The Los Angeles Lakers bounced back in the playoff game 2 with a stunning 94-85 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Crypto.com arena. LeBron James , the standout star and Lakers veteran, has recently shared that game 3 in the playoffs is the most crucial for any team. In a candid chat with Steve Nash on the Mind The Game podcast, the duo discussed the shift in the gameplay in the playoffs, even James compared it to the Olympic games.
LeBron James details why NBA playoff game 3 will be crucial
LeBron James recently had a candid chat with former Lakers star Steve Nash on the Mind The Game podcast. While the duo discussed many NBA topics, their thoughts on the playoff game 3 for the Lakers revealed James’ potential move. The Minnesota Timberwolves will be looking forward to adding another win to lead the series, while the Lakers’ stance will also define their playoff run after their game 2 victory.
“The physical intensity of the defense — you’ve seen them in the regular season, but if they’re going to blitz you in the playoffs, that is a different blitz,” Nash initiated the discussion. “That is a different blitz. That is physical. That is hands. That is the body, feet — everything taking away space,” he added.
James hailed the playoff defense intensity while acknowledging the referees for allowing defensive heat a bit more than in the regular season. “The referees allow it a little bit more, too. The refs allow it. And I love it. And I love when you can be more handsy, you can be more physical, and the whistle is not blown as frequently, right?” James said in the podcast.
Does this mean James and the Lakers are looking to employ his defensive strategy more than their offense? Possibly. And there is a roster of capable players, including Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, to aid him in clinching another win in the series with a blend of both offense and defense. Still, James, who is now 40 years old, finds it a bit difficult to catch up to the level of the intensity, at least with immediate effect.
“I actually like this. But I need a game or two to actually get to it. It takes a couple games. Because if you’ve been training your body and playing a certain way for eight months, and then all of a sudden, within one week, you have to now go into the postseason where everything is more physical, everything is faster, everything is more intensified,” the Lakers legend shared.
Certainly, there is a stark contrast in the regular season and the playoffs, as James puts it, “like playing in the NBA to now playing in the Olympics.”
Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday night (9:30 p.m. ET) in Memphis.
Also Read: NBA Playoffs: Golden State Warriors saw crushing game 2 defeat against Houston Rockets after Jimmy Butler’s injury
In game 2, Luka Doncic led the team with an impressive 31 points and also contributed significantly with 12 rebounds and 9 assists in his 42 minutes and 9 seconds on the court. James, playing for 39 minutes and 37 seconds, recorded a solid performance with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists.
LeBron James details why NBA playoff game 3 will be crucial
LeBron James recently had a candid chat with former Lakers star Steve Nash on the Mind The Game podcast. While the duo discussed many NBA topics, their thoughts on the playoff game 3 for the Lakers revealed James’ potential move. The Minnesota Timberwolves will be looking forward to adding another win to lead the series, while the Lakers’ stance will also define their playoff run after their game 2 victory.
“The physical intensity of the defense — you’ve seen them in the regular season, but if they’re going to blitz you in the playoffs, that is a different blitz,” Nash initiated the discussion. “That is a different blitz. That is physical. That is hands. That is the body, feet — everything taking away space,” he added.
James hailed the playoff defense intensity while acknowledging the referees for allowing defensive heat a bit more than in the regular season. “The referees allow it a little bit more, too. The refs allow it. And I love it. And I love when you can be more handsy, you can be more physical, and the whistle is not blown as frequently, right?” James said in the podcast.
Does this mean James and the Lakers are looking to employ his defensive strategy more than their offense? Possibly. And there is a roster of capable players, including Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, to aid him in clinching another win in the series with a blend of both offense and defense. Still, James, who is now 40 years old, finds it a bit difficult to catch up to the level of the intensity, at least with immediate effect.
“I actually like this. But I need a game or two to actually get to it. It takes a couple games. Because if you’ve been training your body and playing a certain way for eight months, and then all of a sudden, within one week, you have to now go into the postseason where everything is more physical, everything is faster, everything is more intensified,” the Lakers legend shared.
Certainly, there is a stark contrast in the regular season and the playoffs, as James puts it, “like playing in the NBA to now playing in the Olympics.”
Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday night (9:30 p.m. ET) in Memphis.
Also Read: NBA Playoffs: Golden State Warriors saw crushing game 2 defeat against Houston Rockets after Jimmy Butler’s injury
In game 2, Luka Doncic led the team with an impressive 31 points and also contributed significantly with 12 rebounds and 9 assists in his 42 minutes and 9 seconds on the court. James, playing for 39 minutes and 37 seconds, recorded a solid performance with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists.
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