LeBron James Reflects on His Most Blatant Travel Violation on 'Mind The Game' Hosted By Steve Nash - "I Traveled Like a Motherf*!"

Time of India

6 hours ago

LeBron James and Steve Nash on Mind the Game (Image via Amazon/Prime Video)
LeBron James
recently shared a humorous and candid reflection on the most egregious travel violation of his illustrious NBA career during an episode of his podcast "Mind The Game," co-hosted by Steve Nash.
Despite being one of the greatest basketball players of all time, LeBron admitted to having committed—and gotten away with—some blatant traveling infractions, with one particular play standing out as his "crowning achievement" in this regard.
LeBron James' Most Egregious Travel: The 2017 Washington Wizards Game
LeBron James
pinpointed a specific incident from February 2017, when he was playing for the
Cleveland Cavaliers
in a game against the Washington Wizards. Late in the contest, James took the ball coast-to-coast in transition, clearly took an extra step after picking up his dribble—an obvious travel—and then attempted a layup.
Remarkably, the referees did not call the violation, allowing the play to continue. LeBron himself admitted, "I traveled like a mother" on that play, but joked that the basketball gods balanced the scales by making him miss the layup afterward.
The Cavaliers eventually won that game in overtime, 140-135, making the moment a positive memory despite the blatant travel.
The referee on the play was Tony Brothers, who was well-positioned but chose not to blow the whistle.
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LeBron's admission and the clip of the play have since become a humorous highlight among fans and analysts, illustrating how even the best players can sometimes bend the rules without penalty.
LeBron's History with Traveling Calls
The
Los Angeles Lakers
star, LeBron James, has long been known for his ability to use gather steps, Eurosteps, and other footwork moves that sometimes skirt the boundaries of the NBA's traveling rules. The league's evolving interpretation of these rules, along with the superstar treatment LeBron often receives, has allowed him to get away with moves that would have been called violations in earlier eras.
Steve Nash, a Hall of Fame point guard and co-host of "Mind The Game," discussed with LeBron how the modern game's looser enforcement of travel and dribbling rules has changed the way stars like LeBron operate on the court. LeBron acknowledged that while he has been criticized for these moves, they are now part of the game's fabric, and referees often give him the benefit of the doubt due to his status and style of play.
Other Notable Traveling Moments Pointed Out by LeBron
LeBron James also reflected on other infamous travel moments in his career, including a particularly bizarre play against the Utah Jazz in 2019 where he took three straight steps while cradling the ball underhanded, almost as if about to bowl it down the lane.
That play instantly went viral, and LeBron James himself called it "one of the worst things I've ever done in my career," showing his rare humility and humor about his mistakes.
He even expressed sympathy for the referees who missed the call, joking that they would likely get a write-up for it.
The Podcast Setting and Broader Discussion
The discussion took place on the "Mind The Game" podcast, where LeBron and Steve Nash also cover a wide range of basketball topics, including player development, NBA rules, and memorable moments from LeBron's career.
The travel story was a lighthearted moment amid more serious discussions about the game, showcasing LeBron's self-awareness and ability to poke fun at himself.
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LeBron James hilariously recalled the most egregious travel of his career—a blatant extra step taken during a 2017 game against the Washington Wizards that went uncalled by the referees. Despite the clear violation, LeBron missed the layup, which he jokingly attributed to karmic justice. This story highlights both the changing nature of NBA rules and officiating and LeBron's unique place in basketball history as a superstar who has sometimes benefited from leniency on travels.
His openness about these moments, including other infamous travels like the 2019 Utah Jazz play, adds a human and humorous dimension to his legendary career.
Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here