getting older, you know, and how can you, you know, still be effective, you know, with the game changing? You know, and so for me, it was like, okay, how can I still be effective, you know, off the ball? You know, my. I don't. My usage rate is down a lot more now today than it was in the past as far as just handling the ball. So how can I still be effective on the court, you know, being able to slash from, you know, the 45 or, you know, setting pick and rolls and trying to get behind the defense. And now I know what's really good with my game is once I get the four on three, you know, or, you know, I know how to make those plays. If you put two on the ball, if, you know, ar get doubled, you know, for pick and roll, or if Luka gets doubled off of pick and roll, I know how to master the game that way. You know, started to find my low post game, you know, understand I'm a threat there. I'm closer to the basket. So how can I draw a double team? So I think the most important, Reese, man, as you get to continue to get older, you know, in your body, you know, you listen to your body. How can you still be effective on the court, but also just having a growth mindset to know that, listen, it's 2026 right now, which sounds crazy to me. You know, I came in in 03, you know, but the game and, you know, in 2029 could look different than right now. So you have to have that type of growth mindset. And, you know, it's funny, it's a great segue to, you know, your question of, you know, how you guys play in Indy, you know, and from the time that you got to Indy when you came from SAC to the time, you know, it is now, how did it change? How did you guys get to that? Like, random, but not random. Chaos, but not chaos. Structured offense to, you know, it's kind of hard for you guys, for guys to guard, you guys.
- [10:13]
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. You know, where that come from. It's so funny. Cause I rarely ever even think about how we started. Like, it feels like so long ago, but, you know, like, when I got traded with Buddy and Tristan, we were going somewhere that had no identity, Right. They were restarting by making that trade. And trading's a bonus for me. We were restarting everything. And I remember when I got there, we played Cleveland the first game. And Rondo was like, good luck.
- [10:37]
Stephen Curry
You know, talk about playing with rc. He goes, good luck, you know, And.
- [10:43]
Tyrese Haliburton
I'm like, what is he talking about? And the thing was, me and Buddy, we didn't know any of the plays. So, like, we had played like a day or two after we got traded. We played Cleveland. We, like, broke the Pacers record for scoring in a quarter, the first quarter we played in the Pacers uniform. And really what it was, was honestly thinking about it. We played a Lot of Buddy ball, you know what I mean?
- [11:06]
Stephen Curry
Like, me and Buddy were just come.
- [11:07]
Tyrese Haliburton
Set the Blur screen. I'm going to come off, I'm going to throw it to you.
- [11:09]
Stephen Curry
If you don't got a shot, throw.
- [11:10]
Tyrese Haliburton
It back and then blur again.
- [11:11]
Stephen Curry
And we're just going to play off this.
- [11:13]
Tyrese Haliburton
And it was like we didn't really. We didn't know the other guys. Like, we were really young at the time and like, a lot of those guys were really establishing their self as well. So we kind of just. I remember we were playing Minnesota, like one of my first games in Indiana, and me and Buddy are just passing the ball to each other the whole game. And Tory and Prince on the sidelines, like, hey, man, y' all know there's.
- [11:33]
Stephen Curry
Other players on the team. I'm like, yeah, I guess that's a good point.
- [11:37]
Tyrese Haliburton
I didn't realize that we are just.
- [11:38]
Stephen Curry
Throwing the ball to each other, but.
- [11:40]
Tyrese Haliburton
I felt like establishing that when we weren't good, you know, allowed us to go into that following year. And RC to pull me aside and just be like, hey, man, I don't want to call plays. I want you to dictate what we do more. I want to play more random. It's harder to scout that way. And so we just kind of ran with that. And I feel like Buddy was a big part of that. And early in my career in sac, my rookie year, I hated it because I was like, buddy's always in the way. And you know what it is when a dude wants to run towards the ball, they just want the ball. And that annoyed me. But then I realized, oh, this is a real weapon, especially in the half court, as my one on one game has really grown from where I was early in my career. But I needed that Blur screen to give me openings to really attack and learn from that. So I felt like that him. Him doing that, RC really adjusted to what we were doing. And then we just had to add pieces that really complemented what we did in a correct way that has allowed us to now build, you know, what we have offensively.
- [12:36]
LeBron James
Yeah. And I think we give a, you know, we should give a lot of praise to RC on recognizing what he saw with that chemistry between you and Buddy when y' all first got there and realized, wow, this could be a weapon that could be sustainable. So now let's get the pieces around, Tyrese. Let's get the pieces around. You know what I'm thinking, And I know Tyrese can execute that, you know, and, you know, I think back to like our in season tournament championship game. Like, you guys played a totally different game, you know, then you guys play now.
- [13:06]
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
- [13:06]
LeBron James
You know, and you guys are still playing fast, like you were still getting the ball. Obviously you was on the heater. You know, the game before what you did to Milwaukee was, you know, one of the best performances you had. And y', all, you guys were rolling. But I feel like you guys are even evolved from that moment from when we played you guys in. In season tournament championship a few years ago. And, And. And do we think it is like, obviously you evolved as a player. Obviously, obviously, you know, as overrated as you are, as overrated as you are, as everyone would like to put. Which is ridiculous. Do you think it also complimented too, just like, you know, RC and the front office is like, okay, getting the right pieces around you, too, to be able to, you know, you guys play 12 guys at times, you know, and, you know, when TJ comes in, shit, you know, the pace come. You know, keep the pace going. You know, you guys are the pacers for a reason. You know, you guys keep that pace going. Do you think obviously that had a lot to do with it too?
- [14:01]
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, no doubt, man. Like, it's so funny you bring up that in season tournament game. Because I think about that game often because we were playing so well up until that point. If we win that game, do we ever trade for Pascal? I don't know, you know, because I.
- [14:16]
LeBron James
Forgot all about that.
- [14:17]
Tyrese Haliburton
Like, I didn't play well. You guys were. You came out, you blitzed.
- [14:21]
Stephen Curry
I remember.
- [14:21]
Tyrese Haliburton
I still remember like, it was yesterday, man. Like, I came off the ball screen. I hadn't turned the ball over in three games.
- [14:27]
Stephen Curry
I was rolling.
- [14:28]
Tyrese Haliburton
I came off.
- [14:29]
Stephen Curry
You were the MiG.
- [14:30]
Tyrese Haliburton
I'm like, I'm finna hit this pocket.
- [14:32]
Stephen Curry
And you ran through and stole it. And that was before the take file. So I just grabbed you, and you looked at me and I looked at you, and I was like, oh, shit. Like, we in trouble. This is gonna be a long night. Cause I was like, it's hard. Like, I'm coming off a blitz and it's.
- [14:46]
Tyrese Haliburton
I think like, Cam Reddish might have started on me or Vando, and then.
- [14:51]
Stephen Curry
I had AD in a blitz with you as the MiG.
- [14:53]
Tyrese Haliburton
It's.
- [14:54]
Stephen Curry
It's almost impossible for me to make that.
- [14:56]
Tyrese Haliburton
That pass.
- [14:56]
LeBron James
Yeah.
- [14:57]
Tyrese Haliburton
And with me, I struggled that night. And we didn't have anybody else who really, you know, got. Got us going that night. And so I think that was eye opening to our front office in that moment. To be like, we need to get another guy. And I feel like that game is the catalyst for getting a guy like Pascal. So it's funny you think about that. Like, I would have loved to win that game, but I think losing that allowed us to build what we have.
- [15:21]
LeBron James
Yeah, yeah, for sure.
- [15:22]
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. And I think adding like adding Pascal, adding like Andrew Nemhard coming into his own. We traded for Aaron Neesmith. We traded for Obi. We got all these pieces that go alongside the way that we want to play, and I feel like that has really. They've done a great job of constructing our roster and I feel like it's allowed us to have a lot of success.
- [15:50]
Host
And now over to our director, Jason, for a word from our partner. DraftKings.
- [15:55]
Sponsor/Ad Voice
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- [16:59]
Host
Playing 18 seasons in the NBA, I've lived in and out of hotels for what seems like my entire life. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten in the same generic elevator walk down the same generic hallway, and set my bags down on the same generic chair. So anytime I travel now, I'm looking for a more unique experience, which is why I check out Airbnb first when I'm planning a trip. I've done everything from cabins for trips in the mountains to beach houses. I want a big kitchen, a spacious living room and a solid outdoor space. And if there's a hot tub, that's a bonus. When it comes to travel, staying at a home on Airbnb is just a better experience because of the home like qualities they provide. And hosting your home on airbnb can give that feeling of home to others. If you're heading out of town for a big game or sporting event, why not let your home become part of the excitement? By opening your space to fellow fans, you're giving them the comfort of home and earning yourself some extra income while you're away. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much@airbnb.com host.
- [18:10]
LeBron James
Like one of your greatest assets that is kind of like no one wants to coach. It is the jump pass every time. When I was a kid, all my coaches say, do not leave your feet to make a pass. Do not leave your feet. It's either going to be a turnover or whatever it is and that you get in trouble for. Get on the line if you jumping past the ball. Like, how did, how did you perfect that to the point where, you know, like, your jump pass, I see you make it. I see. I mean, obviously I play with Luka. Luka jumps, jumps, hold, hold, see who's the MiG? Like, you see, is he gonna stay? Is he gonna stay? No. You know, or I could go skip it to the corner. If he doesn't stay with the big, then I can hit the big. Like, how did you kind of change the misconception of, like, that pass being so dynamic and like, is that something that you've always kind of done?
- [18:57]
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. No, honestly, I blame people like you.
- [19:00]
Stephen Curry
For why it's that way.
- [19:01]
Tyrese Haliburton
Like, growing up, I watched a lot of NBA basketball. That's like the main thing I watched, you know, so I would see guys like you and my dad loved, like, magic, so we'd always watch old magic highlights and stuff, and I'd see them do that. And I understood, oh, this is a way for me to pass the ball. And as I got. And I was always a taller kid, so as guys got taller as well, it was just a way for me to always be seen over the defense. Like, I felt comfortable making that read in the air. And I know coaches say they don't want to teach it, and it was like, kind of like taboo in a sense, but for me, it was just a way for me to hold the ball longer to make reads like you're talking about with luka in the MiG. And I feel like as I got older and I think back to, like, my sophomore year of college, where I really feel like when it came to the pick and roll, not that I had perfected it, but that I was really an elite pick and roll operator, was coming off the pick and roll. And I've never been comfortable as a guy playing on my heels. I don't like backing up and, and kind of like picking the ball up and stepping through to make that read. That just feels so. Like I feel old doing that. Like, I'm athletic enough to make that read in the air.
- [20:08]
Stephen Curry
And I think that's a good point, what you're making.
- [20:10]
Tyrese Haliburton
Like, I never understood, like, MIGs and, and seekers and, and all these different reads. Just reading in the air was always my how I wanted to do it.
- [20:19]
Stephen Curry
I don't.
- [20:20]
Tyrese Haliburton
I don't jump to. I jump to make a read, but I feel like I always jump with a plan more times than not. When I'm in the air, I'm thinking, what are my outlets? One and two. And then if you take one and two away, fuck it, I got to find a third one. I got to figure it out. But when I jump, I feel like I always have a plan. I feel like that's the thing that coaches and people, when they teach it, if you're going to jump, have a plan. If you don't have a plan, then don't jump.
- [20:44]
LeBron James
Yeah, and also think too, like, your game has a jump rhythm to it. Like, even when you're on the ground, you like, you're skipping, you skipping, you side skip, dribble, you crossing, skipping. Like it has a jump element to it even when you're on the ground. So a jump pass for you is just in rhythm. You know, I would be remorse if I didn't ask. Obviously we talk about, you know, you playing and, you know, we talk about the end season tournament or whatever case may be, but, you know, I want to kind of get an update on, you know, the rehab process. You know, obviously the last time we've seen you on the floor was game seven of the NBA Finals. You know, you come into the game, boom, three straight threes. You know, I'm a big time fan of yours. So I was going crazy. You talking shit, popping your shit. And I know how you feel, you know, doing that. Like, you know, from. From that moment, obviously, to today and everything in between. Like, how have you done with the rehab? How have you done with the process and of rehabbing, you know, watching the games, you know, from the sidelines? Have you learned some things? Have you, like, you know, kind of take us through the process.
- [21:46]
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, well, I'm approaching week 31 here, so.
- [21:49]
Stephen Curry
Almost.
- [21:49]
Tyrese Haliburton
Almost going on eight months, man, I feel really good. My body feels really good. Just started playing like three on three and four on four, full court. That's been good to like be with the interns and stuff. It's. It's been funny because as I've started to play with the interns and you know, Gennaro Pargo being one of our player development guys, I'm playing with these guys and I feel so nice. I'm like, oh, I could play an NBA game right now.
- [22:13]
Stephen Curry
And then the other day we had like the low minute guys come and play with us. So we had like our two ways.
- [22:17]
Tyrese Haliburton
Ethan Thompson, Cam Jones, Benedict Matheran.
- [22:21]
Stephen Curry
Still, he's getting back from injury, so I'm guarding Ben.
- [22:24]
Tyrese Haliburton
First play, he comes down, Hesi shoots a three and they're like go at him and he's like, ah, his leg. And I'm like, hey, bruh, like, I'm fine, like attack me like normal. I gotta see where I'm at.
- [22:33]
Stephen Curry
He hesied me one time. He was at the rim. I was still at three point line. I'm like, I still got some time, you know, Like I still, there's still. I gotta give myself some grace. Understand it's gonna take some time.
- [22:43]
LeBron James
Yeah, for sure.
- [22:44]
Stephen Curry
I think the biggest thing is like.
- [22:47]
Tyrese Haliburton
I really am glad for where I am. I'm thankful for it. The process has sucked, man. Like, you know, there's been good days, bad days. There's days where I sit there and I just keep asking like, why is this happening to me? It's hard for me to understand in this moment, but I understand that it's allowing me to grow in different ways, to grow in my faith, to grow in all these different ways that have been good for me. I think seeing the game of basketball, I'm watching it in a different light. Like, I think it's different when you, when you're getting ready to play like a team like Boston for example, and they're like, okay, we got a Peyton Pritchard. I'm like, okay, he's nice, but I'm. All I'm focused on is how can I get a stop. I'm not thinking about how he making his reads and stuff. And I was watching him the other day and just the way that he gets to guys bodies at the rim. That's really something that I'm trying to focus on through my rehab, through my time to get back is Just being more physical. Like, bro, I'm up right now. Today I was 180 pounds on game seven day. I'm 210 right now. Like, I'm up 30 pounds, bro. And obviously, as I start to run, I'm. Get that off. Some of it's not, like, good because, you know, I've been drowning my sorrows.
- [23:53]
Stephen Curry
And cookies and ice cream and stuff, but I think I see that.
- [23:57]
Tyrese Haliburton
And it's just a way for me to be more physical at the rim, to get more free throws. I think that's important versus just slowing the game down. Peyton's one of the guys I watch. I see the way he can get to a guy's chest at the rim. I think army is like the perfect example, the way that he is so physical and can get to the free throw line. I remember when we were at the world cup together, I used to always be like, bro, I don't understand how.
- [24:19]
Stephen Curry
You shoot all these free throws.
- [24:20]
Tyrese Haliburton
Like, I'm a point guard. I play 40 minutes a game. I play way more than you.
- [24:25]
Stephen Curry
I can't even touch the free throw line.
- [24:27]
Tyrese Haliburton
He's like, tyrese, I don't think you're doing a good job of getting a guy's bodies. Like, he was real honest with me, and I didn't understand at the time. But as I've watched you guys play more, watch him play more, I. I'm seeing the way that he just does such a great job of getting the chest, tangling, arms, like making all these perfect reads to get to the free throw line is just something that I'm really trying to focus on adding through the rehab. And just as I watch the game.
- [24:49]
LeBron James
No, that's great. And I think our fans gonna definitely be excited to hear your update and hear where you are and know that, you know, like you said, that's growth mindset right there. Just like, you know, watching other guys seeing ways you can implement your game or implement what they've doing and to your game when you come back. But obviously the game miss you. And we look forward to whenever, you know, whenever that. That time come back when you put that uniform back on. And that's a great segue to kind of our next conversation. Reese is like the 65 game minimum, you know, and, you know, our game is different. You know, obviously, you know, they. They wanted to implement that rule in because of, you know, low management, I guess. You know, late season guys not playing or, you know, back to backs. A lot of the big guys wasn't playing. But you Know, sometimes guys are not able to play. The guys are literally not able to play. It's not like we're like shitting on, you know, national televised games or, you know, whatever the case may be. But, I mean, I'm looking at this list right now. We got, we got our. One of our biggest names, Nikola Jokic. You know, we got Giannis, we got Wembayama, you know, we got, you know, Steph that missed games. Kawhi didn't miss games. Sangoon, obviously. Ar my teammate, you know, Jalen Williams is out again. J Dub is out again. You know, how do you think that's going to, like, impact, you know, going into the, you know, the future? You know, you got guys going to miss all NBA nods because of that. When you. You can't tell me that Jokic is not all NBA now all of a sudden because he's missed, you know, 30 games, you can't tell me he's not, you know, first team all NBA. This guy's averaging 29, 13, and 14 or some shit like that. So, like, how long do we go with this and how is it gonna affect, you know, not only today's conversation, but also, like, individual guys legacies? Like, you know, it's. It's a topic of conversation. Yeah, I think get your idea.
- [26:37]
Tyrese Haliburton
I think that's the biggest thing, bro, is the legacy talk. I think that's the most important. And I think when this was first implemented, I get the idea we want more guys to play. And I'm. I was known as one of the first guys to say I hated it because the year the 65 game rule was implemented was my contract year, I had to play 65 games to make all NBA to be eligible for the supermax. And I said that I didn't like it at the time, and I still feel that way.
- [27:07]
LeBron James
I definitely don't like it.
- [27:08]
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, I've talked with Commissioner Silver and like, we talked about how from a financial standpoint, it can only hurt so many people in that year. Guys who are like me at that time. It was me and Lamelo at that time that were trying to get that supermax. But I think that's the biggest point is legacy talk. Because what I think about is in 20, 30 years when I'm not playing and I'm hearing my kids argue about comp. You know, they want to compare eras or something, and they're going over the list of accolades and they're telling me right now that, you know, this guy might have played, only made all NBA so many times. But he was ineligible, and they don't know that. And that could skew it in that way, which I don't necessarily appreciate in any way, but I think it's something that will be adjusted. I think a big reason for that is Wemby.
- [27:55]
Stephen Curry
Like, I think, like, for him to.
- [27:58]
Tyrese Haliburton
Not be in the conversation for defensive player of the year when he could. He.
- [28:02]
Stephen Curry
There's a very good chance that he.
- [28:04]
Tyrese Haliburton
Could win multiple over the course of his career if, like, knock on wood, I hope that, you know, his injury, you know, future is not consistent with what it's been. But, you know, it's not under his control at all times. Not under our. Us as players, our control. So I feel like to take that away from him or other guys because of health, I feel like is incorrect because I feel like. Like you're saying, like we're saying NBA players, we want to play. We don't want to sit down, we want to play. So I feel like there has to be a conversation for sure.
- [28:33]
LeBron James
Yeah. I mean. I mean, you said it best. I can't even say it any better than what you just said recent. We just, you know, it's. It's just weird. It's gonna be. It will be so weird to see the. All NBA teams come out first team, second team, third team, and Jokic is not on there or Giannis is not on there, or if, you know, if my teammate, if Luka happened to miss some time and he's, you know, not able to be eligible because he didn't play 65 games to make all NBA or, you know, like you said, even more important, we talk, you know, we're not just talking about legacies for guys of conversation, but also legacies for their families. Like, you know, if you have an opportunity to be in a contract year where you can get the supermax or you can get a, you know, you're eligible for an extra year and you're playing exceptional basketball, you having a career year and you play 64 games, that could be like, catastrophic. Like. Like, this be something that you'd be so pissed off about. Like, you know, so, you know, at some point, like you said, it'd be a conversation that'd be brought up again, and hopefully we can kind of figure it out and get to a better place about, because the game is different. Like, I want people to understand and our fans to understand that playing 82 games in the 80s and 90s is not the same as playing 82 games in the 2000s. It's just not the way we play the level of pace, the level of the speed that we're playing at, it's a different game now. It's a totally different game. And you know, it's a lot of soft tissue injuries that's happened now because of it. I hope we can get a handle on that as well, you know, because that's big in our game. I think when I first came into the, you know, to the league, Reece, like some of the biggest concerns of injuries was like, you know, a high ankle sprain, you know, you was afraid to step on somebody's ankle because there was four or five guys sitting in the paint. So, you know, guys with athleticism, myself, Tracy McGrady, you know, Vince Carter, you know, to name a couple guys. Sometimes you're afraid to take off into the lane because it was four or five guys sitting in the pain. If you land on somebody's ankle, you get a high ankle sprain, you out four to six weeks, you know. Now that's not really much of a. You don't really see that as much now because the game is so spread open, it's so much pace. But now you see the new high ankle sprain is the calf.
- [30:54]
Tyrese Haliburton
Right?
- [30:55]
LeBron James
You know, so, you know, hopefully we can get a handle on that from a medical standpoint. But it's just the game. I just want the fans to understand that the game is a little different. And you know, as NBA players, we definitely want to be out there as much as possible.
- [31:18]
Host
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- [33:12]
LeBron James
Let's go to a little lighter. You know, I want to talk about the, one of the best experiences I've been on. Having you there, having the rest of the crew there. Let's talk about the Olympics, man. You know, I want to get your take. Looking back on it, you know, how was it for you, your first Olympics? You know, being out there? You know, let's just, you know, let's, let's tap back in to the days that people didn't see, you know, some of our practices, some of our bus rides. And then just like the competition, like our practices was crazy when we used to compete, we go out there and then all the way to us just like bringing home gold, you know, I think our fans, they see a lot of it. Obviously there was a documentary that came out about it or whatever the case may be that was super cool to see the insights and things of that nature. And one of my favorite quotes from that one from the doc is when KD said, but who's guarding Steph?
- [34:04]
Stephen Curry
That's gonna help y' all guard Steph.
- [34:06]
LeBron James
Yeah, but is that gonna help y' all guard Steph? And then it's funny because Steph did what he did, you know, those final two games. But like, you know, let's tap back into the Olympics a little bit.
- [34:18]
Stephen Curry
Yeah, man, what an experience. Like probably the greatest experience of my life to be able to have that happen. Being the second youngest guy on the team with ant like us just being two of the younger dudes and just kind of soaking up all the knowledge that we could from you guys every day. I had so much fun. Like you said, the practice stories are somehow I'll never forget, I'll Never forget.
- [34:41]
Tyrese Haliburton
Playing 5 on 5 at the gym, the Metropolitan gym or whatever in France. And it's me, you know, it was like me, you and Steph on the same team. And you caught the. You caught the long outlet and jumped up without looking. And I was like, what is he doing? But I saw you. I'm like, oh, I think he's seeing Steph set the backpack for the three.
- [34:59]
Stephen Curry
Like, I'm like, that was the coldest moment in my basketball history, like, to even be involved in that play. But I think there's just so many moments and so many things that I.
- [35:08]
Tyrese Haliburton
Learned, and obviously, I didn't get to, Like, I didn't play a ton. And I have a great.
- [35:12]
Stephen Curry
I have a great story. I've never told him. I've never told anybody this story before. So we're at the Olympics. We're in the back doing film before the Olympics start.
- [35:21]
Tyrese Haliburton
And before it starts, it's like, all right, we're gonna have the team meeting where we acknowledge that all 12 guys cannot play. And so Steve starts talking about everybody can't play. And Bron is talking about how, you know, in the 04 Olympics, I didn't really play that much. And you kind of.
- [35:37]
Stephen Curry
You gotta put your pride aside. You know, it's bigger than you. And Katie's over there, like, at the.
- [35:41]
Tyrese Haliburton
End of the day, with 12 all stars, everybody's good. We always trying to win, right? And I'm sitting there, and I'm listening. I'm like, yeah.
- [35:46]
Stephen Curry
And as we start film, I'm like, but who are they talking about? Like, who are these? And I'm looking. I'm looking around. I'm like, oh, he ain't talking about him. He ain't talking about him. I'm like, oh, they talking. They talking about me. I'm sitting there. I'm like, oh, no, this is what it is. I was like, oh, I was sitting there. I'm watching Phil. I can't even pay attention to Phil. I'm so. I'm like, damn, it's over. It's over, man. I ain't getting no PT out here.
- [36:16]
Host
It's over.
- [36:17]
LeBron James
I'm the one guy in the school project that didn't do nothing and got an A.
- [36:23]
Host
Dog.
- [36:24]
Stephen Curry
I'm sitting there, I'm like, oh, it's over. It's over for me. I'm not. You know, it's cooked. But, man, like, for me to even be, like, be able to be there. And I saw you talk about that Serbia game last night.
- [36:36]
Tyrese Haliburton
Like, bro, when I talk about that game to people, I get chills thinking about it. Because, like, I didn't. I mean, you were out there.
- [36:42]
Stephen Curry
Y' all are out there.
- [36:42]
Tyrese Haliburton
I'm. I'm on the. I'm on the bench and I'm sitting there like, damn. I really, like, we. We might lose. Like, this is.
- [36:48]
LeBron James
We might lose, bro.
- [36:49]
Tyrese Haliburton
That was the first time.
- [36:50]
LeBron James
Oh, my goodness.
- [36:51]
Stephen Curry
We never felt like we were gonna lose a game ever.
- [36:52]
Sponsor/Ad Voice
Bro.
- [36:53]
LeBron James
I'm starting to sweat now thinking about it, bro.
- [36:55]
Stephen Curry
Never in our whole Olympic run did we think we were gonna lose a game.
- [36:58]
Tyrese Haliburton
Like, even, like, we had the really close South Sudan game. And like, that was, you know, the exhibition or whatever. I still, like, we winning London. We not losing that game against Serbia. We was down, whatever going into the.
- [37:10]
Stephen Curry
Fourth, going into the fourth, and Steve and Ty and Spo over there, like, talking about what we gonna do.
- [37:16]
Tyrese Haliburton
And we all over there and y' all just like, man, the way we just turned it up from there. And like, I still think about. I get.
- [37:23]
Stephen Curry
I get chills thinking about, like, them trying to go to the clear side post for Jokic and you fighting them in the front.
- [37:29]
Tyrese Haliburton
And then it happens. The next edition now KD's fighting him in the front with y' all help on the backside.
- [37:33]
Stephen Curry
Like, well, we were like. It was unbelievable. I get chills thinking about that game.
- [37:37]
LeBron James
It was unbelievable. I mean, you know, it's only 10 minute quarters, too. And them quarters go like that. Like, you know how the NBA, you know? You know, 12 minute quarters, you know, you like, okay, cool. All the way up until like, the six, five minute mark, you like, we still got a chance. Yeah, but you know, in the Olympics, bro, like, it got like under seven, under six, and we like, if we don't make a push, bro, we're toast. Like, we're toast. And, you know, I forgot the. The. The. The lefty point guard's name, man, who came into the game shooting like, oh, 18, 18 from the three point line, bro, and was lighting our ass up, right? I'm like, oh, my. You know, one of those. Them, like, them. The games that you lose. You like when a guy is not. When a guy is shooting less than 20 from the three point line and he comes out and hit three or four to start, you like, oh, my God. Oh, my goodness. This is not how it's supposed to play out. But that was like. Like you said. I said that last night when they asked me about some of the greatest games ever, you know, that was one of the greatest games I ever played in. And to be able to share that with y', all, man, and. And then it's like a storybook finish. The fact that we, you know, we we had some. Some truth that we may play Canada, right? You know, we. We. You know, like, you know, they got all. You know, they got all the NBA guys on their team, and they was playing well to a certain extent. And then, you know, France was able to knock him off. And we, like, what's the odds that we beat Serbia in the semis? And then we played the host team in Paris for the gold medal. Man, that was a storybook finish. And the way Steph just put everybody. He just put everybody to bed at the end of that game was still.
- [39:17]
Tyrese Haliburton
The image of him looking you and KD off to shoot the stage.
- [39:21]
Stephen Curry
Still the craziest.
- [39:22]
LeBron James
And.
- [39:22]
Tyrese Haliburton
And it was funny because, remember, he wasn't shooting well.
- [39:26]
Stephen Curry
Like, the whole Olympics. I remember I forgot somebody who was playing the Olympics didn't shoot too well from three. And we were in the locker room.
- [39:33]
Tyrese Haliburton
And I was reading. I said it, and Steph was like, man, I ain't far off.
- [39:38]
Stephen Curry
Like, I'm gonna shoot well either.
- [39:39]
Tyrese Haliburton
And we were like, it's just gonna take one game. Like, Steph, you huge.
- [39:42]
Stephen Curry
You're Steph, like, curve, it's coming. And then that Serbia game, first quarter.
- [39:47]
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, my God.
- [39:48]
Stephen Curry
And then the France game.
- [39:49]
Tyrese Haliburton
Like, it just never. It never.
- [39:51]
Stephen Curry
It was like a flurry. But he was due. It's law of averages. It's like, you're due for these moments, and it's so funny to look back and be like, it's my boy, Steph, man. He just got to France. Welcome. Welcome to the Olympics. Like, I think just all the stories and what I'm most thankful for is now just the relationships that I have with all you guys. Like, it's so much deeper than the NBA. Just, like, you know, there's the NBA relationship where you. You see somebody.
- [40:15]
Tyrese Haliburton
Hey, what's up, fam? How's the fam?
- [40:17]
Stephen Curry
Everybody good? Like, you just keep it moving. Like, that's, like, the. The base level NBA relationship.
- [40:21]
Tyrese Haliburton
I feel like it's gotten.
- [40:22]
Stephen Curry
I have a deeper relationship with all you guys, and that's something I'm very thankful for. To be, you know, one of the younger guys on the team.
- [40:28]
LeBron James
That's super dope. That's super dope.
- [40:37]
Host
Thanks for watching Mind the game. New episodes drop every other Tuesday. Remember to, like, subscribe or follow wherever you're watching.