Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James made clear on the latest episode of Mind the Game that his priorities this season have nothing to do with individual numbers or personal spotlight. Speaking with co-host and Hall of Famer Steve Nash, James said his focus is singular: winning basketball games.
“Listen, all I care about is winning,” James said. “I’ve done everything in my career, including winning, and I want to continue that. So, I will very easily just fit myself right on in and whatever capacity the team needs me to be in.”
James elaborated on how he has adjusted his game to complement the Lakers’ revamped roster, particularly the presence of MVP candidate Luka Doncic.
“When you have a great point guard like Luka who creates so many eyes around him, one of the best things I can do is slash in from that 45 or wait if a guy is tagging high on DA or tagging high on Jaxson,” James explained. “To roam behind the defense and catch lobs or just spot up and get ready to shoot. I worked a lot on my shooting when I wasn’t allowed to do a lot of physical pounding… just having that growth mindset throughout my career to whatever position I’m put in — Olympic team, Lakers, Heat, Cavs — to be dynamic. How can I always be a threat with or without the ball?”
LeBron James’ versatility anchors the red-hot Lakers as they face Mavericks with Anthony Davis returning
James continued by describing his versatility within head coach JJ Redick’s system.
“It goes without saying, I’m a Swiss army knife,” he said. “If that’s spotting up and getting the ball from Luka or AR, setting pick-and-rolls in transition, slipping them, or slowing the game in the half court to get post-up action… whatever the case may be. What JJ and the coaching staff have done so far is exceptional with so many injuries. However the pie shapes itself offensively — how they want me to implement myself — I’m ready.”
James has delivered steady production since returning from a sciatica injury that delayed his season debut. Across three games, the 40-year-old is averaging 17.7 points, 8.7 assists, five rebounds and one steal while shooting 48 percent from the field in 32 minutes per contest. His most recent outing showcased his all-around impact: 25 points, six rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block in the Lakers’ 135–118 NBA Cup win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Los Angeles Lakers enter Friday night’s NBA Cup matchup against the Dallas Mavericks at 13–4, sitting atop West Group B with a 3–0 record and a +36 point differential after clinching a quarterfinals berth. The meeting at Crypto.com Arena also carries added significance with former Laker Anthony Davis set to play his first game in Los Angeles since being traded last February. Davis, who has missed nearly a month with a calf strain suffered on Oct. 29, has officially been upgraded to available.
Los Angeles continues to lean on its trio of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and a reintegrating LeBron James as it pushes through early-season injuries. Redick’s club looks to extend its strong start and close group play undefeated against a struggling Mavericks team searching for stability at 5–14.
For James, the formula remains simple — no matter the role, no matter the lineup, the objective stays the same: winning.
