The guys discuss a trade idea. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the decline in Anthony Davis' jump shooting related to him playing more center? How critical is LeBron to helping Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell beat the type of ball pressure that has bothered them on defense? Who are the best mid-salaried front court partners for LeBron and AD that you'd want the Lakers to acquire? Pete and Darius answer these questions and many more in the latest LFR mailbag.  Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Team USA won their quarterfinal matchup with Brazil in a rout, setting up another game vs. Serbia in the semifinals for the right to advance to play for the gold medal. Pete and Darius discuss the win over Brazil and then preview the game against Serbia. And then later, the guys discuss the other side of the bracket, including Canada's disappointing loss and the upcoming matchup between France and Germany.  Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers unveiled their statue for Kobe Bryant in a wonderful ceremony, but then lost a hard-fought game to the Nuggets where Denver made the critical plays down the stretch to pull things out. Mike and Darius discuss the events of the entire day, starting with the ceremony, the statue, and what stood out to them and then diving into the game and how the Nuggets' continuity, togetherness, and scoring from their main trio were too much for a Lakers team down some key players on both sides of the ball. And then later the guys discuss the Lakers quiet trade deadline and offer a brief preview of the Pelicans game.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers head into Thursday's trade deadline in a much different position than last year when it seemed inevitable and necessary for a trade to be made. Darius and Mike discuss the current state of the team heading into the deadline, whether they think a deal is on the horizon, and, if a deal is made, how big it could be. And then later the guys look at the West standings heading into the upcoming All-Star break and how important the Lakers next four games are.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers closed out their road trip with a win in Charlotte and now head into a busy week that will include the trade deadline and a celebration of Kobe Bryant at the unveiling of his statue on Thursday. Pete and Darius dive into these topics and more, hitting on D'Angelo Russell's strong play, what the trade deadline may or may not bring, and share some initial thoughts on celebrating Kobe as we head into Thursday's ceremony.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers wrapped up their weekend with a hard fought win against the red-hot Knicks and have a chance to go 4-2 on their road trip if they can beat the Hornets on Monday. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game vs. the Knicks, the starting lineup shift, and the upcoming week the team is facing with the trade deadline on the horizon and the Kobe statue ceremony later this week. And then later the guys discuss AD being named to the All-Star team and express their thoughts on some of the pushback to the Lakers getting two representatives in the game.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Without LeBron and Anthony Davis available, the Lakers went into Boston and played with effort, energy, and determination to beat the Celtics to get one of their best wins of the season. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the total team effort to get the win, how Jarred Vanderbilt and Jaxson Hayes set the tone, Austin Reaves stepping up as a scorer and on-ball player, D'Angelo Russell's passing, Rui's critical 4th quarter offense, and much more.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After another defeat to the Hawks and heading into a big game against the Celtics, Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the state of the Lakers, their spirit and competitiveness, their struggles on defense, Jarred Vanderbilt's offensive improvements, and the idea and value of spacing when building out lineups. And then later, the guys dive into the matchup with the Celtics and challenges they pose for the Lakers defense.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers got run off the floor by an energized Rockets team that took advantage of a combination of tired legs and low effort from a team that played a double overtime game just a couple days prior. Pete and Darius discuss the game and what went wrong, discuss the ongoing defensive struggles of the team's smaller lineups, and how the team needed more from their bench groups from an effort and energy standpoint. And then later, the guys express their concern for Tuesday's game vs. an explosive Hawks offense that will again test the Lakers perimeter defense.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers won an instant classic in double overtime against the Warriors on Saturday night in another epic duel between LeBron James and Steph Curry. Pete, Darius, and Mike discuss the game, the excitement in the building, LeBron's great play, D'Angelo Russell's strong 4th quarter and OT play, and much more. And then later the guys discuss the closing lineup that included Jarred Vanderbilt and whether that group should play more and, even, start games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Thursday the Lakers beat the Bulls on the strength of a hot-shooting night across the roster, but in particular from D'Angelo Russell. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the win, the run that D-Lo is on, the emergence of Vanderbilt on offense and the aggressiveness he's showing on that end, and much more. And then later the guys discuss some of the defensive challenges the team is facing, potential ways to mitigate them, and how those can go hand in hand with some of the growth the team is making on offense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the trade deadline less than two weeks away, Pete, Darius, and Mike discuss the landscape the Lakers are looking at in regards to their own roster and the internal analysis of whether to make a deal and, if so, what kind to make vs. how other teams around the league might be looking at the what the Lakers could be offering and whether that squares with making a deal at all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Max Christie ready to make a leap? Pete and Darius discuss Christie's new contract, his strengths and areas that can improve on both sides of the ball, and where he slots into the rotation in what will be a very important year for the third year guard and the Lakers after their offseason investment in him.  Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers played well and fought hard in the 2nd half, but still fell short to a red-hot Clippers team. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game, how the Lakers felt LeBron's absence on both sides of the ball, the continued strong play of D'Angelo Russell, and much more. And then later, the guys discuss the small forward position and how it plays a critical part in the Lakers team building efforts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers lost a bad game to the Nets on Friday, but then proceeded to blowout the Blazers on Sunday. Pete, Darius, and Mike discuss their frustration with the Nets loss, the differences they saw vs. the Blazers, their thoughts on the starting group with Rui Hachimura, and the different identities the various lineups offer the coaches. And then later, the guys get into the vibes of the team and try to separate fact from fiction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers head into a weekend of winnable games vs. the Nets and Blazers, but must bring the appropriate amount of seriousness and execution to those matchups or risk giving back the progress they have made recently. Darius and Mike preview both contests and then take a look at the team's potential to climb up the standings as a couple of teams in front of them in the west face some challenges in their own schedules.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers blew out the Mavericks with a strong second half showing, moving back to .500 in the process. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game, breaking down improvements they're seeing offensively from the team as a whole, Anthony Davis' centrality to the offense and his improvement handling double teams, and the difference they're seeing in D'Angelo Russell's and how his feel for the offense has really helped. Then later the guys discuss Austin Reaves and Jarred Vanderbit both looking like their old selves.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At the halfway point of the season the Lakers are 20-21 and in 10th place in a crowded and competitive Western Conference. Pete, Mike, and Darius dive into the standings, break down the different tiers, and debate potential risers, fallers, and where the Lakers fit into the mix. And then later, the guys look at the rest of January as a critical part of the Lakers schedule and discuss what a target record is for them to make a push in the standings.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers split their weekend games against the Jazz and Thunder, showing progress offensively in both games and instituting a starting lineup shift in the win vs. OKC. Pete and Darius discuss the games, what improvements they're seeing offensively, the challenges the new starting group is having on the backboards, the implementation of a zone defense from the bench groups, and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers got blown out by the Suns, and the loss brought back familiar questions about the team. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the current state of the Lakers and how they see the results on the court relating back to process, cohesion, execution, schematic and rotation decisions, and the makeup of the roster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lakers won a nailbiter against Toronto. Pete & Mike discuss this, Anthony Davis' offensive dominance, lineups that worked in the game, Austin's role in the starting lineup, D'Angelo Russell's importance to the team, & preview the upcoming game against the Suns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers made some roster moves, waiving D'Moi Hodge and Alex Fudge from their two-way contracts and signing forward Dylan Windler and point guard Skylar Mays to replace them. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss these moves, with a look at how the Mays addition impacts rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino and allows him to get more minutes in the G-League for reps and court time as part of his development. And then later, the guys discuss the team's ongoing pursuit of workable lineups -- particularly the groups that play with LeBron and AD, which have not been as productive this season as in year's past.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers had another eventful weekend, losing to Memphis on Friday but getting a much needed and quality win against the Clippers on Sunday to snap their four-game losing streak. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss those games, diving into the Lakers defense vs. Memphis, LeBron's strong all-around play vs. the Clippers, how the bigger lineups and defensive switching helped contain the Clippers offense, Christian Wood's play next to LeBron, D'Angelo Russell's return, and much more. And then later, the guys discuss Jarred Vanderbilt's play on both ends and some of the changes in how he's being used offensively. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete and Darius discuss LeBron's and Anthony Davis' offensive roles for Team USA and how those may or may not translate to the Lakers next season under JJ Redick. And then later, the guys dive further into AD's approach offensively this past season and how he can best succeed operating as an offensive hub in the type of offense Redick is expected to implement. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers looked dispirited and discombobulated in a 110-96 home loss against a Miami team that was sharp & cohesive despite Jimmy Butler’s absence. Pete & Mike discuss the Lakers’ offensive confusion vs Miami’s zone, the turnovers and missed 3’s that resulted, and some of the options on the table as the team searches for answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers enter 2024 looking for consistency and a foundation they can build on to carry them through a pivotal, home-heavy January that can make or break their season. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss this stretch of games, how instability has contributed to the team's struggles to this point, and the importance of finding a rotation and strategic approach and sticking with it to get the most out of this stretch. And then later the guys discuss the team's offensive approach, the benefits and challenges of building offenses that revolve around LeBron, and how playing through Anthony Davis can help this team find their stride on that end of the floor.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers closed out 2023 with back-to-back losses vs. the Wolves and Pelicans that dropped them back down to .500 on the season. Pete and Darius discuss the nature of those games, but zoom out to take a bigger picture look at the team's struggles on offense, the structure (or lack thereof) the team plays with on both sides of the ball, how that lack of structure impacts the role players, and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Anthony Davis currently the NBA's best American player? The question might seem far-fetched at first, but when considering his offensive production and DPOY level defense, his case is much more realistic. With AD on a tear this month and having an incredibly impactful season on both sides of the ball, Mike and Darius discuss the state of his game, his place in the league, and debate where he sits amongst his American peers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers recent lineup change remains a work in progress, with questions remaining on how to navigate not only the new personnel groupings but the strategic shifts within them. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the updated starting five, the team's new switching defense, how to account for Austin Reaves within these schemes, why the Celtics and Thunder were test cases for playing top offenses with this style, and much more. And then later the guys discuss how the offense is impacted by the change and strategies that they can use to account for the spacing challenges of the new group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers made a big lineup change, moving Jarred Vanderbilt to the starting five in place of D'Angelo Russell and then promptly split their weekend games with a win over the Thunder and then a Christmas Day loss to the Celtics. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the details of the lineup shift, the schematic changes that came with it, and discuss how it played out in both games -- particularly the loss to the Celtics. Then later, they debate whether more changes are needed as the team searches for long term solutions on both sides of the ball.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite a strong effort from Anthony Davis and one of the better games from the team of late, the Lakers still lost to the Timberwolves on Thursday night for their fourth consecutive loss overall. Pete and Darius discuss the game, but also dive into some of the larger trends of late, including Austin Reaves led lineups, D'Angelo Russell's offensive floor, Cam Reddish's decision making, Rui bouncing back, and the proclivity to play smaller lineups.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers lost their third consecutive game and fourth out of five overall in Chicago on Wednesday night. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the state of the team, debate how much fatigue (in its many forms) are affecting the team right now, and explore how the shift towards more skilled offensive lineups has not delivered the sought after results of improved shooting.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers struggled to score efficiently and were beaten in the paint and the backboards by the Knicks, leading to their third loss in their last four games. Pete and Darius discuss the game, the Lakers recent stretch of play, Rui's role and the team's general physical and mental fatigue in the aftermath of their run to the IST title.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One-third of the way through the season, the Lakers’ backup bigs have provided mixed results. The guys discuss the team’s defensive issues at the 5 when AD isn’t on the floor, some of the potential solutions on the roster, and why Gabe Vincent’s imminent return presents Darvin Ham with interesting decisions going forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What kind of defensive team can the Lakers be next season? Pete and Darius discuss the potential shifts in defensive style next year under JJ Redick, how much Jared Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent matter towards the team's defensive ceiling, whether they should switch more and the challenges of doing so with some of the team's personnel, and much more.  Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers got a dominant performance from Anthony Davis and took a big lead vs. the Spurs, and then were able to hold on for the win after a furious 4th quarter comeback led by Victor Wembanyama fell short at the end. Mike and Darius discuss AD's great game and what's gone into the scoring run he's on, what impressed them about Wemby's game on both ends of the floor, and much more. And then later, the guys touch on Taurean Prince's hot shooting and how LeBron's pending return could impact Friday's rematch in San Antonio.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coming off their IST title over the weekend, the Lakers lost a tough game to a hot-shooting Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game, how Dante Exum's shooting made the Lakers defensive coverages pay, how the Lakers persevered and made it competitive with strong performances from Anthony Davis and LeBron, and much more. And then later, the guys discuss D'Angelo Russell's tough night, AD and LeBron's leadership this season, and preview the Wednesday's game against the Spurs.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers are the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament Champions! In part two of their discussion of the Lakers run to the IST Title, Pete, Mike, and Darius break down the win over Pacers, focusing on the team's defensive approach to slowing Indy's transition game, how they tweaked their pick-and-roll coverages vs. Tyrese Haliburton. Anthony Davis' amazing two-way performance, the deliberate and relentless way the Lakers attacked the paint offensively, LeBron's overall brilliance, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers are the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament Champions! In part one of two pod of their discussion of the Lakers run to the IST Title, Pete, Mike, and Darius zoom out to look at the tournament as a whole, what stood out to them about the Lakers approach to the games, and how LeBron and AD's leadership set the tone for the team's play throughout the tournament. And then later, the guys discuss how the Lakers used the IST as both a way to help them develop and grow their identity and style of play, and also as an experience tool for some of their younger players.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers dominated the Pelicans on Thursday night to advance to the In-Season Tournament championship game. Pete, Darius, and Mike discuss how they did it -- from LeBron setting the tone and brilliant offensive performance to the team's overall defensive effort led by the team's wings but anchored by Anthony Davis. And then later, the guys discuss the matchup with the Pacers in Saturday's championship game and the challenges Tyrese Haliburton and their offense will pose for the Lakers defense.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers take on the Pelicans on Thursday night in the In-Season Tournament semifinals taking place in Las Vegas. Pete and Darius preview the game on both sides of the ball, and discuss the difficulties of matching defending the Zion and Brandon Ingram duo, how the Pelicans bench shooting can impact the game, how the Pelicans defend Anthony Davis, how the Lakers skill guards will deal with New Orleans' ball pressure, and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In an exciting quarterfinals of the In Season Tournament, Lakers gutted out an exciting 106 to 103 win over the Suns. Pete & Mike discuss Anthony Davis' all-encompassing defense, LeBron's dominance, how the Lakers' season-high 21 offensive rebounds led to the Lakers having 27 more offensive possessions, Jaxson Hayes backing up AD at center and his ability to guard the perimeter, the guard rotation, the Lakers' jump shooting woes & much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers got some perimeter defensive reinforcements against the Rockets on Saturday and got a good win fueled by a huge 2nd quarter run. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the win, focusing on the team's defensive approach and how improved perimeter pressure led to the team playing more in transition offensively. Then later, the guys discuss Max Christie's emergence as a rotation player and how his play and Rui Hachimura's pending return could impact rotation decisions.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers closed out their road trip with a double-digit loss to the Thunder and a 2-2 record on their trip. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the loss, how injuries and the schedule contributed to the game, and much more. Then later, the guys take stock in the team through 20 games and discuss what they've learned about what is working, what is not, and what the specific injuries the team has suffered have taught them about this roster.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A game after the Lakers got blown out in Philly, they delivered a beatdown of their own in a demolition of the Pistons on Wednesday. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the win, focusing on D'Angelo Russell's hot shooting night and Anthony Davis' dominance in the paint on both ends. And then later, the guys discuss D-Lo's season through the prism of his good game, and then offer some thoughts on the team's matchup with the Thunder to close out the road trip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete and Darius discuss the Lakers end of roster players, what their concern level would be if the team does not make any moves to bolster their bench before the season starts, and whether the lack of a pathway to playing time or roster spots are a bigger impediment to the team's ability to nab some of the quality veteran minimum players who have signed with other teams.  Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers got blown out by 44 points in Philly on Monday night, undone by a barrage of made threes and their own offensive struggles coming to a head. Pete and Darius discuss the game, including the ongoing 1st quarter struggles, the differences in shooting and offensive approach between the teams, and the overall gameplan defensively vs. Philly. Then later, the guys discuss LeBron's post-game comments about things needing to change, Anthony Davis' jump shooting, and how to properly contextualize the team's issues through the lens of injuries vs. what they're doing schematically offensively. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers started their road trip with a strong win over the Cavs and head into Philly for another tough matchup against the 76ers and reigning MVP Joel Embiid. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the win over the Cavs, some of the structural improvements the Lakers are making on offense, Anthony Davis dominance in Cleveland and whether he can carry that over to his matchup with Embiid and the specific challenges he poses on both sides of the ball.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers blew out the Jazz Tuesday night and look like a team that is finding their stride on both sides of the ball. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss how the team is coming together, their shift to a more aggressive defense, how losing Cam Reddish might impact that aggressiveness, and forecasting what the team can do on defense once Cam and Jarred Vanderbilt are both available. Then later, the guys preview Wednesday's game vs. the Mavericks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices