Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball

Latest Episodes:

THT's Microskills Sep 15, 2021

Show notes

Pete and Mike are joined by PD Web (Twitter: @abovethebreak3) to discuss Talen Horton Tucker's offensive and defensive development, going in depth into THT's progress on his jump shot, his spatial awareness and advantage creation skills on offense and defense, and why it might be important to view his development as 2 players: one who can help a team now with championship aspirations and one who can be featured with a bigger role as a 25 year old player.

Buy or Sell Sep 14, 2021

Show notes

How competitive the NBA is and whether the teams we believe can be contenders or take a big leap forward, ultimately depends on whether the trajectory of players like Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, or Nikola Jokic remain ascendant. Pete, Mike, and Darius go around the NBA to look at these players (and some other, former Lakers too!), to give their initial prognosis on whether they can be as good as they were last season and what that means for their respective teams.

Lakers Sign DeAndre Jordan Sep 09, 2021

Show notes

The Lakers have signed DeAndre Jordan, adding to their center rotation and, in the process, potentially revealing more about the proposed stylistic identity of the team. Pete, Darius, and Mike discuss the signing, focusing on how Jordan can help offensively, his defensive limitations and whether the Lakers can better compensate for them than the Nets did, and what role they envision him playing in the team's rotation.

Cedric & the Lake Show Sep 09, 2021

Show notes

In the period between when the Showtime Lakers ruled the NBA and the Shaq/Kobe Lakers ran roughshod over the league, there was the "LakeShow" teams that, while never competing for a championship, captivated the hometown fans with a brash and fun style of playing the game. While he was only on the team for a little over two seasons, Cedric Ceballos was instrumental in ushering in the LakeShow and helping set the foundation for the team that ultimately was able to lure Shaq from Orlando. Pete and Darius discuss Ceballos' game, his importance to those teams, and why that era of Lakers basketball offers a real nostalgia for them as fans.

The Basketball Gods - Magic Johnson Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

Many cultures throughout history believed that a collection of gods represented certain principles and governed specific domains accordingly. The God of the Sea, the Goddess of Love, the God of the Sky, etc.

Basketball is no different. While some basketball gods are more powerful than others, various players, coaches, and other figures throughout the league’s history act as emissaries who illustrate a fundamental truth about the game.

In the continuation of our series on The Basketball Gods, Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the God of Vision: the transcendent Earvin "Magic" Johnson, and how he transformed the game for its next generation.

Vogel's Challenge Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

Frank Vogel has a well earned reputation as one of the game's elite defensive coaches. But the 2021-22 roster is more offensively minded than his previous Lakers teams. In this episode, Pete, Mike & Darius explore the adjustments Vogel can make to get the most out of this new look group on both ends of the floor.

Quick Hitters 9/3 Sep 03, 2021

Show notes

In the latest LFR Pod mailbag, Pete & Mike answer questions about the potential advantages & disadvantages of having someone like Marc Gasol on a team with Russell Westbrook, the culprit for the low number of lobs thrown to AD last season, whether THT should get some time at small forward, despite his weakness at guarding at that position, who would they say is the most important player to this team's success (outside of LeBron, AD & Russ), and whether this is the year that the Lakers can reduce LeBron's minutes.

A Look at the Schedule Sep 02, 2021

Show notes

Should we expect the Lakers to get off to a quick start and rack up wins to begin the season? What can we learn about this team by the time they take their first long road trip in January? Is there a month of the schedule that is most important to the team's success? Pete, Mike, and Darius try to answer these questions and many more when they take a deep dive into the Lakers 2021-22 schedule.

Rondo Returns Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

Rajon Rondo is back on the Lakers! Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss Rondo's return, reflecting not only on their feelings to see him added back to the roster after the up, down, and back up again first tenure with the team, but on the tangible and intangible qualities he brings in his 2nd stint. Later, the guys discuss Rondo's relationship with Frank Vogel and how they envision that impacting Rondo's playing time and Rondo's influence in the locker room.

What Do the Lakers Still Need Aug 31, 2021

Show notes

With the Lakers roster nearly complete, the question must be asked: What does this team still need? From a wing defender, to more youthful energy, to a more traditional power forward, Pete, Darius and Mike explore the Lakers roster and try to figure out if areas where the team is lacking and, if so, how much it matters on a roster that has LeBron and Anthony Davis as all court talents and Russell Westbrook intensity and competitiveness.