James says it “bothers the f**k out of him” when players just want to play one-on-one without actually dealing with other tactical aspects of the game, even when such favorable one-on-one situations arise.
James has launched a podcast with former NBA guard JJ Redick, Mind the Game Pod w/ LeBron James and JJ Redick, where the two players discuss basketball at the tactical level beyond what is usually being talked about in the mainstream media.
In one of the segments, James mentioned he gets pissed when hearing one particular thing.
“There’s a narrative of this thing called ‘I have a bag’ or ‘He doesn’t have a bag.’ It bothers the f**k out of me. Everyone thinks just because you get a favorable matchup, that means it’s one-on-one time. ‘Let’s play ones’- that’s all you hear the kids talk about now. ‘We’re gonna play ones.’ What the f**k is this? This is not Jordan vs. Bird Nintendo. It’s five on five,” LeBron said.
“And yes, if you have the opportunity to have a favorable matchup and you can beat your man, but realize something – most great teams are gonna send help. And can you make the right reads? Can you make the right reads?,” the Lakers superstar explained. “Can you instill confidence in your teammates to when you’ve scored twice on that favorable matchup, do you know that the double is coming? And you have to see it either coming from the tilt on the baseline or from the fire from the nail.”
James says he’s even had interactions with other NBA players who dismissed the notion of dealing with double teams when they are on a roll.
“You have to be ready for it. And it takes time for guys, and some guys don’t wanna learn and won’t learn because they just wanna play ones. I’ve had guys on the court that literally said to be before, ‘Why are you guys doubling me? Stop doubling me, let me play ones.’ You have 40. No! You have 40, we’re gonna double you. Not only because you’re great, but I know none of your teammates have been in the rhythm all game, and we’re gonna see if they make a shot. And if they do, Derek Jeter salute cap to you,” James concluded.
