LeBron James reveals Lakers’ mindset before Game 6 'complete' win

LeBron James reveals Lakers’ mindset before Game 6 'complete' win originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

For the first time in his career, LeBron James was pushed despite being up 3-0 in a playoff series. After winning back-to-back in Games 4 and 5, the Houston Rockets threatened to become only the fifth team in NBA playoff history to erase a 3-0 deficit and force Game 7.

It was not only about the Lakers after the Rockets dismantled LeBron & Co. despite no Kevin Durant in those consecutive games. The four-time NBA champion's legacy was at stake entering Game 6 in Houston.

The all-time NBA points leader delivered once again. He led the team in the landslide 20-point (98-78) victory with a game-high 28 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists.

In the latest Mind the Game podcast, the 2020 Lakers champion revealed the mindset the team carried while entering Game 6. In all the previous games, LeBron felt a "complete" game performance didn't come as well as it did in the series-sealing win.

“For me, you know, as a leader of the team, I felt like it was about what team can kind of just hold their composure, stay even-keeled, and understand the assignment," LeBron said. "That was kind of my whole mindset going into Game 6, breathe, breathe, instill confidence into my guys, and help them understand, like, listen, we’re here for a reason, and we can close this thing out if we just limit our mistakes, both offensively and defensively. And that was one of the first times in the whole series that we finally put together a complete game.”