One of the qualities that have established LeBron James’ case in GOAT discussions is his basketball IQ. On top of being a generational talent, he is known for being a cerebral player.
Ryen Russillo even shared a story of a coach proving how smart LeBron is while having a discussion about the Los Angeles Lakers star with a former teammate, Alex Caruso.
“I had a coach recently explain to me,” Russillo said on the latest episode of his podcast. “He said how LeBron was understanding the TV timeout length so that he would sub himself out. He would know, ‘I’m not missing a ton of game time, but in real time, it’s like I’m getting two extra breaks.'”
Concurring Bron’s IQ
Caruso broke down what Russillo meant, explaining how sitting out two minutes of game time allowed James to rest more than four times the amount of that.
“We used to do that,” the former Lakers guard replied. “He would sub out first; AD would play the whole first quarter. He would sub out the last, what was it, 30 seconds before the two-minute timeout. So then he’s getting the two minutes and 15 seconds of game time. That’s what he was missing. But totality, he’s getting like eight minutes, 10 minutes of real rest.”
There are various reasons some players love being on the same team as LeBron. Of course, in most cases, it provides them with the chance to compete for a championship. Caruso even has a ring because of it, after helping L.A. take home the title in 2020.
Another is that James has the ability to elevate his teammates’ game thanks to his basketball IQ. The “Bald Mamba” also said that the privilege of watching LeBron firsthand, particularly seeing the four-time MVP’s aptitude for memorizing or learning opponents’ tendencies, plays, and rotations, allowed him to be “one of the better defenders in the NBA” and an All-Defensive team selection.
Taking advantage of the timeout rules
However, only a few other players would have taken the time to understand the Association’s rules and use them to their advantage like James did.
What Russillo and Caruso were referring to was the league’s TV or media timeout rule, which requires at least two intermissions to be called in each quarter. If no team has called a timeout by the seven-minute mark, a mandatory one would be charged to the home squad. And if no subsequent timeout has been called when the period eclipses the three-minute mark, a mandatory timeout would be charged to the side not previously charged.
With everything that’s happening in an NBA contest, most players probably wouldn’t even think such a rule exists – but not James. Apparently, the 19-time All-Star understands when to sub himself out to optimize his rest time. That’s presumably at the second mandatory timeout, which would give him a breather from that point until some time in the second frame.
Russillo’s and Caruso’s story is another testament to why LeBron is considered one of the brightest minds in the history of the NBA.