The Land O'Lakers Podcast by the Kamenetzky Brothers

Andre Drummond loses a toe nail, Marc Gasol loses his starting gig, Kevin Durant loses 50K Apr 05, 2021

The Lakers had a busy week, and lost two of the three games they played. So why do we declare it a success? And what exactly does success look like on the upcoming road trip? We explain. Because while LeBron and Anthony Davis are still out, Andre Drummond is nursing his nail-less big toe and so on, success is a relative term, with a very specific meaning.

From there, it's on to Drummond. How hard is it to play without a toenail? How long might he be out? What did we see in the one half he played (last week vs. Milwaukee) that might hint at how he'll fit in? What do the Lakers do now until he returns? And with the Drummond question comes others about Marc Gasol, who made it clear last week he doesn't like being bumped from his starting gig. The assumpton is that he'd be upset - who wants to be benched? - but it's rare to hear an athlete speak as candidly as Gasol did following Friday's win over Sacramento.

From there... SPACE JAM! We react to the first full length trailer. And then wrap things up with a dive into the very, very strange feud between Michael Rapaport and Kevin Durant.

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How Andre Drummond impacts the Lakers, more names for the buyout market, and Harden as MVP? Mar 29, 2021

The Lakers played, and won, two games this weekend, one against a conventionally bad team (Cleveland), and the other against a catastrophically awful group (Orlando). Even shorthanded, they might not seem like much, but it can be argued these were the most important wins of the season. Without LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the lineup, the team is poised to lose a lot of games. They're rarely going to have the best player available in any game, and often won't have any of the top three. So dropping games against low talent squads like the Magic, when better groups await (Milwaukee, Brooklyn, Miami, New York, etc.) would have been a disaster in the standings as the Lakers try to keep themselves out of any play-in scenarios for the postseason.

So after noting the significance, we get to the big news of the week - Andre Drummond is a Laker. He's a good player, but just how good is a matter of debate. Are his numbers just empty calories? Finally given a chance to play for something meaningful, will his game prove to be a little more versatile and efficient than he's shown? Will his defensive effort and attention to detail improve?

So what can he help the Lakers with now? Before LeBron and AD return? What about after? The rotation does get a lot more crowded... so who sits? And who else might be available for the Lakers, and the last roster spot? If it's Orlando's Otto Porter, L.A. should jump at the chance.

Finally... what do you make of the MVP case for James Harden? On the one hand, he's been spectacular in Brooklyn. On the other, he didn't cover himself in glory on the way out of Houston.

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LeBron James joins Anthony Davis on the injury list... How can the Lakers hang on? Mar 22, 2021

The news is big, and it ain't good.

Saturday against the Hawks, LeBron James suffered a very nasty looking high ankle sprain, and has been declared "out indefinitely" by the Lakers. Whether that means seven, 10, 15 or more games remains to be seen, but with only 29 remaining following Sunday's loss to the Suns in Phoenix, the Lakers don't have much time to get their house in order before the playoffs begin.

The margin for error, if it's still there, is shrinking.

And just where might they be when those playoffs roll around? The schedule gets harder, and the shorthandedLakers, light on front end talent (if you were told an NBA team's best players were Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Dennis Schroder, you'd say "This is not a playoff team.") are unlikely to win much until at least one of their stars return. So could they fall as low as the play-in tournament? It's not as crazy as it might sound.

LeBron's injury, by the way, is a bad example for anyone looking to pin a badge of irresponsibility and greed on the NBA for having these guys play a compressed schedule. Maybe other injuries are, but even then the conversation is hardly simple.

What can they do to win games, now? It starts with impeccable decision making. Can't afford turnovers. Can't blow easy rotations, defensively. The Lakers could end up the underdog in every game they play - even Orlando - over the next couple weeks, at least. Underdogs can't make mistakes.

Finally... Snyder Cut. You in?

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How the Lakers keep going without Anthony Davis. (Also, the first "Space Jam" is a bad movie.) Mar 15, 2021

The Lakers announced this week that Anthony Davis is healing, but it'll be at least two more weeks until he's cleared to play. At the least, Davis won't see game action before the end of March, and more likely it'll be a week or two into April. So what does that mean for Davis? For the Lakers? We break it down in the newest edition of the Land O'Lakers podcast.

-When does Davis return? How do the Lakers handle that, so injury doesn't recur? And how much time do the Lakers need at full strength to get themselves ready for the playoffs?

-Davis is the headliner, but the Lakers are running low on bodies overall. Marc Gasol is still in the COVID protocol, with no sign of being released. Alex Caruso is now in the concussion protocol, and could miss time. Jared Dudley has a ligament tear in his knee. In the long run, those guys should be back on the floor (save perhaps Dudley, who would only play in the event of disaster come playoff time), but how much does their absence add to a potential fatigue problem for the Lakers?

-The Lakers are developing a depth problem. Would someone like LaMarcus Aldridge help? More than, say, Andre Drummond or PJ Tucker?

-Finally, LeBron revealed this week he originally passed on doing a Space Jam remake because he thought the first one was too good to top. This is a rare moment where James is wildly, wildly wrong.

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The Lakers are halfway home -- On surprises and what's to come with guest Harrison Faigan Mar 08, 2021

He's the big cheese over at Silver Screen and Roll, and one of our favorite people out in the NBA universe. Harrison Faigen of SilverScreenandRoll.com joins the show to review what we've seen to this point in the Lakers season, and preview what's to come. Plus... we dive into some of the more controversial aspects of the All Star Weekend! No shortage of options, there.

And that's actually where we start. First, what was the reaction to the game? Clearly, investment from players on the floor was lower than normal. LeBron James projected a strong "I'm just here so I don't get fined" vibe, and didn't even play in the second half. The Elam Ending ended fast. Most of the ancillary competitions were underwhelming. But the big stuff came earlier in the weekend, when Commissioner Adam Silver talked vaccinations, noting the league won't mandate them for players, and the NBA Twitterverse freaked out. LeBron himself wouldn't commit to getting one, saying it's a private family thing (at least for now). Is the angst deserved?

We go around the horn talking about big first half takeaways. What stuck out to each of us? Big topics include the success levels of LA's various new parts, especially around Montrezl Harrell and Dennis Schröder, and whether for all the change, the big picture worries around the team look an awful lot like last year's too.

After that, we talk about what's next. How can the Lakers bring consistency to the lineup? Who might be available in the buyout market? Would that caliber player likely even help?

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Dennis Schröder's return, LeBron James, age and the MVP award... plus Kobe Bryant as The Logo? Mar 01, 2021

As the Lakers endured a four-game losing streak, we said on this show the losses, while frustrating, revealed little about the makeup of the team, short of the obvious: When the Lakers don't have Anthony Davis and Dennis Schröder, they're too short on talent to win a lot of games. Particularly on the offensive end. If the losing continues after they return? Now they've got a real problem.

This week, though, showed how that may not be an issue. Schröder returned from his stint in the league's health and safety and the team beat Portland and Golden State, two teams that had been playing pretty well. The "why" shows what Schröder brings to the table.

From there, we answer a question that seems to be popping up whenever people discuss LeBron James and his performance this season: Should his age be a factor in judging MVP-worthiness?

Lakers fans got a look at Damian Jones, who still hasn't missed a shot as a Laker. But all kidding aside, how much might he help, and how much help might be out there for the Lakers to shore up holes in the roster?

Finally, we look at one of this week's big stories in the NBA - should the NBA make Kobe Bryant the new logo? The answer is... complicated.

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The Lakers, tired and shorthanded, are slumping as trade and buyout rumors start flying! Feb 22, 2021

That the Lakers are slumping without Anthony Davis (calf strain) and Dennis Schröder (health and safety protocols) in the lineup isn't exactly a surprise. Most teams would suffer without an all-world guy like Davis, and the type of dynamic scorer that Schröder is, particularly when nobody left on the roster not named LeBron James can serve as that type of offensive catalyst.

The Lakers, in short, are having trouble scoring. Why? We mentioned the absences, and then there's the shooting. It remains horrible over the month of February, with the team under 30 percent from beyond the arc. They're just not making shots. One reason might be fatigue. The team, as a group, looks physically and mentally tired. And who can blame them? Honestly, if there was a way for LeBron to sit for 10 days without any real threat to his health, we'd be up for it... and toss out a couple strategies to make it happen.

Can the Lakers preserve enough energy to get them to the playoffs and thrive?

Finally, we're getting to everyone's favorite part of the season, trades and buyouts and free agency! This week, the Lakers were tied to a couple of Houston Rockets, P.J. Tucker and DeMarcus Cousins. One (Tucker) could be had via trade, the other (Cousins) as a street free agent once the Rockets release him as expected. Which guy makes more sense for the Lakers? Which guy is more gettable? We break it all down.

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Injuries ruin Lakers vs. Nets, 35,000 points for LeBron and more All Star Game headaches for the NBA Feb 19, 2021

The Lakers and Nets were supposed to have a marquee, earth-shaking tussle on Thursday, but instead had it derailed by player absences. No Anthony Davis, no Kevin Durant, and then in a surprise, no Dennis Schroder, who was a late scratch after being put in the COVID protocols. More information about that will surely emerge in the next few days. But in the meantime, it meant there wasn't much to learn about what a Lakers vs. Nets NBA Finals might look like.

One thing is clear, though, the Nets are a whole lot of fun to watch, and in some ways represent the NBA's equivalent of the Cheeseburger Diet. Is that a responsible way to lose weight? No, but if you can pull it off it beats kale!

From there, it's onto LeBron James, who scored his 35,000th point on Thursday. It's a remarkable achievement, which we celebrate with a game of Over/Under 35K. How much longer can he keep it up? Is LeBron a shoe-in to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the league's all time leading scorer?

Finally, we look at the mess the NBA finds itself in with an All Star Game, now set for March 7th, that nobody wants to play in. Could this cause real damage between the league and its players? How much does the money matter?

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Anthony Davis is out... so what happens now? How Dennis Schröder can help save LeBron James. Feb 16, 2021

The Lakers got bad news on Monday, though it certainly could have been worse. Anthony Davis, who re-aggravated his Achilles tendinosis Sunday in Denver, will almost surely miss the nine games remaining for the Lakers before the All Star Break. But an MRI revealed no structural damage to the tendon itself, meaning long term hopes for the season are still, like A.D.'s leg, still intact.

But what happens now?

The Lakers first have a decision to make about who starts. It's likely Kyle Kuzma, but should it be someone else? How can the Lakers fill the gaps on both sides of the ball created by the absence of Davis? Why is Dennis Schröder arguably the most important player on the team, insofar as stepping up to make sure LeBron James doesn't grind himself into a pulp carrying the team while Davis is out? This moment for Schröder comes at an interesting time, as well, since starting this week he can officially get into contract extension talks with the team.

From there, we dissect what matters and what doesn't over these next nine games. Oddly enough, team accomplishments may be a lot less relevant than how individuals perform. We explain why.

And oh by the way, all of this happens while the Lakers are deep in a shooting slump that is reaching a point where it's fair to worry if "slump" is actually the right word for it. Just how good were they, anyway, at perimeter shooting? If it doesn't come back to better levels, what damage does it cause the plans for a repeat?

Finally, Blake Griffin is essentially done in Detroit. The Pistons and Griffin agreed to have him sit until he's either traded or bought out. It's a bummer of an ending for a guy who has worked incredibly hard to expand his game while his body disintegrates around him. It's not easy to figure out the how, but if they had the chance to bring him in, should the Lakers do it?

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Anthony Davis has a sore Achilles tendon. Cause for concern? Plus the Wisdom of Alex Caruso and more Feb 08, 2021

As much as anything can be in this day and age, the 2020-21 season for the Lakers has been pretty smooth sailing. No COVID-19-related cancellations, little by way of injuries, piling up wins, and so on. Now, we seem to be passing through a potentially more challenging stretch. Anthony Davis has been diagnosed with tendonosis of his right Achilles. The Lakers don't seem to be overly concerned, and reports say structurally the Achilles is fine. He's likely to miss Monday's game vs. OKC, and nothing has been said beyond that.

So are his injury and his disappointing-for-him play to this point related? It seems hard, given how much his name pops up on those mandatory injury reports the league mandates.

Next, we look at the team's odd inability to score effectively n the fourth quarter. Saturday against Detroit, the Lakers went the last four minutes of regulation without a bucket. It's not the first time that has happened. In fact, even while they're currently 6th leaguewide in 4th quarter offensive efficiency, over their last five games the Lakers are 23rd. They've looked too often like the team that stood around so LeBron might bail them out. What accounts for the drop off?

Finally we look at a pair of comments from Alex Caruso. First, he said the Lakers need to avoid getting bored in games, which set off a couple alarm bells for sure. But does Caruso mean the Lakers are complacent? Or are they just not above human nature, which generally tells people they can let up a little after building a big lead. And it's Starts, they're Just Like Us," LeBron James edition.

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The Lakers thump Denver, LeBron Thumps the Proposed 2021 All Star Game, Dudley Thumps George, and more... Feb 05, 2021

For one half on Thursday, the Lakers looked vulnerable. The visiting Denver Nuggets made Anthony Davis uncomfortable. They crashed the offensive glass and built a 12-point lead at the half. Then in the third quarter, the Lakers hit a gear on defense the Nuggets couldn't overcome. That spilled into the fourth quarter, too, and in the end LA walked away with a 21-point win.

That's a 33-point swing.

And it happened in a way that had to be really discouraging to the rest of the league. Not just because the Lakers cranked it up and throttled a good Western Conference team, but the how. Anthony Davis? Good, but not special. LeBron? Doing his thing, but nothing terribly out of the ordinary. It's not that they can't be beaten, but doing it four times in a seven game series will be a tall order for anyone.

Some of Thursday's conversational highlights:

-The comfort level of Kyle Kuzma, who is playing with a level of freedom we haven't seen in a while. How much is related to the security of his contract extension? How much is the Lakers validating his performance, and for playing the role they need him to play? Either way, if he keeps playing like he is, Kuz will glue Markieff Morris to the bench.

-The ascendence of Talen Horton-Tucker continues. He was dynamic against Denver, and is providing the Lakers a type of scoring from the bench they didn't have before (including from Kuzma, who isn't nearly as efficient putting the ball on the floor and getting to the rim). THT is proving to be the real deal, and making it almost impossible for Frank Vogel to take him off the floor. Which, like Kuzma is doing to Morris, will keep Wes Matthews on the bench.

-Dennis Schroder, after a slow January, looks like he's getting comfy again. This is a good thing for LA.

-Finally, Davis was only modestly productive against Denver, and does have moments where he seems to fade in and out of games. We used to say the same of Pau Gasol. Is there a commonality there?

From there, we tackle the All Star Game. Should it be played? The NBA is pushing ahead, but LeBron James said Thursday he's not a fan of the idea. What are the good reasons for cancelling the game? The crass money grab turns people off, but should it?

And finally, it's Jared Dudley vs. Paul George!

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Do the Lakers have a new rotation? And what's in that tuna salad, anyway? Feb 01, 2021

The Lakers have played some impactful games on the road trip, but none going forward might be more impactful than Saturday's win over Boston, not because of the final score (though the Lakers were happy to break a two game losing streak) but rather who Frank Vogel had on the floor during those 48 minutes.

That's where we start (4:45) in the latest edition of the Land O'Lakers podcast. Who was in, who was out, and what does it mean going forward? Does THT really squeeze Wes Matthews out of the rotation? Has Kyle Kuzma helped make Markieff Morris unnecessary? Or are these guys just not playing well enough to deserve time over Horton-Tucker, even if he's only 20? Something to watch for sure.

12:30 - How much leeway does THT get going forward? He brings a skill set the team definitely needs.

15:45 - Alex Caruso has clearly established himself as a guy who will play in virtually every closing lineup. In Boston, when Montrezl Harrell was having a good game and Vogel kept him on the floor was Kentavious Caldwell Pope, not Caruso. There's a lot of angst among Lakers fans regarding Caruso's minutes, but this should show people may not need to worry so much.

23:00 - One guy who won't be squeezed? Kyle Kuzma. Once again, his role has been re-invented, and this year he seems to be thriving. More than last year. And if the perimeter shooting - 38 percent as the week begins from 3-point range - he has an entirely new influence on the team.

27:30 - Man, did Klay Thompson and Draymond Green go off on Detroit's Rodney McGruder!

34:00 - Subway is being sued by people saying their tuna salad is not actually made from tuna. Like, literally none. Granted, the suit doesn't actually say what actually IS in the tuna salad, but it nonetheless raises the question, how far away from actual tuna would you be ok with, here?

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The State of the Lakers, and the First Anniversary of Kobe's Death ... Guest, Kyle Goon Jan 25, 2021

This week the Lakers will pass the quarter pole on the 2020-21 season, and things on the court are going well. The Lakers start the week 13-4, and on most nights find their biggest flaw to be a tendency to let teams eat into large leads they've built up, rather than continuing to roll that opponent out of the building.

Of course, that means they have to build that lead to begin with, no easy feat in the NBA. First world problems, for sure.

That the Lakers are good isn't surprising. That they're this good, despite clearly not putting forth 100 percent effort as a team? That's the first question we ask Kyle Goon, who covers the team for The Southern California News Group. Why have things clicked so quickly? Is it simply a matter of upgrading talent? We break down why the Lakers starting lineup, dominant last year, has been even more so this season.

There is still some conversation around the starting lineup, and whether Dennis Schroder should be in it (especially as he suffers through a brutal January offensively), but what about the closing lineup? Against the Bucks last week, Frank Vogel finished with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Alex Caruso and Schroder. Is this the lineup people should expect, all things being equal?

From there, we turn to the other significant news of the week. Tuesday marks the one-year anniversary of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others. It remains a profoundly difficult tragedy, particularly in Los Angeles and in NBA circles. It is, for a great many people, very difficult to talk about. But the Lakers still keep Kobe central to the season, not just as an organization but as a team. They still break huddles with "1-2-3 Mamba," for example. At the same time, interest in Kobe is real. Stories about him, remembrances of him, and so on. He continues to drive conversation, and generating content about him is undoubtedly an easy way to generate interest.

So what's the line between responsible and respectful coverage of a legitimate news event and engaging in something more exploitative of his memory? Where the motivation shifts from serving the audience to serving the content creator? We talk with Kyle about that challenge. How he's handling it personally, and the ways in which trying to tell this story while hamstrung by COVID-based restrictions complicates things. His is still a complicated life to memorialize, as well. It's an interesting conversation for sure, one that gets into the nuts and bolts of how the work gets done.

We wrap with a discussion about relative weaknesses... that may not be really that weak. How poorly is Wes Matthews actually playing, and how might it get fixed?

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The Lakers Lose on MLK Day with Eastern Conference Contenders Looming Jan 19, 2021

So.... that happened. The Lakers got off to a great start on MLK Day at home against Golden State, but ultimately blew a 16 point halftime lead, then an 11 point margin after three quarters, ultimately losing 115-113 to the Golden State Warriors.

What happened? How a bad alchemy of bad offense led to easier opportunities for the Warriors... or was it bad defense letting the Warriors score too much and then set their defense?

It was also a little different, not just because the Lakers lost, but because the rotation was different. Very little Markieff Morris, and no Talen Horton-Tucker. Is this a sign of things to come?

From there, we turn to the road trip. Last season, the Lakers made a point of never losing two straight. And ultimately, they were very successful at limiting consecutive losses. So the big question isn't necessarily what they did against Golden State, it's how they respond. Especially since a game in Milwaukee, thanks to COVID-19, will have a much more neutral-court feel to it, as all NBA games this season do. That might make it a more accurate barometer of where these teams stand relative to each other. Same goes for Boston, same goes for Philly later in the trip. We could learn some stuff about the Lakers over the next two weeks.

How much do these games matter?

Finally, it's a quick look at the MVP race in the VERY, VERY, almost LAUGHABLY early going... but in a season this disjointed, with so much in flux thanks to the pandemic messing with rosters and game schedules, then the big trade between Houston and Brooklyn, no real early narrative has emerged. And for an award that is driven largely by narrative, that matters.

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BREAKING NEWS POD! Harden to Brooklyn, Kyrie takes personal time, COVID hits the NBA hard... Guest, Jared Weiss Jan 14, 2021

Wednesday morning, we thought we'd hit two of the bigger stories of the NBA this week with guest, Jared Weiss of The Athletic. First, his great feature this week on how COVID-19 has hit the NBA hard, forcing cancellations and changes in the league's virus protocols. Are they giving enough attention to the possibilities of on-court transmission between players? And while we had him, we figured we'd talk a little Kyrie Irving, currently on what is being described as personal leave with the Nets. Weiss, after all, covered Irving in Boston

Then... James Harden was shipped from Houston to Brooklyn. So change of plans!

We break down the trade, asking all the important questions:

-What was your initial reaction when the news dropped?

-Can Brooklyn integrate three gigantic talents who are also three potentially challenging personalities? What about playing style? Can Harden change his game enough to fit in alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie?

-Is Kyrie coming back anytime soon? Does the trade make it more likely or less that he'll get back quickly? Were the Nets hedging against him perhaps not coming back at all?

-How valuable could those draft picks be for Houston? Potentially, very. And even if things go well for Brooklyn, Weiss says, some of those draft assets near the end of the deal (2024-27) could be very valuable.

Finally, we get back to focus on his excellent COVID breakdown. The league has already cancelled eight games this week. Where did this all start? Is there anything the league can really do to stop it, short of stopping the games? (Which, it should be noted, wouldn't necessarily prevent the virus from spreading among players.)

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Early Season Surprises for the Lakers, and Curiosities Looking Ahead Jan 11, 2021

The Lakers picked up another win Sunday in Houston, dominating the Rockets on both sides of the ball to run their record to 11-3. After a quick breakdown - including some speculation on the future of James Harden - we look at some early season surprises for the Lakers, 11 games in. For starters, there's the emergence of a mid-range game with Montrezl Harrell, something that definitely wasn't a thing last season with the Clippers. Is it real? Trezz says so, but he might be biased.

Then there's the emergence of Talen Horton-Tucker as a legit NBA rotation player. Yes, it was hinted at in the Orlando bubble and during the preseason, but you never know how things will go once real games start and a young player ends up on another team's scouting reports. Early returns appear strong, and that's a great boost for the Lakers.

From there, we look at questions and curiosities. What trends are most interesting, from the size of Frank Vogel's rotation to the sustainability of the outside shooting to the LeBron James Maintenance Plan.

Finally, it's mailbag time! Who is the true A.D. in L.A.? What player from last year's team are the Lakers most likely to miss? And aside from Goodfellas, what's your favorite Scorsese movie?

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How Jeanie Buss Made History... Guest, New York Times features reporter Katie Rosman Jan 07, 2021

When the Lakers won their 17th championship this fall, it was history on a few levels. One piece that may not have received enough attention? Jeanie Buss became the first woman to lead a team to a title in American team sports as an owner. We spoke with Katie Rosman, features reporter at the New York Times, who authored an excellent story about Buss earlier this week.

We covered a great deal of ground, including questions about...

-What drew her to the story, and why, particularly as a reporter working outside of sports for readers who are also not necessarily steeped in the spots world, this story matters.

-What has made Buss successful, after a difficult transition following the death of her father? What motivates her?

-What qualities does she exhibit that run counter to expectations?

-How would things like posing for Playboy or dating the coach be perceived today?

-Rosman profiled Washington Football Team owner Daniel Snyder, who is widely reviled as an owner, running an organization that devolved into a mysoginistic boys club. Could what happened in Washington happen under a female owner? What does that say about the need to have women in powerful positions?

It's a great conversation built on an outstanding profile.

We close by talking about Buss's growth as an owner. What's different now? How has she improved, and what does it mean going forward?

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The Lakers are Evolving and Winning at the Same Time... Guest, @Tim_NBA (Cranjis McBasketball) Jan 04, 2021

The Lakers are still a work in progress, but they're a winning work in progress, kicking off the week with five wins in seven tries and the best point differential in the Western Conference. So what's working and what isn't? How are the new guys fitting in? To break it down, we welcome @Tim_NBA - known in NBA Twitter circles as Cranjis McBasketball - to the show. Tim runs the outstanding bball-index.com, and hosts the equally excellent Lakers Exceptionalism podcast on Twitch. He deconstructs the data, along with the x's and o's, around what the Lakers have been up to in the early going.

Some of the big questions we ask...

-How have the new guys fit in? What works for Montrezl Harrell and Dennis Schroeder particularly on both ends of the floor? Any reason to believe they won't be significant contributors throughout the season? That they might be vulnerable in the playoffs?

-What are the Lakers doing differently on the defensive side of the ball? How has new personnel changed the way Frank Vogel has to scheme?

-The Lakers are shooting the lights out from 3-point range. Why Tim thinks they have a good chance to remain one of the league's better teams from distance, which would certainly be a massive shift from recent seasons.

-What exactly does an elite shooting Lakers team mean for their title chances? (Spoiler alert... it certainly doesn't hurt them.)

Great stuff from one of the best analysts out there. Sponsored by Manscaped.com, BetOnline.ag, and Delicious Pizza.

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The Lakers Look Strong... What Trends Will Hold and What Might Change? Dec 28, 2020

After pasting a Karl Anthony Towns-less Minnesota Timberwolves squad Sunday night, the Lakers are 2-1 through three and aside from the first quarter against the Clippers in the opener, have looked pretty good or better.

So what accounts for the solid beginning? For starters, the Lakers simply have more talent on hand than last year, and can attack opposing teams in more ways. Frank Vogel says they're a work in progress for another month or so, and that from the perspective of the coaching staff, in many ways they're still in a preseason mode. That's an encouraging sign, all things told, because so far, so good.

But within the early sample size theater, there are a few numbers that stick out. We play "Trend or Mirage?" with three of them, asking whether current trends will hold...

1) LeBron is averaging just over 28 minutes a game...

2) Montrezl Harrell and Dennis Schroder are averaging 22 shots a game, combined.

3) The Lakers are shooting nearly 40% from 3-point range.

From there, we break down a legitimately historical effort from Marc Gasol, and discuss what unlocking him fully means for a team like the Lakers. And we wrap with talk of an extension for Schroder. This early into the season, is there a risk for giving him a new contract?

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The Lakers Get Their Rings... Then Get Dropped By the Clippers - Opening Night Reaction Dec 23, 2020

So apparently, the Lakers know a winning formula when they see it. Losing to the Clippers in the opener worked out last season, so Tuesday night, as the NBA kicked off the 2020-21 season, they tried it again. The LAC beat the Lakers 116-109.

But before that, we got another example of just how good the Lakers are at stagecraft, as they turned what could have been a sad and underwhelming ring ceremony, staged in an empty arena with rigid social distancing guidelines, into something really fantastic. First, they had frontline health workers from UCLA Health "present" rings to team staff. Then for Frank Vogel, Rob Pelinka and the players, their families delivered messages of congratulations and love. It was awesome, and clearly moving for the players. And by the way, it's another thing that helps attract players to the franchise.

It leads to a conversation about what "Lakers Exceptionalism" actually is -- a form of extreme competence that allows the team to win. That's how it was when Dr. Buss was around, and they're back in a similar place now.

Then, it's on to the game. How did the new guys look? What went wrong? Anything to worry about? As for the last question, no, but it's certainly possible the Lakers could look a little more like a work in progress than last year's team did over its first 20 games. Vogel has already noted how the Lakers will need to be careful with LeBron and Davis, minding their workloads. They won't be the only ones. Rotations will need to be tweaked, and changes in personnel - the center position has much less shot-blocking, for example - will require more adjustments. They'll likely win a lot more than they lose, either way, but how much of a work-in-progress will the Lakers be?

Finally, a look at the Clips. Oh, by the way, they won this game, and they're really good, even if you'd still pick the Lakers to win the conference.

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An Extension for Kuzma, Preseason Reaction and INCREDIBLY HARD MOVIE CHOICES... Guest, Kelvin Washington Dec 21, 2020

Only days before the start of the regular season, the Lakers remain busy. Joining us to talk about it, and later tackle a painfully difficult question that's only about choosing what movies you get to watch for the rest of your natural life, is our friend Kelvin Washington from Spectrum News One.

We start with Sunday's big news - the Lakers and Kyle Kuzma agreed to a three year contract extension, after the prospects for that sort of thing seemed pretty low. It's a fantastic bit of work for both sides. Kuzma gets a solid amount of money that might be a bit of an underpay should he have a big season... but also hedges against a year where he can't find a consistent role that lets him shine as a scorer. The Lakers lock up a potentially useful piece that could be very hard to replace if he blows up this year. And at the same time, he becomes a lot easier to trade, should the Lakers go that route. Solid work again from Rob Pelinka and the front office.

Then, we react to the preseason. Any surprises? What might - might- be a problem for the Lakers going foward? Are there contenders who are built to run with them? A team that may not win as many games, but represents a challenging matchup? Styles, after all, make fights. Or it is as simple as the Lakers have Lebron and Anthony Davis, and other teams don't?

Finally, we get to this question: You can only watch the filmography of one actor for the rest of your life. Who do you choose? It's a very, very hard one to answer, and requires some real strategic thinking.

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Head to Head - Comparing the Lakers and Clippers... Guest, Jesse Kass Dec 14, 2020

Two preseason romps for the Lakers over the Clippers notwithstanding, the 2020-21 NBA season, at least the Western Conference portion of it, stands very much to be about the two Los Angeles teams. Last year, the Clippers entered the season as the consensus favorite. This year, it's the Lakers. So what will happen?

To preview these Western Conference powerhouses, we're joined by Jesse Kass, who hosts the Bleav In Clippers pod on the network. After talking about what went wrong for the LAC a year ago, we ask five questions looking forward for this season:

Can motivation from last year's collapse, and a dose of Ty Lue, cure what ailed the Clippers last year?

The Clippers biggest strength against the Lakers will be what?

What about their biggest weakness vs. the Lakers?

While last year the Lakers kept the pedal down all year, this season they'll have to be far more careful preserving LeBron, Anthony Davis and other vets. What lessons can they learn from last year's lack of on-floor continuity the Clippers periodically showed?

Who wins a prospective Western Conference Finals? (Yes, it's early prediction time!)

From there, we add our own response to the conversation. Ultimately, if LeBron is LeBron and Davis continues to ascend - it's not crazy that he could be in the conversation for best in the league by season's end - does it matter what the Clippers, or any other team, really do?

Finally, we discuss the transition from 2020 to 2021, and that the latter could be the calendar equivalent of Playoff Rondo. Not so hot for a while... but awesome at the end.

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Three Players to Watch as the Lakers Start a New Season... Guest, Trevor Lane Dec 07, 2020

The Lakers have started training camp with a lot of sameness, in the sense that their big stars are back (and will be in L.A. for a while going forward, based on this week's news), as are key names in the supporting cast. On the other hand... G.M. Rob Pelinka wasn't shy about mixing things up. So how concerned should the Lakers be about chemistry, given how critical it was for their success last year? It's just one topic of conversation with guest Trevor Lane, senior writer at LakersNation.com, and host of the Lakers Nation podcast.

From there, we each pick a player we're particularly interested in this season, and break that guy down.

Trevor takes Kyle Kuzma. Last year, he set very goals for himself, and in the most obvious ways (scoring, shooting) didn't get anywhere close to meeting them. On the other hand, Kuz improved his defense, paid more attention to playmaking, and did what was asked of him without complaint. But now, entering a season where he's looking for a contract and facing more competition in that third scorer role, how will he respond? Can he still be part of the long term plan?

Andy takes Dennis Schroder. Is this whole "I want to start" thing a problem? What role would actually be most valuable to him? Is it the one the Lakers need him to play? And in the end, given how badly the Lakers will need to retain him if he plays well, does it really matter if he's a starter or sixth man?

Brian focuses on Anthony Davis. How much space is there for him to make another leap this year? What happens if he does? And what, exactly, would that look like?

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LeBron Signs an Extension and Misfit Stars Change Cities: Guest, Seerat Sohi Dec 03, 2020

In this crossover episode of the Land O'Lakers Podcast and the Late Night Happy Hour with the Kamenetzky Brothers, Seerat Sohi of Yahoo! Sports joins the show. We start on LeBron James and the surprising news Wednesday of his two-year extension with the Lakers, one that barring the unusual will keep him in L.A. through the 2023 NBA season. Why did he decide to break career norms and make a longer term commitment? What does it mean for the Lakers? For LeBron himself?

From there, we turn to the other massive news Wednesday brought -- Houston and Washington swapping problematic contracts as John Wall goes to the Rockets, with Russell Westbrook headed east to the Wizards. How exactly do these parts fit together? Is Wall a better match with James Harden than Westbrook was? What Wall is Houston even getting, here? It's basically been two years since he played. What about Russ with Bradley Beal? Is that combo any better?

Does the move entice either incumbent star to stay with his current team long term?

We talk too about Seerat's column about Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller. Why did that story hit so close for her?

Finally, it's a Christmas tradition... with a TWIST! Our annual Land O'Lakers Hallmark Christmas Movie Game has a third person in it for the very first time. Who knows the genre better?

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Where the Lakers Stand in the Western Conference: Guest, Nekias Duncan Nov 30, 2020

The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a title, but have been incredibly aggressive this offseason re-shaping the team. So after adding Dennis Schröder, Montrezl Harrell, Marc Gasol and Wes Matthews, where do they stand compared to the competition?

To ask that question, and a lot of others, we bring in Nekias Duncan (@NekiasNBA), writer and podcaster at BasketballNews.com and one of the best young writers working. He breaks down the impact L.A.'s newest additions will have, and how they'll change the way the Lakers operate in a pandemic-squeezed 2020-21 season where LeBron James and Anthony Davis haven't had much rest.

And what about Davis? After a Finals MVP performance, is this the season he breaks through with an MVP award? And if not the award itself, the type of play that launches him permanently into that small sliver of ultra-elite NBA players, headlined by Giannis and LeBron (if he's not already there)?

And of course, no conversation about the Lakers would be complete without a discussion of Kyle Kuzma, and where he fits in going forward.

Finally, we wrap up looking at other teams around the league. Who might surprise in the West? How many true contenders are there, as camps open? How might COVID-19 add chaos to the season?

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How the Lakers Managed to Make a Championship Team Better In a Week Nov 23, 2020

The 2020-21 Los Angeles Lakers aren't quite a Completed Thing On Paper yet, but are awfully close after a big trade last week and a weekend of acquisitions in free agency. GM Rob Pelinka said the Lakers wouldn't rest on their laurels, and certainly held true to his word, taking a very aggressive role in the market. In are Montrezl Harrell, Wes Matthews and Marc Gasol

This, of course, on top of acquiring Dennis Schroder from Oklahoma City in a trade.

Out? Avery Bradley, Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee

And Danny Green, sent to OKC (and then quickly to Philadelphia!) in the Schroder deal. Meanwhile the Lakers held on to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and are still hoping Markieff Morris returns, as well. So are they a better team now than they were in Orlando, when they won a title? It sure seems so. We explain why. What challenges do they face this year that are different than a season ago? How do the new pieces help? What potential problems could arise?

We go through each of the new guys, talking fit, role, and reasonable expectations.

Finally, how does all of this reflect on Rob Pelinka? Is he better at this GM thing than we thought? Has he evolved? Yes to both?

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The Lakers in Free Agency Limbo, Klay Gets Hurt, and the Worst Sign and Trade Ever Nov 19, 2020

The NBA Draft has come and gone, and the Kamenetzky Brothers celebrate with a crossover episode of the Late Night Happy Hour and the Land O'Lakers Podcast. What were the big surprises of Draft night?

Unfortunately, the biggest story didn't involve a trade or a potential free agent signing, but an injury. Golden State guard Klay Thompson was injured playing pickup ball in L.A. (this, people should know, is a totally normal activity for NBA players in the offseason) and there are fears the damage could be significant. What happens to the Western Conference if Thompson misses significant time, or even a second straight season? It's good for the Lakers, but horrible for the NBA. Which, ultimately, is bad for the Lakers, too.

What about the trades on Wednesday? Philadelphia got better, as did Dallas. The Clippers swapped shooters. Did anyone pull closer to the Lakers at the top of the heap?

Milwaukee has tried... but now a big sign-and-trade for Sacramento's Bogdan Bogdanovic has fallen through because apparently nobody checked to see if Bogdanovic actually wants to sign with the Bucks? I mean, really? This has a chance to be one of the more infamous, ignominious moments in NBA transaction history. No matter how it turns out.

Finally, the Lakers (like the rest of the league) kick off free agency on Friday, and nobody knows yet how much they'll have available to spend, in part because they have so many players who might opt out of current deals, or choose to stay. Which players do they need most? And should Dwight Howard's comments this week about wanting to get paid worry the Lakers, who reportedly want him back?

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What does the Dennis Schroder Trade Mean for the Lakers? Nov 16, 2020

Technically speaking, the deal can't be done until after Wednesday's NBA Draft, but the Lakers are wasting no time looking to improve last year's title winning squad. Reports indicate they'll trade Danny Green and the 28th pick to Oklahoma City for point guard Dennis Schroder. It's a significant deal with significant implications... and we cover them all here.

What do the Lakers gain in the exchange? What do they lose?

Does the trade mean Rajon Rondo is gone? (Not necessarily.) What about Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope? The Lakers give up wing defense, without question. Where could they go to replace it in a relatively thin free agent market? Do the problems (theoretically) addressed Schroder's presence outweigh those caused by moving Green?

Grading this thing out, there are reasons to be optimistic, and reasons to worry. Which side do we fall on?

Finally, we tease what could be a CRAZY week in Houston.

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Where the Lakers Stand Ahead of the Draft and Free Agency, with Eric Pincus Nov 09, 2020

With the NBA and the Player's Association (more or less) in agreement on a framework for the 2020-21 season, the Lakers are about to kick off a very fast, likely very nutty "offseason," starting with the Draft in about 10 days, and moving through free agency before camp kicks off in a few weeks.

To make sense of where things stand, we bring in Eric Pincus (@EricPincus), writer at Bleacher Report, host of the Hollywood Hoops podcast, and (critically for our purposes) noted capologist. The guy knows how the money works in the NBA, and sets the stage for where things stand with the Lakers.

How much free agent money will they have, based on the salary cap and luxury tax? Which exceptions, at how many dollars? What does it mean if Kentavious Caldwell-Pope wants to stay, but the Lakers have to pay him significantly more than they did last season? What about the rest of the potential free agents? What would signing guys mean for the cap space Rob Pelinka says he wants to preserve for the 2021 offseason? Or 2022?

How much will the pandemic impact the rest of the league, how other owners spend their money, or pursue trades? Because all of it matters. Could it impact the market overall?

From there, we engage in everyone's favorite activity: Wild, irresponsible trade speculation! Jrue Holiday! Chris Paul! Bears, oh my!

Follow Eric on Twitter for all of his stuff. You'll learn things.

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On LeBron and Obama, Danny Green's Season, and Buying Fish's House Nov 03, 2020

It's an election edition of the Land O'Lakers podcast! With angst at an all time high in America, we give everyone a little of what they want.

For the politics fans, we start on a few timely stories. On a day where attendees at a Trump rally chanted "LeBron James sucks!" much to the president's approval, we ask if sports and politics will ever be disentangled again (which assumes, of course, they ever were). What did people miss about the player protests in the bubble? And what do we make of all the new, detailed, and often excellent reporting on the political contributions of owners in American team sports, including the NBA?

For fans of Lakers analysis, we introduce a new offseason segment called "Let's Talk About a Laker." Today, it's Danny Green, and we ask the question "Did Danny Green have a good year?" The answer is a little more complicated than it might seem, actually. Especially when considering next season.

Anyone in the real estate market? You can buy Derek Fisher's former residence in Tarzana! Only $2.5 million, which given the photos at least and the skyrocketing costs of real estate in L.A., actually seems like a pretty good deal. But how much extra would you pay to say you live in Fish's old house? How about Kobe? Jerry West? James Worthy?

Slava Medvedenko? (We start the bidding at eleventybillion dollars...)

Finally, we finish with something for the movie buffs, discussing the life and career of Sean Connery, who died last weekend at the age of 90.

Go vote if you haven't already!

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Will the Lakers Be Giving Load Management for Christmas? Oct 30, 2020

Monday, we noted the NBA's proposed re-start date of Dec. 22, and what that mean for LeBron and the Lakers. This week, we've learned James, no surprise, would rather start the season on MLK Day. He's got company, too. But given the revenue at stake—are rank-and-file guys going to give up real income so LBJ, Anthony Davis and the Laker can get more rest?

Worth wondering, for sure.

So assuming things do start around the NBA's proposed timeline, how will the Lakers respond? Last season, there was no load management, nor any concessions to the regular season. The Laker kept their foot on the gas throughout. But this year? With a truncated offseason both of those guys will likely need protection, meaning load management (or some euphemism for it) feels likely.

It would make the supporting cast that much more important... so we ask, if you could only bring back one of the two, is it Markieff Morris or Dwight Howard? Does Rajon Rondo go? And if so, who might replace him. If two rotation guys with very specific skill sets leave, finding a "plug-and-play" option won't be easy, and none of the free agents can easily replicate what Rondo and Howard do.

So where do Rob Pelinka and Frank Vogel accept some tradeoff? What will they eventually look like?

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Does a Christmas Start Help or Hurt the Lakers and LeBron? Oct 26, 2020

The NBA reportedly has a tentative plan for the 2020-21 season... and it includes a little bit of 2020, which wasn't exactly guaranteed. 72 games, starting December 22nd, and wrapping up by the 4th of July of all goes well. What's interesting about this? Well, for starters, it means the league isn't counting on fans to be in arenas, given the uncertainty around rising COVID-19 cases in the US, and the impending winter which many health experts worry could be very, very bad. It means the Toronto Raptors won't likely be playing in Toronto... basically because Canada won't let the other 29 franchises into their country.

Sorry, Canada. That's our bad.

But for Lakers fans, the most important questions surround LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and any ways a truncated offseason impacts them and who might be their running mates next year. Should the Lakers go for continuity to the greatest extent possible? Improve the team in and hope a new group develops quick chemistry? Worked this year, for sure.

From there, Shaq is once again throwing petty shade at Dwight Howard. It's not a good look.

And finally, no, Pat Riley was not disrespecting the Lakers with his "asterisk" comments.

Programming note: We've now joined the BLEAV Podcast Network. Excited to be part of the team, and we're looking forward to growing the show there.

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A (Very Early) Look at Big Decisions for the Lakers Oct 19, 2020

It's been about a week since the Lakers won it all, bringing home a 17th title in franchise history from the Orlando bubble. And now, because the past is the past, it's time to start thinking about the future!
And to that end, there's been some news. Anthony Davis (as expected) reportedly plans to opt out of the final year of his contract, then (as expected) re-sign with the Lakers. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Rajon Rondo are also reportedly to opt out of their final years, but does that mean both are gone?
The answers to these questions, and more, fall under the umbrella of more meta, overarching questions the Lakers have to answer:
How much energy should be devoted to running it back in as close to the same form as last season?
How much of a priority should 2021 space have (i.e. for the Summer of Giannis)?
How big is the gap between the Lakers and the rest of the conference right now?
The answers to those questions could largely dictate team strategy. So we give them a go.
From there, it's a look at the Clippers and new head coach Ty Lue. Are they better off now than with Doc Rivers? What happens now to Houston in the post-Daryl Morey era?
Finally... old Telly Savalas commercials!