Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball

Latest Episodes:

Standing Out vs. Fitting In Oct 22, 2021

Show notes

LeBron James said that Russell Westbrook, like himself and Anthony Davis, shouldn't be worried about "fitting in" on the Lakers, but instead, as one of the team's stars, he sometimes needs to "stand out" and just play his own game. Pete, Mike, and Darius explore the idea of how Russ can best be deployed in order to be most effective and Russ' own role in making that happen. Then later, the guys discuss the upcoming matchup with the Suns and offer predictions on how the game will go.

Paint to Great Oct 21, 2021

Show notes

Russell Westbrook's struggles on opening night should not be surprising considering some of the lineups he played in and how much he was (or was not) set up for success. Pete, Mike, and Darius debate some of the lineup decisions made and whether catering more to Russ' style of play will better promote success or whether, due to injuries and roster construction, making those changes would just be setting the team up for different types of struggles where weaknesses from other players get exposed

Lakers Fall on Opening Night Oct 20, 2021

Show notes

The Lakers dropped their season opener to the Warriors 121-114 in a game that saw LeBron and Anthony Davis score and defend well, but none of their teammates really have a positive night on either side of the ball. Pete and Darius breakdown the game, focusing on LeBron and AD's strong nights, how the big starting lineup fared, some of the team's defensive struggles, and how injuries forced some really ill-fitting lineups onto the floor. Later, the guys discuss Russell Westbrook's rough night and how a convergence of his own limitations and the groupings he played with contributed to his struggles.

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Western Conference Preview Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

In forecasting how far the Lakers can go this season, it's best to first examine their position in the Western Conference relative to the rest of the teams. Pete, Mike, and Darius go through the entire conference, using a tiered system to analyze who are the conference's best teams and how the Lakers stack up against them, as injuries and uncertainty loom large for several of its best teams.

Visit https://www.tickpick.com/lfr to save $10 on your first order of tickets.

Lakers Season Preview Oct 18, 2021

Show notes

The Lakers enter the 2021-22 season with high expectations, and with more questions than answers. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the upcoming season through the lens of what we know, what we don't, and how it all can come together on both sides of the ball under the guidance of head coach Frank Vogel and the team's star players.

Visit https://www.tickpick.com/lfr/ to save $10 on your first order of tickets.

Agents of Chaos Oct 15, 2021

Show notes

The Lakers dropped their preseason finale on Thursday night, but in the process gave us even more insight into the type of team they're trying to be and the preferred style they want to play. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss how speed, tempo, and creating chaos are pillars of the Lakers approach and how well it's working so far. Later, the guys talk about LeBron's strong play, an improving Russ, and some of their final thoughts on the team now that preseason is over.

Big 3 Debut Oct 13, 2021

Show notes

The Lakers fell to 0-5 in the preseason after losing to the Warriors on Tuesday night, but all was not lost as we got our first glimpse at how the LeBron, Russell Westbrook, and Anthony Davis trio looks on the court together. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss their takeaways from those first minutes together, particularly the ramped up pace they played with offensively and some of the team's defensive challenges. Later, the guys discuss Carmelo Anthony's defense, offer some praise for Austin Reaves, and get into who the ideal 5th starter would be for them.

Injury Bug Oct 12, 2021

Show notes

The Lakers have been hit with the injury bug, losing Trevor Ariza and now Talen Horton-Tucker for extended stretches. With Malik Monk and Kendrick Nunn also dealing with minor issues, the team's depth is further compromised, especially on the wing. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the ramifications of having these players out, particularly the impact on the defensive side of the ball. Later, the guys discuss what they hope to see in Tuesday's game vs. the Warriors when LeBron, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook will play together for the first time this preseason.

Pace Yourself Oct 11, 2021

Show notes

Pete and Mike discuss the Lakers' casual approach to preseason after a string of blowout losses, Russell Westbrook's early turnovers, and why coming changes in Tuesday night's game against the Warriors may fundamentally change how the team plays.

Getting Better Oct 08, 2021

Show notes

Through their first two preseason games, the Lakers have had some rough moments defensively. Pete and Darius discuss some of the team's struggles and dive into ideas of how the team can improve on that end of the floor and embracing the work needed to perform as well as needed on that end of the floor. Later, the guys discuss the team's guard rotation, what their specific strengths are on defense, and how to leverage those so they can play meaningful minutes in high stakes games.