LeBron James had plenty of praise for Tyrese Maxey and the young guard’s tenacity in his latest podcast episode with J.J. Redick.

2024 NBA Playoffs - Los Angeles Lakers v Denver NuggetsPhoto by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images

Tyrese Maxey took yet another leap this season. On his way to claiming the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, he set career-highs across the board and thrived in a larger role, whether he was operating alongside Joel Embiid or leading the offense without him. Maxey took that momentum into the playoffs too, and has rightfully received plenty of attention.

On the latest episode of Mind the Game, the brilliant podcast from LeBron James and JJ Redick which is full of fascinating insight and great X’s and O’s breakdowns, there were plenty of compliments for Maxey.

LeBron was quick to highlight Maxey’s tenacity and energy in particular.

“The motherf***** don’t get tired,” LeBron said. “He don’t get tired. I mean, I watched that game last night, I think he played 50 minutes. I think maybe, you know, hurt his elbow at one point, turned his ankle at one point, hit the ground numerous times, try to go in the lane and dunk on two guys, get it blocked, get back up… You can’t get ahold of him, ‘cause he don’t get tired. You know, he just don’t get tired.”

Redick rightfully highlighted not just Maxey’s elite top-end speed, but how effectively Maxey changes speed. It’s what helps him catch defenders off guard, send them in the wrong direction, and inevitably leave them behind when they can’t match his blistering acceleration — either in half-court settings or transition when he pushes the pace.

“Yes, he’s fast,” Redick said. “But he also changes speeds so well. The way I would describe him and why I think he’s so good in the playoffs is ‘cause you can’t get ahold of him. Do you know what I mean by that? He constantly plays with a bounce to his step, and sometimes the bounces are slower, sometimes they’re faster, and then when he wants to turn on the jets, he turns on the jets.”