LeBron James on His Favorite LEAP Players of the Season | MIND THE GAME

What this episode is about

LeBron James discusses key players who have significantly improved during the current basketball season, highlighting Tyrese Maxey, Stefan Castle, Jaylen Johnson, and Danny Ainge, while also weighing in on strategic game decisions like fouling a three-point shooter late in games. He emphasizes the importance of player development in relation to team style and personal roles, showcasing his insights on effective coaching and gameplay strategy.

Key takeaways

• In a three-pointer league, intentionally fouling can feel like a play call from beyond the arc.
• Player development thrives when aligned with team strategy, turning potential into pivotal performances.
• Team success often hinges on details: timeouts, inbound passes, and those split-second decisions matter.
• Fouling up three? Timing is everything—too early, and you miss the chance, too late, and it bites you.
• The unsung hero? The inbound passer—because what's a great play without a reliable setup?

Who speaks in this episode?

• LeBron James (Guest) · 27 min speaking
• Steve (Host) · 12 min speaking

What is discussed, and when

1. 0:00 – 5:00: Tyrese Maxi, Sherry Castle, Danny Aia
2. 10:00 – 15:00: Emirates, Tyrese Maxi
3. 25:00 – 30:00: Sherry Castle
4. 30:00 – 35:00: Danny Aia

Notable quotes from "LeBron James on His Favorite LEAP Players of the Season | MIND THE GAME"

• About cuz he's been taking a leap after leap over the last few years is Tyrese Maxi. Another guy that's really kind of caught my eye is Stefan Castle. I just think this guy is…

  about Sherry Castle · at 0:22

• The globe, I learned what makes a flight truly exceptional. And let me tell you Emirates economy class is the real deal.

  about Emirates · at 10:57

• Next year. And two guys in particular for me, like obviously we've seen, the first guy I'm going to talk about cuz he's been taking a leap after leap over the last few years is Tyrese Maxi.

  about Tyrese Maxi · at 12:31

• Element that brings to someone's game but also a team game. So, I really like the leap he's taken. let me go for one last guy that's taken a leap here that's been kind of fun to watch is Danny Aia.

  about Danny Aia · at 30:17

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

• Tyrese Maxi — Person · 2 mentions · first at 0:25
• Sherry Castle — Person · 2 mentions · first at 0:27
• Danny Aia — Person · 2 mentions · first at 0:43

Companies & orgs

• Emirates — Company · 3 mentions · first at 11:01

Places & events

• UConn — Place · 1 mention
  Loved, him., You, know,, I, see, watch, him, a lot in high school on the circuit.

Full transcript with timestamps

0:00 Coming up on this episode of Mind the Game. A lot of fans don't love the the fouling of three.

0:06 Listen,, our, our 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.

0:18 Let's, talk, about, guys, who, have, made, a leap this year. The, first, guy, I'm I'm, going, to, talk about cuz he's been taking a leap after leap after leap over the last few years is Tyrese Maxi. Another guy that's really kind of caught my eye is Stefan Castle. I just think this guy is a two-way fullcourt player, explosive downhill driver, playmaker, gritty combative, physical defender.

0:38 Someone, who, I, also, have, been, working, out with the last two summers is Jaylen Johnson in Atlanta.

0:43 Danny, Aia., I, mean,, this, is, a, quality quality player. He's, a, big, time, player., I, like, I, I, He's good. He's really good. Player development has to be in concert with the style of play your team has and your role on that team.

0:57 You, just, triggered, me, right, there., Like I I've I've done ski skill training my whole career, of course, obviously, but I've also done things that I felt like were what we were going to run. How do you feel about uh fouling up three late in games?

1:26 Oh,, yeah., I'm, I'm, If, I'm, coaching,, we following up three. Same., Same., Now,, what, are, you, what, would your rules be like? How much time? How under what what amount of time would you say is your time? Would you do are you a guy that's like I'll do it early in the last minute or are you like I want to wait till we get under a certain

1:40 No,, I, will, wait, to, a, certain, extent. Obviously, you got to see how many timeouts that you personally have where if you do follow up three, you can advance the ball. The last thing you want to do is not have any timeouts. You fouled up three and you have to take the ball underneath your basket.

1:54 If, they, get, a, strip, or, they, get, a, they get to trap you and get a steal, they're closer to the rim. So, you have to see how many how many timeouts you have. Um how many timeouts they have as well, how long can they extend the game. Um you know, as well. So, you know, I'm more of like a under, you know 30 seconds, under, you know, 24 second type file up three guy, you know, and like I said, those other variables uh matter on, you know, timeout situation who has the ball, whatever the case may be, all those things.

2:25 Yeah., I, think, the, other, two, other variables, I mean, for sure, timeouts is is a big one, is how good a free throw shooting team are you?

2:32 Uh, how, many, good, free, throw, shooters, do you have? And one that I think is underrated is how good of an inbound passer you have on your team.

2:39 Yeah., Yeah., Yeah. You, know,, you, can, get, caught, sometimes where, you, know,, teams, are, going, to, pressure, foul, they got they got to try to go for a steal, but while fouling, you know they're going to go run through people. If you have a great passer, it makes all your actions, your get in plays way easier.

2:57 Yeah., I, mean,, we, saw, that, in, the playoffs. Was it last year or the year before

3:02 in, the, Indiana, Boston, series, where, you know they had opportunity Indiana had opportunities to file up three late game. I think Jaylen Brunson hit a three. I mean Jaylen Brown hit a three sending into overtime or and then Indiana had a chance to win the game still but could not inbound the ball. Boston gets a gets a steal, win the game. Like, you know, the you know these are moment and times where you have to have like a great inbounder. Like you said, trust on your inbounder. You have to actually work on these plays too.

3:32 You, have, to, You, have, to, take, five minutes at the end of practice. Let's walk through this. Everybody on the baseline.

3:38 What, is, our, up, three, knee, play, to, get in? What is our up two knee play to get the ball in? What is it?

3:44 If, a, team, is, fouling, us,, you, know,, what is who who takes the ball out? who is in the back court, who is in the front court, you know, is it on the side? Is it behind our basket? Is it behind? Like, you know, all those type of things. So, you know, you have to work on that. But those are good those are good things. That's a great point for like the the common fan to know that like NBA teams have to take time in the picture of all these things defensive schemes matchups switching icing

4:13 hitting,, peeling, you, know,, fronting,, flooding,, all, the different schemes, all the different offensive sets, need plays, down three down two, all that stuff. You have to go over a package of get in under your basket. Y

4:27 get, in, on, the, sideline,, get, in, advanced. Uh and also like it's nice if only five guys have to know it, but the reality is guys are injured, guys are in foul trouble in a game. Everyone's got to know. And sometimes

4:41 the, the, most, valuable, part, is, if, your team knows it on the fly when you don't have a timeout and you can be like touchdown and you get into whatever

4:50 whatever, it, is., Yep. Not, to, mention, plays, in, the, you, advance it where you can still go in the back court.

4:55 Yep., And, so, then, there's, fullcourt, plays where maybe you put two people in the parking lot and ask them what are you gonna do? You gonna put two guys back there with them or one and bring two up here. So there's a lot of thought and process that goes in.

5:08 But, it's, hard,, you, know,, like, you, never know who's in the game. Have they had any reps at this because it's not the type of thing you get a ton of reps at. So it is that's a great point. How much how important is the preparation with your personnel to to play these things? What about technique of fouling? Technique of fouling up three. What are your thoughts on that?

5:25 Um,, there's, there's, multiple, ways, that you can foul up three. Obviously, if it's full court, you want to do it way before a guy gets to half court. Um, you want to do it on a downward dribble, a guy's dribbling the ball

5:39 once, you, see, that, ball, go, down,, foul. You, don't, want, to, do, it, while, the, ball is coming up cuz a guy can and he can raise and guys are making threes from half court these days. Listen, you can't say, you know, it's not a three-point shot. Um, if it's in the half court and the guy and teams are running plays and they're crisscrossing, whatever the case may be, and the guy catches the ball in the paint, foul

6:01 you, know,, run, through inside, the, three., Yeah. Yeah., Inside, the, three., You, can, run through that foul. Call it a pass interference. You know, if a guy catches the ball on the above the three-point line, but it's back towards the basket.

6:12 Great, point. Bear, hug, him. You, can, bear, hug, him, you, know., Um,, you, know,, so, there's

6:17 running, away,, catching,, running, away. Yeah,, running, away., Absolutely., Grab him, you know. So, there's so many different, you know, different ways where you can foul guys. And obviously the one way that you do not want to foul a guy is before the ball is entered

6:32 right? Cuz, that's, one, shot, plus, the, ball, on, the side. So, you got to be cautious about you know, if that ball hasn't been released from the guy that's out of bounds. You know, you're already fouling or you're grabbing, whatever the case may be. Now, it's not a three-point game, it's a two-point game, and now you have to

6:46 you, know,, play, straight, up, defense., So there, there's, ways, of, of of, fouling smartly. Um but you also got to be careful verse guys that you know certain teams certain guys are who are used to guys trying to foul them you know so they kind of get into the shot you know a little bit sooner than others. But there are ways to to make sure that that it doesn't happen for sure. It

7:10 it, is, an, uncomfortable, thing, though right is it? Yeah., Yeah., If, you're, not, comfortable with doing it, I wouldn't do it

7:16 because, you, had, the, coaches, on, your, you had the coaches and your teammates on your

7:20 right, like, you, you, have, to, do, it, with confidence. You, have, to, be, declarative., You, have, to be intentional. And you can't go out there, should I? Shouldn't I? You got to be ready to run through. When you have the chance, run through

7:33 get, a, piece,, knock, him, over., He's, not He's back to the basket, like you said dribbling down. Because I think once you start to get doubt in your mind, that's when you get played.

7:40 Yep., That's, when, you, get, played. Yep., That's, your, point. A, lot, of, fans, don't, love, the, the, fouling up three, but I think it's pretty universal now from a coaching standpoint. Like depending on time score, team, all that stuff when you started and how, but it feels like it's pretty universal. We're going to most teams are going to foul.

7:59 Listen,, our, our 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 the game, possibly

8:10 take, it, away. Yeah., Yeah., I, take and, that's, the, best, way, to, take, it, away is the f is the foul. Obviously, you're not doing that throughout the course of the game putting your team in in a penalty early and and you know, early in the in the quarter, but

8:22 listen,, late, game,, you, know,, under, a minute, under 30 seconds, you up three you know, it's been a hardfought game. Team may may have made 12 threes, 13 threes in a game. You don't want 14 to happen.

8:36 14, to, happen,, you, you, lose., You, can, lose in overtime that way. So you, know,, I, just, seen, the, game, the, other uh I didn't wasn't watching the game but I saw the clip of U

8:45 Charlotte, in, Cleveland,, you, know,, uh Brandon Miller, you know, u had it they down three, Cleveland up three and Brandon Miller gets a little gets a little room off Darius Garland. Darius Garland falls to the ground. Brandon Miller makes it three overtime and they beat Cleveland and Cleveland.

9:03 I, don't, want, to, go, through, that. No., No. For, me, personally,, I'm, about, to, be, 41 years old. First of all, another five minutes to me right now another five minutes to messes up my whole day the next day.

9:17 Yeah., Like, my, sleep., I, got, to, I, got, to get to my sleep. This, ain't, game, time., This, is, sleep time.

9:24 Sleep, time. Heart, rate. It's, my, heart, rate, variability. I'm, telling, you,

9:29 so, yes,, end, the, game., End, it., Let's, get out of here. End, it, when, you, have, the, chance,, right? Too many good players in our league. Too many things can happen. too much variable and variance with like the talent, size, ability of guys. You got to try to take the bad out of their hands when you can.

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11:58 All right, Braun, let's talk about guys who have made a leap this year. You know, some bigger than others, but it's always impressive and inspiring to see a guy improve his game because, you know that comes from hard work and discipline. So sometimes it's a little bit of opportunity, but even with opportunity largely, if you haven't done the work and prepared, you're not going to see guys take a leap. So I think it's important to like kind of show a little light on these. I always like to inspire the youth. So let's let's shine some of these guys who have uh taken a step.

12:24 Yeah., No,, I, think, that's, the, best, thing about our league when you see guys take like that next leap, you know, you know from one year to the next, you know next year. And two guys in particular for me, like obviously we've seen, you know, the first guy I'm going to talk about cuz he's been taking a leap after leap after leap over the last few years is Tyrese Maxi.

12:41 Um, I've, wor, I've, worked, out, and, trained with him over the last few summers. Every every morning 5:00 a.m. we're in the gym 5:30 whatever in the gym. And you just see like his dedication shows up on time on target every single day. a guy who just loves the game and is taking full advantage of the opportunity in Philly, you know, and um you know, I I love the kid. He's such a I talked about it when we played Philly, you know, not too long ago about how not only incredible of a basketball player he is, but how much better he is as a person, which is saying a lot because he's a unbelievable basketball player.

13:21 The second guy is someone who I also have been working out with the last two summers is Jaylen Johnson in Atlanta

13:28 you, know,, and, a, lot, of, it, is situational, too. Um, I think, you know the injury to Trey Young has sprouted even more of what Jaylen is capable of doing. They've put him at this Scotty Pippen role where he's playing like this point forward and not only is he scoring, he's rebounding at a high rate and he's dishing the ball. We've seen over like the last month where he might have three, four, five triple doubles. Um, playing the game at a high level and just um, you know, I just love the improvement. I love seeing that. I love seeing that in this league where guys take advantage of situation or you know come in from their work what they did in the summertime and able to apply it you know to the season and take full advantage of it. So those are two of the guys that come you know you know come to mind right away that and I love it because I've I'm I'm in the gym with those guys. I've seen it over the last

14:23 few few summers and and I love you know what has happened for, sure., You, know, I, think, uh, I, mean let's start with Maxi but I want to I want to dive in a little bit on both of them. You know, I think great players in our league, an element that makes people great consistently is rim pressure. Like, if you can constantly put paint pressure, rim pressure on a defense, it doesn't mean you're always getting to the rim, but the threat that you can get there, whether it's speed, strength, you know, Joic does it because skill, but also size. He can bully his way to the rim every time. Everyone's got to come because once he gets in there, he's too big for everyone. Maxi does it with speed. Johnson does it with athleticism.

15:00 But that pressure allows you to get more opportunities from three, allows you to get playmaking opportunities. I mean we've seen Jaylen Johnson take a big jump, a lot of, you know, 13, 14, 15 assist games this season for a guy that's essentially been a small forward or even a power forward his whole life. Um, so I think when you look at these two guys are two guys that constantly are a threat to get to the paint and get to the rim, which allows them to show this wide skill set. So with Maxi, uh incredible speed and athleticism, the pace, right? Like it's just it's it's overwhelming at times. You can see like guys just can't keep me in front.

15:37 No,, they, they, just, can't,, you, know,, and that that's God-given right there. That's God-given speed and talent. And he's just he said, "You know what? I know, you know, what I was possessed with and I'm going to take full advantage of it and not only use that to my advantage, but also it creates so much, like you said, that downhill pressure at the rim, but also a lot of guys know his speed, so they try to like cut him off and his ability to have a tight, handle, and, snatch, back, and, and and hit those step back threes, you know and and get to the free throw line and make his mid-range like and make his floater. kid has uh he has everything and you know he's one of the best you know point guards obviously not not only in the Eastern Conference but you know in the NBA

16:17 and, not, a, small, guard., How, tall, do, you think Tyrese is? I, wouldn't, classify, him, as, a, small guard. I don't know how tall Tyrese is. Um

16:26 I, think, at, least, 6'3 I, would, say., Yeah., Yeah., Yeah., He's sneaky kind of sneaky athletic too. If he he get that he get that right leg down. He kind of sneaky athletic too

16:36 for, sure., And, kind, of, feels, like, he, got good length. Yeah, good length.

16:40 Stretch, out., He, had, a, big gamewinner, and, then, the, block, at, the other end recently where he made the fadeaway against the Warriors that chased down uh I can't remember Melton maybe on a breakaway. Got an incredible block. Um

16:54 so, there, is, definitely, sneaky athleticism. Yeah,, he's, big, time., He's, big, time.

16:58 But, he's, also, gone, up, in, his, three-point puh usage. Like he's shooting more threes, playing off the ball a lot more than he was. So I like that there's a balance there. He obviously has the transition. He obviously has pick and roll ice. But getting off the ball running off actions, making people chase, turn the corner or shoot from three has added a kind of a new element and balance to his game.

17:19 Yeah., I, mean,, it's, it's, it's, it's, hard to guard guys that have the ball obviously with speed and quickness, but I think it's even harder to guard guys when they're off the ball and they're actually running towards the ball because you can't get a hand on guys. You're not allowed to hold guys, you know, lot you you got guys that's coming out of the corners full speed, you know and do you chase him over over this? Do you try to gap it? You know, if you gap he can either stop behind it and shoot the three or now they just turn around and and and and rescreen it and now you're playing from behind. And he's you know, he's he's very dynamic in that, too. So, you know, if you have the ability, there's a lot there's not that many guys that can be just as dynamic with the ball as off the ball. And, uh I remember we we mentioned this a lot in a lot of our episodes with Steph Curry like his he's most dangerous when he

18:12 gives up the ball. You know the, number, one, reason, why, that, is, is that most defense and personnel when they're when they're guarding a guy that's dynamic and that guy gets and gets off the ball for one split second they think it's man, he gave up the ball. Nope. And that's what makes Steph the most dynamic on ball offball basketball player in NBA history. You know, I I also think the way the game's going, um, now, first of all there's so many good players in our league. If a great player is off the ball and movement, the first job is to stop the ball

18:51 correct? So,, everyone, has, to, have, their, attention on the ball while also doing two jobs at once and being aware of whether you're on the ball or off the ball, the offball movement, the cut, the screen. But I do think the way the game's going, the pace we're playing at, the s sophistication of the defense, teams getting in the gaps and ro flying out and rotating, so it's harder and harder to get in the paint. The days of the better players getting the ball, stopping, holding it sizing everyone up, like it's not efficient anymore. I think there's a lot of players that, you know, it goes both ways, but there's a lot of players that could get a lot better if they don't need to catch it, hold, let their guy get neutral again. if they can play on the move, whether it's on the cut whether it's coming off a screen whether it's curling, whether it's catching and ripping

19:38 that, do, you, not, think, the, game, has, gone where that's more valuable or more?

19:42 I, I, do., I, do., I, think, so., One,, there's so many different We, didn't, have, this, many defenses and nuances of how to play defenses versus ISO isolated players

19:56 back, I, mean,, I, would, say,, you, know,, five to seven years ago. Sure., You, know,, now, you, know,, there's, so many different ways to get the ball out of a guy's hands if he's just sitting there isoing on the wing. You can flood the whole side and bring another guy to the elbow, you know. You could literally, you know, run a guy and just go trap him, you know, and now you got three defenders. You got the guy that's guarding the ball, the guy that came over to trap him, and you have the sideline, you know. So, there's so many different ways. And there's and in our game of pace and space and and and and rhythm, you know, it's a it throws you out of rhythm. You you you you kind of want the ball, you know, you know popping, you know, or you want the trigger to happen either by the pass or by a pick and roll. You know, you have a dynamic pick and roll player that can attract, you know, two on the ball. Now

20:44 you're playing a fouron-ree game. You playing the numbers game. That, that's, the, game, right, now., It's, the numbers game. How can you start the blender? Is the blender being started by the pass? Is it pass and cut? Is it what the Miami Heat are doing? Or is it what the what the Lakers are doing? Why we start a lot of our, you know, plays with pick and roll? Because we have such a dynamic, you know, pick and roll player in Luca. So the the trigger, how do you create the blender? How do you create the trigger? and creating the trigger ever used to being where guys catch the ball at the elbow or you know in the Carl Malone area and catch it and face up and jab and jab and that that you need it a little bit but it's definitely on the lower side of that pie chart now. It it is not a big piece of the demographic of winning basketball in my in my in my case. I I I don't I don't see it.

21:35 You're, right., It's, just, so, much, harder to catch survey and play. It's so much harder to just back your guy down from outside the three-point line. You know the catch on the elbow, everyone like you you that has to be dynamic movement off the ball. But the big thing for me a lot of players, I think, have to understand is there's a habit. You play in the summertime, you've been the focal point. You're playing one-on-one. You're used to playing one-on-one. You want to get good at playing one-on-one. Defenses are too

22:00 sophisticated,, like, you, said., They're too in the gaps. They're drawing attention. You have to take whatever advantage. So, playing on the move. It's It's so funny you just said that, Steve about like guys get to the summertime.

22:10 Every, year, at, the, end, of, the, season, there's an exit meeting with your coach with your GM, whatever. They usually you know, tell you, hey, you, you know great year, whatever the case may be we'll be in touch. Whatever the case may be, whatever. I wonder how many players take the initiative to say, "Hey coach," hypothetical, "Hey, hey, Coach Reic, like, um, where do you see me in our scheme of things for next year so I can work on it throughout the summer?"

22:40 Right. Skill, development,, of, course,, I'm, going to, you know, work on my skill development, but what what where do you see me fitting in with how you and the coaching staff are going to play?

22:52 Because, it's, so, funny, you, just, say, that. A lot of guys, you see it all through the summer, guys are posting videos and clips of them working out and, you know doing, you know, five or six, you know combo moves and pull-ups and things of that nature and, you know, backing down and think and you get into the season and you realize this is not going to be the style of play that that coaching staff had envisioned. Not only not it's not no knock on you, it's the how they envision on how the team is going to play. So now you've I I feel like a lot of guys waste a lot of time in the off season by not getting an understanding from their coach from their coaching staff on how are we going to play in the fall. So, not only during my skill okay, I do skill development twice a week. And then I do, okay, what are we going to run in the summer? So, now I can break that down into, okay, we're going to run a lot of drags. Okay, 77

23:46 I'll be the second roller or, you know a lot of follows. I could get into that. Pitch it to the pitch it to my summer you know, my summer developer, you know and and hip tap and roll and play the four on three game. like

23:58 it's, a, great but, I, mean, it's, it's, I, don't, think, many trainers are, going, to, tell, their, guys, to, work, on hip tap and roll and get behind the defense anyways cuz that takes them out of working to so

24:10 but, that, that's, you, just, triggered, me right there like I, I've, I've, done, ski, skill, training, my whole career of course obviously but I've also done things that I felt like were what we were going to run you know how how we're going to play you know and you develop that cuz you you're wast you're wasting too much time if you're just doing just all skill development

24:32 that, you're, not, going, to, be, able, to, use that skill. The coaches may not even they're like you we're we're not using it in that fashion.

24:39 Yeah. So, how, can, you, you, know, how, can, you, how can you take that you know I think that's the next step for a lot of players as well too that's trying to

24:47 you, know, get, better, the, next, year, too. I, think, that's, a, really, smart, comment for a lot of players out there in the league in college and high school. Player development has to be in concert with the style of play your team has and your role on that team.

25:01 That, doesn't, mean, that, 10%, of, it, isn't where I want to be in a year, two years three years, five years. But how am I going to play? Because else you don't get on the floor. You're not as efficient. You play less minutes. You know, I get calls

25:12 you, know,, fairly, frequently, from, NBA guys want to work with me, get in the gym or do some work. And I always say like, "Yeah, I'm happy to work with you but I want to know I want to talk to your coaches first cuz I want to know like what what do you see for this player? Where do you see him fitting into your team? What role do you want him to have before I start saying, "Hey man, let's let's get to it. Let's do this, let's do that." That's a waste of time. And then it's also now he's getting two messages. It's not going to help the kid get better.

25:38 Guy, comes, back,, the, season, started., He's doing all he's doing he's doing hang he's doing hang dribble, skip outs shooting threes and Hey, where the hell kids you learn that? Hey man, Steve Steve Steve told me that. Hey, listen.

25:49 Right. 100%. 100%. I that that doesn't need to be on my name. I, I I, think, it's, important, to, like, let's get let's get in like lock step here with your player development coach, your assistant coaches, your head coach, like what is the ask of you in this system to make an improvement? And sometimes it's simple. Like it doesn't have to be complicated. It doesn't have to be like some crazy isolation. It's like, like you said, like a tap and go footwork.

26:18 Yeah., Yeah., Yeah. Do, it, a, thousand, times, this, summer., So, you're always on balance, always on rhythm, always on timing. What's the counter? All that stuff. So, it doesn't sound sexy. It's not great for the gram

26:28 right? You, know,, the, the, tap, and, the, tap, and slip. Yeah. You, know,, whatever., It, doesn't, It doesn't get you likes, but that's what's going to get you minutes. That's going to make you more efficient. So, I think it's a great point you bring up.

26:40 Yeah., Absolutely., Absolutely. What, about, Jaylen, Johnson?, Like,, what's the ceiling for this guy? I mean, he can score at three levels. Incredible athlete. He's

26:48 like, I, mentioned, I, mentioned, Scottie Pippen, man. And obviously he has a long way to, you know, a long way to go. But as far as the talent, you look at a guy with long arms, 69, 610, runs like a deer, super athletic. He's improved his outside touch, but like you said, putting pressure on the rim, his ability to rebound, he can guard. I he can guard one through five you know, um you know, for the majority of of of you know, ones and fives. There's some fives that would be a little bit challenging, but that's that's what you know, you're talking about Embiid, you're talking about Joker. Obviously, there are mismatches for anybody

27:28 you, know,, and, his, playmaking,, like, you know,, I, I I, I, see, that, he's, going, to continue to improve. And you know, one thing about our league is just like it's it's all about confidence and opportunity. And once you you take advantage of that opportunity and your confidence continue to you're like, I know I can do this on I I can do this every night. You know, it's not going to be, you know, a triple double every night. It's not going to always be, you know, 15 assists every night, but you know, you're starting to know the nuances of the game on making the right play, you know, and things of that nature. So, um I just I I love his ceiling. I I don't know what his ceiling is, but I know it's not low. Um I think it continue to to uh I think it's very high, and I'm I'm looking forward to seeing what happens. I think he he's on pace to be an all-star in the East this year for sure, you know. Um there's no

28:20 there's no doubt about it. No,, for, sure., I, think, he's, playing, at all-star level and I think he's, you know, with with some some health, you know, I think he's a perennial all-star just the way he started. because this is the first year he's really had this much responsibility through

28:35 and, he's, been, healthy, for, the, for, you know he's been healthy so so far you know like you just said health is health is wealth health is wealth and our and life obviously but it's is it's it is you know being available to your teammates and being available every night you know that that means a lot so

28:52 yeah, for, sure, um, another, guy, that's really kind of caught my eye is Stefon Castle um you know averaging 18 points that's four more than last year. Seven assists, that's three more than last year. True shooting at 60%. Uh that's up 8%. Um you know, he's I just think this guy is a two-way fullcourt player explosive downhill driver, playmaker

29:16 gritty,, combative,, physical, defender. Like to me, you know, the last thing to come here, and he's made some threes, uh is the three-point shooting, but he can make them.

29:25 Yeah,, he, made, a, few., He, made, a, he, made, a few against us, too. So, yeah.

29:28 Yeah., Yeah., And, if, that's, the, last, thing to come then and it's and the shot is not broken.

29:33 Right., Right. Beautiful, shot. Yeah. That's, just, all, about, reps., It's, just all about reps.

29:38 Super, super., I, I, love, I, love, that, kid. Love the kid. Loved, him., You, know,, I, see, watch, him, a lot in high school on the circuit.

29:45 Love, this, one, year, at, Yukon, and obviously last year, you know. Um you know, love his demeanor. He he's very stoic.

29:53 Like, his, his, his, demeanor, never, changes throughout the game. You could tell he's like super locked in on whatever the job is at hand. Um I just I love his upside

30:05 and, I, like, you, said, the, demeanor,, but the demeanor is combative. Like he he's going to be physical. You're going to feel him, you know, you're going to feel him, at, both, ends., You're, going to, feel him on drives. You're going to feel him defensively. You know how important that is in our league today and what an element that brings to someone's game but also a team game. So, uh I really like the leap he's taken. Uh let me let me go for one last guy that's taken a leap here that's been kind of fun to watch is Danny Aia.

30:29 Oh, yeah. In, Portland,, you, know., Um yeah,, 25, points, per, game., That's, plus eight from last year. Six assists. That's two up from last year. True shooting 62%. Uh that's up 2% from last year. I mean here's maybe the biggest one is he's top four at time of recording in foul rate. nine and a half free throws a game up there with Shay uh, Luca, and AR. So, I mean, this is a guy that gets downhill is a problem.

30:59 No,, he, he, is, a, he's, a, physical., He's, a physical physical driver to the rim. And if you don't have a body in front of him, if you're on the side of him, then he's going to get that foul call. You know, he's super physical, especially going downhill to his right hand. And like you said, he's worked out. He's worked a lot on his outside shooting too. You know, when he was in Washington, that's the one thing he did have. He's always had this speed with the ball. Very fast with the ball downhill to his right hand, big body big wing. Um, but this year in particular, I've seen him expand his his range and make some shots from the perimeter at a more consistent rate. And uh it's resulted in him having a a breakout career year so far.

31:42 Yeah,, for, sure., I, feel, like, he's, in, a and I could be wrong. Feel like he's in a little better shape. He just feels a little sharper. Yeah. He's

31:49 getting, to, the, cracks., Like, you, said, he's shooting so that makes him faster too.

31:53 Good, playmaker., Makes, plays, for, others. He's a guy I think Washington probably is

31:58 kicking, themselves. Yeah., Ruin, their, decision, there, because I mean this is a quality quality player in our

32:04 He's, a, quality, player., He's, a, He's, a, big time player. I like I He's good. He's really good.

32:09 And, a, smart, player., Can, read, defense, as well, too. So, it's fun. This is always fun to talk about guys that have taken a leap and uh those are those are some of many that have taken a leap and it's fun to highlight.

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33:33 Teams are really starting to figure out their identity, and every night you're seeing guys make their case for all-star spots or pushing their teams into playoff position. The season gets real right about now. There's no better way to stay locked in than with our partners at DraftKings Sportsbook. And right now all new customers who sign up using promo code Mind and bet $5 get $300 in bonus bets if your first bet hits. Minimum odds of minus500 required. And never forget, DraftKings same game parlays let you stack multiple plays from a single matchup. Love the thrill of live betting? DraftKings has got you covered. Bet live on star player props and in progress games as they happen.

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34:41 Help, my, game., Fan, questions, of, the, week. Okay., from, uh, Real, T, I, L, Neil, Real, till Neil from X. What are the best sets to use against teams in drop or teams that switch? Pick and roll. I'll

34:58 let, you, have, a, thought, on, that, first. Uh, the, best, sets, to, run, versus, teams, in drop

35:02 or, or, or, concepts or, switch., Um yeah, well, obviously,, you, know,, when, you, got teams in a drop pick and roll, you know if you have a dynamic point guard that's able to make those reads or whatever the case may be, it helps out a lot. So, if you're a pick and roll team and you're coming off and that fiveman is in a deep drop, if you have a point guard that has the ability to shoot the ball, you know and that that big your big can get a good clean screen on who's ever guarding the ball handler, it's going to then extend the defense at some point. The coaches are going to make an adjustment.

35:33 They don't want you to keep coming off and just keep raising up, raising up and raising up. There's no help. The opposing player that's guarding the ball is going to get frustrated. he's going to be calling for the big come up. I need to hear you. I need to see you. Um so I think that helps too. Um but also you know, against switching teams getting that ball movement, create uh create, you know, uh um you know confusion with hip taps, you know, quick hip taps, ghost screens, you know, if you you know, you you you chase the ball and then, you know, he thinks he's going to set you think he thinks you're going to set a pick and roll and you just slip out of it. You know, that creates uh you know, uh confusion. you get behind the defense and you create the numbers game.

36:13 So, you know, a lot of teams that switch a lot, they point switch. So, you know you got some some opportunities to be able to run some flares. Uh you got an opportunity to run some rip screens some rips and slips to the rim. Um so you have to see how they're switching who they're switching with. Um you know and I think that that that will help out a lot.

36:34 Yeah,, I, think, in, switching, defenses,, I think those are great calls. And then I think the other part is you have to mix it up. You have to mix it up. Play with pace. Um you have to flip screens. You know, we talked about slipping, but like flipping screens, catching the defender on the wrong side. Play get game. Uh whatever it may be, get to sets where your pace and your variance is different. So they're not looking at the same thing. If you play slow, you walk into screens every time they get into you and they're physical. They get under, there's nowhere to slip, they receive you, uh they can push you back if they want to. So, it's really important, I think, to play with pace be really intentional what you do, and then to mix it up. Like LeBron said, you want, to, be able, to, slip,, you, want, to, be able to go screen, but you want to be able to flip screens, play get game. All that variance, I think, makes it

37:17 difficult against switching defenses. Um, and then for my my thoughts on a drop is when you have a three-level score, it's a tough defense to go to drop because that guy can come off on a good screen. He's got the three ball he's got the mid-range, he could attack the big to score or to playmake. So I think what a lot of coaches do if they feel like they have a center and that's not capable be being up to touch to take space away from that threele score is then they bring the wings in and shrink the floor and play in the gaps. So then you just have to be willing to make early passes and trust your teammates.

37:48 Make them pay for being in too tight. Get off it early. Let that next guy play twoon shoot it. Play twoon one drive and kick with the corner. Um, but again, the way the game's going, the one thing that's in common with this is being decisive

38:02 and, playing, on, the, move,, being, willing to get rid of it early and play as a team because defenses are getting too sophisticated to to just be so deliberate with all your actions.

38:12 I, agree., Agreed., Great, call, there, Steve. Mom,, I'm, shooting, a, podcast., I'll, call you back.

38:23 Mama, what's, up,, Mom? Love, you., I, love, you., Mala,, look. You're, going, to, be, our, guest, soon.

38:32 Yeah,, Steve., Steve, said, you, got, to, be our guest soon. Okay., All, right., Love, you., All right. Stay warm out there. I'll call you later.

38:43 Okay. All right., All, right., Bye. That's, amazing., That's, amazing. Thanks, for, watching, Mind, the, Game., New episodes drop every other Tuesday. Remember to like, subscribe, or follow wherever you're watching.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "LeBron James on His Favorite LEAP Players of the Season | MIND THE GAME"?

LeBron James (Guest), Steve (Host).

What is "LeBron James on His Favorite LEAP Players of the Season | MIND THE GAME" about?

LeBron James discusses key players who have significantly improved during the current basketball season, highlighting Tyrese Maxey, Stefan Castle, Jaylen Johnson, and Danny Ainge, while also weighing in on strategic game decisions like fouling a three-point shooter late in games. He emphasizes the importance of player development in relation to team style and personal roles, showcasing his…

What is mentioned in this Mind the Game episode?

5 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Tyrese Maxi, Sherry Castle, Danny Aia, Emirates, UConn. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "LeBron James on His Favorite LEAP Players of the Season | MIND THE GAME"?

The episode runs 39 min; the transcript is about 8,056 words in 125 timestamped sections.

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