Playoff Trends: Physicality, Crazy Comebacks, and More | LeBron James & Steve Nash | MIND THE GAME

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.

(0:00) - Intro
(1:27) - Noticeable playoff trends
(2:04) - Playoff physicality is different
(9:18) - 3-point variance, teams are never out of games
(11:23) - How momentum affects games outside of analytics
(17:51) - The best zone defenses feel like man to man
(25:48) - LeBron didn't mind the physical matchup vs. Ant
(29:21) - Where did that replay camera angle come from vs. Minnesota?!
(32:52) - 2015 NBA Finals breakdown
(36:34) - 3-1 comeback vs. Warriors in 2016 NBA Finals
(42:17) - LeBron's Heat teams vs. Spurs in The Finals

Presented by UNINTERRUPTED and Wondery.

New episodes drop every Tuesday. Watch Mind The Game with LeBron James and Steve Nash for NBA interviews, analysis, highlights and more. .

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