Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James said leaders must be the first to accept responsibility for mistakes, explaining on the latest episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast how personal accountability shapes his approach in his 23rd NBA season.
“When teammates count on you, the minimum you can do is own your errors,” James remarked, adding that he still feels pressure to deliver “even when I think I could have done more.”
The four-time champion, who joined the Lakers in 2018 and guided them to the 2020 NBA title, outlined how he tailors feedback to each player. Some teammates respond to an in-your-face challenge, he said, while others require a private conversation away from coaches and cameras. “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of understanding personalities during the regular season.
James insisted that effective leadership begins with studying teammates’ tendencies and choosing the right tone to motivate them. “You have to learn your guys over time,” he said, describing it as an ongoing responsibility.
Although approaching the twilight of his career, the 39-year-old remains heavily involved in on-court communication and is expected to weigh a return next season as the Lakers chase an 18th championship.
The episode also touched on league rookie Cooper Flagg, whom James praised after the Dallas Mavericks forward captured Rookie of the Year honors. James called Flagg’s first season “impressive” and said the 19-year-old lived up to the considerable pre-draft expectations.
Source: LakersNation.com
