One thing that never gets old to sports fans is footage of players mic’d up taking us inside the game in some way. Whether the player is wired for sound during the live broadcast or the audio is shared after the fact, bringing fans closer to the action is always a good thing.
The latest episode of Spectrum SportsNet’s Backstage Lakers includes some excellent audio of two of the best players in the NBA discussing real-time adjustments in the middle of the game. The footage comes from a Lakers game against the Grizzlies last month as LeBron James and Anthony Davis tried to figure out their interior defense.
"Imma jump his left hand, make him spin - he's gonna spin right into you."
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 5, 2023
Catch the newest Backstage Lakers on @SpectrumSN and Spectrum SportsNet+ after the game. pic.twitter.com/UTMwTbHfz0
“If Bismack [Biyombo] has the ball, I might have to be up,” Davis said. “I might not be able help.”
“I think you should,” James agreed.
“Yeah, because I’m not going to be able to get back to that if I’m in the paint holding him,” Davis added.
Then LeBron explained it for everyone else in the huddle.
“He’s saying if Bismack Biyombo catches it at the top of the key, he can’t be back because if Desmond Bane comes over and [runs a dribble handoff], he won’t be up,” James said. “So you pressure the ball. I mean, you ain’t even have to pressure the ball but you gotta be up.”
The Lakers’ defense inside was on point that night in a 134–107 win. Biyombo was held scoreless and Jaren Jackson Jr. was a mere 3-of-16 from the floor, with six of his eight points coming from beyond the arc. As a team, Memphis was held to a .368 shooting percentage, its third-worst this season. LeBron and AD had the Griz locked down.
