Mind the Game

It takes great IQ to play basketball at a high level. MIND THE GAME is back for Season 2 with a new face sitting across the table from LeBron James. Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash will be the new co-host of MTG alongside James as the two basketball savants discuss all the preparation, intricacies, and nuances that come with being an NBA superstar. In Episode 1, James and Nash dive into how LeBron’s longevity, appreciating the process, the Los Angeles Lakers’ mid-season trade for Luka Dončić, and how James has adapted playing alongside the Slovenian Superstar. The duo also breaks down key terminology and schemes—from Blender, Short Roll, and Pocket Pass, to Angle Pop, Trap the Box, and more.

In Episode 2, LeBron James and Steve Nash dive into the recovery process, maximizing every minute as a professional athlete, practicing good habits, refining skills, and much more. James also shares what he’s learned throughout his career playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers, and how he’s managed to adapt to the ever changing landscape of different eras and evolutions of the game. LeBron credits Steve with being part of the NBA's change of pace, the two talk life after basketball and compare their commitment to their craft while enjoying a bottle of wine.

In Episode 3, LeBron James and Steve Nash dive into Nash’s upbringing in Canada and how that shaped him to have a stellar 18-year NBA career. Nash shares how playing soccer and hockey helped him understand angles and maneuver around the court as well as what he learned from Wayne Gretzky. He even credits soccer for his success in the NBA. The duo goes in-depth on Nash’s journey, his early days with the Dallas Mavericks, and how former Phoenix Suns head coach Mike D’Antoni implemented the team’s legendary 7 Seconds or Less uptempo offense.

In Episode 4, LeBron James and Steve Nash breakdown why the NBA postseason brings a different type of energy. The two explain why 2012 was the toughest playoff matchup ever and how he’s approached the postseason throughout his 21-year career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers. The two also discuss overcoming pressure moments, being the priority on scouting reports, why versatility is such a strength, and how the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Oklahoma City Thunder having an upper advantage during this time of the season. Steve and LeBron also reminisce on past battles with Gregg Popovich's Spurs teams featuring Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli as well as Steve Kerr's use of Draymond Green and Steph Curry.

In Episode 5, LeBron James and Steve Nash connect virtually to discuss the Los Angeles Lakers’ disappointing exit in the first round of the NBA playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves. James debriefs on the whole series, why the Timberwolves were the better team, witnessing the growth of Anthony Edwards, why the locker room stands by head coach JJ Redick, and how Rudy Gobert benefitted from Ant's play style. The duo also reflect on the impact of legendary San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and what he means to the game of basketball.

Whoever said the mid-range jump shot is dead doesn’t truly know basketball. In Episode 6, LeBron James and Steve Nash explain their point on view of why the mid-range is one of the most important shots in basketball and how that makes players an even bigger threat on the court, especially in the playoffs. James and Nash also explain how players like James Harden, Jrue Holiday, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Nikola Jokic are able to affect the game by being three-level scorers. James also goes into full detail about why having the right mindset goes a long way and how he navigated criticism early in his career for having a team-first approach in late-game situations.

The game has come a long way with ever-evolving playing styles. In Episode 7, LeBron James and Steve Nash touch on an array of topics—current role players thriving in the postseason and what makes them great, how versatility makes everyone a threat on the court, and why the best players like Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson, and Nikola Jokić are also great playmakers that needed time to grow into their ability.

The 2025 playoffs have presented three evident trends: physicality and refereeing, the pick on game, and zone defenses. In episode 8, LeBron James and Steve Nash do a deep dive on how different the pace and aggression is in the playoffs, how it goes hand in hand with officiating, and why junk defenses and zone looks can change the game drastically. The duo also discuss more from the Lakers vs. Timberwolves series including the physical matchup between Anthony Edwards and LeBron as well as the mysterious replay angle from the eye in the sky camera. Steve also probes LeBron on his NBA Finals comebacks against the Warriors and Spurs while with the Cavs and Heat while referencing his own comeback against the Lakers in 2006.

On this special episode featuring Luka Dončić (Part 1), LeBron James and Steve Nash dive into the Lakers duo sharing the court together, how Luka is adjusting to life in Los Angeles after the midseason trade from the Dallas Mavericks, and how he has majorly invested his time and resources into youth sports. The trio discuss the commercialization of kid's sports and how it differs from when they fell in love with the game as children, Dončić explains why he funded a study on youth basketball in America & Slovenia, as well as the steps he’s taking with his foundation to make youth sports a better experience for kids across the globe.

The 2025 NBA Finals pit the fast-paced Oklahoma City Thunder against the unpredictable Indiana Pacers, and LeBron James and Steve Nash believe it may be the most captivating title series in years. LeBron recalls Tyrese Haliburton’s fearless mentality from their 2024 Team USA stint, while Nash praises Haliburton’s tempo, vision, and passing that power Rick Carlisle’s “organized chaos,” boosted by T.J. McConnell’s spark and Myles Turner’s stretch-rim protection. They also dissect OKC’s relentless “swarm” defense, noting how Alex Caruso embodies its switch-heavy, deflection-hunting approach and why the Thunder’s personnel stand apart. Will Indiana’s free-flowing offense outwit Oklahoma City’s suffocating scheme? Can the Pacers control possessions, or will the Thunder’s pressure tip the scales? For LeBron and Nash, this clash isn’t just exciting—it hints at the next evolutionary step in NBA strategy.

This episode is all about the game—how it’s taught, how it’s played, and how it’s evolving around the world. In Part 2 of their conversation with Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Steve Nash dig into the basketball roots that shaped Luka into the player he is today. From intense practices at Real Madrid to the structure of European development systems, Luka explains why his foundation is so different from what most young American players experience. They get into the rise of international talent, the importance of team-first habits, and why playing the “right way” still matters. Luka, LeBron, and Steve share honest takes on what’s working and what’s not in today’s youth basketball culture, while offering real advice for players trying to grow their game.

Many people try to discredit the validity of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2020 championship in the NBA Bubble. In this episode, LeBron James and Steve Nash discuss everything that went into the bubble—the matchups, mental psyche, being confined for three months—and why according to James, it was the purest time for basketball and one of the most rewarding titles of his career. The duo also talks about this year’s NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, and how social media has been beneficial for small market teams despite media coverage.

In this week’s episode, LeBron James and Steve Nash answered questions from fans on social media. James and Nash provide their POV on all things basketball—why certain offenses wouldn’t work in today’s game, the top defenders they’ve faced in their respective careers, why ring culture has taken over NBA conversations, and whether or not LeBron would ever coach a team. Thanks for all the questions across YouTube, Instagram, and X as well as the general love for season 2 of the show. We have a few more things up our sleeve before the season finale—stay tuned.