Mind the Game

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Latest Episodes:

Jalen Brunson, Nikola Jokic and The Evolution of the Playmaker May 20, 2025

The modern NBA playmaker looks like a little of things in 2025. They can be a smaller guard like Jalen Brunson or a bigger center like Nikola Jokic. But it wasn't always like that. In the past, the scorer and the passer were two different positions assigned by specific NBA archetypes. In this episode of Mind the Game, we explore this evolution and the role LeBron James and other superstars played in the evolution of the modern NBA playermaker.

Thanks for watching Mind the Game with LeBron James and Steve Nash. Subscribe and follow wherever you get your pods!

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Why the Midrange Still Matters May 13, 2025

Welcome back to another episode of Mind the Game with LeBron James and Steve Nash. Today we’re diving into the divisive midrange shot. In a world of 3-pointers and lay-ups where does the midrange fit in and who should be taking them? From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to James Harden, we also dive into the midrange masters of the NBA and how the shot has evolved over time. Thanks for watching and listening to Mind the Game and be sure to follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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Styles Make Fights: Breaking Down Lakers vs. Wolves May 08, 2025

Welcome back to a brand new episode of Mind the Game with LeBron James and Steve Nash. In this episode, LeBron takes us through the series between The Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. They talk through the different play styles between the two teams, in-depth defensive strategies and the evolution of Anthony Edwards as a playmaker. LeBron also talks through his MCL injury and what it felt like playing an entire half in the playoffs at age 40. Finally, Steve and LeBron share their thoughts on Gregg Popovich retiring as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.

As always, thanks for watching and listening to Mind the Game. Please subscribe and follow wherever you get your pods!

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Playoffs Apr 22, 2025

The NBA Playoffs have begun and Mind the Game is here to break down the different between regular season basketball and postseason basketball. In this episode, LeBron James and Steve Nash discuss the schemes and game planning that goes into playoff basketball and the general characteristics of a successful playoff team. They also talk adjustments, counter adjustments and what happens when a team is out of tricks. Plus LeBron reveals the most mentally grueling playoff series he’s ever played in. Thanks for watching and Happy Playoffs!

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How Steve Nash Changed Basketball Apr 15, 2025

We’re back for Episode 3 of Mind the Game with LeBron James and Steve Nash where we do a deep dive into how Steve Nash succeed in the NBA and ultimately changed the sport forever. We explore how his love of soccer and hockey allowed him to survive and innovate in the NBA — ultimately resulting in 2 MVP awards. We also dive into The Nash Dribble, the hesitations moves, the pull-up 3-pointer and of course the 7 Seconds of Less Suns and playing for Mike D’Antoni. We hope you enjoy this episode!

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Preparation, Recovery and Minding the Body Apr 08, 2025

Welcome back to another episode of Mind the Game with LeBron James and Steve Nash. In this episode, we dive into something that we believe to be a crucial side of the game that isn’t discussed enough… the human body. We’re talking about preparation, recovery, strength and condition, diet and taking care of the mind. With LeBron playing at a high level at age 40, how does he approach the NBA calendar year? What are his offseasons like? How does he ramp up in preparation for the playoffs? And what are the little things that allow him to still be at the peak of his game at this stage in his life. Our goal in creating this show is to provide a little more insight into what it takes to play this game at a high level and we hope this conversation accomplishes just that. Thanks for watching Mind the Game.

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Defining Success and Playing with Luka Apr 01, 2025

Mind the Game is BACK with a brand new season to break down the game with LeBron James and a brand new co-host, 2X MVP and NBA legend, Steve Nash. In this episode, Steve talks to LeBron about what the word ‘success’ means to him at 40 years old and the lessons he hopes he’s passed on to the next generation of NBA greats. Then the conversation transitions to the new look Los Angeles Lakers and their brand new superstar, Luka Doncic. What are the hurdles with making an in-season trade and what makes LeBron particularly excited about playing with Doncic. Finally the guys dig into the x’s and o’s of what this Lakers team has done early with LeBron and Luka. Thanks for watching Mind the Game and enjoy the show!

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The NBA Finals Jun 05, 2024

The NBA Finals are set. Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington and the Dallas Mavericks will face Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis and the Boston Celtics and JJ Redick and LeBron James are here to break it all down in Episode 9 (dropping tomorrow). What advantages do the Mavs and the Celtics have and how can they exploit one another?

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The 2024 Conference Finals May 22, 2024

Welcome to Episode 8 of the Mind the Game podcast with JJ Redick and LeBron James. We have a fantastic show for you all today covering all things 2024 NBA Playoffs. First up, we discuss Bronny James going through the combine and the NBA draft process and what it's like for LeBron as a father. Then we dive into the NBA Playoffs - starting with a conversation around the MVPs of these playoffs - the role players. Guys like Naz Reid, P.J. Washington, T. J. McConnel and more. Then we dive into the Eastern Conference Finals between Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers and Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics. We discuss why the Celtics are so difficult to guard and how Indiana makes defenses uncomfortable. Then we dive into the Western Conference Finals between Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves and Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks. LeBron and JJ discuss Ant and Luka's ability to go away from ballscreens like Dwyane Wade and how the Wolves make the court smaller with their defense. Finally, LeBron weighs in on the hate Caitlin Clark has gotten so far in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever.

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Breaking Down the 2024 NBA Playoffs (So Far) | LeBron James & JJ Redick May 08, 2024

Welcome to Episode 7 on Mind the Game with LeBron James and JJ Redick. This episode was recorded last week, shortly after LeBron and the Los Angeles Lakers first round series against Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and the Denver Nuggets. LeBron explains why he thinks he, Anthony Davis and the Lakers lost the series and what simply made the Nuggets the better team. He also opens up about how he's personally feeling heading into the offseason. Then, they get into some of the observations and takeaways from other series' in the playoffs including; actions that make Jamal Murray, Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), and Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers) the most dangerous. They also share what they think gives Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, and the Minnesota Timberwolves an advantage in the playoffs, what it's like facing elite defenders like Luguentz Dort (Lu Dort) (Oklahoma City Thunder) for multiple games throughout a series, and much more.

Subscribe to Mind the Game with LeBron James and JJ Redick today for more NBA insight, analysis, highlights and more.

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How Three-Point Shooting Changed Everything May 01, 2024

Welcome to Episode 6 of Mind the Game with LeBron James and JJ Redick. This episode was recorded a few weeks and it's our favorite one yet. Here we discuss the evolution of shooting in the NBA and how it's completely changed the way basketball is played. First we discuss how purpose of the modern NBA offense is to put two on the ball and the best players at doing that (Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, James Harden). Then the guys dig into early shot clock three-pointers and self created three-pointers like step-back threes and how those have also expanded the modern NBA offense. Which leads us into how difficult it is for defenses today to stop these offenses covering so much space. And finally, JJ and LeBron tough on the catch-and-shoot three-pointers and play a thought experiment where LeBron has to draw up his favorite ATOs for JJ — plays like "Victory", "Oklahoma", and "Clippers Down."

Again this is one of the nerdiest episodes of Mind the Game we'll ever do and we can't wait for you all to see it!

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The NBA Playoffs and Coach Keith Dambrot Apr 17, 2024

Welcome to Episode 5 of Mind the Game with LeBron James (The Los Angeles Lakers) and JJ Redick, where we talk all things NBA Playoffs and welcome in LeBron's high school coach, Keith Dambrot. Our full episodes are available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and wherever you get your podcasts. First, we open with JJ's brief explanation of concepts like Icing, Top-Locking and Motion Offense. Then LeBron and JJ open up about the difference between regular season basketball and playoff basketball. JJ asks LeBron about his first ever playoff game with the Cavs (Cleveland Cavaliers) and his big game winner in 2009 against the Orlando Magic. Then the guys talk about the mental toll of a 7 game playoff series and JJ highlights some of his own mental mistakes in the playoffs. We also have a deep discussion about the role of luck or chance in the playoffs and talk about THE SHOT from Ray Allen in the 2013 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. Then we bring in LeBron's high school coach, Keith Dambrot to talk about what it was like to coach LeBron at such a young age. Keith provides wisdom for all coaches at any level about working with stars, role players and more. This is a special one so let's get to it!

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The Space, The Icons and The Block Apr 10, 2024

Welcome to Episode 4 of the Mind the Game podcast hosted by JJ Redick and LeBron James. We first want to thank everyone who has watched, listened, commented, shared and provided feedback on the show. We are so grateful that people like it. Now let's get into Episode 4. First the guys take some time to discuss the growth of women's basketball, particularly in college with the rise of names like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Then the guys talk about spacing, particularly one of the most unstoppable moves LeBron loves to utilize on the Los Angeles Lakers.... the Gortat screen (made famous by Marcin Gortat). Next, the guys talk about why the "screen assist" should a box score stat rather to help gather us appreciate players like Draymond Green and Rudy Gobert. Then the guys talk about the term "court mapping" and why Nikola Jokic is elite at this skill. Finally, JJ asks LeBron to break down one of the greatest defensive players ever... The Block on Andre Iguodala, which took place in the 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors . LeBron discusses the variables that went into the iconic play including the importance of J. R. Smith on that play. And as a bonus - JJ decides to show LeBron an old play of JJ on the Orlando Magic crossing over LeBron James while he was on the Cavs. This is a good one. Let's go.

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Basketball Evolution Apr 03, 2024

Welcome to Episode 3 of Mind the Game with LeBron James and JJ Redick. In this episode, JJ and LeBron talk about adapting and evolving with the game of basketball. Each of them discuss lessons they learned in high school that helped shape the rest of their careers. Next the guys talk about college basketball and whether LeBron ever wishes he could've played in the NCAA tournament / March Madness. Then the guys move on to talk about LeBron's first NBA basket and the way the game has changed from way back then to today. JJ goes on to discuss the impact of the 2009 Orlando Magic and why Stan Van Gundy's offense was revolutionary at the time. The rest of the conversation centers around LeBron's time with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat. They talk through how the team recovered from the 2011 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks and Coach Erik Spoelstra's innovation that led to NBA championships and how Chris Bosh had to sacrifice for the good of the team. Then we take a beat to appreciate how Chris Bosh influenced many of today's big men like Bam Adebayo, Nikola Jokic and Chet Holmgren. This is such a fun episode so let's get to it.

Subscribe to Mind the Game with LeBron James (The Los Angeles Lakers) and JJ Redick today for more NBA insight, analysis, highlights and more.

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The Hardest Actions to Guard in Basketball Mar 27, 2024

Welcome to another episode of Mind the Game with LeBron James and JJ Redick. We first want to thank everyone for watching and sharing the first episode and we're proud to share this next one with you all. Today we examine the hardest actions to guard in the NBA and the best ways to defend against these actions. The two main actions we focus on are the Golden State Warriors post splits and the way Draymond Green acts as a hub for Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and the rest of the roster made that play nearly impossible to defend against. The other play we talk in detail about is the inverted pick-and-roll with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets. There are several examples of duos that make that play hard but we take an extra close look at what Jokic does that makes this play so unstoppable. We also dive into other schemes like ghost-screens with a great big shooter like Kristaps Porzingis of the Boston Celtics and how Boston gets creative on offense. A few other topics we discuss are why teams blitz Luka Doncic of The Dallas Mavericks, the lack of creativity in men's college basketball and the mileage LeBron has put on his body in 2024. There's so much more we discuss so let's get into it. Cheers.

Mind the Game is presented by Uninterrupted and ThreeFourTwo Productions.

Subscribe to Mind the Game with LeBron James and JJ Redick today for more NBA insight, analysis, highlights and more. And if you'd like to see some of the visuals referenced in this episode, please subscribe to Mind the Game on YouTube at YouTube.com/@MindtheGame

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What Makes a Great Basketball Player? Mar 19, 2024

Presented by Uninterrupted and ThreeFourTwo Productions. Welcome to the first episode of Mind the Game with LeBron James and JJ Redick. We are really excited to share this podcast where we examine and celebrate the game of basketball. In this first episode we ask ourselves a very simple question, "What makes a great basketball player?" That question launches us into discussions about the The Los Lakers recent comeback win against the Los Angeles Clippers, philosophical questions about basketball IQ and we dive into concepts like "Thumb Down" and "Floppy" and "Horns Chest." We also talk about this year's leap of Jayson Tatum and The Boston Celtics and what makes them so dangerous. And finally, we dive into the influence of Stephen Curry.

We really hope you enjoy our show. Be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. And if you'd like to see some of the visuals referenced in this episode, please subscribe to Mind the Game on YouTube at YouTube.com/@MindtheGame

Subscribe to Mind the Game with LeBron James and JJ Redick today for more NBA insight, analysis, highlights and more.

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Preview: Mind the Game with LeBron James and JJ Redick Mar 18, 2024

Don’t just play the game. Mind it.

Presented by Uninterrupted and ThreeFourTwo Productions, Mind The Game is an entry into the heralded basketball minds of LeBron James and JJ Redick. The two sit down weekly to discuss the state of the game, dissect X’s and O’s, and wax poetic about the game they love.

Kick back with them as they uncork, unwind and invite you into a hoop conversation unlike any you’ve heard before.

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