Explore every episode of the podcast Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaq Says LeBron Should Defer to Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves for the Lakers. Is He Right? | 30 Aug 2024 | 00:33:07 | |
The Lakers need to get LeBron James through the regular season with as little wear and tear as possible. Easier said than done, obviously, given the challenging nature of the West, and the grind of an 82-game schedule. One idea, says Lakers great Shaquille O'Neal, is simply to take fewer shots and play more of a "Magic" type facilitator role. Let Anthony Davis handle the heavy lifting, and even allow Austin Reaves to be the team's #2 scorer. It sounds like a nice plan, but it's got some problems. Can the Lakers afford to load up more on Davis, who already carries the team's defense in some pretty absurd ways? Is Austin Reaves capable of being a consistent second option offensively? Do you really want LeBron being that deferential while he plays? Are there other ways -- better ways -- to lighten his workload? The answers to all of those questions, and more, are the focus of this episode, which naturally leads to the question of whether or not Reaves is capable of being the team's 3rd best player? Would he need to improve? How much better would he need to get for him to be a 3rd guy comparable to the 3rd best player on title teams? What's the best way to compare these guys, anyway, since not all "3rd bests" are asked to do the same thing. What does all of this say about the Lakers roster?
For your next listen, check out the Locked On NBA podcast, where the season never ends providing national expertise with a local perspective. Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!eBay Motors From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
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| A Preview of the Lakers, Kings and the Pacific Division. | 29 Aug 2024 | 00:35:28 | |
With the offseason winding down and the trades of any real substance presumably done, we're able to take stock of where the Lakers stand against teams around the Western Conference, and even more specifically, their division. How, for example, do the battle-tested but aging duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis stack up against a talented Sacramento Kings squad led by De'Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, old friend Malik Monk, and new foe DeMar DeRozan, who'd been linked to the Lakers during the offseason before the Chicago Bulls worked out a sign-and-trade sending the Compton native to Sacto. SEGMENT 1: How Good is the Pacific Division? SEGMENT 2: How Much will DeRozan Help the Kings?
SEGMENT 3: Can Austin Reaves become a third star?
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| LeBron James, Anthony Davis, the Olympics, Joyous Basketball and Legacy (Guest, Aaron Larsuel) | 15 Aug 2024 | 00:34:39 | |
It's August, so there's not really a news cycle to follow, which is good because it leaves space to have in-depth conversations with someone like friend-of-the-show Aaron Larsuel about the just-ended Paris games. It's a chance to think not just about what the games did for LeBron's legacy and Anthony Davis's reputation, but also how the performances impact what's coming for the Lakers this season.
Davis, for example, was in fantastic shape for the tournament. Does that put him ahead of the game heading into training camp in a few weeks? Is there a real risk of residual fatigue?
What lessons can the Lakers learn from the ways in which Davis was deployed?
As for LeBron, he said himself that he can't picture playing in the LA games four years from now. But is it that far fetched? The answer to that question seems to have much more to do with LeBron's willingness to play, as opposed to his capability, at least based on current trajectories. He's signed up for two years beyond this one. Getting to an Olympic year wouldn't require much more.
The Lakers, in their heart of hearts, likely didn't expect James to still be this good at age 40. And while the lack of drop off is a nice thing for them -- they've still got one of the league's elite players -- it also creates a problem around planning. If it's not that far-fetched that James might play in '28, or at least still be capable of it, definitionally it means he's still capable of playing for the Lakers. Like a lot of things about LeBron, it's an unprecedented set of circumstances facing the team.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky (with Aaron Larsuel)
SEGMENT 1: LeBron James, AD and the Olympics. What made the competition so much fun?
SEGMENT 2: What was at stake for James?
SEGMENT 3: Is it crazy to think James will play in '28? How can the Lakers plan for the future?
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| Do the Lakers Have the Confidence to Recover From Game 2? Plus, Anthony Davis Unloads... | 24 Apr 2024 | 00:31:40 | |
Monday was a brutal night all around for the Lakers. They blew a 20-point lead in Denver against the Nuggets in Game 2, and while it doesn't end their chances of winning the series it certainly does some very serious damage to their hopes. Psychologically, too, blowing a 20-point second half lead is not an easy thing to recover from. But that's what the Lakers have to do, and if they're going to be successful they have to figure out how to keep the offense from experiencing the long stretches of stagnation that have plagued them through the first two games. Monday, as Denver started to chip away at the lead, the Lakers became excruciatingly slow. Maybe it was because they were trying to bleed the clock? Maybe they were just looking to slow things down as Denver was building momentum? Maybe LeBron was tired, and needed to conserve energy? How about a lack of confidence in what they were trying to do, after a regular season where the time spent building good habits was lacking. Maybe a little of all of it. But the end result is a team that got stuck in the mud, especially relative to a first half where they were fast up the floor and into their sets/choices. Even when the Lakers did manage to run an organized offense in the final 24 minutes, it often took them too long to get into it, and the results were the same. (Meaning bad.) No wonder Anthony Davis was so upset after the game, when he said rather pointedly that the Lakers go through long stretches where they simply don't know what they're doing, on both sides of the ball. That was, by most, seen as a shot at Darvin Ham and the coaching staff. And likely it was. But was AD talking about his teammates, too? Finally, the Lakers have some reinforcements coming, as early as Thursday. Christian Wood (likely) and Jarred Vanderbilt (possibly) could very well return to the lineup after extended absences. The Lakers badly need their size and rebounding, but can either of them really contribute after so much time on the sidelines?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 2: Anthony Davis unloads.
SEGMENT 3: Could reinforcements actually help the Lakers? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monopoly GO! Yahoo Finance Nissan From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| Lakers Blow 20-Point Lead, Lose Game 2 vs. Nuggets 101-99 On Murray Buzzer-Beater | 23 Apr 2024 | 00:34:35 | |
For most of Monday's Game 2 in Denver, the Lakers were in position to send the series back to Los Angeles tied at 1 game each. At points, it looked like they were guaranteed to do it, pushing their lead up to 20 in the second half. But little by little, Denver chipped away. LA's offense went into a near full hibernation in the second half (38 points) and while they did manage to get a few big buckets down the stretch — a pair of triples from LeBron, a drive and finish from D'Angelo Russell, a baseline jumper from Austin Reaves — it wasn't nearly enough to make up for the loooooooooong stretches of totally stagnant, ineffective offense. Tied on the last possession, the Nuggets put the ball in Jamal Murray's hands and let him do what Murray does. Stepback jumper over Davis. Game. 101-99, Denver up 2-0, Lakers on life support. The Lakers got a superhuman effort from Anthony Davis in the first half, especially. Russell bounced back from a horrible Game 1 to hit seven triples. LeBron was huge in the fourth quarter on both sides of the ball, despite fighting fatigue. But there were enough mistakes and poor performances; Rui Hachimura again was a non-factor, Spencer Dinwiddie and Gabe Vincent combined for zero points in 25 minutes. Darvin Ham missed a chance to challenge what appeared to be a ticky-tack foul on LeBron against Murray down the stretch. Reaves had a critical turnover down the stretch, and Davis faded late. This was, in every practical sense, a must-win game. LeBron certainly played like he knew it. Any loss in this game would have been hard to recover from, emotionally. This one, however, was brutal.
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers blow a huge lead in the second half, and the season is on life support.
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| Lakers Vs. Nuggets, Game 2: What Adjustments Can the Lakers Make In Must-Win Game? | 22 Apr 2024 | 00:35:00 | |
Saturday's Game 1 in Denver was undoubtedly disappointing, and once again put in stark relief the challenge facing the Lakers against the team most experts expect to represent the West in the NBA Finals this year. It also makes tonight's Game 2 a must-win, because the odds of this Lakers team showing enough high-end consistency to beat the Nuggets four times in five tries feels... unrealistic. So it's about breaking through tonight, and proving to themselves as much as everyone else that it's possible for the Los Angeles Lakers to beat the Denver Nuggets. So what has to get better? For starters, the offense has to function much more efficiently throughout the game. No minutes-long stretches where the shot selection is bad or turnovers throw the offense off kilter, or playcalling and structure go the way of the dodo. Because the Lakers lost that game offensively, not on D. Next, the best players on the team simply have to be better. Save Anthony Davis, more or less, everyone else has stuff that needs to improve. Obviously D'Angelo Russell's efficiency has to go way up. But Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura have to be better. LeBron James needs to be a bigger presence in the fourth quarter. Bench players need to shoot. The Lakers have played Denver tight for long stretches over this losing streak. But time has run out on finding a way to win. It's gotta happen tonight. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis is not a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. Lakers fans are ticked, and ought to be. But it's reflective of the ways in which the bar moves for Davis. At this point, it's fair to say that whatever he does for whatever he might be given credit for, it's not going to be enough.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 2: Darvin steps in it, again. Plus, pick it up, Russell!!!
SEGMENT 3: Why wasn't Anthony Davis a finalist for DPOY? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monopoly GO! Yahoo Finance Nissan From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
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| Lakers Lose Game 1 vs. Nuggets 114-103: Russell Struggles, LeBron Fades Late | 21 Apr 2024 | 00:24:19 | |
The Lakers, as LeBron James noted before the series against Denver kicked off Saturday with Game 1, will need to play near-flawless basketball to move past the Nuggets into the second round. Fair to say on Saturday they didn't clear the bar in their 114-103 loss. It wasn't all terrible. The Lakers actually led by double digits in the second quarter before Denver came roaring back. Still, LA led by three at the half. But in the second half, the Lakers fell apart offensively. Completely and totally. 43 points just isn't going to get it done. And overall, the offensive effort had too many massive holes. Start with a 6-20, 1-9 night from D'Angelo Russell. But Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura were total non-factors. The Lakers had one bench player (Taurean Prince) score. Even worse, the Lakers only had one bench player shoot. LeBron, while productive overall, was a non-factor in the fourth quarter and turned the ball over seven times. The Lakers were under 28% from 3. Anthony Davis answered the bell with 32/14/5, plus four blocks, and Prince off the bench was a nice boost. Not everything was bad for the Lakers, but Denver is elite, and won't do you any favors to help win games. You have to beat them. If the Lakers are going to have a chance, they have to win Game 2 on Monday. It's hard to see them, or anyone, beating Denver four times in five tries.
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| Lakers-Nuggets Series Preview: Davis v. Jokic, DLo vs. Murray, LeBron vs. the Odds, and more! | 19 Apr 2024 | 00:36:58 | |
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Reasons for Lakers fans to be optimistic about their chances against the Nuggets. SEGMENT 2: MORE reasons to be optimistic about their chances. SEGMENT 3: This, of course, if Anthony Davis can close the gap a little between him and Jokic. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monopoly GO! Yahoo Finance Nissan eBay Motors BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| Why the Lakers Have a Better Chance to Beat the Nuggets Than People Think | 18 Apr 2024 | 00:31:53 | |
Everyone has the Nuggets beating the Lakers. Everyone. And why not? Denver are the defending NBA champions. They're elite. And they've won seven straight games over the Lakers. The same Los Angeles Lakers that were a bit of a basket case all year long, never caught any consistency, and built no faith with anyone. So it's a foregone conclusion, right? Maybe not! Because there are real reasons to believe that the Lakers have a chance to surprise some people. Not made up stuff that doesn't mean anything, or not super unrealistic stuff that can't possibly happen. The Lakers have a real opportunity to do a lot better than many are expecting. There are legitimate reasons to feel optimistic about LA's chances to make things happen in this series. First, the whole "seven straight wins" thing between the Nuggets and Lakers isn't meaningless, but it's also misleading. All of the games have been competitive, and five of the seven have been inside five points with four or so minutes to play. Some even closer than that. So if the Lakers can figure out how to solve those last few minutes, they're in it. Meanwhile, the Lakers are healthier than they were (in non-Jarred Vanderbilt ways) last season. They get more days off in between games. Basically, they're more likely to win playing Denver now than they do in five weeks, in a hypothetical conference final. It's ok to be optimistic, Lakers fans! This, of course, is dependent on Anthony Davis picking things up a little to match the production of Nikola Jokic. It's not that AD has been bad, it's just that he hasn't been quite as good as his averages, this season. So while nobody is picking the Lakers, they shouldn't be writing them off, either.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
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| The Lakers Beat Pelicans 110-106, Advance to Face Nuggets in the First Round of the Playoffs | 17 Apr 2024 | 00:33:40 | |
This win didn't quite look like the others, but in the end the Lakers got what they came for, and once again defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, winning Tuesday in the 7/8 Play-In Game. It's the fourth time in five this season LA has topped the Pelicans, and the second time in three days - both on the road - and this one is undoubtedly the most significant. It pushes the Lakers into the first round of the main draw, where they'll kick off a series against the Nuggets beginning Saturday in Denver. It's been a very long time since the Lakers beat Denver, and there will be plenty to say about that series between now and Saturday, but for today it's worth noting how the Lakers got it done on Tuesday, and how that might influence things going forward. Because while Anthony Davis and LeBron James played hard (Davis through back spasms) and gave it what they had, neither was efficient offensively (12-36 combined from the floor). The Lakers as a team didn't crack 42% from the floor. But they didn't turn the ball over (eight total TOs), they were solid from 3-point range (over 40%), and they made their FTs (26-29, including 9-9 in the fourth quarter). And most importantly, other guys stepped up, whether D'Angelo Russell with big early production combined with a critical steal and a clutch corner triple, or Gabe Vincent playing high end defense and scoring nine points (which doesn't soundn like much until you remember he had seven over his last six games combined.) The Lakers had to grind this one out. They had to play defense. They had to hit their free throws down the stretch. They had to win without the best performances from their stars. It was, in short, a fantastic dress rehearsal for what's coming. But for now, rest.
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers beat New Orleans, advance to face Denver.
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| Play-In Preview, Lakers Vs. Pelicans: Can LeBron Stop Zion Again? Who Stops Anthony Davis? | 16 Apr 2024 | 00:33:56 | |
The Lakers spanked the Pelicans on Sunday to earn their way to the 8-seed and... a repeat of Sunday's game in New Orleans. This time, however, the winner of the game advances straight into the rest of the postseason, finishing as the West's 7-seed and winning a chance to travel to Denver this weekend. The loser plays the winner of Wednesday's game between Sacramento and Golden State. On paper, at least, the Lakers would seem to be the favorites. Three wins in four games over New Orleans, with an average mergin of victory exceeding 26 points. That's some real dominance and indicates the Lakers have structural advantages in the matchup. LeBron James, in addition to being excellent, is also a bad matchup for Zion Williamson, who can't use his strength to bully James around offensively and can't outthink the supercomputer that is LeBron, either. The Pellies don't have a great matchup guarding James, either. And meanwhile, as Sunday showed, they're not rich in guys who match up well with Anthony Davis. On the other hand, the Pelicans have been, at least until a bit of an injury-induced lull at the end of the year, among the best teams in the conference for much of the second half. There is plenty of talent there, and no shortage of shooting. So what's going to happen? We break it down in a fantastic crossover episode with Jake Madison, host of Locked On Pelicans. What are the matchups to watch? How might the Pelicans turn things around against LA? What are the big strategic plays available for both teams? Plus, should either group be looking to tank the game in order to change their odds for a longer playoff run?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with Jake Madison
SEGMENT 2: LeBron vs. Zion.
SEGMENT 3: How the Pelicans can turn the tables on LA. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monopoly GO! Yahoo Finance Nissan From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| Lakers Dominate Pelicans, 124-108, Rematch Tuesday For Seven Seed Play-In. | 15 Apr 2024 | 00:34:39 | |
The Lakers played about as poorly as a team can Friday in Memphis without actually losing. Sunday, they made up for it in a huge way. Win, and the Lakers would solidify an 8-seed, and a chance to get into the postseason bracket with only one win (while earning the luxury of a do-over, if needed). Lose, and they're the 10. Win twice, or go home, both on the road. It was pretty clear which option the Lakers preferred. The came out hot early, with a determined and focused effort to take control. They increased their lead big into the half (17 points) and won the third quarter by five to refuse the Pelicans even an inch of opportunity. Anthony Davis (30 points) and LeBron James (28 points, 17 assists) were both dominant, and had more than enough help from Austin Reaves (20 points ) and D'Angelo Russell (18 points, 5-10 from downtown). The defensive effort was stellar as well. Now the Lakers, as the 8-seed, take on New Orleans on Tuesday with a chance to move through into the first round. The opportunity is there- LA's margin of victory in the three they've won over the Pellies is massive. And the game they lost was on the second night of a back-to-back, with multiple players missing. Advantage Lakers. That would earn them four full days of rest before visiting Denver (sigh) in the first round. Speaking of that, some of the more artful on Lakers social media are suggesting the Lakers might want to lose on purpose Tuesday, then go ahead and win on Friday in the second game of the play-in, thus earning the 8-seed and a date with top-seeded Oklahoma City, a much, much better matchup for LA. Is this an idea worth entertaning?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers throttle New Orleans, in one of their best games of the year.
SEGMENT 3: Should the Lakers try to avoid Denver in the first round? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monopoly GO! Yahoo Finance Nissan From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| Undeserving Lakers Escape From Memphis With a 123-120 Win Over Grizzlies. | 13 Apr 2024 | 00:15:14 | |
They didn't deserve it, but the Lakers got the win anyway. Against a Memphis Grizzlies team that had 13 players on the injured list, eight players in uniform, and zero players who started the season playing meaningful minutes for an NBA team, the Lakers still needed all 48 minutes to come away with a 123-120 win. How much good it does them depends on what else happens around the conference, but at least the Lakers kept the dream of moving up alive. Even if they shouldn't have been allowed to. This was, very likely, the most annoying win of the year. But it was a win, which beats the alternative. We'll see if the time LeBron (41 minutes) and Anthony Davis (43 minutes) spent on the floor that they absolutely shouldn't have needed to hurts on Sunday. But for now, at least, the Lakers got the thing that mattered most. Even if how they did it was kind of appalling.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Stitch Fix Nissan From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| Should D'Angelo Russell Come Off the Bench for the Lakers? With Guest Anthony Irwin | 14 Aug 2024 | 00:34:57 | |
The Lakers have a problem. Or at least seem to. D'Angelo Russell is not exactly well-loved inside the building in El Segundo, at least not to the degree of an Austin Reaves or Rui Hachimura, or other supporting players about whom the Lakers seem to express more enthusiasm. But they can't afford to just dump the guy in whatever trade they can find, because Russell was probably their third best player last season, and the team can't afford to get worse just to avoid a personality conflict. But Russell is hard to trade, because good teams that could use his talent don't want him (bad rep, shaky vibes, problematic defense) and bad teams don't need him (doesn't fit a rebuilding timeline, not someone people are clamoring to use as a mentor). So that means both parties are, for now, stuck with each other, right? Is that something that can get rectified before training camp? By the trade deadline? What do the Lakers do in the interim? Those questions and more are big on today's show, with guest Anthony Irwin, who has some thoughts about Russell and what the Lakers ought to do with him. From there, it's a discussion about the lack of movement this offseason, and where improvement might come, internally. Is it just Max Christie? Can Reaves improve? Rui? Is it possible to get minutes from Jalen Hood-Schifino? Can Dalton Knecht be better than Taurean Prince? How many wins is JJ Redick worth? If the Lakers are going to build on their 47-win season last year, they'll need good health, first and foremost, but then a path to internal improvement.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with guest Anthony Irwin
SEGMENT 1: What to do with D'Angelo Russell?
SEGMENT 3: Where can the Lakers gain meaningful improvement, internally?
From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
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| LeBron, Anthony Davis Travel for Lakers-Grizzlies. Plus, Should Darvin Ham Shorten the Rotation? | 12 Apr 2024 | 00:31:15 | |
Given the disappointment of Wednesday's results and the box it puts the Lakers in from a standings perspective - they're far more likely now to be a 10 seed than anything else - there was at least some speculation that the Lakers might just leave a recovering Anthony Davis and LeBron James at home, at least for Friday's game in Memphis. Let them fully recover before playing again, and see if Sunday in New Orleans matters. There were certainly arguments to be made against that plan, and apparently those are the ones the Lakers went with. Davis and James both were on the plane, and are in position to play tonight. Davis is probable, and LeBron, who has been questionable (unless he's out) for basically every game this season, and will be questionable (or out) for every game he plays until he retires is, well, questionable. But there's no indication he won't play. The Lakers are going to play this thing out, try to win a couple games and hope they get a little help from other teams around the conference. Is that the right call? Meanwhile, Thursday's show asked if Anthony Davis was being treated unfairly by Lakers fans after missing Wednesday's game, and it's fair to say that if the show's YouTube page is any indication, said fans are split pretty evenly on the issue between "leave him alone" and "dude should have tried/played/sucked it up." Reflective, for sure, of the unique position he occupies in the minds of LA's faithful. Finally, this week there was some chatter on The Hoop Collective podcast over at ESPN about the future of LeBron in LA. Everything from the length of the deal to whether he'd get a no-trade clause. How will the Lakers approach all of this?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: AD and LeBron are traveling, but fans are still annoyed at Davis. Some of them, at least.
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| Locked On Lakers Trailer | 12 Apr 2024 | 00:00:32 | |
Locked On Lakers podcast is your daily ticket to stay ahead of the game and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info for the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA.
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| Is It Fair for Lakers Fans to Criticize Anthony Davis for Missing the Warriors Game? | 11 Apr 2024 | 00:31:17 | |
Anthony Davis has been outstanding for the Lakers this season. He's put up numbers. He's been available, piling up minutes despite a variety of ailments. He's anchored a Lakers defense that often becomes catastrophically bad without him available. But the timing of his latest injury/illness couldn't have been worse. Davis has missed the team's last seven quarters, and they happened to be seven of the most important quarters the Lakers have played all season. And while his symptoms (headache, nausea) sound like they're concussion related, the Lakers have said he's not in the protocols. Which means he was sick, and in a Kobe Bryant town, the idea that illness would keep a star out of a game as important as Tuesday's? Doesn't sit well. And plenty of fans have hammered AD over it. But is it fair? And beyond that, why are fans so quick to turn on Davis in a moment like this? Then there are the practical questions of what the Lakers should do next. They're likely, though not guaranteed, to finish in the 10 spot in the West. With that in mind, would it be best to leave Davis and maybe even James at home for the final two games and make sure they're 100% fit and ready for the Play In? Finally, reports on Wednesday indicate that the New Orleans Pelicans, who can take possession of LA's pick either this year or next, will let the Lakers have it this summer. Why? Well, there are probably a few reasons, and none of them really work in the favor of the Lakers.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Anthony Davis is catching a lot of flak from Lakers fans.
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| With Anthony Davis Out, Lakers Lose 134-120 to Golden State Warriors... Likely to Finish 10th In the West. | 10 Apr 2024 | 00:35:23 | |
The Lakers have been the beneficiaries of good health from LeBron James and Anthony Davis... until right about now. Sunday, LeBron missed a key game against Minnesota with an illness, and Anthony Davis was knocked out at the end of the first quarter after being whacked in the head. Tuesday, in a game that would add tremendous clarity -- good or bad -- to where the Lakers might finish in the West, Davis was still on the sidelines with a headache and nausea (we'll leave it to the armchair physicians to decide what that sounds like) and LeBron was still feeling awful, arriving at the arena just before game time. And, not surprisingly, the Lakers struggled big time against a Golden State team playing excellent basketball. It didn't help that the Warriors were white hot from 3-point range (LA's defensive shortcomings notwithstanding), hitting 26 triples en route to a 134-120 win over the purple and gold. That's the most 3-pointers the Lakers have ever surrendered. Golden State was so torrid from outside, they hit a higher percentage from beyond the arc (63%) than they did overall (59%). That ain't easy! Meanwhile, the Lakers got a great showing from a limited LeBron, who was described as about 70% on the TV broadcast. 14-22 from the floor, 33 points, 11 assists. But they needed similarly excellent games from the supporting cast, and while Austin Reaves (22 points, 8-15 shooting) did his part, D'Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura fell well short. And, not surprisingly, the Wheel of Controversy continued spinning in regards to Darvin Ham and some of his lineup decisions. That thing never really stops. Especially now that the Lakers are very likely going to finish 10th in the West, and have to win two games just to give themselves a chance to play the top seed in the conference.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Without Anthony Davis, the Lakers lose to Golden State.
SEGMENT 2: It looks like the Lakers are 10th?
SEGMENT 3: How much concern for Anthony Davis? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Stitch Fix Nissan From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| Lakers Face Must-Win Game Against Golden State Warriors... Plus, What's D'Angelo Russell's Future with the Team? | 09 Apr 2024 | 00:32:55 | |
Things are getting really tight in the Western Conference, and number of combinations and permutations when it comes to potential end-of-the-year standings could make your eyes bleed. The Lakers could still finish anywhere from 6th (with a lot of help) to 10th (if they don't help themselves). And suffice to say, if they have any prayer of rising higher than their current lot (9th) they need to win out, starting tonight at home against the Warriors. It's the last home game of the regular season, and the Lakers can either solidify the opportunity to host at least one of their (potentially) two play-in games, or leave themselves vulnerable to having to win two games on the road just to make the main draw. Win, on the other hand, and everything from eight to six is still live, at least for another day. It won't be easy. The Warriors are playing very good basketball after a season of wild swings. In that sense, they're a lot like the Lakers. That's true both looking at their paths this season, and the overarching questions about each team's future. But for now, it's about winning whatever advantages are left on the table to take. LeBron James should be back from the illness that kept him out of Sunday's loss to Minnesota, but there's still no word on the availability of Anthony Davis (eye.) Meanwhile, there was interesting talk on this week's edition of The Hoop Collective on ESPN, with Brian Windhorst. The conversation turned to D'Angelo Russell, and his player option for next year. Windhorst believes Russell will opt out of that year, having a) outplayed it over the course of this year, and b) not wanting to enter next season as an expiring contract leaving him once again on the trade block basically from moment one. So if he does opt out, would that mean an end to his Lakers career? Would the team be interested in giving him a new deal? If they aren't... what's next?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Stitch Fix Nissan From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| Anthony Davis Re-Injures Eye During Lakers' 127-117 Loss to Timberwolves, Fall Back to Nine Seed | 08 Apr 2024 | 00:33:12 | |
LeBron James (flu-like symptons) was already out of the lineup Sunday for LA's matchup against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves at the Crypt. The Lakers had the lead early and kept it through the first quarter... until Anthony Davis was whacked across the face, re-injuring the same eye he hurt against Golden State last month. He did not return, and at that point the Wolves went on a massive run and the Lakers really couldn't do much to stop it. By halftime, Minnesota was up 15. LA played hard in the third and managed to get the deficit down to four, but couldn't keep up the momentum. To their credit, the Lakers fought hard all game, but the talent/size disparity facing one of the West's best was just too much to deal with. Minnesota has a lot to play for and was surely conscious of letting off the accelerator despite the lead. Once the Lakers got close, the Lakers pushed the lead back out but couldn't sustain it and they fell, 127-117. The loss hurt, as both New Orleans and Sacramento (the teams closest to LA in the standings) won, exending their leads over LA wit the postseason only a week away. Where the Lakers finish the regular seeding is at this point secondary to concern over Davis's health and/or comfort on the floor. The next game is a big one, Tuesday against Golden State. Early reports say the Lakers are optimistic he'll be available... but we won't know until we know.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Lakers lose without LeBron and (most of the night) Anthony Davis.
SEGMENT 2: Eye watch begins...
SEGMENT 3: Regrouping before Tuesday against Golden State... Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Stitch Fix Nissan From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| Davis, LeBron and Russell Shine as Lakers Beat Cavaliers 116-97, Move up to 8 Seed for Play-In. | 06 Apr 2024 | 00:16:03 | |
Thanks to an excellent road trip and a well-timed skid from the Sacramento Kings, the Lakers showed up at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday with a chance to move, however temporarily, into the 8th spot in the Western Conference. That would, however, require a strong effort against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who entered as the 3-seed in the Eastern Conference. So no pushover there. Winner winner, chicken dinner. LA beats the Cavs, 116-97. After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Lakers took control of the game, and after letting Cleveland take the lead in the third following a huge run, the Lakers took it right back and never let the Cavs back into the game. Ultimately, it was one of their better games inside this hot streak, especially on the defensive end. The Lakers were particularly effective against Cleveland's guard combo of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, holding them to 36 points on 15-38 shooting. The Lakers, meanwhile, got big performances from Anthony Davis (including six blocks), LeBron James (24/5/12) and a game high 28 from D'Angelo Russell. Taurean Prince, meanwhile, kicked in with 18 off the bench, and Gabe Vincent was +15 in 14 minutes, despite not scoring and only notching a pair of assists. That's because of his defensive work. The Lakers move on now to play Minnesota tomorrow at home. This game will go a long way to determining whether the Lakers can hold onto that 8 spot, or even move up with a huge season-finale upcoming against the Pelicans.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Stitch Fix Nissan From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| Rui Hachimura Has Juiced the Lakers' Offense, and Michael Cooper May be Entering the Hall of Fame. | 05 Apr 2024 | 00:34:56 | |
The path this season for Rui Hachimura hasn't exactly been super duper smooth. There have been injuries, inconsistent performance, and extremely inconsistent stretches of playing time. His path to the starting lineup at the beginning of last month was somewhat accidental. But since he got there? Man alive, has he played well, and the Lakers have thrived. To the point that in March, he was the most efficient player in the NBA. His attention to detail defensively, Darvin Ham says, has increased. He's rebounding the ball with increased vigor, something the Lakers really, really, REALLY needed him to do. Darvin Ham says he's finally gightened up on the details enough to merit this type of role. OThers might argue he could have been doing it a lot longer if given a chance. It's an interesting part of the broader saga for the Lakers this season, one where moves that could be at least somewhat justifiable in the moment (benching Austin Reaves, benching D'Angelo Russell) become less comprehensible when taken as a whole, in part because it seems like the team didn't really understand the how and why. Now, though, people feel like they're on the same page. Whether it comes too late to save the season, or give it the space to breathe it might have otherwise had, remains to be seen. And the Lakers got a little help on Thursday, as Sacramento lost in New York and are now only a game ahead of LA in the loss column. Meanwhile, James Worthy and Magic Johnson both put out on social media Thursday that Michael Cooper is headed to the Hall of Fame. For Lakers fans, it's a big "Finally!" But it's fair to say not everyone will agree that Coop is HOF worthy. We discuss.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Rui Hachimura is thriving. Why didn't this come earlier in the year?
SEGMENT 2: Darvin has an explanation as to why it took a minute. You buying?
SEGMENT 3: Coop to the Hall of Fame! Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Amazon Fire TV Nissan From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| Lakers Finish 5-1 Road Trip with 125-120 Win Over Wizards. Jarred Vanderbilt Close to Return? | 04 Apr 2024 | 00:31:40 | |
When you get to the last game of a six game road trip, there are all sorts of ways to view the game. Some might land on "just win, style points don't count," especially given the Lakers were playing on the second night of a back-to-back and didn't get to Washington until 3 in the morning. Others might look at the opponent—the absolutely awful Washington Wizards—and believe the "how" matters. Your POV on this sort of thing will definitely color your reaction to LA's 125-120 win, one that looked like it might be a carbon copy of Tuesday's win over Toronto... until it wasn't. Where the Lakers used a huge third quarter to pull away from the Raptors and never gave them a chance to get back into it, the Lakers on Wednesday built a big lead, then allowed a 15-0 run that got Washington right back in. After another big push, Darvin Ham emptied the bench, only to have to re-insert his starters for the final 17 seconds because Washington pulled back to within five. That ain't good. Bottom line, though, the Lakers finish the trip 5-1, they've won 9 of 10. They are a top five team in the league since the All Star break and are now 11 games over .500. The standings don't show it, but that's where the Lakers are. The next tests are tougher, for sure. Cleveland and Minnesota this weekend in the final back to back of the season. The Lakers will need to run the table (or very close) to have a chance to move up to 8th in the West where they'd only have to win one game to make it into the main draw of the playoffs. They've finally got some continuity and predicability in terms of who is coming into the game and when. Where the minutes are coming from, and all that good stuff. LeBron talked a lot about that after the game. Will it be enough?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers win in Washington, finish the trip 5-1.
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Amazon Fire TV Nissan From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| Lakers Roll Raptors 128-111, 4-1 on Road Trip... But Will They Ever Move Up in the Standings? | 03 Apr 2024 | 00:34:40 | |
The Lakers this season have generally played to the level of their competition. That's a nice thing in games against, say, Milwaukee or Oklahoma City. But it's been an issue against the lousy teams in the league as well. Tuesday in Toronto, the Lakers faced off against a Toronto Raptors team that had lost 13 straight games, and simply could not afford a letdown. This was a game they needed to win... And it was one of their better games of the season against a team like this one. After a slow start, the Lakers took control about halfway through the first quarter. They hit a minor lull near the half, but then came out in the third and completely blew the game open with a 36-21 quarter and in the end, the players you want to see playing in the fourth (Maxwell Lewis, Colin Castleton, etc.) were on the floor, and Anthony Davis and LeBron James were both under 30 minutes. Only one starter (D'Angelo Russell) cracked that 30 minute barrier. That'll help tonight when the Lakers face off against the Wizards in Washington, in another must-win game and a chance to move 11 games over .500 and finish the road trip at 5-1. Is the rest of the conference cooperating? Not really! But the Lakers are, at the least, taking care of what they can, and are giving themselves a chance to improve their postseason lot. That's about all they can do at this point.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers win in Toronto
SEGMENT 2: 10 games over .500... and still stuck in 9th...
SEGMENT 3: Are they peaking at the right time? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Amazon Fire TV Nissan From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| Team USA Wins Gold, LeBron is MVP. Do James, Anthony Davis (or Another Laker?) Play in '28? | 12 Aug 2024 | 00:34:57 | |
The US won a gold in Paris on Saturday, in an entertaining game featuring a Steph Curry heater for the ages as the Americans beat France. But it was LeBron James who walked away with the tournament MVP award, based on a run of consistency and high performance that outdid Curry, who really only played well for the semi-final vs. Serbia and then again vs. France. Not for nothing, because those games were important, but James was a deserving recipient for sure. And while it's reasonable to discuss where this achievement fits in a long list of incredible accomplishments, one thing is clear -- winning this gold was a very meaningful thing for him. As it was for Anthony Davis, who played big minutes on Saturday, including down the stretch, and was a monster on both ends, coming up with four blocks overall, grabbing critical rebounds and generally shoving the French around. AD says he plans to play in LA in 2028. LeBron says he doesn't see it happening. But is it that far fetched? Let's say James is still active, or is just wrapping up his career in the summer of '28. Is it that crazy to think there could be a spot for him? Especially since this format suits him so well? Long rest before the games, light load during the tournament, last hurrah and all that? It's fun to think about at least, because it gets to larger questions about just how long his career is going to last. Because right now, at least, it seems like his own willingness to play will be the deciding factor, not health or decline.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
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| The Lakers Are Winning More Games, But What Have We Really Learned About Their Postseason Potential? | 02 Apr 2024 | 00:35:58 | |
Even as the Lakers are winning more games (7-3 over their last 10, 18-8 over their last 26), it's still a little tricky to figure out exactly what they are. How good are they? Are they more contender than pretender? What do you make of some of the big wins, like Milwaukee I and II, Minnesota, OKC, etc? They're clearly much too good to be the genuinely mediocre/middish team they looked like they might be after the post-IST slump. Likely the Lakers finish 10-12 games over .500, which last year would have been enough for around a 4-seed in the West. Now? Likely ninth. But they're clearly not among the elite, either. Unless you're just thinking of results against the high end teams, in which case... they kind of are? So much to sort out. One big Q: Do the Lakers themselves- players and coaching staff- feel like they know? And more importantly, do they agree on the answer? Meanwhile, the Lakers are getting nothing from their bench. Two points on Sunday, and not much more than that on most nights. How important is that, especially as we get closer to the playoffs, and a theoretical return for Jarred Vanderbilt, as well? Finally, LeBron's greatness creates hard questions for Rob Pelinka now, and down the road.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with Guest Aaron Larsuel!
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are winning, but do we really know what they are?
SEGMENT 2: Is the bench really a problem?
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Amazon Fire TV Nissan From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| LeBron James Hits Nine 3's, Scores 40, (Sloppy) Lakers Beat Nets 116-104 | 01 Apr 2024 | 00:35:59 | |
After dropping Friday's game to the Pacers in Indiana, the Lakers restarted their roadtrip in Brooklyn with a clear mandate - sweep the final three games, all coming against weak teams. And on the one hand, the Lakers did some serious work early, running out to a 17-0 lead, while ballooned to 31-11 by the end of the first quarter. That gave them some wiggle room over the final three quarters, and unfortunately the Lakers decided to use it. Particularly in the third quarter, where the Lakers committed a parade of turnovers that let the Nets cut a lead that had grown as high as 26 back down to single digits. Chalk up some of them to to decent play from Brooklyn, but most of them were simply a result of sloppiness from LA. It was the difference between an easy win where the starters need to play deep into the fourth and one where LeBron, Anthony Davis and Co. could have sat down much faster. There were plenty of good stat lines. LeBron James had 40 points, tying a career high with nine 3-pointers (on only 10 tries). Anthony Davis finished with 24/14. Rui Hachimura finished with 20 points on a very efficient 8-12 shooting. As a team the Lakers were over 54% from the floor, and held Brooklyn to 42%. Literally the only reason the Nets had a chance was because the Lakers let them. The Lakers only had two points off the bench, a bucket from Gabe Vincent, who played 14 minutes in his first game in months, and only his sixth overall. The Lakers tried a few different lineup combinations, and have some choices to make going forward. Do you trust Darvin Ham to manage this? In the end, it was a game much like others they've played this year -- plenty to like, but just enough to shake your head at to keep it from being fully satisfying. But they got the win they needed, and now can head to Toronto with a chance to keep a 5-1 trip alive.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky (with guest Daman Rangoola)
SEGMENT 2: How should the Lakers integrate Gabe Vincent?
SEGMENT 3: Do the Lakers still have strong postseason prospects? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Amazon Fire TV Nissan From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| BONUS: Lakers Lose In Indiana, Waste an Opportunity to Gain Ground in the Western Conference | 30 Mar 2024 | 00:12:25 | |
In Memphis, the Lakers couldn't miss. Friday in Indiana? How does 16.7% from three point range sound. They held a Pacers team that hung 145 on them at the Crypt a week or so ago to 109 points, but because they only scored 90 themselves, the game was a runaway. Or ended up that way, at least, because LA had a chance to get things very. very close in the fourth quarter, but couldn't get themselves over the hump. Every the opportunity was there, they'd either turn the ball over or miss a shot, and eventually they ran out of time. Maybe it was tired legs, with the team playing a third game in four nights. Maybe it was just the law of averages getting them because sometimes games like this happen. It's a statistical outlier, but outliers happen. What it really turns out to be is a missed opportunity to gain ground in the West, as both Phoenix and Sacramento lost. Contextually, losing this game is understandable, and overall the Lakers are playing better ball... but at this point in the season the hole they've put themselves in demands near perfection to have a chance to overcome even in small ways (like moving from nine to eight). They had a chance to win Friday, even while playing ugly basketball, offensively. And they didn't.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
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| D'Angelo Russell says he wants to remain a Laker, and Gabe Vincent Reportedly May Return Sunday vs. Nets | 29 Mar 2024 | 00:32:37 | |
Some interesting news of late for the Lakers ahead of the third game of a thus-far undefeated road trip. First, D'Angelo Russell told Hoopshype that he'd like to remain a Laker if possible, but also implied that he'll be weighing his options this offseason, including his contract player option. The season began with everyone assuming D'Lo would be traded before the deadline. Instead, he's having arguably the best season of his career. He's always been a polarizing player, but has the performance shifted perceptions? Where could he potentially go? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky... featuring special guest Allen Sliwa, 710 ESPN
SEGMENT 1: D'Angelo wants to remain a Laker... and also has leverage over the team.
SEGMENT 2: What options around the league would D'Lo have this summer?
SEGMENT 3: Can the Lakers integrate Vincent into the rotation with just a handful of games to do it?
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| LeBron Returns, Rui Hachimura puts up 32 as Lakers Beat Grizzlies 136-124. | 28 Mar 2024 | 00:35:54 | |
Was it a perfect game? Not as much as a 136-124 score might indicate. At one point in the third quarter, the Lakers pushed their lead to 27, creating a potential opportunity for the starters to rest for basically the entire fourth quarter. Instead, Rui Hachimura had to continue his scintillating outside shooting, canning seven(!) threes on the way to 32 points and ten rebounds. LeBron James, in his return after sitting out the Milwaukee win while nursing his problematic ankle, played more minutes than preferable for his triple-double. D'Angelo Russell hit five threes of his own. Jaxson Hayes had 14 points and seven rebounds filling in for Anthony Davis, who got the night off after logging 52 minutes in the double OT win over the Bucks. Again, would have been nice to maintain a 20-plus point cushion. But that's not the same thing as the game ever really being in jeopardy, which it wasn't. All in all, pretty uneventful when it comes to true suspense... in a good way. Brian is still out of town, but Andy was joined by C.J. Toledano, Lakers fanatic and co-host of the new podcast, Point Game, co-hosted with former NBA star John Wall. They discussed the Lakers' winning ways of late, Hachimura's significance as a baller and an Asian athlete, the future of athlete-created content, and much more. Fun show!
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky... featuring special guest CJ Toledano (Point Game Podcast, Follow Through)
SEGMENT 1: The game was uneventful... and that's a good thing.
SEGMENT 2: The importance of Rui Hachimura, on and off the court.
SEGMENT 3: C.J. discusses his divided house during the IST, and the future of athlete-created content.
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Amazon Fire TV Fire TV recently created Fire TV Channels to deliver a constant supply of the latest videos from your favorite sports brands, all for free. That includes all of us at Locked On and most of the big pro leagues and college conferences as well. To Learn More, visit www.amazon.com/LockedOnFireTV Nissan eBay Motors BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| The Lakers win 128-124 in Double OT over the Bucks, without LeBron. Signature Victory of the Season? | 27 Mar 2024 | 00:35:35 | |
Game of the season for the Lakers? That's up for debate and personal taste, but there's no question Tuesday's 128-124 double overtime road win over the Milwaukee Bucks, short LeBron James no less, is on the short list of signature victories this season. What seemingly began as a blowout loss in the making gradually, steadily, and impressively shifted into an absolutely spectacular display of guts and will from, among others, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. AD, who played much of the game on a leg clearly bugging him, wrapped up the night with a monster 34/23/4 block line, including the erasure of a Damian Lillard floater to push the game into 2OT. Austin Reaves began the night shaky, but finished with a 29/14/10 triple-double, highlighted by a few jaw-droppingly deep threes in big moments. D'Lo had a rough night shooting overall, but hit a flurry of threes (five in all) during the second half to provide a big spark of belief, plus 12 dimes against just four turnovers. And Rui had a solid 16 points to go with a career-high fourteen rebounds, critical on a night when someone had to pick up LeBron's slack on the glass. Throw in some big moments from Spencer Dinwiddie and Taurean Prince, plus Darvin's decision to push for a win when sitting the starters ahead of tonight's game in Memphis would have been perfectly sensible, and you had all the makings of a victory that reminds fans that, when this team really wants it, they can be a very tough out.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky... featuring special guest Edwin Garcia (@ECreates88), Silver Screen and Roll, Swish Appeal
SEGMENT 1: What a win!!!!
SEGMENT 2: Anthony Davis was the man.
SEGMENT 3: Austin Reaves, you crazy genius!
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| LeBron Doubtful for Tonight's Game vs. Bucks... and Can the Lakers Catch the Suns? | 26 Mar 2024 | 00:34:55 | |
The Lakers kick off a six game road trip tonight in Milwaukee. Normally this sort of thing would be looked on with some bit of dread, especially given that the Lakers have been a horrible road team all season. And certainly Monday's game against the Bucks will be a major challenge, especially in light of LeBron James being downgraded to doubtful ahead of the contest thanks to the same ankle that's kept him on the injury report all year. Hopefully he/the Lakers are just picking one day for LBJ to rest in the space of a back to back... but there's really know way to know until Wednesday when the Lakers arrive in Memphis. But as for this one, yes, the Lakers beat the Bucks recently, but Milwaukee has played better of late, and is unquestionably a contender in the East. This would be a losable game with or without James. But hey, maybe the Lakers surprise shorthanded. Wouldn't be the first time, this season. And moreover, once THIS game is done, the Lakers get some real opportunities. Wednesday vs. a terrible Memphis squad. Then an Indiana team they just beat, and the Nets, Raptors and Wizards. 4-2 is the bare minimum that is acceptable for a trip like this one. And it's important, because the Phoenix Suns have a very difficult path ahead of them (made even more difficult when they lost to the freakin' Spurs on Monday, after this show was recorded). A solid late run to end the year from LA (think 9-2, 8-3) could be enough to move them to the 7 spot, because Phoenix plays 10 straight games against Western Conference playoff teams. But the Lakers have to do their part, and even then it still won't be easy. Plus... more on Spencer Dinwiddie, and how his recent surge could impact the team going forward, including different lineup combinations. Why has Cam Reddish been finishing games over Rui Hachimura? And what, exactly, did scurvy do to the human body?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers will face Milwaukee (almost surely) without LeBron.
SEGMENT 2: Things are tightening a little around the Suns. Plus, a small defensive bright spot?
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| Lakers, Fueled by Big Nights from Anthony Davis, Spencer Dinwiddie, Beat Pacers 150-145 in Chaotic Game. | 25 Mar 2024 | 00:34:03 | |
One figured this would be a high-scoring night, given how the Indiana Pacers have arguably the best offensive team in the NBA all season, the Lakers have morphed over the course of the year into a juggernaut in their own right, and neither team should brag about their defenses of late. Yes, the Lakers were without D'Angelo Russell, but still, there's plenty of firepower to go around in L.A. But even by those standards, this 150-145 Lakers win was an insane shootout.
Four Lakers with 25+ points. 26 for Spencer Dinwiddie, starting in D'Lo's spot and having the best game of his purple and gold tenure. (On the heels of what had been his best L.A. game Friday against the Sixers.) 36 points for Anthony Davis, who made 15 of 21 shots and pulled down 16 rebounds just for fun. Even the Lakers' typically barren bench, led by Taurean Prince's 14 points, was respectably prolific.
Of course, the Pacers got in on the act as well, with Pascal Siakam exploding for 27 second-half points (36 in all), Myles Turner chipping in 20 and the team going 50 percent from distance. Indiana also outscored the Lakers 46-34 in the fourth quarter, including a late flurry of threes to make things very tense down the stretch. (To say the Lakers' late fourth quarter pick-and-roll defense got scrambled would be a grand understatement.)
But in the end, the Lakers pulled off the victory, which combined with a Warriors loss, has them sitting at the nine seed 2.5 games ahead of Golden State, and 2.5 behind Dallas/Sacto. A challenging but still winnable road trip awaits, and it would be nice to see the Lakers really put away a quality opponent. But the bottom line is they're stacking wins of late, and at least giving themselves a shot at climbing the standings as the season reaches its end.
Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
Segment 3: Do the Lakers have a shot at moving up in the west?
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| Lakers Beat Sixers 101-94, Behind 23/19 from Anthony Davis. D'Angelo Russell sets Franchise Record. | 23 Mar 2024 | 00:15:25 | |
It was not exactly the sort of inspired, confidence building effort the Lakers probably hoped for, but in the end it was enough for LA to get what it needed—a win. They beat the visiting, and badly slumping, Philadelphia 76ers 101-94 Friday night at the Crypt. The game was tight throughout, until down the stretch when the Lakers pushed the pedal down a little harder than the Sixers could manage. There were some notable performances, starting with Anthony Davis and his 23/19 line. Spencer Dinwiddie had his best game as a Laker (by a lot), playing high end defense while chipping in with 11 points in 23 minutes. There were even more subpar ones, however. LeBron James was inefficient and a turnover machine (TK overall). D'Angelo and Rui Hachimura weren't exactly models of consistent production, either. Outside of Dinwiddie's points, the Lakers had only five more from the bench. And they turned the ball over 28,502 times. Ok, it was only 21, but that's a lot, and it's what kept a vastly inferior team in the game. But, in the end, the Lakers go tthe win they needed, and even gained a game on Golden State after the Warriors took a surprising home loss to the Pacers (who will be in LA to face the Lakers on Sunday). Every bit of breathing room over the Warriors in the 9/10 battle matters, and meanwhile the Lakers kept the dream of moving up alive. In the spirit of that other big basketball event happening around the country, survive and advance.
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| Should the Lakers Make Cam Reddish a Starter Again? Plus, Back Surgery for Jalen-Hood Schifino. | 22 Mar 2024 | 00:34:29 | |
The Lakers still have designs on moving up in the Western Conference, and the narrowest of windows in which to get it done. There are opportunities. The Suns, for example, have an insanely brutal schedule over their last 10 games, and the Lakers do own the tiebreaker against Phoenix. Sacramento is still in reach, and has a harder schedule than LA. But if the Lakers want to make any of this happen - and want to avoid the possibility of dropping to 10th, or even worse, open the door for a red hot Houston Rockets team, tonight's game at home against a moribund Philadelphia 76ers is simply one they should win, and must win. Must, must, must. Must. And it's those "should win" games where the Lakers have tended to struggle, playing down to the level of competition. Can't happen tonight. Meanwhile, the Lakers announced that Jalen Hood-Schifino will undergo a procedure to repair a disc issue in his back, and while no timetable was announced, it would certainly figure that he'll miss a good chunk of time, possibly the rest of the year. No impact on the big club... which really is the jumping off point for the conversation. That losing Hood-Schifino makes no difference for their fortunes shines a light on the decision to draft him in the first place over players more capable of playing an NBA role as rookies. But that question - did they draft the right guy for THIS year, is a different one than whether Hood-Schifino is a bust. It's waaaaay too early for that. And meanwhile, his stats with South Bay are actually quite good. It's just a shame his season has been so short, both because he's been injured a lot and because the Lakers couldn't send him to the G-League nearly as much as they wanted because of the injury to Gabe Vincent. Finally, a great question from a viewer on the YT page: With Cam Reddish back, would it make sense to put him in the starting lineup in order to boost the defense, and bring some scoring to the second unit?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 2: Hood-Schifino needs back surgery, which opens up the debate about drafting him in the first place.
SEGMENT 3: Would a change in the lineup make sense? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Stitch Fix Nissan LinkedIn eBay Motors BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| The Lakers and Suns Have Many Similarities. Which Team is Closer to a Title? (With Brendon Kleen) | 12 Aug 2024 | 00:35:09 | |
One good way to learn about your team is to compare it to others, especially a franchise that shares many common points. For the Lakers, that team (in a lot of ways at least) is the Phoenix Suns. Phoenix, like the Lakers, is basically all-in on their roster, one dominated by top end stars and lacking in reliable depth. Both teams are up against the cap (though Phoenix, as a second apron team, has issues the Lakers don't). Both teams are using a model for success that feels like the rest of the league doesn't use anymore. Both teams lack a cupboard full of resources to make significant improvements. And both teams are simultaneously too good to tear it down and not quite good enough to be title favorites. Most pundits put the Suns above the Lakers in terms of preseason odds/projections, but the gap isn't huge. So the similarities aren't perfectly aligned. It's not totally apples to apples. But it's definitely not apples to chicken wings, either. How does ownership compare? Philosophy? Coaching? Where do these teams stack up in a crowded Western Conference?
HOSTS: Brian Kamenetzky with Brendon Kleen
SEGMENT 1: How the Suns and Lakers are similar...
SEGMENT 2: Which team is better equipped to win a title?
SEGMENT 3: How the teams stack up in the West. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!eBay Motors From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
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| Cam Reddish Returning, but do the Lakers Have a Problem With Their Training Staff? Plus, Spencer Dinwiddie's Role. | 21 Mar 2024 | 00:34:48 | |
It's a day of problems, here at Locked On Lakers. On Wednesday's show, the the long run of injuries was a major focus, with a lot of attention paid to sorting out who might be coming back from injury and when, and what that means for the Lakers as they try to win games. For today, there is some injury-related news—Cam Reddish practiced Wednesday and is expected to be back for Friday's game against Philadelphia, giving the Lakers some badly needed defensive presence and size on the wing—but the conversation turned towards the guys who take care of the players. This year has been very problematic for the team, outside of the two guys (LeBron James, Anthony Davis) who everyone expected would miss a ton of games. Of course, those guys have their own dudes responsible for their health... which could point more towards the training staff, because seemingly everyone else on the roster has been busted and broken throughout the year. On the other, James and Davis have long had their own guys, and have struggled mightily to stay on the floor in the seasons prior to this one. So many guys seem to have come back from injuries, only to have to sit down again. Or start off with something that is might seem relatively minor or short term, and three weeks later that same player is going under the knife. Is that a misdiagnosis? Or just the right-minded effort to try and make the player better without surgical intervention? It can feel like the Lakers don't have the best of the best, even if it's hard to pinpoint exactly what the shortcomings are. Certainly by reputation the Lakers aren't known for spending big in support areas. Meanwhile, Spencer Dinwiddie says he's being graded on a Dinwiddie-sized set of expectations, but is playing a Reggie Bullock type role. Is he right?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
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| Report: Christian Wood to have Surgery, but Vincent, Reddish Close to Return. Vanderbilt Still Up in the Air. | 20 Mar 2024 | 00:34:48 | |
Many things related to the ability of the Lakers to make a run at the end of the year, and potentially into the playoffs, have to do with knowing who might be available to play. To that end, Monday was a fairly instructive day... kinda, sorta. We did learn, though not from the team, that PF/C Christian Wood's knee is going to keep him out weeks longer, possibly through the end of the season. So that's not good. There was conflicting information about Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt. While some reports said that both would miss the rest of the year, others noted that Vincent expects to play again and is working his way back. For his part, Darvin Ham spoke about both in a manner that implied the team is expecting both to suit up before the end of the season. Clearly, though, Vanderbilt is further behind than Vincent. And what do the Lakers do with Vincent when he's back? On the one hand, with Spencer Dinwiddie not quite panning out as expected, the Lakers could potentially kick the tires on Vincent, despite having only played five games this year. On the other, they really don't have the luxury of experimentation at this point. Regardless, the absence of Wood leaves them with only one other true big on the roster, and that one (Jaxson Hayes) has his limitations. This does tilt the roster smaller and plays away from theoretical strengths, while shining a light on potential shortcomings (like rebounding). Finally, LeBron James is on a new podcast with JJ Redick, and it's made for basketball nerds. Like, really nerdy. But a fun listen, because it's a great window into one of the things that truly separates LeBron from... well, everyone. The man's hoops IQ is off the charts, and when combined with his drive and physical gifts, you get arguably the greatest player the game has ever seen.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
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| Lakers Beat Down Hawks 136-105 as Anthony Davis Returns, D'Angelo Russell Ties Franchise Record | 19 Mar 2024 | 00:35:09 | |
On Monday, we discussed how the Lakers were entering a critical stretch of games that could make or break the quest to, at minimum, maintain the nine seed in the play-in standings, if not actually rise higher. Why? Because most of these games, starting with tonight's against Atlanta, are against bad opponents. Thus, it was critical to immediately bag a win. Well, 136-105 over the Hawks certainly fits that bill.
Just as importantly, Anthony Davis returned to the lineup after leaving Saturday's loss to the Warriors with an eye injury. He'd been listed as questionable leading up to the game, and there had been some worries about whether, at minimum, he wouldn't be able to suit up for his one. Instead, he dominated to the tune of 22/15/6. In the meantime, D'Angelo Russell's 27 points featured six made threes, tying him with Nick Van Exel for the franchise's single season for record three-pointers. Throw in nice performances from LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves and Max Christie, and the Lakers cruised to victory.
What to make it of all moving forward? Andy talks with special guest Claire de lune (@Clairempls), who covers the NBA for The Guardian.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, special guest Claire de lune.
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get an easy but critical win over the Hawks.
SEGMENT 2: D'Angelo Russell ties a Lakers franchise record, indicative of a storm he's weathered.
SEGMENT 3: Claire has some issues with how the Lakers are covered in the national media. We discuss.
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| Has the LeBron James/Anthony Davis Window Closed for the Lakers? | 18 Mar 2024 | 00:32:40 | |
The Lakers had a lousy weekend. Saturday's game was marred by an eye injury to Anthony Davis, one that has him listed as questionable for tonight's game at home vs. Atlanta. Meanwhile, the Lakers lost to Golden State, and the entire league suffered thanks to some horrible delays in replay work and a malfunctioning shot clock. I really was an ugly evening, all around. Now, though, the Lakers find themselves in 10th place in the West, with some chance still to move up (at least to nine, if they can win some games, since they still have one more against the Warriors), and if it's going to happen, it'll be over the next stretch of games, all but a couple of which are against not just middling teams, but genuinely bad ones. Again, starting tonight with Atlanta. The Lakers need to win these games not just because of seeding, but because nearly 70 games in, we're still not at a place where the Lakers can say they've ripped off eight wins in a row, or 10 of 12, or something that indicates a level of sustained excellence, and teams that can't do that don't win championships. Of course, some wonder if that championship window has already been closed. Has the title era for LeBron and AD already passed? Was last year their last best shot? Did it close with the Westbrook deal? Are the Lakers in position to make the kind of improvements that are so clearly needed in order to rise to the level of the Denvers of the world? Lots of questions to answer, even while the season carries on.
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers must, must, MUST take advantage of this soft portion of the schedule if they want to move up at all in the West (and avoid letting the Rockets creep up any closer).
SEGMENT 2: Has the LeBron/Davis window closed?
SEGMENT 3: Have the Lakers really recovered from the Westbrook deal? Is it possible to build around LeBron at this stage of his career? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Stitch Fix Nissan LinkedIn eBay Motors BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
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| Lakers Lose 128-121 to Golden State Warriors, Drop to 10 Seed, Anthony Davis Suffers Eye Injury | 17 Mar 2024 | 00:16:43 | |
As far as Saturdays go, this was not a good one for the Lakers. They lose 128-121 at home to the Golden State Warriors, in a game that was filled with frustrating reviews, shot clock problems and a first quarter eye-poke to Anthony Davis that forced him from the game. And it puts the Lakers in 10th place in the conference, with time running very short to remedy that predicament. (And not to be alarmist, the 11th-seeded Houston Rockets are red hot and creeping up, so even the 10th seed isn't guaranteed at the moment.) The Lakers played hard and did what they could to try and hold off the Warriors, who (of couse!) welcomed Steph Curry back to the lineup. LeBron James had 40 points on 15-23 from the floor, and D'Angelo Russell added 23. Jaxson Hayes stepped in with 12 rebounds, and Rui Hachimura was 7-10 from the floor. But any time the Lakers got close in the second half, the Warriors would make a push. And eventually, the Lakers ran out of time and space. If Davis misses any games going forward, the Lakers are in a tough spot. Already shorthanded, it would be hard to absorb his absence for any meaningful amount of time. All in all, an ugly night. For the league, whose television product suffered greatly for a national audience, and the Lakers, who really needed a win.
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| Lakers May Be Locked Into the 10 Seed, Plus D'Angelo Russell Speaks Out About Darvin Ham and More | 15 Mar 2024 | 00:32:59 | |
The Lakers, after losing Wednesday in Sacramento, are running out of ways to make progress in the Western Conference playoff race. They currently sit in ninth, and while the literal number of games by which they trail the teams in front of them isn't crazy, it's big enough that with 15 games to go, making up ground will be tricky. Especially since the Lakers only own a tiebreaker on Phoenix, who are three games in front of them heading into Thursday's games. They're a game up on Golden State for 10th. It's starting to look like the Lakers could be locked into the 9/10 slots, and if they're not careful, 10 becomes more likely. A lot could be cleared up on Saturday when the Lakers take on the Warriors at Staples. A win puts LA in the driver's seat to host the 9/10 game. A loss makes it much more likely to play that game on the road, and therefore win two games away from the Crypt in order to advance to the big boy playoffs. One big reason for the team's inconsistency of late is Anthony Davis, who isn't playing poorly by any stretch, but in March hasn't dominated the way he has for most of the season. Scoring and efficiency are both down, and the difference makes a huge impact on the Lakers, who need Davis to be playing at the first-team All NBA level he's been at for most of the season. Finally, D'Angelo Russell created a stir this week after Dave McMenamin at ESPN posted a great story about Russell's arc as a Laker, from his arrival last year, though a rough end to the playoffs, and into this season trying to build a relationship with Darvin Ham. There was a ton of interesting stuff in it, both related to Russell himself and how he navigates his career, but also regarding comments about Darvin Ham, and team culture generally.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
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| Sacramento Beats the Lakers (Again), Domantas Sabonis Outplays Anthony Davis (Again) | 14 Mar 2024 | 00:30:15 | |
The Lakers were game for a half, in both effort and (general) execution. In the second half, at least one of those things stopped. The Lakers were held to 17 third quarter points, which allowed Sacramento to turn a reasonable four point lead at the half into a far more comfortable 15 point cushion heading into the final period. The offense for LA really cratered as the game went along, scoring only 17 points in the third. Individual performances weren't much to write home about. Austin Reaves was great early, scoring 11 of the team's first 13 points. he finished with 28. Rui Hachimura had 20, on 9-11 from the floor (though a lot of that was front loaded into the opening half). But aside from that? Well, D'Angelo Russell didn't have a field goal until the fourth quarter (finishing with six points overall). The bench was again problematic, scoring only 13 points as a group, including a grand total of zero points from Spencer Dinwiddie, across 20 minutes of play. Anthony Davis was inefficient, and again outplayed by Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis. LeBron James may have finished with 18/13/9, but was even less efficient than Davis, missing 10 of his shots. With the loss, the Lakers fail to gain a game on Dallas, or put a little more room between themselves and the 10th place Warriors, who lost on Wednesday night, without Steph Curry in the lineup. The Lakers aren't going to win often when their stars are this inefficient. Not against decent teams, at least. Plenty to unpack!
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers lose. To the Kings. Again.
SEGMENT 2: Impressions of the Lakers heading into the stretch run.
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| Lakers Vs. Kings Preview: Can Anthony Davis Finally Beat Domantas Sabonis? | 13 Mar 2024 | 00:35:24 | |
The Lakers have struggled with the Kings for a while now, and a big part of that is the success Sacramento center Domantas Sabonis has had against Anthony Davis. Why has Sabonis (who certainly has success against... most everyone) fared so well against A.D.? Why have the Kings fared so well against the Lakers, generally? How can the Lakers turn it around tonight in Sacramento, a huge game for LA in their effort o move out of the ninth spot in the Western Conference? To talk about all of that and more, we're joined by Matt George, host of Locked On Kings and an anchor at KXTV ABC10 in Sacramento. George has some suggestions for the Lakers in tonight's game and explains why he still thinks the Lakers would be a nightmare matchup for the Kings in the postseason, even in a single-elimination Play-In game held up north. In many ways, the Kings and Lakers have had similar paths this year. Both vaguely disappointing (or maybe not so vaguely...) but way too good to write off. There's still the potential there for good things to happen, especially with the right matchup in the playoffs. Or at least that's the perception around the Lakers. Does the same hold true for Sacramento? What are the matchups in the Western Conference that could make seeding effectively an afterthought? It's a great conversation about Pacific Division and Western Conference hoops with one of the best hosts on the network.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 2: What can the Lakers do differently to attack the Kings? What's the recipe for success against Sacramento this season?
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| Can the Lakers' Newly Great Offense Make Use of Spencer Dinwiddie? Plus, Kobe's Statue has Typos! | 12 Mar 2024 | 00:35:56 | |
Remember when the Lakers had a terrible, terrible offense, and the only way they could score was in transition or at the free throw line? Well, that's not an issue anymore. The Lakers have, particularly since reconfiguring the starting lineup (again), been one of the best offensive teams in the NBA. In every category that matters, and it's not something fueled by what some critics call "junk" offense. (Meaning, living at the line.) Over their last 15 games, the Lakers have posted the following:
This is good work. And its with the bench producing virtually nothing, as of late. The main source (by expectation, at least) of scoring would be Spencer Dinwiddie, but he's not been giving the Lakers points to speak of. But why? Dinwiddie has said he's just trying to fit in on a team with a well-established pecking order. But maybe he's trying a little too hard? His usage rating is lower than Jaxson Hayes, who isn't allowed to dribble. Can the Lakers get him going? Are there other signs, though, that the Lakers might have a good team buried under a relatively mediocre record? Is the schedule finally opening up? And why, oh why, couldn't the Lakers have hired statue makers who can proofread their work?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers offense is on fire. Why? Will it last?
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Stitch Fix Nissan LinkedIn eBay Motors BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| Historic Performance from Anthony Davis Leads Lakers Past Timberwolves, 120-109 | 11 Mar 2024 | 00:32:38 | |
Minnesota came into Sunday's game against the Lakers at the Crypt down two of their bigs - Karl Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert. That meant Anthony Davis was in position to, and NEEDED to, dominate. And dominate he did. AD's final line—27 points, 25 rebounds, five assists, seven steals—is one that has never been posted before. Nobody has ever had 25 points, 25 rebounds, five dimes and five assists. Not in one game, at least. And just for fun, he finished only two blocks shy of a 5x5. And in the process, the Lakers, who controlled the action either by playing well themselves or turning the ball over so Minnesota could make some runs, got a huge 120-109 win over the Wolves, The Lakers are now back to six games over .500, a game (minus the tiebreaker) behind Dallas, and 1.5 behind Sacramento (again, tiebreaker not included) and are nearing the end of their absurdly challenging run of games (after which it morphs back simply into a conventionally challenging run of games. Davis was so good, he made LeBron's 29/8/9 feel like an afterthought. 19/6/4 from Austin Reaves might as well not have happened. It was a very strong weekend for the Lakers, overrall, coming off big wins over the Bucks and now the Wolves, and having recently knocked off the Thunder, too. And now they have only one game—Wednesday in Sacramento—between now and Saturday against Golden State. That could big a pretty big deal for a team with banged up stars.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get a big win behind an absurd line from Anthony Davis.
SEGMENT 2: The Lakers got what they needed, but are staying too sloppy.
SEGMENT 3: Huge win with a "restable" week ahead. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Stitch Fix Nissan LinkedIn eBay Motors BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| LeBron Leads Team USA to Gold Medal Game. Plus Vincent, Hood-Schifino Should be Healthy for the Lakers | 09 Aug 2024 | 00:34:07 | |
It wasn't easy, but Team USA got it done on Thursday, thanks to a huge fourth quarter comeback that eliminated Serbia and sent the Americans to the Gold Medal game vs. France. Final score, 95-91. Not terribly surprising, but in the middle of it all was LeBron James. Yep, the oldest guy on the team was arguably its best player throughout (at least the best player not named Steph Curry). 16 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists and a steal in a summer-high 30 minutes on the floor. And the US needed every bit of it in order to advance. It's easy to repeat the platitudes for James... and there's a reason for that. It's simply incredible for someone who has been doing it this long to maintain this level of play. The same, or nearly the same at least, can be said for Steph and Kevin Durant, who was also excellent on Thursday. Really, it was a good day for the old guard. Now the US moves on to play the French, who eliminated Germany in a thriller earlier in the day. Once again, Rudy Gobert barely played, which sets up an interesting conversation not only about US vs. France, but Gobert vs. the NBA. Meanwhile, there are updates on two players who barely had a chance to suit up last year for LA -- Gabe Vincent and Jalen Hood-Schifino. Any chance the latter contributes after a disastrous rookie year?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
For your next listen, check out the Locked On NBA podcast, where the season never ends providing national expertise with a local perspective. Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!eBay Motors From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
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| D'Angelo Russell Puts up 44 Points, Anthony Davis Guts Out Shoulder Injury as Lakers Beat Bucks, 123-122 | 09 Mar 2024 | 00:16:34 | |
Well that was improbable, and it was amazing. Playing without LeBron James, and with a one-armed Anthony Davis (who hurt his left shoulder early in the second half, but finished the game despite not being able to lift his left arm in any meaningful way) the Lakers registered a 123-122 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, the 2nd best team in the Eastern Conference. There have been a few moments this year when the Lakers, who have had some maddening collapses and failures, the most recent on Wednesday against the Kings, came through with wins built primarily on heart and effort. Winning in Boston without LeBron and AD, and this one being the most prominent. 44 points, a career high, from D'Angelo Russell, who hit the game winner. A game-clinching block from Spencer Dinwiddie on Damian Lillard, forcing him right and stuffing the stepback. A key 3-pointer from Rui Hachimura. Big energy from Jaxson Hayes. 18 points from Austin Reaves. Everyone who played did something to contribute. But nobody, of course, did more than Russell. What a game! With the win, the Lakers move back into ninth, and keep the critical eighth spot within reach. It doesn't get much easier from here, but the Lakers still have some life from a seeding perspective. Hopefully the injury news (on James and Davis) isn't too bad.
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Nissan LinkedIn eBay Motors BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| Has Darvin Ham Lost the Locker Room (Again), as Lakers Get Ready for Huge Game vs. Bucks. | 08 Mar 2024 | 00:33:19 | |
There was A LOT to unpack following Wednesday's epic, and extremely costly, collapse against the Sacramento Kings at the Crypt, one that fundamentally changed the arc of the season for the Lakers. A win didn't guarantee anything, but would have been a big boost to aspirations of finishing higher in the Western Conference, whether at the good end of the play in bracket, or even moving up to a top six position. With that loss, those dreams are basically shot. The Lakers could, with a strong push, maybe get to the eight. Anything higher than that feels unlikely, especially with the schedule in front of them. After, there were some fractures visible. LeBron James pointed to Anthony Davis's second foul as a turning point. The subtext - this stuff is happening too much lately, and needs to stop. Most folks pointed to a Lakers defense that totally collapsed, which points fingers at Davis, who pointed them back at the coaching staff for a scheme he felt the Kings were consistently exploiting and leaving him in positions to fail. Where he's not normally willing to even open the door to publicly criticizing the coaching staff, on Wednesday he did. All of this points to lingering tensions between Darvin Ham and the locker room that, while periodically tamped down by better stretches of play, clearly can't be considered healed. And it's hard to believe after 64 games, that's going to change all that much. Meanwhile, Davis also had some interesting things to say about seeding, after the Lakers won against Oklahoma City earlier in the week. In a lot of ways, those comments tie in nicely to what was said after the Sacramento game, and point to some fundamental truths about this team.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Did AD put some daylight between himself and Darvin Ham?
SEGMENT 2: What's different about this year and last, when looking at Darvin's work.
SEGMENT 3: What did AD mean when he said the Lakers don't care about their seed? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Nissan LinkedIn eBay Motors BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) | |||
| Lakers Blow Early Lead, Anthony Davis Disappears, LeBron Injured in 130-120 Loss to Kings. | 07 Mar 2024 | 00:35:27 | |
The Lakers didn't just lose to Sacramento by 10 at home Wednesday night at the Crypt. They played almost the exact opposite game as the other night against Oklahoma City, getting up by as much as 19 in the first quarter before giving up the lead and much, much more. It's the basketball embodiment of the "How it started, how it's going" meme. By the time the game reached the half, the Lakers were down 15, and never put it back into single digits. After, LeBron James pointed to Anthony Davis picking up his second foul, and that opened the floodgates. The disappointment in the locker room was palpable. Davis talked about the importance of this game, calling it a "must win," and to give up that kind of lead is unquestionably frustrating. But so was Davis's performance. We pointed to his matchup against Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis as the key one heading in, and in this case Sabonis got the best of him. Davis was 5-13. Sabonis, 7-13 with 20 rebounds and 12 assists. Needless to say, the 26 points scored by Malik Monk off the bench were more than the Lakers reserves scored as a team. Meanwhile, LeBron James had to leave the game early, struggling with the same ankle that he's been dealing with all year long. He didn't seem hyper concerned about it after the game, but it's hard to know until he wakes up on Thursday, and sees how things feel. It's go time, and the Lakers can't afford an extended absence from James, who was awesome on Wednesday, with 31 points, five rebounds and 13 assists. So now, the Lakers have lost the tiebreaker against Sacramento, and lose a game to them in the standings. Realistically, they become a team that is going to be MUCH more difficult, if not impossible, to pass in the standings. This one stung. A lot.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers collapse after a building a big lead.
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Nissan LinkedIn eBay Motors BetterHelp PrizePicks Gametime FanDuel FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
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