LeBron James opened up about the most exhausting playoff battle of his career during another episode of his 'Mind the Game' podcast with co-host Steve Nash.
While some may automatically assume the answer to be one of the many battles he's had with the Golden State Warriors over the past decade, the actual answer just may surprise you. "Maybe let's start with a series you thought was physically and mentally exhausting," suggested Nash, which prompted James to start going through his almost photographic memory bank. "One that comes to mind would be obviously 2012," James told Nash, which, of course, was also the year of his first NBA championship.
"Eastern Conference Finals versus Boston," he continued. "I was in Miami and Boston had their big three...I always say the big four because Rondo was so damn good as well. We go down 3-2 after losing a home game. We were going into Boston, which...you don't want to be going there for a closeout game. For us to be able to go there and win game six...we know what happened in game six (James humbly leaves out his dominant performance), and be able to come back to South Beach and win a game seven...how like you said in the beginning, obviously you know the physical toll," James said almost exhausted thinking about it.
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"You know what KG is bringing to the game and his intensity. You know what Rondo is bringing to the game and his intensity. That group...they just brought so much out of you not only from a physical toll, but from a mental standpoint too because they have so many guys out there that can do so many things. At the end of that series you were just like...I just want to sleep," James continued.
"You being the head of the snake too...they're going to throw everything at you," Nash pointed out. "Can you talk a little bit about that? Always having to think for your team?"
"That comes with preparation even before the series," James answered. "It comes with getting into the film...really breaking it down...the ways they guarded you during the season. Can they switch it up? Also, just always being ready," he expanded.
One thing is clear, James' photographic memory and ability to recall these details down to the second hasn't faded away since that viral press conference after Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.
You can check out the full episode here.
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