LeBron James On Difference Between Great, Good, And Bad Teams

LeBron James, speaking on the ‘Mind The Game’ podcast with JJ Redick, delved into the nuanced differences between great, good, and bad teams in the NBA.

He emphasized the importance of minimizing possessions that have little to no impact on the game’s outcome, highlighting the efficiency and strategic execution that distinguishes great teams from the rest.

“See the difference between great teams, good teams, and bad teams is how many possessions can you go throughout the course of the game that meant absolutely nothing.”

“Meaning a great team won’t go through too many games where they had terrible possessions, where it was like what the f**k are we doing, where a great team would never throw the ball into the post to a guy and we going to expect him to score if that’s not what the f**k he do.”

“A great team would never run a pick-and-roll with a player if he’s not a pick-and-roll player. That’s where the great, the good and the bad lies.”

“Denver they know what their strengths are and it’s not nobody on that floor that does something that they shouldn’t be doing and I think that’s what makes them ultimately makes a great team.” (15:21)

According to LeBron, great teams rarely have possessions where they make critical errors or execute plays that don’t align with their players’ strengths. He illustrated this by suggesting that a great team wouldn’t force the ball into the post for a player who isn’t adept at scoring from that position or run pick-and-roll plays with players ill-suited for such actions. Instead, great teams play to their strengths, maximizing the effectiveness of every possession by leveraging their players’ skill sets optimally.

In contrast, LeBron suggested that bad teams often struggle with executing plays that suit their players’ abilities, resulting in wasted possessions and inefficiencies on both ends of the court. These teams may lack cohesion, understanding, and strategic clarity, leading to disjointed performances and inconsistent results.

LeBron singled out the Denver Nuggets as an example of a great team, citing their cohesive understanding of each player’s role and their commitment to playing to their strengths. He praised Denver for their ability to maximize their roster’s talents, ensuring that every player contributes in ways that align with their capabilities.

This, he believes, played a significant role in their success against the Lakers, highlighting the importance of strategic coherence and player alignment in achieving greatness. LeBron had earlier gotten real on the Lakers’ playoff exit and he admitted that the Nuggets were just a better team.

Overall, LeBron’s insights underscore the intricate dynamics that define success in the NBA, emphasizing the critical role of strategic execution, player alignment, and cohesive teamwork in distinguishing great teams from good and bad ones.

LeBron James On Why The Nuggets Are More Than A One-Headed Monster
LeBron James provided insightful commentary on the ‘Mind The Game’ podcast with JJ Redick about why the Denver Nuggets are more than just a one-headed monster, emphasizing the collective talents of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. He highlighted the versatility and clutch performances of each player, illustrating how they collectively pose a formidable challenge for opponents.

“People get caught up in thinking it’s just Joker. How do you stop Joker, man, when it comes to nut-crunching time? Yes, Joker goes on to make a lot of plays, but it’s that motherf***er Jamal Murray that will send you home, and I’m a victim of it, you know, and he just makes plays.”

“It’s a sense of calmness when the ball is in his hand… He hit two game-winners on us in the series, one was a step-back going right, other one was a step-back going left so what the f**k do you do.”

“Then add on top of those two guys, Michael Porter Jr. is a f***ing laser. I don’t know if it’s just because he sees the Lakers or the gold or whatever but I feel like versus that motherf***er don’t miss.” (12:49)

While Jokic may be the focal point of the Nuggets’ offense, LeBron pointed out that Jamal Murray’s ability to make crucial plays in high-pressure situations is equally impactful.

LeBron himself experienced firsthand Murray’s ability to deliver game-winning shots, citing two instances in their playoff series where Murray’s clutch shooting proved decisive. LeBron described Murray’s calmness with the ball in his hands during critical moments, emphasizing his knack for delivering in the clutch.

Moreover, LeBron emphasized Michael Porter Jr.’s scoring prowess, noting his exceptional shooting ability and consistent performance against the Lakers. LeBron humorously speculated whether Porter’s heightened performance against the Lakers was due to the matchup or the allure of facing the storied franchise, but regardless, he acknowledged Porter’s scoring ability as a significant factor in the Nuggets’ success.

LeBron’s analysis is supported by the statistical performance of each player in the 2024 Western Conference First Round against the Lakers. Nikola Jokic’s impressive stat line of 28.2 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists highlights his dominance as a versatile playmaker and scorer.

Jamal Murray’s contributions of 23.6 points, 7.2 assists, and 4.6 rebounds underscore his ability to impact the game both as a scorer and facilitator. Similarly, Michael Porter Jr.’s averages of 22.8 points and 8.4 rebounds demonstrate his scoring prowess and ability to contribute on the glass.

Overall, LeBron’s insights shed light on the multifaceted nature of the Nuggets’ offense, showcasing how the collective talents of Jokic, Murray, and Porter Jr. make them a formidable opponent capable of delivering clutch performances and challenging any team in the NBA.

LeBron’s observations not only underscore the Nuggets’ potency but also emphasize the urgency for their trio to step up in Game 3 of the second round against the Wolves. With the Nuggets trailing 0-2 and facing the looming threat of a sweep, the collective talents of Jokic, Murray, and Porter Jr. must shine brighter than ever.