LeBron James finally decided to restart his podcast and went into great detail about Luka Dončić and the unique abilities the NBA superstar has brought to the Lakers.
Since James initially started “Mind the Game” with JJ Redick, fans wondered about the fate of the podcast, given that Redick had accepted the position as the Lakers’ coach and could not do both at the same time.
As a result, the podcast went on a hiatus for the majority of the season. James decided to bring on former NBA star Steve Nash as a replacement for Redick, and both of them discussed Dončić.
LeBron James Loves the Inspiring Play Style That Luka Dončić Displays
If there is any player in the league with a style most similar to the four-time NBA champion, it would be Dončić. After all, he proved to be a franchise cornerstone and carried the Dallas Mavericks all the way to the NBA Finals. This is very similar to what James did during his first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Dončić might arguably be a better facilitator on offense when compared to James. During the podcast, Nash asked James what excited him the most about playing with Dončić.
“Because he played the game how I’ve always wanted to inspire the generation to play the game. There’s nothing predetermined. If you have two guys on you, there’s the numbers game. If you have the advantage and if you have a guy that you know can’t guard you or you’re able to beat him, and the guy traps the box, or another guy sinks…I’m able to make the passes or make the reads before they happen.”
James continued, “I’ve always loved the players that breathe so much confidence into his teammates that he makes them believe that they’re actually better than what the f**k they already are. You did that. Luka has done that for seven years. Chris Paul did that when he was down there in New Orleans. I’ve been able to do that with a few of my teams. I mean I don’t go to the NBA FInals in 2006 with that team. If I’m not able to make them believe that they’re greater than what they are and just give them that confidence.”
Some guys just breathe confidence. Luka has that.
Episode 1 drops TOMORROW, 9am ET.
📺: https://t.co/MTZFWW4SfT pic.twitter.com/NZTl1A6Nul— Mind the Game (@mindthegamepod) March 31, 2025
The notion that certain players make the ones around them much better is quite interesting. A superstar franchise cornerstone can carry a team of average or even below-average players deep into the playoffs or even win an NBA championship. Nash understood what James meant.
“It’s a great point because I think people understand you make your teammates better. But making them believe is a whole other thing. Because you can spray the ball around the gym and make people better. But to give them that belief that no matter what I do is valued and important and it can help our team win.”
Both concluded that the ability to engage the whole team also makes the entire squad more motivated, loyal, and willing to sacrifice for each other.
Players with the ability to improve their team are usually point guards such as Nash or Paul. However, certain freaks of nature, such as James and Dončić, can play the same position at a similar level, if not higher, despite being much larger. Fans are left wondering what the two of them will be able to accomplish with the Los Angeles Lakers this season.
